Freda the founder of Kaeme (photography by Barbara Ray courtesy of Kaeme)
Name: Freda Obeng-Ampofo
Job: Owner, Kaeme
Hometown: Ghana
Currently based in: Accra
Day to day uniform: I wear basic clothes such as a tee-shirt and slacks or simple dress, some protective gloves since I deal mainly with production and packaging. If we are out talking to customers or during consultations in our newly renovated offices, I will wear a more professional attire.
1. Tell us about your background and how you started your skincare line
Paris Jackson at the 2017 Met Gala (image courtesy of Getty)
Kylie Jenner better watch her back, a new edgy millennial is about to become the new sensation. With her deep blue eyes, peroxide hair, multiple tatoos and close to perfect features, Paris Jackson has been seen front row of major fashion shows and was Raf Simon’s (newly appointed Calvin Klein’s Creative Director) date for the Met Gala early this month. Shortly after, it was announced that she will be the new face for the Calvin Klein’s campaign. At 19 the daughter of late superstar Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe, aspire to be an actress and model (she was signed by IMG models) and we have no doubt she is definitely on a good path!
Model Winnie Harlow for ELLE Canada February 17 issue
If there are three black models you should know, it will be Ebonee Davis, Winnie Harlow and Adwoa Aboah. These women are among the most watched models in the closeted fashion world, and they are here to stay. As being drop dead gorgeous was not enough, each of them has became true spokespersons of their generation about women condition, black pride or just being different in a still very discriminating society. Oh, and the three of them recently cut their hair to grow their natural texture, maybe it’s because I recently cut also mine but I’m just so proud and excited to feature these strong personalities, showing that something major is happening in the industry.
EBONEE DAVIS
Model Ebonee Davis
Ebonee wrote an opened letter in Harpers Bazaar describing the constant discrimination and undermining treatment reserved to the few black models in the industry. A demonstration of courage and determination for the model who appeared in a Fall 2016 Calvin Klein ad campaign. And she’s not about to slow down, she actually just gave a highly watched TED Talk
Follow @eboneedavis on Instagram
ADWOA ABOAH
Model Adwoa Aboah photography by Paul Maffi (image courtesy of Adwoa Aboah)
You probably saw her in countless ad campaigns such as H&M, Aldo, Alexander Wang or editorials in Vogue, I-D Magazine, Adwoa has became a favourite of brands with her almost punk rock looks and freckles. The half Ghanaian model is also the founder of the “Gurls Talk Project” a platform that aims to encourage girls and women to speak out about their issues and subjects related to them within schools.
Follow @adwoaaboah on Instagram
WINNIE HARLOW
Model Winnie Harlow
I already featured Winnie aka Chantelle Brown HERE, two years ago I think it was just after her season in America Next Top Model. I was stricken by her beauty and the incredible energy that emanates from her. She has a skin condition called vitiligo explaining the big irregularities of her skin tone. Despite her difference, she has been working non stop: for Diesel and Desigual campaigns and recently she appears in Beyonce’s Lemonade film album.
Vogue US March 2017 issue featuring a fearless new generation of supermodels (image courtesy of Vogue US)
Today is Women’s Day and right now more than ever we need to remind people that women have never been more powerful, influential, no wonder worldwide magazines are dedicating their (more…)
Let’s talk about two shows I’ve been watching and loving, both shows have been created and produced by their lead actors, depicting an atypical vision of black America, and bringing a breeze of fresh air in TV’s landscape:
Atlanta, created, co produced and played by Donald Glover, FX.
The Plot: guys who are trying to succeed in the rap business in Atlanta. We follow the up and down adventures of Earn (Donald Glover) a young father struggling with small jobs and managing at the same time the burgeoning career of his cousin Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry).
Why you should watch Altlanta? For the unconventional script. Forget about the bling or the trashy lifestyle, here you get the real thing, you will get attached and can even relate to the characters whose scatty situations will make you sometimes laugh or feel emotional. The multi talented Donald Glover and also a rapper himself (aka Childish Gambino), explains the authenticity and candor of the narrative.
