Y F I T R A E L ALS N MILLENI A C I R F A R FO
E N I Z A G A M
WINTER CLOSET STAPLES
You should probably have these in your closet
PAGE FIVE
XAVIER MUTSHIPAYI
MEET CONGOLESE BORN WINNIPEG ARTIST
PAGE SEVENTEEN BETA ISSUE • DECEMBER 2017 •
Editor's Note This month! I learned the art of perseverance. It has been an amazing and demanding process so far. They say team work makes the dream work. I have the absolute best team working on this and I can
IN THIS ISSUE 03 Fashion Trends 07 Hamilton fashion week 13 DIY : Hacks (Holiday Edition)
only hope you love it as much as we do.
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Leartify Magazine is structured as a platform and a
22 Suited In Eph Apparel
voice for the average African millennial. Our goal is to provide a platform that speaks to and for African Millennials. A safe place to showcase talents from all over the world and a hub for networking, Built to connect readers and writers all over North America.
Xavier Mutshipayi
29 Why Startups are Hard 32 Creatives Space
Our Editors had quite an insightful experience working with Xavier Mutshipayi, our cover feature and well renowned artist. Alongside other creatives.
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Ochuwa.I DECEMBER 2017
leartify magazine FOR AFRICAN MILLENNIALS
STYLE HACKS
How to wear trends by Ochuwa Imodagbe
Retail stores make it much harder to look away from trendy items because of how much they market and promote them on social media and every other channel. Trends are fun and cool to play around with, but knowing how to build a wardrobe means knowing that you shouldn't spend too much money on trendy items. One or two trendy items to mix it up every now and then can be fun, but trends come and go and you don't want to be forced to constantly update your wardrobe. Stay updated, but know the difference between styles and trends.
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- The 70/30 Rule Maintain a 70/30 wardrobe essential to fashion trend ratio if you want to look trendy without having 'fashion victim' glued on your forehead. - Get Your Basics Every good wardrobe has a few basics in it. I recommend you make your ratio of basic to trendy, 70/30. Basics are items that you wear often, and can be easily mixed and matched with the other pieces in your closet. Some of them include; Jeans, black pants, white blouse. e.t.c - Be Creative Look for inspirations by reading magazines, blogs, taking a walk in the mall and also trying out thrift or vintage shopping. Think, if this was the only outfit I had in my wardrobe how best would I want it to tell my story and don't be shy to tell it.
S T Y L E H A C K
Its really easy to get sucked into the much dreaded hole of trends in this era of fashion. Here are examples of trends that captured the hearts and pockets of most millennials this year. The 70's plaid blazer, waist cinchers, bell sleeves, sock boots, Gingham and of course ruffles. Molly Goddard's "Ruffles Inspired" Spring 2017 Fashion Show goes to show how much can be done with ruffles.
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think less, live more Fizco
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INSIDE SCOOP
WITH MEGAN
HA,MILTON FASHION WEEK
Hamilton Ontario has a reputation of being the home to the Stelco plant and other factories. It even earned itself the nickname of The Steel City. When visitors drive over the bridge and into the city, the smoke stacks and factories are the first things they see, and the reputation is fed. Hamilton has so much more to offer people than factories. There are lots of entrepreneurs milling about the city, all with so many talents and aspirations. One couple, Ken and Krystal Biehler, took Krystal’s love and passion for fashion and Ken’s loud and boisterous self, to found Hamilton Fashion Week (HFW) back in 2014
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"IT’S BECOMING CLEAR IN THE FASHION WORLD THAT AFRICAN FASHION IS BECOMING ONE OF THE TRENDIEST SEGMENTS IN LOCAL FASHION"
Photography by Mike
FEATURE
FASHION
THE HAMMER DROPS ON FASHION When Ken and Krystal started HFW, they realized people in Hamilton hadn’t really been to a fashion event before. In a way, they were introducing fashion and its opportunities to
The designers are proud of their heritage and they show it through bright and bold patterns and wearable pieces. African fashion will continue to be a huge influence in the Canadian fashion landscape.
the community for the first time. “It was almost like we had to market the word fashion to the community,” Ken said describing the experience. Four years later, Hamilton has become much more knowledgeable and sophisticated when it comes to fashion. HFW grows and develops each year. Ken describes the growth as “unreal.”
