Natural Woman Magazine Contributors
Azizah Nubia Editor in Chief L.G. Hillman Marketing Stacey Lee Layout Editor Vernell Dillingham Photography Nikita Anderson Photography Written Contributions Fatima Gaskins Dr. Consir Thot Trazana Staples Nikita Anderson Shanell B. Russell Aaron Russell Glamorous Faces Make up & Hair Production AZ 8 Media Promotions For advertising opportunties please visit www.asknaturalwoman.com Natural Woman Magazine Š 2012-2015
Table of Content Inside Body Health Tips p. 6 Healthy Recipes p.8 Entrepreneur Spotlight p. 15 Organic Orgasms p. 19 Standards of Beauty p. 22 My Hair World p. 26
Beauty & Fashion p. 30 Brazilian Natural Hair March p. 32 Natural Woman on the Scene p. 33
Words From the Editor
One of the most fulfilling things that I have gained from starting Natural Woman Magazine is being able to help other women love themselves from the inside out. We do this in a number of ways, from sharing empowering stories, hosting informative guest interviews , and giving you the encouragement to pursue your dream and become the best you can be through our platform. And this issue is no different, with this issue we wanted to bring awareness to the current beauty trends in play today and ask the question, “who made these beauty standards?� We wanted to intentionally send a message to black women around the world to start questioning the standards of beauty they live by. As black women we have the most difficult time with accepting who we are because our image has been tainted. We are looked as rough, mean, unhappy, hard to get along with overly sexual creatures. There was even a survey taken saying that black women are considered the ugliest race of women on the planet. We have it hard ladies, and with this issue I want you to know you do not have to live by anyones standards. You are beautiful you are soft, feminine, nurturing, you come from the first mother that squatted and gave birth to this entire planet. You posses a power unlike no other and never let anyone tell you other wise. We have to set our own standards and walk in the path of the Queens taking our rightful place as the supreme woman of this planet. Natural Women its time to stand up.
Peace ~ Azizah Nubia
Follow me IG@AizahNubia Twitter @AzizahNubia1
Inside Body Health Tip
The Power of Herbal Teas By Dr. Consir Thot Masters Level Therapist and Dr. of Holistic Science The fall is the time of the year when the Earth is most alive, some herbalist say it’s the planting season when the earth is most fertile but I’m holding tight to this time of year. This is the time of year when the root based herbs begin to fruit which makes it a great time to begin a winter detox program or just a deep cleansing of the system. Going into the winter months you want to prepare your inside body, especially up here in the North you want to give your body extra protection. If you never tried an herbal regimen in your current eating habits now is a great time to try it. Herbs used in foods are called seasonings because they have the ability to change the temperature in your Inside Body i.e peppers heat you up, peppermint cools the body down. Herbs also provide essential vitamins and minerals that may not be present in your current eating practices, all herbs excite the brain stem so you can direct which stimulus you need for the day. Check out this list of herbal teas to try this season, experiment different ones your body is unique, only you know what’s needed.
Butternut Squash Soup INGREDIENTS
2 butternut squash (about 4 3/4 pounds total), halved lengthwise, seeded 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 cups thinly sliced onion 1 cup of sliced carrots 1 tablespoon ginger 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 2 Bay Leaves 2 Cups Coconut Milk & Water Chopped fresh parsley Directions: Preheat oven to 375째F. Oil baking sheet. Place squash, cut side down, on baking sheet. Bake until squash is very soft, about 50 minutes. Using paring knife, remove peel from squash; discard peel. Cut squash into 2-inch pieces. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-low heat. Mix in onion, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and cinnamon. Cover pot and cook until onion is tender, about 15 minutes. Add squash 2 cups of water and 2 cups coconut milk. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Discard cinnamon.
Apple-Cinnamon Fruit Bars INGREDIENTS CRUST
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds or hazelnuts) or old-fashioned rolled oats, divided 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour 3/4 cup spelt flour 1/2 cup sugar 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 2 tablespoons Olive oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon almond extract FRUIT FILLING 6 cups diced peeled apples, divided 1/2 cup apple cider or orange juice 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract PREPARATION To prepare crust: Combine 3/4 cup nuts (or oats), whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar and salt in a food processor; pulse until the nuts are finely ground. Add butter; pulse until well incorporated. Whisk 1 teaspoon vanilla and almond extract in a small bowl. With the motor running, add the mixture to the food processor. Process, then pulse, scraping down the sides, if necessary, until the mixture begins to clump, 30 to 45 seconds (it will look crumbly). Measure out 1/2 cup of the mixture and combine in a bowl with the remaining 1/4 cup chopped nuts (or oats). Set aside for the topping. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Generously coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. To prepare fruit filling & assemble bars: Combine 4 cups apples, cider (or orange juice), sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is very thick, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 cups apples, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly and press firmly into the bottom to form a crust. Spread the fruit filling over the crust. Sprinkle the reserved topping over the filling. Bake the bars for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake until the crust and topping are lightly brown, 25 to 30 minutes more. Let cool completely before cutting into bars, at least 1 1/2 hours.
