Glam Africa: The Revolutionary Edition (2019)

VOL.5 ED.3 2019
THE
Revolutionary
EDITION
AN INFLUENCER TAKEOVER ISSUE
FROM BIG BROTHER
& DANCING ON ICE
MEET POWER COUPLE
MIKE & PERRI
EDWARDS
Ovie Soko
Colouring Outside the Lines
FINDING
The Right Hair Mask
FOR YOUR HAIR
A PINCH OF
Phuket
FASHION & STYLE | HAIR & BEAUTY | LIFESTYLE | TRAVEL
PROUD SPONSOR
GLAMAFRICA.COM

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4
WWW.IVYEKONGFASHION.COM

CONTENTS
THE REVOLUTIONARY EDITION
FASHION
22-23 Our Shopping Edit (Gifts for
Him & Her)
34-38 5 Ways to Style Your Vlisco
Dress
39-41 My Vlisco Family
43-45 Orange Culture: Reclaiming
Africa's Stolen Identity Through
Androgynous Clothing
46-47 The Dominant Trends for
Spring/Summer 2020
BEAUTY
14 Stock Up On Your Skin Supplies
For The Ultimate Glow
15-19 Double Take! Switch up your
makeup in minutes
24-25 Fragrances You Need Right
Now
26 5 Things You Didn't Know About
Shea Butter
28 Beauty From The Past
49 The Braided Bunch
50-51 Finding The Right Hair Mask
For Your Hair
54-55 Brands Revolutionising
Makeup
93 My Beauty Secret: With Wunmi
Bello
FEATURES
29-32 From Big Brother Naija &
Dancing On Ice: Meet Power Couple,
Mike & Perri Edwards
52 Social Media Crush
58-63 OVIE Soko: Colouring Outside
The Lines
66-68 The Renaissance Men
70-71 D'banj The Legend: 15 Years
On
77-79 The Rise of the ‘Boss Babe’:
Phenomenal Women Successfully
Navigating A Man’s World
94 That ‘Train Date’ Guy: Meet Elvin
Mensah
98 Quiz: 2019 In Celebrity
LIFESTYLE
12-13 What’s On Our Radar
57 Apps Changing Modern Day
Small Businesses
73 Becoming Financially
Independent: With Lala ‘Raee’ Raji
74-75 Women Wanting More -
What’s Your Status?
80-81 The Decade of Influencer
Marketing is Not a Trend. It’sHere To
Stay!
83-85 A Pinch of Phuket
87 Simplify Your Life & Declutter Your
Space
88 Curating a Well Travelled Home
90-91 Healthy Eating on an African
Diet
Glam Africa is published quarterly by SCO Group Ltd. 26 Bloomsbury Street, London, WC1B 3QJ | admin@scogroup.com | www.glamafrica.com
PUBLISHER Chioma S Onwutalobi | ADVERTISING business@scogroup.com
ACTING MANAGING EDITOR Desiree Masiela editor@scogroup.com | FASHION EDITOR Lithemba Villeman lithemba.velleman@scogroup.com
ONLINE WRITERS Samuel Amegavi | Chisom Winifred Asogwa | editor@scogroup.com
CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Tefera | Tumininu Olaoshun | Tolu Bakre | Lala Rae | Ashedzi Ayuba-Kuwu | Eniafe Momodu | Malitha Fernandes |
Glam Africa print version is currently distributed in the UK, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and elsewhere via online sales
GLAM AFRICA REPRESENTATIVE (BY COUNTRY)
South Africa saoffice@glamafrica.com | Ghana ghoffice@glamafrica.com | Nigeria ngoffice@glamafrica.com
TO SUBSCRIBE/PURCHASE www.glamafrica.com/magazine | Registered with the British Library ISSN 205-7516 © SCO Group Ltd
LET’S GET SOCIAL |
@GlamAfricaMag
5

TEAMLETTER
2019 has been a special year for so many reasons,
and Glam Africa is bringing the year - and the decade
- to a close with our most ambitious edition ever: The
Revolutionary Edition. Where should we begin? If you've
been a long-term reader of Glam Africa magazine,
you'll know how much we love our reality shows. In this
edition, the reality TV phenomenon is front-and-centre,
with Love Island star Ovie Soko joining us for his first
ever cover shoot, as well as an up-close and personal
cover story that you won't want to miss. For our fashion
cover, athletes-turned-reality stars Mike and Perri Edwards
also sat down with us to tell all about life post-Big Brother
Naija and their exciting plans for the future.
To pull off this one-of-a-kind issue, we said sayonara to
our in-house editorial team (temporarily) and enlisted
a diverse group of talented, young content creators
for our first ever ‘digital takeover’, which sees online
personalities including bloggers, presenters and
YouTubers adapting their digital expertise for print media.
The results are phenomenal, from Lala Raee's 7 steps to
achieving financial independence, to Shedzi's treatise
on the rise of the girl boss, Grandy Kat's report on the
black-owned brands revolutionising the make-up industry,
and so much more. We're also taking the opportunity
to celebrate some of the men taking bold steps to move
Africa forward, as well as shining a light on one of our
favourite Nigerian music icons, D'banj.
What else do you need? Advice to help you get ahead
of holiday shopping for your significant other(s)? Check.
Beauty and skincare secrets that will up your #nofilter
game? Look no further. Very few publications can boast
such a diverse range of content, and whatever it is you're
looking for, GA has got you covered. We might as well
have called this ‘The Egalitarian Issue’, because there
really is something for everyone.
Have a merry Christmas and a fantastic 2020!
THE GLAM AFRICA TEAM
Words by Eniafe Momodu
6

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Tutorials, Product Finds & Reviews
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Fashion news, ideas, tips, trends,
runway report, lookbooks, street style,
Glam readers’ style and much more
LOG ON AND JOIN US NOW AT GLAMAFRICA.COM
7