It’s becoming clear in the fashion world that African fashion is becoming one of the trendiest segments in local fashion. HFW was fortunate this year to have the African inspired label Phresh Empire walk in the show. Ken said the African designers they have worked with have brought life to the Hamilton fashion landscape and growing with them is exciting.
HFW’s purpose is to build the local fashion industry. There is an opportunity to make Hamilton a fashion hub within Canada. This task can only be achieved through exposure, education and connections. HFW invites boutique owners and local designers to have a place to showcase their product and build their own connections. Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22 marked this year’s fourth annual HFW. This years’ show held so many talented designers, from the experience of Designs By Merike at the Saturday’s fashion matinee, to the young minds of Zander at that nights gala, and then to the African inspired line by Phresh Empire on Sunday afternoon. Typically, any fashion event would not be closed as a jean and t-shirt event, HFW is no different. It’s also not a Jimmy Choo event. Ken and Krystal have created an annual event that allows their guests to be comfortable but still be stylish in the process.
Krystal Biehler Krystal Biehler’s style is relaxed but very trendy and modern. She draws her inspiration for her style from pretty much everywhere. Her true inspiration comes from Stevie Nicks. “I’m very inspired by her fashion,” Krystal said. “The flowy, like boho-chic sort of look that she encompasses.” On day one of HFW, Krystal kept the main pieces of her outfit simple with traditional blue, loose fitting jeans which she cuffed at the bottom, and a black top. She wore a wide gold necklace that draped across her collarbone. The two main pieces of her outfit though were her red leather boots and a black and white floral kimono. The red boots were
WE HELP YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED IN LIFE.
the first thing people saw when she walked by, either because of the colour, the sound, or both. The kimono is a very special piece to Krystal because it was made by a young designer named Rachel Warner. The kimono is floor length and the velvet is so soft to the touch. The greyscale colour tone of the abstract flower pattern and tassels on the sleeves make it a unique piece.
For the second and final day of HFW, Krystal chose an all-black ensemble. The little black boots she wore had cuts up both sides at the ankle. This detail made the boots different than a typical black ankle boot. Moving up the outfit, she wore a pair of black distressed jeans and another black top.
FASHION CAN CHANGE LIVES - KEN BIEHLER
The fashion brunch on the Sunday held a special place in the Biehler’s hearts. They presented a new award, the Alexis Smith Spirit of Fashion Award, to three people at HFW. This award was created by Ken and Krystal in honour of 12-yearold Alexis Smith, who was the cousin of HFW production manager, Maggie Taylor.
The first three recipients of this award were Rachel Warner, Quiana Delcia and Natasha Panova. Rachel designed Alexis’s final resting dress. Rachel was Alexis’s favourite designer. Quiana designed a dress for Alexis’s younger sister so she could feel special. Finally, Natasha found a pair of heels to match Alexis’s final resting dress. Though she didn’t receive an award, Krystal donated her silver and crystal wedding tiara. Ken Biehler says “fashion can change people’s lives,” and that is why they created this award. Fashion can help change the way people look at life, and in a fashion community like Hamilton, that’s a big deal.
Merry
CHRISTMAS
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Do It Yourself : Christmas Edition WITH MEGAN
- SANTA'S CAM ORNAMENT Christmas is coming and that means the ‘Elf on the Shelf’ will be coming out in many homes again. The elf keeps an eye on any kids in the home and reports what it sees to Santa. An alternative can be the Santa Cam ornament. All you need is a clear ball ornament, black paint, a red and white paint pen, a one-inch washer and a hot glue gun.
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Paint the ornament black. Either paint the
Use the red paint pen to make a button above the
outside with a brush, or remove the hanger and
washer.
put the paint inside and move the ornament
Take the white paint pen and in a nice scrolly font,
around. Let it dry.
write “Santa’s Camera.”
