leartify MAY/JUNE 2018 ISSUE
FOR AFRICAN MILLENNIALS
THE ABS SHOW HOSTS
10 MINS WITH ...
A story of 2 Ghanaians and 2 Nigerians hosting the fastest growing talk show on air.
We gathered some of the most exciting designers and models in the community in one room. Amazing .
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D E J I
EDITOR'S NOTE I think I'm beginning to enjoy writing these editors notes a little more than I should these days. According to Issa Rae " It is not always about networking up, true impact lies in your ability to network sideways.." This issue of the magazine focuses on our ability to do just that, starting with our collaboration with one of the fastest growing talk shows "ABS" to the '10 minute series" and features from creatives based here in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I personally attempted a couple of roles outside of my comfort zone with this issue including creative directing, I'm excited to share this issue with you because it embodies my passion and because it has helped me find strength in my fears. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed putting it together
COVER CREDITS COVER CREDITS
Ochuwa Imodagbe Editor in Chief
Photography CRYSTAL ANNE CHIJINDU @theartof_canne Makeup AJIBOLA SALAMI @ajibola7_ Styling YAZZI @yazzistush
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what's inside
WHY LEARTIFY #1
We see a lot each day, on social media. That's a lot of impressions. Who is encouraging impact; action ? That's us. Leartify One of our readers (a designer) reached out to us, letting us know the role we played in helping her become a loyal customer of one of our affiliate brands.
YOUSWAGYOUPOP Sunglasses for your summer swag
ZOBA
MARTIN BY MEGAN
The first time I saw Zoba Martin’s designs was November 2017 when I went to a fashion show in Toronto called Battle of the Designers. I remember watching the model’s walk down the runway and thinking “I want that one, and that one and that one.” Her designs were elegant, original and beautiful. I wanted to know more, so I googled her and found her website where I was able to look at her previous collections. I once again wanted everything. When I finally contacted her, she was more than willing to answer any questions I had for her. Now, months later, she hasn’t changed. I’ve learned more about who Zoba Martin is behind her designs and where her designs come from. Where is home originally for you? What made you come from Toronto? I’m from Anambra State which is in the Eastern Part of Nigeria, but I was born and raised in Lagos State. I moved to Canada at the age of 16 for post-secondary education after which I moved to Toronto to study Fashion Design, and I have since fallen in love with the city. When did you first start designing clothes? During one of my summer breaks while I was in University of Ottawa, 2013 I think, I went to Lagos for about two months. I love to stay busy, so, naturally, I enrolled in a fashion design program for about a month – I became obsessed with creating. After this program I decided fashion was something I was going to pursue right after my Bachelor’s Degree in Business. What made you want to start designing clothes? Did it stem from a childhood passion for fashion? To be honest, I love working with my hands. As a kid, if I wasn’t braiding, you’d find me sketching or making jewellery. At some point in my life I had a lot of spare time and I tried fashion design, picked it up so quickly and it felt so natural and fulfilling. The more I designed and created, the more excited I got about the whole process. I am very curious and always looking to learn new ways to be a better designer, through books, classes and videos online. I would say this taught me a big lesson, to keep an open mind in life because you never know what you’ll end up learning about yourself ‘till you try. Do you remember the first piece you ever designed? (Do you have a picture?) I think it was a green pleated above the knee skirt. It was a long time ago, so no pictures. Who inspired you when you first started designing? I would say I’m self-inspired, plus the support I got from my parents when I brought the idea to them definitely fuelled my passion. Now if you’re talking about a designer I admire, it has to be Delpozo.
WHY LEARTIFY #2
Someone has to help our millennial brands deliver the message on a consistent basis, in a controlled, trusted environment That's us Leartify
It's tough to keep a brand going, and majority of the work we do helps keep many brands going, helps them gain your trust and assists them in the Enchantment process
WHY I AM DONE WITH TRYING TO FIX AFRICA'S IMAGE
AFRICAN BLOGS SAY
SHOW HOSTS
ABS
There is no mistaking the charismatic energy the 4 hosts of The ABS Show have individually and together. Whether by sheer stroke of luck or strategic planning by the brains behind MinaTV, this talk show quartet is as genuine as it gets.