THE DIGITAL TAKEOVER
In this special edition of Glam Africa magazine, we enlisted the help of a few Digital Content Creators
and African Caribbean Society (ACS) members to give this revolutionary edition of the magazine a
fresh perspective. Let’s meet the talent behind the takeover ...
Sarah Tefera
@sarahtef_
Sarah is a Human Sciences student
at University College London,
and the Vice-President of the Afro-
Caribbean Society there. She enjoys
writing poetry, playing sports and is
an active member at the church.
@knowingbetterdoingbetter
Tumi is a history teacher in the City
of London, a youth leader at Jesus
House church, and author of 'What
They Don’t Tell You About Being
Single', a personal account of dating
from the perspective of a personal
twenty-something year old Christian
with practical advice on how to
better enjoy the single season.
tolubakre.blogspot.com
Tolu Bakre
Tolu is a lifestyle, culture and social
news journalist with a passion for all
things beauty and self-development.
Her 2019 resolution was to prioritise
the things that mattered most by
controlling the things she consumed,
as well as her time and productivity
levels, using apps to monitor this.
Tumininu Olaoshun
@Lalaraeee
Lala is an entrepreneur who within
a few years, successfully turned her
side business into a full-time enterprise
allowing her to quit her £50,000
a year job and buy an apartment
at the age of 25. Today, she uses
social media to inspire her 100,000+
followers.
@Shedziofficial
Ashedzi Ayuba-Kuwu
@olivia_gold
Olivia Gold
This once corporate city girl is a fastrising
award-winning TV personality
and host based in London, who has
been featured on various media
platforms including the BBC. Shedzi
is a self-proclaimed “classy, sassy
and stylish” character, and is also a
fashion content creator and creative
director.
Olivia is a brand marketer,
fashion influencer and founder
of Life Of A Marketing Girl, an
online community that connects,
inspires and encourage career
growth and confidence for young
women in marketing. With over
8 years of expertise in fashion
and entertainment, Olivia’s love
for fashion and creating chic style
content has seen her work with
global brands including ASOS,
Wolford, Nike and Levi’s.
Lara ‘Raee’ Raji
Eniafe Momodu
Grandy K
@eniafemomodu
@grandykat
Eniafe is a Philosophy and Economics
graduate from the University of Leeds.
This budding media personality keeps
busy with his work as a creative
director, writer, photographer and
public speaker (among other things).
He is currently the head of visual
creative content at Glam Africa.
Grandy is a new Fashion
Management Graduate, a stylist
and content creator. Her well-curated
social media pages inspire style for
the adventurous. She has collaborated
with international brands such as Dior,
Converse and River Island, and on
occasion can be found serving style in
double doses with her equally stylish
sister.
4 THINGS WE LEARNED WHILE WRITING THIS ISSUE…
Follow this edition on social media #GlamAfricaRevolutionary
CHIOMA ONWUTALOBI,
PUBLISHER
‘Your dreams are
achievable, but you
do need to take
the first step’
@chiomaonwutalobi
MALITHA FERNANDES,
BRAND PARTNERSHIP
MANAGER
@lithembavelleman
LITHEMBA VELLEMAN,
FASHION EDITOR
‘Trends are not a
real thing (but I
already knew that):
just be yourself’
@mals1210
CHISOM WINIFRED ASOGWA,
ONLINE WRITER
'Change is no
longer a futuristic
idea, it is now and
it is reachable'
@chisomwinifred
9

FASHION & STYLE
OUR
RADAR
HOUSE OF SUNNY
Sustainability is at the heart of
ready-to-wear fashion brand,
House of Sunny, who are
committed to producing small
runs of each collection in a bid
to act against fast fashion. They
produce two seasonal collections
a year which allows them to
spend more time researching and
sourcing sustainable fabrics.
TO HELP YOU GET
AHEAD OF THE
CROWD, WE’VE
HAND-PICKED A
SELECTION OF
THINGS TO HAVE
ON YOUR RADAR
BEFORE EVERYONE
ELSE CATCHES ON.
CRISTINA MARTINEZ
The New York-based artist is part
of a recently established generation
of artists who produce incredible,
Instagram-friendly work. Her artwork
is abstract, bold and incredibly
colourful. If you’re into playful
contradictions then Cristina is your
go-to girl to watch.
WHAT’S
ON
GYPSY BK LLC
The undeniably cool,
self-titled bohemian brand
Gypsy BK LLC by Anishka
Boozer manages to turn
accessorising on its head with
simple yet striking repurposed
vintage pieces that you truly
wouldn't be able to get your
hands on anywhere else.
From chunky statement gold
hoops with a twist to versatile
arm cuffs, this your go-to
brand if you are looking to
step up your accessorising
game.
12

AFRO NATION
GHANA 2019*
Afro Nation – the biggest urban
music beach festival in Europe –is
back, but this time its heading
to Ghana as part of the Year of
Return celebration.
Scheduled just after Christmas
on December 27 at Laboma
Beach, the festival is arguably
one the hottest events of the
year, with an impressive lineup
of music heavyweights from
Ghana and Nigeria, two of the
countries regarded to be the hub
of Afrobeat.
RIHANNA’S VISUAL
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Rihanna‘s much anticipated
visual book invites you into
her world with this stunning
visual autobiography. From
her Barbados childhood to her
worldwide music tours, to her
iconic fashion moments and time
spent with friends and family.
The book showcases 1000
intimate photographs of her life
as an artist, performer, designer,
and entrepreneur. Many of these
images have never before been
published.
Do not miss out.
RIHANNA retails at £112.
ACCRA ART WEEK*
This show is pretty new on our
radar but we love the theme and
what it stands for. Accra Art week
celebrates a wealth of Ghanaian
creative arts whilst boasting a good
selection of exhibits from other artists
in Africa. The one-week celebration
taking place on December 17th to
22nd is an event not to be missed.
The opening exhibition will be
held at the Apartmento Hotel,
No 3 Agbamo Street, Airport
Residential.
LOLLY ADEFOPE 2
AT THE SOHO THEATRE
You can stave off the winter blues
with Lolly Adefope at the Soho
Theatre this November. She is
an up-and-coming character
performer who sold out at this
year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Lolly 2 sees the comedian
transform from an over-thetop
Loughborough University
fresher to out-of-touch cultural
“coordinator” Damien Speck
before launching into an audition
for the role of “black Hermione”
in Harry Potter and the Cursed
Child – all while making her own
witty quips about race, feminism
and more.
Showing at the Soho Theatre,
November 28 to December 3.
13