Meet a Yogi
Interviewed by Azizah Nubia
ShoShān Yogii is a Yoga practitioner, Womb Activist, Wholistic Healthy Lifestyle Enthusiast, Designer, Author and Creator of From The Table To The Mat.I own a company called OM The Soul. I founded the company based on the lack of the diversity within the practice of yoga and holistic life, so Om The Soul represents indigenous wholistic life in modern day time. How did your Yoga journey begin? I started practicing yoga about 10 years ago. I was initially introduced to yoga for the physical aspect, however that soon changed. Over time I noticed subtle changes, not only with my physical body, but my mental state as well. I remember being on the mat and after moving through a sequence, I would witness in the midst of being in a hip opening pose, suddenly feeling fidgety, or uncomfortable, and a wave of emotion and sometimes tears would begin to well up inside me. I knew then that this practice was changing me, healing me in ways I was unconscious of. After this discovery my practices became intentional time, carved out in each day as an act of self love. Many parts of myself have been revealed because of the practice. This is why I have a deep appreciation for the
healing power of Yoga. Many devotees of the yoga experience share that the practice awakened them to a higher awareness of interconnectedness of things in our universe. In what ways has your yoga practice changed your reality? The practice has introduced me to a sense of wholeness and a heightened awareness that wasn’t there before. The aligning with the celestial body alone has been a cosmic experience. In turn the changes I see happen daily in my life is self examination, a deeper love for self, vulnerability, consistency, humility, compassion, all of which inspires me share my practice with whom resonates. It’s my way of giving back, because I love my people. This past summer Natural Woman Magazine orga-
nized a Yoga protest to bring positive energy to the community of Cincinnati after the brutal murder of Samuel Dubouse by an University of Cincinnati police officer. We received a lot of negative feedback concerning how effective yoga can be in creating peace in our communities. Do you think if our communities incorporated the principles of yoga on a daily basis, would we see a change in our environment? And Why? The principals of yoga is indeed a beautiful path to follow, however I also believe that something as simple as self reflection and self awareness can be just as effective. Because know matter what system you follow if you live your life absent of a desire to wanna be a better person than you were the day before, there can be no change in our environment. Change begins with self and the willingness to awake to your own sunlight. I am a big fan of your social media post; they are really motivating and inspiring to read. You speak a lot on women’s empowerment and utilizing our womb power. Why is spreading that message important to you?
There is a silent war on the womb. Women have given their power to the false conditioning that teaches us to ignore, and even be repulsed by our greatest power. Our intuition has been devalued, our menstrual cycles have been shamed, and our ancient wisdom has been buried. As women we are vessels of life, we carry emotional wounds in our bodies..” Woman” itself is a portal into multi demensional realms. The womb is the connection to the spirit realm from which all spirit enters matters. I believe when we as women return to our roots and look inward we will tap into the infinite reserivor of ancient knowledge and power. That same power that births life, projects, careers, healing, spirituality, and relationships. It is only when a woman is whole and healthy we can begin to heal our families and our communities. Tell me more about your current project and speaking engagements. I recently launched an Online Wholistic Womb Yoga Series,that’s all about reconnecting with ancient ancestral wisdom of womb cycles throughout a woman’s life. It includes knowledge about the womb and a yoga practice that fully honor and welcome the feminine embodiment of lunar rhythms. You also check me out Dec 56 as a presenter at Soul Of A Woman Online Power Summit. All info for classes and engagements can be found on my website at www.omthesoul.com I end every interview with asking my guest 3 tips of advice for following your dreams with our Natural Woman Audience? Get to know and love yourself.. Study your craft. Surround yourself with like minds.