Who are these eclectic mix of individuals? Charlie___ AKA Charlie Dior, Volta Region in Ghana and speaks 4 Ghanaian dialects. He has a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast and Mass Communication as well as an associate’s degree and many other certifications. His background has been deep rooted in entertainment journalism right from his school days and as far back as when he was a 5 year old in Ghana saying to himself “ I want to be on TV.” Yasmin Sangari, popularly known in all the New York social circles, as “Yazzi” is the outspoken Ghanaian on the show, from the Akan tribe, with a background rooted solidly in fashion. An FIT graduate, she graduated top of her class with a Bachelors in Advertising and Communication. Teemanay, real name, Anthony Nwabueze is a Nigerian from Delta state and the wild card of the group because of his career as a musical artist. Although life in the music industry has thrown him simultaneously into the media industry in general, he never expected to be a talk show host, “but I dived into the opportunity and I’m loving it. Odera N. Okakpu, Princess Pako to those that know, is the newest addition to the crew. She graduated from the American University of Nigeria, Yola with a bachelor’s in Communication and Multimedia design, concentrating in Journalism. Since moving to New York she attended the New York Film Academy for Broadcast Journalism certification. reps the
If for some reason you have been “sleeping on a bicycle” as the Nigerians say, or simply living under a rock Charlie Dior describes The ABS Show best; “It’s a fun, fun show. We’re not doing brain surgery. We talk about your favorite stories on celebrities back home. Picture the Wendy Williams show, on crack!” The Afrocentric talk show covers events going on in Africa as well as in western culture. Yazzi believes that millennials everywhere can watch it no matter where they are in the world, African or not and relate to the content. The show is recorded in a state of the art midtown Manhattan studio. The vision shared with them was of a phenomenal African talk show the continent and the world has never seen before. “What makes it the best is we give our honest opinions,” Teemanay says. Watching an episode of the ABS show will convince you of the niche it has created in the sphere of African talk and entertainment.
Their journey in the diaspora so accomplishments and in Charlie’ Prepared for the heights the AB thing about working on the ABS each other. “I got to meet and c experience is priceless,” Teemanay
complete with a special shout ou miss you and we love you,” Char be part of the ABS family.” And exciting ABS family by subscribin sshow’ on instagram.
o far has already come with many ’s words “the future is so bright.” BS show may take them to, the best ABS show so far has been meeting connect with real people and that y shares. The interview could not be ut to the former host Iveoma. “We rlie says fondly. “You will always of course you can be a part of the ng to MinaTV and searching ‘theab-
The female clothing Sugar koated www.sugarkoated.com Instagram @shopsugarkoated Teemanay’s glitter shirt is from Jesuis NYC Ig @jesuisnyc Teemanay’s jeans Are from apprv denim
His other looks are from Platformnyc Ig @platformnyc Stylists @yazzistush Photography - Crystal Anne CHIJINDU Makeup - Ajibola Salami
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY ODERA
WHY LEARTIFY #3
I'm young, I live in the diaspora, I am 100% African. I'm growing, I'm learning, I'm ready to find my place. Someone has to know what others like me are up to That's us Leartify
We are convinced that there is a silent sect of millennials often underestimated and forgotten. These are Africans who came to the diaspora as children, teenagers or young adults. They are gaining power and coming into prominence. We want them to speak here.
10 MINUTES WITH YOUR DESIGNERS STUDIO - ASPIRE STUDIO WINNIPEG ANKARA LOVING MODEL - CISHA (RECORDING ARTIST AND SINGER) STYLIST - RHONDA MAKEUP - LAWRENCIALOVETTE PHOTOGRAPHY - KYLE MUFF KINDJA COLLECTION MODELS- DANIEL CHA, GRACE EWANI, BEBO OLUKOJU STYLIST - ALLIANCE PHOTOGRAPHY - KYLE MUFF GABII CLOTHING MODELS- YOLANDA CHIMBARAMI, ZULEMA OTTE MAKEUP/STYLIST - MIHRET PHOTOGRAPHY - SURU PHOTO O.CHO.GA MODEL - YOLANDA CHIMBARAMI STYLIST - ORI PHOTOGRAPHY - SURU PHOTO
Ankara Loving
Ankaraloving is an African fashion house that started from a desire to wear African print clothes as every day apparel. Our pieces are unique, comfortable, and trendy. They’re versatile enough for both the desk and the dance floor…or even a BBQ in the summer with friends! We are nothing without our clients, whom we fondly call “Ankara lovers”. Ankara lovers come in different shapes, sizes and shades and we enthusiastically embrace their uniquenessand occasional unique vision- by offering bespoke clothing next to our ready-to-wear pieces. Ankaraloving is a line for everyone, even non African, black and other people of color. Ankaraloving supports African entrepreneurs with over 50% of our production in Africa. As a social enterprise, we are committed to investing in the people who inspire our pieces. Our fall jacket- a popular piece- is produced in one of Nigeria’s coldest states, Jos, Plateau. Ankaraloving continues to collaborate with fellow creatives who are interested in what we are doing and who share our vision in providing everyday African print clothing to women, men and children who appreciate style. Street style.
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