HAIR & BEAUTY
STOCK UP
ON YOUR SKIN
SUPPLIES FOR
THE ULTIMATE GLOW
Ladies, as we become ‘wiser’ and age gracefully,
there are key steps to your skincare routine that must
become a staple. Stock up on the latest products that
will keep your skin supple and fresh.
BY OLIVIA GOLD
FACE WASH -
SIMPLE FACE
WASH,
£1.50 AT TESCO
This facial wash is an
important gel ideal to use
each morning to gently
cleanse and refresh your
skin for the day ahead, or
in the evening to help wash
away the day's dirt and
impurities. The special blend
of ingredients, including Pro-
Vitamin B5, helps to soften
and gently cleanse skin; the
gel formula feels lightweight
and refreshing, and it is
100% soap-free.
TONER - GARNIER
ROSE WATER,
£1.59 AT SUPERDRUG
Rose water has antiinflammatory
properties
that can help reduce the
redness of irritated skin, get
rid of acne, dermatitis and
eczema.
NIGHT OIL SERUM -
KIEHL’S MIDNIGHT
RECOVERY
CONCENTRATE,
£38 AT KIEHLS.CO.UK
This step is a key part in your
night routine, as it visibly
restores the appearance of
skin by morning. When you
wash your face and tone,
you remove a lot of oils from
your skin, this night serum
helps to rebuild the oils
leaving your skin plump and
fresh for the next day.
SERUM - KIEHL’S
NIGHTLY REFINING
MICRO-PEEL
CONCENTRATE,
£41 AT KIEHLS.CO.UK
This is a night serum that
exfoliates with a gentle
facial peel for smoother,
more radiant-looking skin. It
works overnight and helps to
refine and smooth the look
of uneven skin texture.
14

HAIR & BEAUTY
DOUBLE
TAKE!
Switch up your makeup in minutes
PHOTOS CREDITS
Photographer:
Cloee @cloeephotographer
Makeup artist: Yaya Williams @mzyaya
Hairstylist: Ronnita B. Huff @therbexperience
Styling: Lynda E. @altezzebelleConcept

‘If 'natural beauty’
is your thing
work a minimal, natural
makeup look in the day, with
a clean eye, lip balm and
slick of mascara.
16

Turn your daytime look into
something sizzling for the night by
building up the bronzer around
your cheekbones and temples.
*double snap!*
SUGGESTION
Go from work to werk
by building up the bronzer
around your cheekbones
and temples.
17

18
Subtle smoky eyes can be
casual so long as you keep
your pout equally soft and in
a low-key colour

Want to glam it up?
Deepen that eyeshadow in the
crease and outer corners, now
use a deeper colour on your lip
to create that intense look.
19

KEMI LEWIS
How the Queen Of
Natural Hair Updos
Kemi Lewis, regal in her
appearance, resembles how most
African queens are depicted:
with bold, gravity-defying updos
that somehow emit a sense of
increased power through mere
hair styling alone. No wonder
she is the ‘Queen of natural hair’
in Nigeria. Owning a chain of
natural hair salons called
KL's Naturals, starting a natural
hairstylist academy and even
publishing a 101 crash course
e-book on natural hair, Kemi’s
empire is reforming millions of
women’s relationships with their
hair across the globe.
Previously a lawyer, Kemi found herself
feeling a lack of inspiration and craved
the challenges of starting and running a
successful business. One day in 2013
while chatting with her friend Amanda,
she said, “Kemi you’ve always been
good at doing natural hair, there are a
lot of people going natural now. Why
not start there?”
An “aha!” moment for Kemi, she knew
her friend was right. At that time,
hairstylists specialising in natural hair
were few and far between, and Kemi
had developed a love and skill for
growing and styling natural hair in
college.
Kemi’s own natural hair transition is a
story most of us can relate to. She grew
up on relaxer and it would break and
never grow. One day she decided it was
enough:
“My transition was actually accidental.
I grew up seeing women with long hair
and I wanted that too. It eluded me
though; it never grew past this one point
on my shoulders. And there was little to
no knowledge on healthy hair practice.
I mean, I had relaxer in my hair from
since I was 9 years old, never knowing
what my natural hair looked like! Then in
2011, I decided I was going to conquer
it! I started being deliberate about what
I was doing to my hair; how I detangled
it, what products I used, etc. I had seen
a blogger who managed to grow her
hair so long it reached the bottom of her
spine, so I signed up to her page and
learned about everything I was doing
wrong. A completely different world was
opened up to me.”
After about 8 months of being deliberate
about the growth of her hair, Kemi
relaxed it and realized how long it had
grown — it had passed her shoulders!
This motivated the then natural newbie
to pursue her hair growth journey.
Fascinated by how long it could grow in
its natural state, Kemi quickly became the
Queen of DIY hair, becoming just like the
trendy YouTubers today that experiment
with things like rice-water conditioners
and coconut oil mixes, something she
now advises against:
20