Next use hot glue to put the washer in the
Put the ornament hanger back on the ornament and
middle of the ornament.
find a good place for it on your tree.
WOODGRAIN WATCHES
XAVIER MUTSHIPAYI STYLED BY RAYREV PHOTOGRAPHED BY REGGIES PHOTOGRAPHY
Let’s talk about you as a person. What is your full name? Where are you from? What is your background like, family? • Xavier Nkunda Mutshipayi. I’m from Dom. Rep. Of Congo. I am happily married to a beautiful and charming woman. My wife is my best friend, my confident. Marriage has been a blessing. It is a way for me to be and remain stable.
Let's talk about you as an artist When did you start? What made you start? What has the journey been like? Have you always focused on life like art or have there been other elements in the past? What inspires your work daily, what/who are your art influences? Where do see yourself in the next 3years when it comes to art. • I stared drawing when I was 4 years old, drawing is gift from God for me. What made me start is my love of drawing. What inspire my daily work are the events of life (like history, war, and people). In my art, the woman is often a strong inspiration for me because the role of a woman in the world is crucial. She is the giver of life. Art has a big role in the society. My art brings joy to the people around me. Art makes people perfect. In 3 years I see my style of art being perfected. I hope to be known nationally and internationally. Let's talk about the art Tell us about the process. (before you paint)? What's the most challenging part of your art? What’s your fav color. One color that must be in your paintings? What’s your favorite piece by another artist? What's your favorite piece by you? How do you feel about digital art and its effect on the originality of paint and brush? • Before I paint, I just stare at the blank canvas. I visualize what I want to paint. I research placements or arrangements of the visual element. The most challenging part is when I see my art piece leaving my studio (lol) (Not people portraits) though. I really love the color orange I use it often in my painting. I also like green. I like using bright and warm colors, it reminds me of Africa.
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GET TO KNOW THE MAN BEHIND THE ART
BEST WAY TO BUILD ENDURANCE
XAVIER MUTSHIPAYI Some of the artist I like are: • Lema Kusa, (Congolese artist from DRC) • Charles Henry Jacque Johnston (CANADA, WINNIPEG) • Alyssa Monks(USA) • Tjalf Sparnaay I do enjoy digital art. It is another kind of art; it is on the rise. Obviously, I do prefer painting. I believe that a painting has more energy than digital art because there is a direct connection between the artist and his/her piece of art. Let's talk about the business behind the craft Give us an idea of your business model, how do you make money How do you reach out to and communicate with clients? Do your clients have to be in the same city as you? How much on average do you charge for a painting? How can a prospective client order one?
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•I am able to reach out to people by social network. I have a Facebook page and an Instagram account. I also do exhibition where people can come and enjoy my work. I go to other artist exhibition and this is how I connect with people. My clients don't have to be in the same City. I have a lot of requests within Canada and the states. If it's a portrait, it really depends on the size, the number of people in the portrait and the time frame. Clients can contact me by Instagram: Xavier Mutshipayi Facebook page: Artiste Xavier Mutshipayi Email: xaviernkunda@gmail. com
Let's talk about the African millennial community Do you know of any other African millennial artists who inspire you? How have the African community in your city and in Canada supported your craft? How do you think we can do better as a community? What advise would you give to an African millennial artist who would like to be making a living from art The Congolese community in Winnipeg has given me an award for my work. Djibril, an African artist in Winnipeg had given me access to his workshop to work on my paintings. My church community has shared my paintings as well. I believe we can do better as a community if we provide more support in the African community. Most African artists who come here at times don't know where or how to start, where to get grants, where to buy supplies, and how to access the art program. I would advise my fellow artists to focus first on working hard on their art and ways to improve their work first before focusing on ways to make money.
strength | pg.3
FASHION AND ART MAGAZINEÂ
LEARTIFY MAN
HOW TO STAND OUT THIS HOLIDAY
SHAMMAH PHIRI
There are many things to consider when constructing the perfect man’s look. All aspects from fit, fabric quality, practicality, skin tone and personality influence how you should choose your pieces and ultimately how they will complement you. This article will focus on one of the many important and often most daunting aspects of menswear which is the use of colour. There are many ways to incorporate colour in ones look, different colours suiting different seasons more. For those just beginning their sartorial journey, I would recommend relegating your use of colour to accessories such as ties and pocket squares. Those slightly further on in their journey will find pleasure in experimenting with colour on a larger scale such as incorporating a bold pink double breasted blazer into their look, which when done right can add so much flair and class to any gentleman.