#BlackOnBlackFriday Your Buy Black Holiday Guide Buying black for this upcoming holiday season has been a hot topic on the Internet among African-Americans for years now. The importance of buying black for our community is believed to be an avenue to strengthen the black community economically, by providing jobs, and keeping our nearly trillion-dollar buying power in our hands. The Nielsen Company, a global information and research firm, projects black spending power will reach $1.1 trillion by 2015. Despite this looming thirteen-figure impact, many black consumers do not understand the full extent of their power. This is one of the major point Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke about during the Million Man March in Washington.D.C. this past October. As a people the black community has suffered many injustices when it come to our race and how we are treated by government authority. Because of this numerous black groups and organization are promoting that black people use our powerful spending power to empower our own communities instead of other communities. To help make this #Blackonblackfriday a success Natural Woman Magazine has created a 4 tip guide plan to help you this holiday season.
Research local black-owned businesses.
You may be surrounded by black-owned businesses and not even know it. Find out by asking friends, contact an African American business organization, or casually inquire at a venue about its ownership. There are plenty of online black business directories avaliable online to make things eaiser.
Make supporting black-owned businesses a priority.
Whether you need flowers, tablecloths, or printed invitations, make it a priority to find an African American vendor or business owner to supply it. This should always be your first course of action.”
Share information with family and friends.
Once you identify some black-owned businesses in your community, encourage others to support them too. We need to be an example to others, and we need to spread the word.
Don’t be put off by a bad experience.
We have all heard the saying “ Thats why I can’t do business with black people”. For some reason the consensus on buying black is that most black businesses are not professional, and this makes alot of people turn away from buying black. This should never be your reason for not buying black at all. If you have a bad experience
do your best to report the issue to management and move on. Do not punish all black businesses for your bad experience from one business. Lets face it African-Americans are stuck in a chicken or egg scenario. When refuse to spend our money with black businesses we are crippling our community. We complain about the lack of professionalism and customer service we receive from black businesses because they are not on-par with the competition, but the only way for them to improve is through practice and financial support from their base to keep them in business long term. Change begins with us, no one is going to change black problems but us, and it is time that we deal with our issues with ourselves and each other so we can begin to prosper as a united and undivided community. So please make it a goal to spend 50% or more of your holiday shopping with a black business on Black Friday. Your dollars can go far in our community.
Entrepreneur Spotlight : Spirit This issue’s Entrepreneur Spotlight is an amazing company called Spirit Free. Spirit Free is a Natural feminine care product company created to be a new way to optimal feminine health and hygiene. Their mission at Spirit Free is for every woman to have access to natural feminine care products in every region. Based out of Baltimore, Maryland Spirit Free is owned by Kelly Brooks who designed the company with 3 components. The first component is the natural feminine care product line. Using traditional feminine care products sold in the market today a lot of women suffer from irritation and discomfort. Kelly wanted to help create a product that women can use to feel fresh and safe. Using essential oils and natural herbs she has created a revolutionary product to change the feminine care industry. Designed to be use as a convenience product, the Spirit Free Mist can be sprayed on at anytime, it contains no soaps, it sprays on really light, wipes off easy , it moisturizes the skin, and removes bacteria that causes odor. The Spirit Free Mist has been clinically tested and approved for helping women feel safe and fresh anytime anywhere. Kelly was inspired to create her business because she saw a need for a natural feminine care line that
Owner Kelly Brooks
Watch Azizah Nubia’s and Kelly Brooks live interview Here
women can have and use and feel safe. But most of all her passion for women’s health and the development of a womans spirit to help them accomplish the things they desire to do with their lives. The second and third component to Spirit Free is the health and wellness speaking and consulting. This breaks down into two parts, one is individualized coaching created specifically for the clients needs to help guide them have a more abundant life. The 2nd part is consulting for organizations and companies. If you have a negative work environment Be Free can assist by taking a health and wellness approach in helping your company create a better environment as an entire unit. The safety of Spirit Free products is what sets them from the rest. Their ingredients are safe and do not contain any harsh chemicals unlike many of the major feminine and personal care companies whose ingredients have come into question several times. Spirit Free’s mission is to give women the opportunity to achieve optimal well-being and self-fulfillment. They value the opportunity to help transform the way women view themselves. Kelly Brooks is socially aware and believes in the health and life of all people. Spirit Free works and partners with organizations dedicated to those causes. And are dedicated to providing safe, gentile, natural, and convenient feminine care products to women all over the world. Visit wwwbespiritfree.com to learn more information
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9 Levels to Organic Orgasms
Understanding the female body with the Honey Luv Diva Tracey Bryant.