ADVERTORIAL
Built an Empire
BY BOIPELO JEAN CHABABA
“Speaking from experience, when you
DIY, you are putting the health of your
hair in the hands of someone online who
recommends a process that hasn’t been
tested in a controlled lab. You take risks
based on their lucky strike that might
not necessarily work for your hair. Also
dosage is everything, with hair salons,
something I graduated to, over a long
time of trial and error, you know and
can trust that the treatments are tried and
tested - some scientifically. Each dosage
is measured and based on your personal
requirements.”
KL's Naturals, the first all-encompassing
natural hair salon in Lagos pioneered
by Kemi, blew up soon after its doors
opened in 2013. Kemi recalls how she
had underestimated the demand for her
services and had to quickly adapt.
“Although I had a great business plan
for KLS Naturals, I was so excited about
it after chatting to my friend that I would
read and perfect it every night for the
5 months before I opened it, however I
wasn’t ready for the influx of customers
and hadn’t strategized massive growth
so soon. I thought we would start slow
and gradually build up like the market
reflected at the time. But because we
were one of the very first natural hair
salons, once people started to hear
about it, our phones were ringing all day.
We now had more clients than we could
cater to - a good problem to have, but a
problem nevertheless! We had to think
bigger and looked at areas we could
invest in that already had a client base.
One of them was a location that was a
long drive from our first salon and we’d
often hear our clients complain about
the lengths they took to get to us. So we
listened and opened our second salon
and have been growing into other areas
since!”
Part of the reason KL's Naturals became
sought after was the sense of cooperate
culture that all the stylists have. Kemi’s
secret was to instil pride into her team,
creating in-house brand ambassadors
that would take the gospel of KL's
Naturals everywhere they went.
"Indoctrination," she says with a laugh.
"If you can create a cult out of your team,
no one can poach them, no one can tell
them anything negative about the brand,
because they ARE the brand.”
This was what sparked the academy
project. Natural hair enthusiasts from
around the world were knocking on
KL's Naturals’ doors, wanting to know
how they too could achieve success,
whether for personal hair care at home
or to start their own business.
Klshairacademy.com was born as a
response to many complaints from
women who didn’t know what to do
with their natural hair. It’s one thing to go
natural, it’s another thing to confidently
wear and style it every day. Kemi Lewis
knew that once you teach people how
to find inspiration in technique, then you
open doors for more inspiration. The
growth of social media soon became an
integral part of her business model.
“Instagram was such a huge blessing for
my business, because I could just take
a picture and upload it, then suddenly
it’s, ‘OMG! How did you do that? How
do you get your hair to grow that long?’
And then I could easily lead them to one
place to learn all about who we were
and what other services we could offer
them.”
The impact of KL's Naturals has reached
as far as the US, Europe, South Africa
and the UK, a reach that Kemi attributes
to the professionalism of her entire
company.
REACH KL'S NATURALS
Address: 11A KAYODE OTITOJU, OFF
ADMIRALTY RD, LEKKI PHASE 1, LAGOS,
NIGERIA
Telephone: +2348093308866
Website: KLSNATURAL.COM
Instagram: @KLSNATURALS
21

for Her
GIFTS
JO MALONE LONDON
POMEGRANATE NOIR TRAVEL SCENTED
CANDLE
£23.00 at JoMalone.com
Get her one of Jo Malone’s cult-favourite scented
candles,it’ll fill her home with a blend of fruity smells
and unexpected blend of Casablanca and patchouli
— a must-have for any scent snob.
SIMPLEHUMAN
ROSE GOLD SENSOR MIRROR
12cm - £119.99 at johnlewis.com
If she's an Insta-obsessed makeup pro,
then she won't get enough of this compact mirror. It's equipped with a sensor
that lights up when your face is near it and its brightness can be controlled
which means that she'll always nail her beauty looks on the go.
1
What do you get a
3
girl who seems to
have it all? Lucky for
BYREDO’S SLOW DANCE
EAU DE PARFUM
you, we've found
£110 a selfridges.com
some of the most
If you're aiming to please a luxury fragrance lover, then
thoughtful gifts to help
look no further than this Byredo Slow Dance scent.
you get started.
PAT MCGRATH
LAB LIPBALM
£33 at selfridges.com
5 4
Get her this Pat McGrath Mini Lip Fetish lip balms set of three
to satisfy her fixation with a kissably-soft pout.
KIEHL'S HEALTHY SKIN ESSENTIALS
GIFT SET
£52 at johnlewis.com
Being a woman is hard work, but this luxurious healthy skin set will
go a long way to make her smile and keep her skin looking healthy.
22

NESPRESSO LATTISSIMA
ONE MACHINE
£149.00 at johnlewis.com
2£84.95 at nike.com
For ‘The Highly Caffeinated’. You know what they say:
buy him coffee and you caffeinate him for a day; get
him a coffee machine and you caffeinate him for life.
NIKE AIR JORDAN 1
MID SNEAKERS
For ‘The Sneakerhead’. Warm your way to his heart with this
fresh pair of comfortable and stylish kicks. These Nike Jordan’s
are stylish enough to elevate any basic jeans and sharp enough
to give a tailored chino some attitude.
for Him
GIFTS
APPLE WATCH SERIES 5
SILVER ALUMINIUM WITH WHITE
SPORTS BAND
MOSCOW MULE CARRY-ON
COCKTAIL KIT
£18.65 at uncommongoods.com
Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, birthday
or just want to say thank you, go the extra mile and
spoil his cocktail bar with this sleek cocktail kit.
When it comes to
buying holiday or
birthday gifts, the
people hardest to
shop for are often the
ones you know best.
To help you along,
we’ve hand-picked
5 of our favourite gift
ideas for him.
£399 at apple.com
The gift of time. Make sure he is never late
for date nights with this cool, sporty offering
by Apple.
MOPHIE POWERSTATION PLUS 10000
UNIVERSAL BATTERY WITH LIGHTNING CONNECTOR
£89.95 at apple.com
For the one always-low-on-charge. Does he always forget his charger at home? If
yes, then why not help him feel more organised for those times that a dead battery
gets in the way. This portable charger will save the day.
23

HAIR & BEAUTY
FRAGRANCES
You Need
RIGHT NOW
POPPY & BARLEY
£48 FOR 30ml,
at jomalone.com
MEMOIRE D'UNE
ODEUR EDP,
£54 FOR 40ml,
at gucci.com
IDÔLE EDP,
£38
at kiehls.co.uk
JENNIFER LOPEZ
PROMISE EDP,
£41
at kiehls.co.uk
Packed in a cream and
black box, this cologne
has a floral scent,
enhanced by rose, violet
and blackcurrants. It has
base notes of barley,
bran and white musk
working beautifully
together to create a
subtle, yet long-lasting
fragrance.
Exploring the power of
memories and living in
the present, this perfume
presents a universal
scent that goes beyond
gender. Its mix of Roman
Chamomile and coral
jasmine, and base notes
of Vanilla and noble
woods creates a fresh,
unisex scent.
For the dreamer who
defies expectations.
This perfume comes in
a sleek refillable bottle,
thin enough to fit into
your back pocket. It
contains notes of rose,
jasmine and chypre
which creates a gentle,
refreshing and alluring
scent.
A delicious mix of
Italian Tangerine,
Pink Berries, jasmine
and honeysuckle,
this perfume, with
crystalized amber base
notes is for the powerful
woman.
24