With regards to ties and pocket squares, the idea should also be coordination, not matching. A pocket square is the last accessory you wear before you leave your house and it should look like it was simply thrown on with an air of nonchalance. You achieve this by focusing on one or more of the colours in your outfit, be it your shirt, tie or sports coat, and picking a pocket square that subtly hints at those colours thereby consolidating the entire look together. This is why I would personally never sell or recommend that anyone buy the shirt tie pocket square packages that come pre matched as not only does it look tacky and dated, but robs you of the opportunity to inject a little personal flair into your look. 26
A pocket square is the last accessory you wear before you leave your house and it should look like it was simply thrown on with an air of nonchalance This is generally the basic principle, but the actual execution will differ from man to man based on taste and personality. As you will notice, I personally mostly only wear white shirts. I find that it creates the perfect blank canvas and allows me the freedom to go as wild as my imagination will allow me with my tie and pocket square. Also it ensures that in the days I perhaps can’t find the perfect pocket square, that I can simply throw in the one size fits all white linen pocket square in a presidential fold and still leave the house without feeling like my breast pocket is naked. Every once in a while I will include a shirt with a solid colour or in some cases a subtle pattern. Caution should be exercised when attempting to layer patterns as there is a difference between complementing and down right clashing. I would recommend that you begin of by experimenting with one or two patterns first and then increase the number and severity as you become better at it.
Ultimately, whatever you wear should reflect an aspect of your personality and should be something that you are comfortable in because at the end of the day confidence is the best accessory. Here are some of the rules I live by, master them, and once you have, break them in whatever way best fits your personality.
All ties and pocket squares from Harry Rosen, Hanford Drewitt, Vittorio Rossi, Eph Apparel, RW&Co and TipTop Tailors.
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ENTREPRENEUR
WHY STARTUPS ARE HARD INIOUWA OLORUNNISHOLA INSPIRED BY RUNNING LEAN, ASH MAURYA “We live in an age of unparalleled opportunity
The next definition you might stumble on is “an
for innovation. With the advent of the Internet,
entrepreneurial venture which is typically newly
Cloud Computing, and Open Source software,
emerged, fast-growing business that aims to meet a
the cost of building software is at an all time
marketplace need by developing a viable business
low. Yet, the odds of building successful products haven’t improved much: 9 out of 10 startups still fail” - Running Lean by Ash Maurya As a millennial, I am sure you know of at least one or two other millennials who go crazy over the idea of an idea. Some people will go on about how it can be executed using “maybes” and “we could do” while they never actually attempt bringing such ideas to life. Others however try; they take on the herculean task of executing that idea. As you know, many fail. This is why I’m choosing to begin this article by commending every millennial out there who has ever tried. To the one whose loss was time, I implore you to consider the experience gained. To the one whose loses were relationships and huge sums of money, it’ll never be too late to recover as long as you get back up - enough sulking, get a new trim, a new hair do and start healing. If you google the word startup many different ideas jump at you as expected. There’s the idea that a startup is any new business venture (dictionary.com). So every new “my client might be on your TL” entrepreneur or the guy selling t-shirts on Instagram is a startup.
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model around an innovative product, service, process or a platform” (wikipedia.org). A stand out difference between both definitions is the word ‘innovative’. Innovation implies new methods or new ideas. Some people believe there’s hardly any room for innovation when starting a tried and tested business. I beg to differ because when one asks the question “Why should anyone patronize me and not my competitors?” One finds themselves probing for innovative ways to gain the attention and resources of their potential clients. For the sake of this article, I am accepting both definitions of a startup. Whether your idea is tried and tested or yours is brand new, there is always a place for innovation. A startup is “a company in search of a successful business model”. At the time of this article, I couldn’t figure out where I had read this. I have however grown to believe that this is what startups are about. Even if your idea is not a new one, your company still needs to go in search of a business model that works.