By Azizah Nubia
The blood in your skin boils, breathing is fast, body shaking and the feeling of euphoria comes over your entire body. The ultimate submission to divine pleasure and happiness has taken over and you have finally achieved an organic orgasm. This is a feeling I know all Natural Women desire to feel and experience, but for some of us this can be impossible. We are constantly bombarded with negative propaganda about female sexuality that we are left either shameful or confused about our sexuality. To achieve an organic orgasm a woman will have to become vulnerable, surrender and release all fear according to the Honey Diva aka Tracey Bryant. Tracey is Romance Specialist, Self Love, Sensual and Sexual Empowerment Coach, Healer, Sacred Sexuality and Sensual Wellness Educator, Holistic Sexual Arts Prac-
titioner, Entrepreneur, Visionary, Writer, Radio Personality, Love Maker, Motivational Speaker, and Love Connoisseur. Tracey is the owner of Honey Luv Lingerie & More “The Romance Store� a sensual empowerment boutique that assist and service women and the men that love them in the area of romance enhancement, healthy love relationships and sensual sexual wellness. She is also a certified Yoni Steam, Kemetic Reiki Practitioner, Womb Wellness Educator, and the hostess of HoneySoul Radio, a love, sex, and relationship show on Blog Talk Radio that will enrich your soul with raw and sensual realness, and share in topics concerning erotic intimacy and raise your love vibration.
I sat down to talk with Tracey to get her insight to how every woman can achieve an organic orgasm. (To watch the full video click here.) She gave me 9 levels that a woman must go through in order to reach the ultimate sexual pleasure every woman wishes to reach. “There are 3 ways a woman can achieve an orgasm they are the inter-orgasm (g spot, a spot), outer orgasm( nipple and clitoral), and cervical orgasm. Getting familiar with these different spots in and on your body is the first step to achieving an organic orgasm. Level 1 This is the touching level (four play), this is where the sexual energy releases and we begin to feel sensual and erotic. At level 2 Penetration has begun and we move into level 3 Heavy layered breathing, increased blood flow. Then you move to Level 4 this is the level where most women experience a normal orgasm, this is also the highest level most women come to in the sexual experience. This is only because we have not been taught the proper techniques in deep breathing. Level 4 is the gateway to euphoric paradise but in order to get over the climax at this level deep breathing is essential if you want to reach orgasmic levels 5 through 9. When you get to level 5 this is when you are no longer in your body because you have connected with yourself on an energetic level. At levels 6 and 7 you create even more sexual tension at level 8 you get that charge of ecstasy that allows you to feel yourself on a new dimension. At level 9 you experience the orgasmic explosion it is at this level the ancient Egyptians say that we experience death only to return back a new woman”. SURRENDERING & BEING VULNERABLE Now what prevents most women from achieving orgasmic bliss is their failure in becoming vulnerable and surrendering during the sexual act. Tracey shares that “fear is an energy that keeps you from where you should be. Fear has been known to keep us away from our gifts, possibilities, and opportunties in life and love. We cannot feel vulnerable and open to receive these wonderful orgasmic energies when we are still holding on to our fears. Fear will always repel your true love because in fear you are constantly reliving the pain and this reliving will draw to you more pain. If you want to go to the next level of experiencing the ultimate soul orgasm fear has to be removed.” To learn more about Honey Luv and Tracey Bryant please visit her at www.honeyluvromance.com
Watch Now
Questioning Today’s
Standards of Beauty My first relaxer was awesome I never saw my hair so straight and long, but as time passed on and my relaxers became a monthly routine. My long, thick, straight, hair turned into my short damaged, thick, straight, hair that I was not in love with it because I did not think I looked beautiful. That was my mentality from the age of 8 years old until I was 18. I grew up like most black girls struggling to fit into a world of unnatural beauty standards that were not created for us to feel beautiful at all. I never knew that true beauty came from within and radiated outward. I had to go on a journey of self-discovery and cultural remembering to understand that my ancestors wrote the book on beauty and that every
By: Azizah Nubia standard of beauty today is just another way for women to feel insecure about their natural beauty to fuel a billion dollar industry off our own beauty insecurity. Now I am not saying that wearing make up and wearing hair weaves is a bad thing, these are actual tools of beauty that our ancestors have used for thousands of years and from where I am standing we are continuing the practice subconsciously. The problem is as a collective our cultural identity is very unclear. We give credit to the European standard of beauty for the popular use of hair weaves and cosmetics in the black community when it is actually in our very own DNA to use these essentials, but because of our cultural