Having a signature fragrance helps
to create a unique personality.
People recognize you are in the
room, even before you speak. If you
are on the hunt for a new fragrance
that suits your personality, then kick
back and read on.
FEVER EDP
£36.55 FOR 40ML
at jimmychoo.com
With a mix of black
plum nectar, vanilla
orchid and jasmine is
for the glamorous and
seductive woman with
a playful energy -- even
the outer packaging
is reinterpreted with a
metallic plum effect.
AQUA ALLEGORIA
COCONUT FIZZ
EDT,
£56 FOR 75ml,
at debenhams.com
Picture yourself in a
tropical garden, with
the spirit of coconut
water and fresh fruit like
bergamot, watermelon
and citrus, this exotic
and luminous Eau de
Toilette should make you
feel pure.
HER EDP,
£96 FOR 100ml,
at uk.burberry.com
This perfume comes in a
luxurious yet understated
bottle and contains
contains luminous plum
blossom notes, sparkling
mandarin, creamy
sandalwood and
comforting musk notes
that conveys warmth
and depth.
LA PANTHERE EDT,
£73 FOR 50ml,
at cartier.co.uk
A captivating fragrance
for the free-spirited and
charming woman, ’ofty
gardenia and crystalline
musk meet in a misty
creation with a soft
velvety musk.
25

SUPPLE SKIN
Shea butter has a soft
consistency that is especially
kind to the skin. It is very rich
in vitamins A and E, which
help balance, moisturise
and soothe skin, and
vitamin F that helps revitalise
damaged skin.
NATURAL HAIR
GROWTH
Using shea butter for natural
hair growth, makes perfect
sense, and is used in many
hair care products due to
its special ingredients that
work not only for protecting
the hair but also to restore
it. A personal favourite is the
mixture of shea butter and
coconut oil, I usually feel
like I just fed my hair a very
good meal because then it’s
soft, no tangles and more
"manageable".
5 THINGS
YOU DIDN'T KNOW
about SHEA BUTTER
Shea butter has been used as cosmetic and therapeutic
skincare lotion for thousands of years. Its origins go as
far back as Cleopatra’s Egypt, where it was carried in
large clay jars for cosmetic uses.
Here are 5 things you never knew about shea butter:
NATURAL HAIR GROWTH, SHINY EYES,
CHEEKBONES, MOISTURIZING YOUR LIPS AND SKIN.
CHEEKBONES
Our cheeks have a huge
impact on how we look. Shea
butter is high in fatty acids that
can help improve the elasticity
of the skin. Moreover, the
vitamin E in shea butter helps
tighten the skin to give the
cheeks a firm yet chubby
appearance. Use this remedy
a few times a week.
SHINY EYES
Eyes are not only windows to our soul,
they are also windows into our age
and skin health. The skin around the
eyes is very thin as it does not have any
sebaceous glands of its own, and so the
collagen in that specific area of the face is
very easily damaged. It is very important
that we take extra special care of this
precious area of our face. Shea butter
offers us the perfect healing and antiageing
eye balm to keep our eye skin soft,
plump, bright, and protected.
MOISTURISING LIPS
Once you try shea butter on
your lips, you will never go
back. shea butter protects
your lips from cold, dry
weather, keeping them soft
and supple all year round.
26

ADVERTORIAL
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BOTANYCL
VITAMIN D3
The perfect capsules for
any one with dull skin and
for those who are prone to
vitamin D deficiency.
Skincare can be complicated,
especially for women of colour.
There aren’t a lot of brands that
provide skincare products exclusively
for melanin-rich skin. We often have
to try different products and brands
before we find the one that glorifies
our black beauty.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a
melanin skincare bible? The one
place to shop for skincare products,
get skin care tips, and find products
from different brands that cater to
major skincare concerns such as:
hyperpigmentation, dark spots,
eczema, dehydration, acne, dull
skin (Vitamin D deficiency), oiliness,
uneven texture and so on.
Well this is Santa season and we
are granting wishes! We found this
amazing brand that operate on 4 Es:
Ease, Educate, Enhance and Ethical.
Rich Skxn is a health-inclined beauty
brand that provides women of
color with effective, clean skincare
products, amazing skincare tips and
help to build people's confidence
You know we are all about the glam life,
SO GET ON BOARD WITH RICH SKXN
and get your glow on.
about their appearance from the
inside as well as out.
According to the founder;
I love to promote self-love and
a healthy lifestyle because I was
once a young lady who couldn’t
walk out of the house without
makeup and lived a very unhealthy
lifestyle. What helped me was
reading encouraging words, books,
changing my diet and staying
consistent with my skincare.
This significantly improved my
appearance, confidence and
lifestyle. I want to provide the same
for Rich Skxn (RS) community.
Products sold through Rich Skxn
are for all types of people, mothers,
children, wellness chics, professional
women, young girls, grown ladies.
'Skin school', a section on their
website, educates people on what
to consider purchasing products
maintaining a healthy glowing skin
through improved lifestyle, and so
Photography & creative direction:
much more.
Eniafe Momodu @EniafeMomodu
Styling: Fayosola Aina @fayo_ths
Makeup: Jo'ville Makeup Studio @jovilleofficial
Hair: KL's Naturals @klsnaturals GET IN TOUCH
WWW.RICHSKXN.CO.UK
@RICHSKXN
27