Actress Issa Rae (photography courtesy of HBO)
Insecure, created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore, co produced and played by Issa Rae, HBO
The Plot: The professional and love life of two Afro American young women who happen to be best friends. The show focuses on Issa (Issa Rae), her unsatisfactory longtime relationship with boyfriend Lawrence (Jay Ellis), and challenging job at a non profit organisation for middle school students of color. Her friend Molly (Yvonne Orji), is a successful associate in a law firm but struggles to find the right man.
Why you should watch Insecure? Because this was initially a mini web series called Akward black girl, Issa Rae character contradictions and energy is just addictive. Her funny faces, self talks when she stares at her mirror reflection and her rapping (the character Issa used to rap in high school) are hilarious. Kudos as well to Yvonne Orji playing Molly a sassy, at times sensitive or slightly neurotic gal longing for Mr Perfect.
Sienna Miller at the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards (Photography by Tyler Boye/WWD/REX/Shutterstock)
While everybody else chose safe options like flower print, embroideries and other embellishments, Sienna took a bet on simplicity at the last Golden Globes ceremony and it worked! The white gown from Michael Kors, that requires perfect abs, made the British-American actress look flawless. The ponytail and black bow gave her this youthful 60’s look and the sober pearls jewellery added just enough glamour to the all ensemble. This is how you dedramatize a red carpet attire without forgetting to be chic! What about you, which look(s) did you liked at the Globes this year??
Founder Betu Tshiongo Wiederkehr (photography by Adeyemi John Photography)
Name: Tshiongo Wiederkehr, Bampangila Betu Kumesu
Job-title: Creative director of Kumesu
Company: Kumesu
Hometown: Kinshasa, Geneva
Current Residence: Lagos, Nigeria
Day to Day uniform: jeans, t-shirt, high heels, tote bag
1) Tell us about your professional background (studies, jobs…) and current occupation
I have started my studies in Kinshasa (DRC) then moved to Switzerland where I have attended secondary school, University and Masters in Business Administration. As a fresh graduate, I joined the global Financial Consultancy firm Deloitte in Geneva where I worked for ten years as Analyst.
I moved from being a Deloitte Analyst to being a Creative director behind the Handcrafted Luxury brand Kumesu. I’ve started my handbags accessories line in Lagos (Nigeria) in November 2014.
2) How did you came up with the idea of creating your own accessories line?
Adwoa Aboah for H&M campaign (photography by Dan Medhurst, image courtesy of H&M)
I would like to wish everyone an happy new year, may this year be happier and successful, this world more compassionate and peaceful. 2016 was the less we can say (more…)
Finally my Spring Summer 17 Collections round up is here, everything you need to see from my favourite designers is on my Pinterest board. You can also check out some of my best looks here on the blog.
The silhouette: Urban sportswear, utilitarian chic, neo ballerina, volumes
The colours: rich patterns, black and white, vibrant red
The little plus: frills, feathers, studs, see through, cinched waist, statement accessory, plus anything paying tribute to 70’s glam rock era and David Bowie (metallic colours, bold make up, sequins…) (more…)
Chanel show finale, Cosmopolite Collection (image courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel showed its 2016/17 Metiers d’Art Collection promoting luxury artisans skills, this season the theme was Cosmopolite. Privileged editors, clientele, celebrities and brand ambassadors gathered at the Ritz in Paris to see the models walking among (more…)
Vetements platform boots worn by a fashionista during Paris fashion week
Platform boots, as seen in recent very hype Vetements clothing label’s collection, and Marc Jacobs Spring Summer 17 show. Influenced by the drag queens world and the 70’s glam rock (think David Bowie aka Ziggy Stardust), the platform shoe is no longer an outsider and brands like Zara or Asos propose wearable versions for the everyday fashionista. In 2016, we prefer a sober version in black leather or suede, the higher the better. But still, wearing the platform is a statement so be prepared to have heads spinning in the streets!