disconnect due to the slavery of the past and present we use these items as tools to make us look better instead of using them to enhance our beauty. What is Beauty? Historian George Bancroft once said, “Beauty itself is but the sensible image of the infinite.” One of the major assets that have been bestowed amongst women is the gift of beauty. “Beauty, in whatever form it takes, can interrupt a pattern of behavior or a way of thinking and cause us to stop in our tracks and take notice of it. There are people holding out on the toughest moments life surrounded by misery, but yet somehow sustained by a moment of beauty.” Like my story I know there are countless women and girls who have grown up feeling un-pretty because they did not fit into society’s box of beauty. Whether it is straight hair, lighter skin, flat stomach, huge assets, the perfect nose. We are programmed to think we have to look a certain type of way to be considered beautiful and the reality is that every woman is different. African American Women like myself have it even harder to fit into the box when it comes to beauty because of the current Eurocentric standards that set the bar for beauty. Non- Melanated women have to just worry about keeping their bodies in shape because they already long straight hair and pale white skin (although they spend millions of dollars collectively on tanning beds, botox, and plastic surgery to have black women features). But for the sistah’s we are already at a disadvantage because of our darker skin and kinky hair texture. We are constantly programmed to think that embracing our natural beauty is ugly and we should achieve a more European standard if we want to get ahead in the world. You see it every day in magazine stands, television, commercial advertisements, and every
Archaeologists found 164,000-year old makeup in a South African cave. The makeup, consisting of 57 pieces of ground-up rock that would have been reddish- or pinkish-brown, is called one of three hallmarks of modern life found at the site, and is one of the earliest hints of “modern” living. Previously, scientists believed that humankind of this time period weren’t advanced enough for this type of behavior, believing that modern living began approximately 40,000 to 70,000 years ago.
now and then they will sprinkle a sistah in here and there. So many of us grew up with the idea that we somehow can’t fit up to the bar. Leaving us with a ton of low self-esteem that disables the actual power of beauty we all posse. There are a number of indigenous tribes from over the planet that used hair extensions, weaves and cosmetics as a way to show ones social status, ethnicity, age, martial status, fertility, manhood, and beauty. Wearing an elaborate hairstyle or adorning your body with natural paints was considers to be a sacred time to our people. These practices were stripped away from our people during the African Holocaust aka Atlantic Slave Trade our native language, beliefs, and customs were banned and we were forbidden to practice them. Thus resulting in our lack of knowledge of why we even using these items.
Like then the use of hair extensions and cosmetics are widely used in our communities today ( that African spirit will not rest!) , But our meaning for using them is totally different from how our ancestors used them then. There is still a huge majority of people that think that hair extensions and cosmetics are tools that “white man” has used amongst people of color to make us feel inferior. If you control the image you control the people, Europeans and other races have capitalized off of the beauty insecurities of Black Women globally and offer us so-called”Beauty products “ to help us fit into the European Standard. So the use of extensions and cosmetics are now used by us in away to fix us to make us beautiful instead of the original use of using these tools to enhance our beauty and showcasing our ethnicity.
An Ancient Egyptian Make Up Pallet
Changing The Standards So how can anyone set up a beauty standard? Who says beauty has to look a certain way? Who would gain from alienating the majority of women on the planet from the idea that they are naturally beautiful? Why do we have to spend $7.5 billion annually on beauty products, while paying 80 percent more on cosmetics and twice as much on skin care products than the general market and they do us no good?
These are questions that I often ask myself and it drives my passion to help every woman out there understand that she is the most beautiful creature on the planet. It takes very little for a black woman to be beautiful. When you feel beautiful you are beautiful. And as black women we are being given an extra gush of beauty power that has birth the unstoppable and powerful Natural Hair & Beauty Movement. We are being given an opportunity to redefine the standards of beauty to accommodate us all. I am so blessed to be able to raise my daughter during this time where we as a community are recognizing the natural beauty in all women. But is this enough to change the current mainstream standards? There are still women, men, and children who are in constant battle in their schools, jobs, and social settings for choosing to rock their Natural looks. There are still many unhappy people who do not like our new found sense of self love and empowerment. Especially in the entertainment industry. Rocking a natural look limits actors/actresses from getting roles. There is clear evidence of skin lightening on a number of black entertainers on magazine covers and posters. Ethnic hair is now considered distracting and can result in suspension in some schools. How can the standards be changed when the one who sets the standards controls our image? It is up to us to take back control the way this can happen is for each one of us to do our own individual work in becoming self loving and empowered individuals. We have to accept our culture. We need more of our people to become our image holders. We need to set our own standards and once we are here we can have to pass it down to the next generation. We all are beautiful. Finished
My Hair My Way
Send Natural Woman Magazine your Natural Hair photos and they maybe in our next issue. Email photos to asknaturalwoman@gmail.com
Natural Hair Zone
There are many benefits to protective styling for naturals. Although the definition varies from person to person the key to a protective style is protecting the hair from over-manipulation, chemical and environmental elements. Natural hair is fragile. We have tightly curly or coily hairs that wrap themselves around one another and cause tangles, snags and knots. Each bend, curl or coil along the strand create a point off potential breakage and for many to combat breakage and incur length retention.