ENTREPRENEUR
“In his book ‘Running Lean’ Ash Maurya briefly
Disengaging from the customer during building
discusses this question, a noteworthy read I
and testing: This is a less obvious reason learnt
prescribe for every entrepreneur. His book opens
from Ash Maurya. Many people struggle with this
with this paragraph
because it doesn’t come naturally. Building in bits while involving the appropriate stakeholders is
“We live in an age of unparalleled opportunity for
work that eventually pays off. It saves you time
innovation. With the advent of the Internet, Cloud
and effort involved in further developing features
Computing, and Open Source software, the cost
that aren’t essential to the problem and hence
of building software is at an all time low. Yet, the
your solution. If you would like to help us build a
odds of building successful products haven’t
magazine African millennials in North America
improved much: 9 out of 10 startups still fail”
can be proud to associate with please take
Here are a few reasons I have researched and
advantage of the feedback opportunities we’ve
believe startups are hard.
provided on our website.
The misconception that the path to a successful
Poor cash management: The simplest way to
product is simple and straight: If you believe your
explain this is more cash isn’t the answer to
startup will be executed just the way it was
everything. In fact your startup should be
ideated, you’re in for a major sucker punch. Even
bootstrapped until you have reached the product
the simplest of ideas will face difficulty when
market fit stage. The general idea of
being executed. Your mindset as an entrepreneur
bootstrapping is little to zero borrowing. Read
is that problems of different magnitudes will
more about bootstrapping and another concept
arise. As you push through the process, it is your
called lean startup in Ash Maurya’s Running lean.
job to think about each problem sometimes
Cash helps scale a business, however as a startup,
independently and other times as a part of the
you should not be thinking of scaling until you
bigger picture and then solve.
have the right product for a particular market.
Misalignment between problem and solution:
Weak team, poor leadership: Teamwork makes
Many times entrepreneurs execute ideas for
the dream work right? As an entrepreneur your
reasons other than solving a problem. You can’t
team should be top priority. A group of people
solve a problem you don’t fully understand.
who share your mindset and are willing to go
Offering a solution you think is appropriate can be
equally as far. I currently work for a startup, and
very risky especially when you invest a lot into it.
the word that goes around is “A startup is not a 9-
Even though your idea might be brilliant, if there
5, its a lifestyle”. Prioritize having a problem and a
is a misalignment between the problem and your
solution team over having multiple teams.
solution, you won’t sell.
Choose people in leadership positions carefully as they determine how much easier execution can be. The hope is that these considerations make it a
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little easier to execute your ideas.
MULATO
CREATIVE SPACE BY EKA
WHAT
E e
E
v
E
it
-
a
E
e
B
r C
! n u F e Hav
. Art has evolved from drawings, paintings, sculptures to digital. Art can be seen in anything and everything around us. I believe being creative isn’t a gift, it’s more like a process. I believe everyone has a creative side, it just takes some more time to find it . When you get in touch with that part, it’s often like being on a constant high. The trick is to find what you are good at and stick to it - build on it, practice it. Just as the saying goes, practise makes perfect. Art isn't just on canvas or wood anymore, you can have it printed or hand painted on any surface provided. These pillow cases were all hand painted . Check them out here
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WHAT DOES ART SAY ABOUT YOU?
VINCENT VAN GOGH’S “STARRY NIGHT” If you prefer this type of art work, then you are more of a conservative person and less out spoken. A quiet intellectual that prefers staying in at night and looking at the stars .
CLASSIC MJ Because of the different colours, you are definitely an outgoing person, an extrovert. Never scared to mix it up.
OLUMESE GIN "MULATO" You are precise, more of an easy going person with hella good hair, AMEN
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