Stella Maxwell for Elle Brasil August 16 issue (image courtesy of Elle Brasil)
Blogger Jenny Walton (courtesy of The Cut, Nymag.com)
The most stylish girls are back in the streets, follow my Pinterest board HERE to discover my best looks from New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion week!
Michelle (Tika Sumpter) and Barack (Parker Sawyers) Image courtesy of Miramax/Roadside Attractions
During Summer 1989 in Chicago, Michelle Robinson and Barack Obama had their first date. Actually it’s not a date, at least at the beginning, as Michelle’s character likes to say it in the movie. This could be the ordinary start of a love story except that these two without knowing it will make history by becoming the first black American presidential couple. But the movie focuses on the obvious interest of intern’s Barack in the smart junior lawyer Michelle and how he progressively wins her heart. Even if the awakening of their complicity and love is the main focus here, we can already sense the political potential and charisma of Obama and chemistry with Michelle. Tika Sumpter as Michelle Robinson gives a really good interpretation, not an easy thing knowing that they look nothing alike except maybe their stature, however the thumbs up goes to Parker Sawyers perfect in charming messy young Obama with a promising bright future. Overall the movie is a pleasant, romantic stroll through the black middle class neighborhoods of Chicago, tinted of nostalgia of a bygone era.
The little plus: the 80’s soundtrack, especially Janet Jackson’s hit “Miss you much” and Soul II Soul “Keep on Movin’”.
Salimatou Diallo Founder of S.D Avocats in Conakry Guinea
The Professional is a new platform on Le Bazhaar where I will be featuring young succesful women who are thriving in their field of expertise. Their professional but also personal journey is a true inspirition that I would like to share with you. For the first post, meet Salimatou Diallo lawyer and (more…)
Zoe Kravitz for Vogue May 16 issue (photography Patrick Demarchelier courtesy of Vogue)
Forget about the old fashioned bourgeoise who lives in upper class neighborhoods and eats caviar on a daily basis, luxury brands are now adopting a totally different strategy in terms of renewing themselves or stay relevant in the fashion landscape. The new brand ambassadors are (more…)
I am a long time fan of Beyonce, but for some reason I didn’t listened or watched Lemonade until 2 weeks ago. Despite my admiration for the artist, I was kind of over it: the drama around the alleged affair of husband’s Jay-Z, the girl power mantra… I knew the film was certainly very good knowing Beyonce is such a perfectionist, the problem is I thought I knew what to expect. Then I (more…)
Women are stronger than ever, standing up for themselves, fierce, assuming their choices at least for the most part. Hillary Clinton might become the first woman to be elected as a president in the United States, Rama Yade a brilliant French Senegalese politician, announced her candidacy for the presidential elections in (more…)
Actress, singer, dancer Zendaya attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”, the 2016 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2016 in New York, New York. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
Dramatic hair like spotted at this year Met Gala. First, let’s talk about Zendaya who took a real fashion risk by choosing a sleek shiny retro bob hairstyle, take French legendary singer Mireille Mathieu and add the glamour of the late 70’s disco era and you end up with a show stopper look. Her make up is just sophisticated enough to highlight her glowy toffee skin and dark almond shaped eyes with a warm palette colour. This is without a doubt her best look so far.
Actress Lupita Nyong’o attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”, the 2016 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2016 in New York, New York (photography by Dimitrios Kambouris getty images)
Actress Lupita Nyong’o, a red carpet favorite, did not disappoint neither. She opted for a proud kinky tower crown hairstyle which made her look gracious and empowered. It reminded me of Jean Paul Goude 80’s pictures with his muse Grace Jones, a real celebration of black feminity. Now, you know what to do to steal the spotlight at your next black tie party!