S T Y L E
P R O T E C T I V E
Beauty Tools
Make Up Brands 4 You!
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Check these make up brands every Natural Woman should have in her cosmetic bag.
Hue Noir—the CEO, Paula Hayes, is a Black woman who worked as a product development chemist and loved makeup. After having difficulty finding makeup for darker skin tones, she established Hue Noir, a higher end makeup line that is also organic and biodegradable. You can save the environment and look hot af while doing so.
Aida Cosmetics- Cruelty-free, all-natural, hypo-allergenic, and non-comedogenic (meaning your skin won’t break out). They don’t have a lot of products listed on their site, but the ones they do have are magic.
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Sacha Cosmetics carries some of the most extensive beauty products I’ve seen, and the prices range from below $10 to $50 depending on what you’re looking for. Their skincare products are also known for being long-lasting and weather-resistant, and their lipsticks have intense color payoff.
Iman was founded by none other than international model Iman, Iman Cosmetics is probably the most wellknown makeup line intended for women of color. They have a really thorough way of finding the perfect makeup for your skin tone, and you can find their line in drugstores at affordable prices.
Removing PovertyThrough
Fashion
Africa Enters the Fashion Industry
Throughout the developed world African nationals are racing to build sustainable marketplaces for independent designers of Afro-centric inspired fashions. Numerous African inspired Fashion Week events have emerged throughout three major continents. North America, Western Europe and West Africa. Setting the pulse for this movement is the World Fashion Organization’s agenda to develop wealth creation and eventually free African societies from a dependency on world aid. The ambitions of WFO is to foster fashion as a vocation; and further the development of 'World Fashion' by helping developing nations improve intercontinental trade. Overall, WFO aims to create a global market place for emerging fashion brands under the theme "We Fashion All". According to the WFO apparel is the chosen market for economic development
in Africa because of the high degree of influence African aesthetics has had in the western markets. "Rather than receiving financial aid from the international community, African nations need help developing commercially viable creative industries. The fashion industry has multiplying chains of vocation, which can create wealth. For example, the clothing industry creates jobs for Apparel De-
signers, Accessory Designers, Tailors, Weavers, Textile Designers, Pattern Makers, Wardrobe Stylists, Models, Fashion Photographers and Writers etc." The plan for staging an international trading platform is to span events across three continents. The intention is to establish annual events in Paris, Montreal and Nigeria to form the largest African market place for “Made In Africa” garments, textiles and lifestyle products. Each participating country in Canada, Paris and Nigeria events will be given an exhibition pavilion where they can promote not only their apparel and accessories products, but also culture and tourism potentials. Each participating country will be represented by a nominated Apparel Designer to introduce their country’s tourism, trade and apparel manufacturing resources. The African Fashion Reception event is in association with the World Fashion Organization. Mr. Lexy Mojo-Eyes is a member on the Board of Governors at WFO and he heads the annual Africa Fashion Reception event in collaboration with the African Union Summit; and the Nigerian Embassy in France. “We wanted to take advantage of some of WFO’s platforms for producing fashion events”. States Lexy. “Africa needs to build its own platform. We Africans have never been able to get into the mainstream of the global fashion networks and events. If Africa’s governing leaders decide to create a level play ground for Africa’s apparel manufacturers through heavy investments in the apparel sector like China did. The garment and textile industry can help Africa to eradicate poverty; if only our leaders realize the potentials in the fashion sector. Since we all wear clothes, this shows the economic viability of the garment
Mr. Joseph N. Boakai - Vice President of the Republic of Liberia & Kimma Wreh Liberia’s Fashion Ambassador industry. After the 2nd World War, the apparel sector brought Europe back to wealth creation through industrialization. The apparel market is doing the same for Asian countries. Fashion is the highest creator of jobs around the world.” Explains Lexy. The Africa Fashion Reception is a Pan African initiative that will bring together fashion designers, dignitaries and media from over thirty African countries in a celebration of the proud theme ‘Africa is the new inspiration of global fashion’. There are currently thirty African nations being represented by a Designer. Unfortunately, logistical obstacles such as language barriers, political conflicts and under developed infrastructure are cause for hindrance to some of the 54 African nations participation. Preparations are being made for designers to present in Paris this November 22nd. After this 2015 Paris event, the next African Reception event will be hosted in January 2016, at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Africa Fashion Reception event is aimed at attracting global attention to Africa’s garment and textile industries. With the AFR event positioned during the African Union Summit the coordinators will work to engage the governing leaders to help improve intercontinental trading conditions for better collaboration amongst fashion practitioners throughout the Afri-
can continent. The ultimate goal is to promote self-reliance as the initiative for economic stability for citizens of Africa.