HAIR & BEAUTY
Classic Beauty
NEVER FADES
The old school make-up trends making a comeback in our make-up bags.
BY OLIVIA GOLD
1
THE VINTAGE RED LIP
The red lip has been the ultimate
power beauty look throughout beauty
history. The vintage red lip made it to
mainstream screens since the 1950s
as seen on actresses from Grace Kelly
to Marilyn Monroe. Since then, many
lipstick trends have become beauty
must-haves , however, without fail, red
lips is a timeless winner and has been
rocked more recently by the likes of
Lupita Nyong'o, Michelle Williams and
even Queen Bey.
2
EXAGGERATED EYE
MAKEUP
Historically, bright and
exaggerated eye-makeup was
used in ancient tale movies such
as Cleopatra. In today’s beauty
worldyou can always count on
beauty YouTubers like Jackie
Aina, Makeup Shayla and many
others to come through to show
us how to wear a bold purple or
a bright orange and even a harsh
blue eye palette. Today, eye
shadow has become a staple for
a perfectly beat face.
LOWER EYE LASHES
3
Did you know that lower eyelash extensions
are a thing? Well, iconic British model Twiggy
dominated the fashion industry by having such
amplified eyelashes. Today you can most likely
assume that your favourite influencer is now
part of the lower eyelash line committee!
VISIBLE LIP LINER
This popular iconic perfect
lip from the 90’s runway is
now the beauty standard for
a flawless lip finish. This look
is hot and super easy to do:
simply use , a light-coloured
lipstick along with a dark/
deep lip liner to create this
go-to lip combo.
5
4
THE BUSHY
BROW
Gone are the days of
thin eyebrows — we can
proudly say that brow
trends are back to its natural
state! There is no need
to feel insecure about not
having the perfect shape,
as eyebrows are not twins
anyway, just sisters!
28

FASHION
PHOTOS CREDITS
Photography & Creative Direction:
Eniafe Momodu @eniafemomodu
Styling: Fayosola Aina @fayo_ths
Make-up: Jo'ville Makeup Studio @jovilleofficial
Hair: KL's Naturals @klsnaturals
from Big Brother Naija
& Dancing on Ice
MEET POWER COUPLE
MIKE & PERRI EDWARDS
PHOTO CREDITS
Photography & Creative Direction:
Eniafe Momodu @eniafemomodu
Styling: Fayosola Aina @fayo_ths
Make-up: Jo'ville Makeup Studio @jovilleofficial
Hair: KL's Naturals @klsnaturals
BY ENIAFE MOMODU
29

Reality TV shows
give everyday
people the chance
to escape from the
monotony of everyday life
and delve into a world far
removed from their own,
full of non-stop drama and
excitement - so it's easy to
see how millions of people
get swept into the annual
phenomenon known
as Big Brother Naija.
This year, Mike
Edwards, an athleteturned-entrepreneur,
decided it was his turn
to step into the BBN
spotlight, and after a
successful run on the show and finishing as 2nd runner-up,
Mike left the house with a lot to look forward to. Since then,
Mike has been making the most of his newfound fame. He's
signed a management deal with EME Management (owned
by Banky W and Tunde Demuren), received gifts ranging
from iPhones to Rolexes, and has even teased a new shoe
collection under his brand "Aireyys". The day we sat down
for this interview, Mike was looking forward to his first ever
meet and greet in Lagos, followed shortly by another in
Abuja, both of which were well-attended by dozens of fans,
admirers and well-wishers.
Unlike your average contestant, Mike had no
intention of hooking up with anyone inside the
Big Brother house. In fact, Mike has already found
everything he's ever wanted in a partner, in his wife, Perri.
Just weeks before he left for the Big Brother house, Mike
and Perri tied the knot during a picture-perfect ceremony
in Buckinghamshire. Perri supported Mike tirelessly every
step of the way, and continues to be his number one
cheerleader. The happy couple have so much in common
that they’re both convinced they were destined to cross
paths, one way or another. Also an athlete, Perri has been to
the Olympics, the World Championships and everywhere
in between. Perri isn’t exactly new to the reality TV life
either, having joined popular British TV series ‘Dancing
On Ice’ as a contestant in 2018. Now, she's taken a little
impromptu break from her life in the UK to explore the
Nigerian entertainment space with her husband. It's been
an interesting year for this hot, new power-couple, so we
just had to sit down with them to discuss their relationship,
life post-Big Brother, living the Nigerian dream and a
whole lot more.
Eniafe: Mike, you got married just before you left to do Big
Brother Naija. Why did you decide to do BBN, especially
just after becoming a newlywed?
Mike: I went on the show to take advantage of the opportunity
of a lifetime. It was a once in a lifetime experience to be able
to do something like this. We were newly married, there were
a lot of bills to be paid, so it was really just a mutual decision
between us. We thought it would be a great opportunity for
us, for our future, so we decided not to shy away from it. It
was obviously daunting, but we were also really excited about
the possibilities that could come if it went well and the rest is
history.
Eniafe: I mean, Perri, you got married in May, he left for
BBN in June so you were apart for months. What was that
experience like for you? Were you sad about him leaving
or were you just 100% happy and supportive?
Perri: When Mike told me about Big Brother Naija I was
all for it. I was like, "these opportunities don't come often, go
through the process, see how far you get", and then he got
selected so I said "you've got to do this". I was supporting
him throughout. Like you said, he left just three weeks after we
got married. Our relationship sometimes can be quite distant.
Sometimes I'll be in the States training, and he'll be in another
country, or he'll be in the States as well but in a different city
or time zone. But we always make it work so I thought "this is
gonna be easy, it's fine, go for it". Of course, actually going
through it was very different. You can't prepare yourself for
anything like that. The fact that I couldn't just pick up the phone
and call my husband, have a FaceTime chat, the only way I
could see him was to open my laptop and watch the show.
But you know, I was handling his social media at the time and
so just seeing the love and support that he was getting while
he was inside the house, I was like "wow, if Mike only knew".
I wished I could just call him and tell him how well he was
doing. That's what kept me going, knowing that at the end
some good would come from it.
Eniafe: So, how long ago did you come to Nigeria?
Perri: Well, I flew out here for the finale of Big Brother to
see Mike after 4 months
of being apart. My ticket
was a return ticket, I didn't
know how long I was
going to be here for but I
booked the trip for just 10
days. A month on now and
I'm still here in Nigeria.
Eniafe: So, Mike, had you
been to Nigeria before
Big Brother Naija or was
this your first time here?
Mike: I've actually been
back and forth since
switching my allegiance
in my professional sport,
track and field. I made
30

