The September Issue
Connecting As fashion becomes more mainstream some students make Tamara Williams, 21, Newark, New Jersey by way of St. Ann, Jamaica, Senior, African Studies major Tamara’s style: Although my style is made up by various things, my mother’s profession as a seamstress and patternmaker had a heavy influence. As a child, I was dressed in a lot of African clothing and to this day, I still wear many of the same pieces. On finding herself: In middle school I followed the popular trends and didn’t really dress for myself. It wasn’t until I was 12 and in Jamaica had I realized I needed to be my own person and not like everyone else. That same year, I started my locs and truly began understanding more about what it meant to be African. On her clothing line: The clothing in my line, Tribal Immunity, consists of shirts, shoes, canvases and tote bags that I paint using different African symbols and influences from my Jamaican heritage. The name represents the erasing of tribal lines and breaking free from the laws of our oppressors. Through Tribal Immunity, we understand, respect and support the struggles of African people worldwide. What’s absolutely necessary: I stock up on bright cardigans and sweaters. African’s are innately visual and it’s definitely represented in our colors and music. I love happy, bright colors—they boost my esteem.
Brion Gill, 20, Baltimore, Maryland, Junior
Chibuzo Ibeabuchi, 22, Boston, Massachusetts by way of Anambra state, Nigeria, 1st year grad student, Doctorate of Physical Therapy program
On her personal style: My style is a fusion between afrocentricity and modernity. I like to mix American trends with African prints and patterns. I also love wearing graphic t-shirts that express my cultural views and the ideologies I identify with. I think it’s highly important for people to think about or know the meaning of their clothing before they wear it.
On his personal style: I consider my style to be modern, simple and classic. I’m a big fan of the classic, clean looks of Ralph Lauren and J. Crew oxford shirts and button-ups. Since I’m Nigerian and love colors, I mix these fabrics and styles into my wardrobe too.
The evolution of Brion: Everything you see aesthetically on the outside definitely reflects how I am feeling on the inside. The more educated and cultured I became growing up, the more my style changed. Though I may not know where my people came from, I know that I’m African. That’s what I feel and it’s expressive in how I dress. Once I locked my hair, I had a better understanding that everything I was thinking inwardly needed to reflect outwardly.
On African fabrics: I like to take different pieces of Nigerian fabrics and make American-style clothing with them; it varies from vests, to blazers or pants. When it comes to these fabrics, you can pretty much tell where certain ones are from. West Africa is very big on lace, batik and wax Hollandaise fabrics. On being a fashionable Nigerian: Nigerians love to look good. Africa isn’t always shown positively so we make it known that we too can be fly and have style as well. Having a sharp and clean style is more of a personal choice for me but for the most part, we all like to look neat.
Her thoughts on personal identity: We live in a society where people don’t appreciate differences. Because of this, those who are unique or ‘different’ are easily ostracized. If everyone were to embrace each other’s differences, we’d definitely have a better understanding of cross-cultural relations.
Chibuzo’s must-haves: I can’t live without boat shoes or cardigans. With boat shoes, I love that you have the option to dress them up or down. The versatility of these shoes are great.
The necessities: I love big earrings and jewelry—they are a mainstay. A prominent characteristic in West African jewelry is the size of the pieces and I’ve found that most of my jewelry tends to come from there. Often times I’ve been told that my huge jewelry is reflective of my personality [laughs].
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Fashion words of wisdom: Your style must stay true to who you are as a person. It’s very important to not get caught up on fads and trends. When shopping, you should pick durable and functional items that will be in style for seasons and years to come.
The Hilltop