represent my home country of Liberia during this prestigious event. My dream of being a fashion designer extends beyond myself. I wish to expand the production of my product line in Monrovia, Liberia. Designer Kimma Wreh of TeKay Designs is an Apparel production can offer viable opportunities for award wining couturiere who has recently been employment and a better way of life for the people recognized by the Vice President of Liberia, the of Liberia, as well as many of the other developing Honorable Joseph Boakai; as Liberia’s Fashion nations that are represented at the African Fashion Ambassador to represent the nation of Liberia Reception event. on November 22nd. As Liberia’s official Fashion Ambassador, Kimma will promote the nations I fled Liberia during the civil war in the 1980’s. Since design talent and manufacturing capabilities then I’ve earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard during the African Fashion Reception event University, and a masters in business administration in Paris. Kimma is an African National who from LeTourneau University in Houston, Texas. My resides in the United States, and creates ethventure in fashion has been long and not without nic inspired gowns and jewelry for special struggles. However, I’ve begun to see my hard work occasions. Tekay Designs has a distinguished pay off. The opportunity to introduce Liberia’s induscouture collection that is currently produced trial capabilities to the western markets is another in the West-African country of Ghana with a proud moment of success for me. And I want to manufacturing expansion to Liberia. collaborate with other fashion designers who wish to expand apparel production in Liberia as well.” “I am very proud to share my success in fashion explains Wreh. with the people of Liberia.” explains Kimma Wreh. “I’ve donated clothing to needy women and children of Liberia because I want to help the people. I am honored to be nominated and
Partnering with the Liberia National Tailors, Textiles, Garment and Allied Workers Union (LNTTGAWU). Ambassador Wreh will lead a delegation of over fifteen Liberian professional tailors to participate in the Africa Fashion Reception event. The group will present a portfolio of sample merchandise produced at the Liberian Tailors Union’s production and training facilities. The presentation will include a live demonstration by a textile weaver producing Liberia’s official country cloth on the premises. Working on behalf of the Liberian government, the garment workers produce official uniforms for Hospitals, Police, Military, Immigration officials, school uniforms for students, as well as request for custom made garments. The union offers Liberian citizens fundamental training courses in tailoring, weaving, creating Tie and Dye cloths, home fashions for interior decoration, business and finance management courses. The union provides advanced courses for professional tailoring, such as pattern making, advanced garment design and construction. Advanced business management and strategic financial planning is also a part of the curriculum. As the established western apparel markets continue to look to African culture for style trends and creative inspiration. The tailors union sees opportunity for small enterprises in Liberia who are professionally savvy about the business of fashion. The future holds potential benefits with preparing Liberian professionals for the attention and buzz about the African fashion industry. According to the tailors union, Liberia’s educated workforce is invaluable for Liberia’s participation in a market place that promotes the African culture; it’s history and traditions.
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Danny Gbawar Christina Brown
Black Fashion Designers
If you are not rocking these designers then you should re-check your wardrobe!! You hardly ever see black fashion designers showing during New York, London, Milan or Paris fashion week. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Some have actually broken down racial barriers, letting their designs speak for themselves. Check out some of these awesome and influential black fashion designer.
Kevan Hall is a Detroit, Michigan native. He has a sophisticated and elegant design sense that rejects fads and trends. Sharon Stone, Angela Bassett and Salma Hayek are some of the actresses who have worn his evening wear.
Ann Tillage is not a newbie to the world of fashion; she is a high-end independent designer with class and taste and fashion runs deep in her veins. She comes from a long line of fashion forward, entrepreneur-minded women, so when she created a product that every woman needs, she committed to making it available.
