AphroChic Magazine: Issue No. 1

Interior Design
reveals that it’s nothing so structured
as that - and that’s the point.
Rhythmic and undulating, unintentionally
yet unrepentantly sensual, her
movements eschew formal choreography
in favor of offering her audience
a glimpse of pure emotion in search of
spontaneous and complete catharsis.
The effect is hypnotic, and more than a
few people have fallen under her spell.
As a result, what began as a few posts on
Instagram has expanded into a series of
artistic and commercial collaborations.
Notably, Nana Yaa was featured in the
#LikeNoOneElse campaign of Turkish
lingerie line, Else.
Nana Yaa’s home and her
movement work fit well together in
the context of her general approach to
creative things. Unchoreographed, yet
flawlessly executed, her living room
expands from a small entryway at the
top of her stair into high ceilings and
large windows that bathe the room in
sunlight. And like her dancing, Nana
Yaa’s style is minimalist, elegant, and
serene. Taken as a whole, the room
comes together in what feels like a very
classic, French style. Its neutral color
palette seemingly exists to highlight the
rooms undisputed star, the modern,
pink, velvet sofa from Saba Italia. Yet
like so much of Nana Yaa’s decor, the
piece wasn’t a find, it was a gift. A
friend, the company’s owner, simply
felt like she needed a pink sofa.
Themes from the first floor repeat
themselves in larger and interesting
ways on the second. Sculptural stacks
of books and magazines become larger
and more ornate. The walls on every
side of the room are adorned not with
art, but with memories. A framed work
in watercolor turns out to be a doodle,
one of many that a former co-worker
would constantly make and discard.
Vibrant photographs are test
shots for runway shows from years
past. Flea market finds from far-flung
shops adorn the mantle and take the
place of wood in the fireplace. And everywhere
there is evidence of family -
photos with mom, old watches awaiting
repair, and an entire wall dedicated
to images of her grandmother when
she was young. There appears to be
nothing in the space that isn’t personal,
nothing that is without its own specific
meaning, yet it all fits together as if its
only purpose was to be in this room.
Appropriate for a fashion designer,
the only way into the bedroom is
through the closet. A brief hallway
separating the living room from the
bedroom became the perfect space in
which to house the designer’s fashion
arsenal. The bedroom itself is a visual
sanctuary - clean lines and soothing
colors accented by small yet stunning
moments. This is where she keeps
her record collection, and opposite
it, a dress form stands adorned in
a dazzling array of traditional hats
and beaded jewelry, all from Ghana.
Blessed with the same large windows
as the living room, it feels like an easy
room to go into and a hard one to leave.
Nana Yaa’s home is a mirror of
herself. Impeccably presented, but with
a depth of meaning that isn’t hidden,
it just isn’t screaming for attention.
Noticing it is inevitable; appreciating it,
unquestionable. But understanding it -
that might take some doing. It isn’t that
her meaning is unfathomable, but that
it requires us to take the time to hear
everything that she’s trying to tell us in
everything that she isn’t saying. It’s a lot
to do in one performance, one visit or
one morning over coffee in Brooklyn -
but that’s ok, she’ll wait. AC
Visit aphrochic.com to see a special performance
by Nana Yaa Asare-Boadu.
aphrochic