the switch to represent Team
Nigeria in 2018. Initially it
was supposed to be at the
Commonwealth Games in
Australia, but I was barred
from competing thanks to
some transfer of allegiance
deadlines - long story for
another time. But anyway,
I had the opportunity to
represent Nigeria at the
African Championships,
which was held in Asaba
in August last year, so I was
making a lot of trips back
and forth and getting very
familiar with the idea of
being in Nigeria and the
opportunities that were available. So, I took a leap of faith
and decided to try the entertainment space and see if it could
work out. I figured it would be great for business and would
give me the opportunity to move back home, so it was really a
win-win. It helped that I'd made all those trips earlier so I knew
some of the pros and cons and wasn't just coming here with
zero understanding.
Eniafe: So what would you say, more than anything, you
were hoping to get out of the Big Brother experience? Did
you have any goals in particular or were you just seizing
the moment?
Mike: Interestingly I didn't know
anything about how the layout of
the show was before going into the
house. I'd never watched a single
episode, but I had seen past stars
like Ebuka and watched his success,
and just seeing how he was able to
position himself as a businessman
outside of the show, I thought going
in there would be a great chance to
teleport into a whole different realm
of opportunity. That was how I looked
at it. I think most people would go
in seeking fame, but I was really
doing it to expand and capitalise off
the experience. I've always been a
minority everywhere I've been in the
world, from Great Britain to the USA.
But to now come back home, and to
identify with my people and for them
to embrace me, it was something
I'd really longed for, that feeling of
belonging and of being at home. So, to be selected, it was
almost like a test of my mental capacity. Could I go through
something as unthinkable as leaving the UK, going to Nigeria,
being on the biggest television show in Africa? The competitor
in me gravitates towards challenges like that, the adrenaline,
the provocativeness - those are the things that ultimately drew
me to Big Brother.
Eniafe: I've spent many years between London and Lagos,
myself, so I know how different both places are. Perri, this
is your first time here. Would you say you've experienced
a culture shock since you've been here or do you feel right
at home?
Perri: (laughs) This has not been a culture shock for me one
bit. Even though I grew up in the UK I have a Caribbean
background and to me we're very similar in a lot of ways.
When I landed in the airport here I was like "this is just like
back in Jamaica only on a bigger scale" - the hustle and bustle,
the traffic, all the things my friends warned me about. I'm used
to it already. I've adapted so quickly. All my friends keep
asking when I'm coming back, but clearly I'm enjoying it.
Eniafe: So, you could really see yourself settling down
here?
Perri: Well, my husband is here, and he needs to be here at
the moment. I want to be where my husband is, but other than
that I really do see Lagos as a land of opportunity, so I'm really
happy to be here right now.
Eniafe: What about you Mike? I'm sure you have a
different perspective since you're not Jamaican.
Mike: Actually, it's funny you should say that because my
father is Jamaican. I'm part Nigerian, part Jamaican and part
American, but the only thing that has really caught my eye
in a bizarre way is the unruly drivers in this country (laughs).
Sometimes, it's like there are no rules!
Eniafe: Are you used to eating
Nigerian food, and what are
your favourites?
Perri: Jollof rice, plantains that you
call dodo, I love puff-puff, pounded
yam, fish... I tried something recently
called 'shaki'. I wish I didn't know
what it was before I tried it but it did
taste good. I love that there's a lot of
spice and pepper in Nigerian food.
Mike: My eating routine is a little
different from most people because
I'm a pescatarian, so I only eat fish.
Eniafe: That must be quite difficult
in Nigeria, no?
Mike: Everyone says that, but to
be honest there's some amazing
catfish, grilled fish... I mean for what you get, the value is
unreal. I can feed myself and be content for a long period
of time, whereas if I were to do the same thing in any other
country I'd be breaking the bank, so I'm very happy with my
nutrition, how I'm able to eat at such a low cost but great
quality. We live like kings and queens here.
Eniafe: So, being professional athletes, I guess you're
31

not entirely new to being in the spotlight, but I imagine
that since Big Brother the attention has increased quite a
bit. How are you dealing with the newfound fame and
attention?
Perri: I smile when you say that because I love it and I knew
that was what would happen. I have experienced it before,
I've been to major events, I've presented, done red carpets,
been treated like a star among stars, so it's not totally new to
me. I always tell my husband he needs to embrace it a bit
more because it can go as quickly as it comes so you need to
make the most of it while you can.
Eniafe: Would you say you're a little more into the celebrity
lifestyle than Mike is?
Perri: Mike is very much a 'home guy'. He does like to keep
his life private, which may seem strange since obviously he
went on BBNaija, but like he said, the main reason he did it
was really to promote his brand, Aireyys. He wanted to get
that into the market and he knew the audience being on the
show would bring exposure for the
brand. But in the end, I think people
really grew up to love 'Mike, the
brand'.
Mike always stays true to himself, so
even with his new celebrity status we
still do normal things - we try to cook
for ourselves, we're not suddenly
changing everything and hiring
people to do everything for us, that's
never how it's been for us, not in the
UK and not now in Nigeria.
Eniafe: So, Mike, you came out
of the house and suddenly you're
this huge celebrity, millions of
people know who you are, they've
just spent three months watching
your day-to-day experiences
and interactions. How would you
characterise your experience since
leaving the Big Brother house?
Mike: The experience has been overwhelming at times
because even though personally I've been really sure of myself,
when you have loads of people who recognise you from all
walks of life, it's something that you never really get used to
- or at least I haven't. Everyone feels as though they know
everything about you, and to be fair, they have been on that
journey with you. They've seen the emotions I went through,
they've watched me sleep, eat, workout and speak my mind.
Eniafe: Do you find that problematic, that people think
they know everything about you? Or do you feel like
actually they do know you, in a way?
Mike: I mean, all the emotions and everything that I put out
were real. So, yeah, in a way, they do know me because I
wasn't acting.
Eniafe: Perri, did you have any concerns or doubts when
Mike went into the house?
Perri: Well, I know my husband very well and he knew what
he was getting into. He was very honest from the beginning so
I really didn't have anything to worry about. I was just proud
watching him and seeing the things people said about him.
Eniafe: Well you were certainly very popular during your
time in the house. I want to know, what do you think it was,
looking back, that made you so endearing to the viewers?
Mike: I think it was my authenticity, and my ability to speak my
mind. I was just being myself and I never felt the need to be
somebody else, and in doing that I was very unapologetic at
times. I just felt very honest. When you're in a gains scenario,
there's a lot of things that are fake, so whenever you find
something that is real you gravitate towards it. I've always said
people fall in love with your personality, not what you bring
in or what you have in the bank.
Everybody's trying to be somebody
else so the moment you're confident
enough to be yourself you stand out
and I think that's what it was for
me. But also, I was a misfit, I wasn't
completely polished, I wasn't the
most eloquent speaker, so I think my
imperfections made me stand out.
Maybe people felt like they could
relate to that. I'm still yet to see
everything that people have seen
because I was always living in the
moment, but a lot of people have
reached out to me since I came out
of the house, saying that I helped
inspire them and things like that,so
if I was able to influence just one
person in a positive way then my
job is done. In the words of Tupac,
‘I'm not here to change the world
but if I can spark the mind who
does then that's good enough too’.
Eniafe: What should your fans be looking forward to in
the near future?
Mike: Well I don't like to give away all my secrets, but one
thing I can say is you'll be seeing a lot of us here in Nigeria
and in various African countries, that's a sure thing. My wife
and I will be working on different things in the entertainment
space, working on our brand, and most importantly our family.
Eniafe: And you, Perri, what are you looking forward to
most right now as a couple?
Perri: Building an empire. And with that empire you have
family, business, and more. For Mike and me that's been
our goal since before the show, building something together.
We're a package and we're stronger than ever, so Nigeria
better look out for the Edwards!
32