Martone Evans, owner of Bornatty. Bornatty is an uber-unique, sexy and fierce collection of handcrafted clothing and accessories. “I have been customizing store bought clothing since I was a child. I would paint t-shirt and sneakers as teenager for my family and friends. I was bored with clothing that was void of flavor and color. I thought it was just a hobby, who knew it would turn into Bornatty.”
If you are interested in being a feature designer in our next issue send you information to asknaturalwoman@gmail.com
Brazil’s First Natural Hair Empowerment March “Marcha do Empoderamento Crespo.” Also known as the Brazilian Natural Hair Empowerment March. The March took place last Saturday, November 7 in S lvador. This was exactly 41 years after the historic first march that marked the start of the Black Power movement in Ba’hia in 1974. Organizers Lorena Lacerda, Andrea and Naiara Souza Gouveia say the idea from the march was launched from their Curled and Curled Facebook group and the need for such an event is clear. “ Women suffer from both sides. Racism and sexism. Therefore, we use the concept of empowerment. From the aesthetics, the woman empowers and empowers the community” Brazil is a country with the largest black population outside of the African continent. However it has often been the subject of dialogue regarding the strenuous challenges many of it’s black citizens face on a daily basis. When it comes to natural hair, the attitudes toward it are strained. Just this past week, we covered the backlash, talented Afro-Brazilian actress Taís Araújo received after revealing her natural hair.
Source: blackkgirllonghair.com
Natural Woman Magazine is always on the scene at some of the hottest Natural events in a city near you. This Natural Woman on the scene features photos from the Nappturalistic Beauty & Fitness Expo, The Denver Natural Hair Care Expo and our very own Azizah Nubia’s 29th birthday bash. Get Natural Woman Magazine on the scene of your next event by visiting www.asknaturalwoman.com
Natural Woman on the Scene
Nappturalistic Beauty & Fitness Expo
The Napprturalistic Beauty & Fitness Expo was held in Milwaukee, WI on September 27th at Nicolet High School. Hosted by: Andre Lee Ellis, the 2nd Annual Nappturalistic Beauty Hair Care & Fitness Expo was an experience filled with natural and healthy hair care workshops, free sample goody bags for the 1st 100 attendees, natural hair fashion show, live performances, fitness workout session, fitness workshops, and shopping with unique vendors from all over. Some of feature speakers and teachers included Malakia Tamu Cooper, Jesus Victory, and Nigeria Riggins and many more!
Happy Birthday Azizah Nubia!
Natural Woman Magazine was on the scene at our very own editor in chief Azizah Nubia’s 29th birthday celebrated in Cincinnati, Ohio at Club Circle. The event was hosted by her brother @Dareal_lg. The Cincinnati Bengals were also in the building celebrating their undefeated season, Bengal Pac Man Jones #24 stopped to do a photo opt with the Birthday Queen. Happy Birthday Azizah!!
Cincinnati Bengal Pac Man Jones #24 & Azizah Nubia
Glamorous Faces Owner Shanell Russell, Azizah Nubia, & Jessica Hillman
Want Natural Woman Magazine to put your next event on the scene? Visit us today www.asknaturalwoman.com Birthday Host @dareal_lg
Denver Natural Care Expo The Denver Natural Hair Care Expo was held in Denver, Colorado on October 26th at the Embassy suites. This event featured an all access VIP breakfast brunch, classes and workshops, vendors, a fashion show, and of course Miss Jessie’s swag bags. The Denver Natural Hair Care Expo was hosted by the Colorado Urban Naturals . Some of the featured teachers and speakers featured at the expo included Natural Hair Care Expo founder and trailblazer Malakia Tamu Cooper (Owner of DredzNHeadz), Dr. Consir Thot of Inside Body, and Natural Woman Magazine’s own Azizah Nubia.
The Cincinnati Bengals are on a role this season and passing the mark of 8-0 (set years ago) to start a season! Andy Dalton is on a roll and we hope he stays hot because we all thought it was over against the Seattle Sea hawks when Cincy was down big or when they beat division rival Pittsburgh. However, Andy Dalton stepped up to the plate and finally started to earn his huge paycheck! Now this is the Andy Dalton we have been waiting for but.....Didn’t the Bengals start off like this last year?! Have a good regular season and lose in the first round of the playoffs? If you are on the bandwagon, stay on it because I have been ever since the “Icky Shuffle”!
By: Aaron T. Russell