THIS SEASON WE WANT...bright accessories.
The new season is going to be fun with...
AFRO POP SOCKS
Afropopsocks.com
@afropopsocks
A new season calls for a
gorgeous new wardrobe.
You can trust Glam Africa
to find some of the best
products, and this is one
we are very excited about.
AfroPop Socks is a brand
made up of designers
with an African heritage
who are passionate about
staying true to Africaninspired
designs whilst also
incorporating a vibrant and
contemporary colour palette
for the young African.
These socks are made
with high quality combed
cotton making them soft and
durable. The designs are
unisex and are available in
large and medium sizes to
suit both men and women.
And for the best part...
AfroPop Socks is designing
a new range of socks and
tights for kids, so your little
ones can also join the
afrocentric sock fun.
For now, get your AfroPop
Socks at afropopsocks.com
and don't forget to gift some
to your friends and family,
you’ll literally knock their
socks off!.
33

FASHION & STYLE
W ays
to style your
VLISCO DRESS
With Vlisco’s continuously enhanced
designs, distinctive and specially
crafted fabricse with interesting shapes
and colours, this fabric is perfect for
the creative and daring lady. Besides
the classic full-length skirt and blouse or
blouse and wrapper often rocked by our
mothers, it is increasingly common to find
stylists pair Vlisco wax print clothes in
unconventional ways.
HERE ARE A FEW WAYS YOU
CAN ROCK A VLISCO DRESS FOR
DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.
PHOTO CREDITS
Photography & Creative Direction:
Eniafe Momodu @eniafemomodu
Model: Luwa Fagbe @luwah__
Agency: Sapphero Models @sappheromodels
Styling: The House of Vestas @dhouseofvestas
Assistant Styling: House of Mijens @house_of_mijens
Hair & Makeup: Jo'ville Makeup Studio @Jovilleofficial
34

CASUAL
GATHERING
Keep it simple in this
mini dress and let
the fabric’s gorgeous
colours help you to
stand out.
35

FASHION & STYLE
DINNER
BALL
Be the perfect damsel
by pairing your dress
with an elaborate tulle
skirt to help you steal
the show. a staple to a
perfectly beat face.
36

SUNDAY
LOOK
Keep it covered and
classy, tie your extra
fabric as a wrapper
over the mini dress.
Complete the look with
a matching headwrap.
37

FASHION & STYLE
HANGING
WITH THE GIRLS
Wow guests and get them
talking by pairing the dress
with a contrasting fabric:
do this by using this fabric
as a headwrap or a kneelength
wrapper.
Discover more
VLISCO FABRICS
at your local fabric store
OR VISIT VLISCO.COM
38

My VLISCO
FAMILY BY
ENIAFE MOMODU
With Christmastime fast approaching,
one thing on a lot of our minds is
family. For many of us, this season
means spending precious time with loved ones,
and if you're an African in the diaspora, chances
are you'll be on a flight back to the motherland
very soon to explore a bit more of the places your
ancestors called home. As the world becomes
more and more globalised, African people are
finding creative ways to stay connected to their
culture and heritage - and fashion is definitely
leading the way in that pursuit. From ankara
fabrics to wax prints and pagne, African prints
have maintained their popularity all over the world.
Whether it's creating matching attires for the family
reunion, or some stylish his-and-hers co-ords for
your wedding day, nothing says 'unity' quite like
a nice ankara fabric. Over the last 170 years,
Vlisco has helped Africans all over the world to
continue this tradition thanks to their continuously
evolving fabric, achieved through the exploration
of creativity, craftsmanship and their ever-evolving
printing methods. This year, Glam Africa teamed
up with Vlisco for the exciting new "My Vlisco
Family" campaign, which encouraged families to
show their love for one another by sharing photos
wearing matching outfits made with Vlisco prints.
To celebrate the successful campaign, Glam Africa
caught up with some of our favourite celebs to find
out what family means to them, and uncover how
they're using African prints to connect with their
loved ones.
39

JULIANA OLAYODE on family
"What does family mean to me? Family
is everything, your support system, your
backbone, your shoulder to cry on. They
are always there for you, even when
nobody else is. You can always go back
to family and they will cover you. Family
is like your hiding place. They will always
love you no matter what you do. That's
family. Being a part of a family means
being a part of something bigger than just
you."
TANIA OMOTAYO on sharing
African prints with her daughter
"I love really bright colours, so I wear prints
very often. Prints make me happy and they're
a big part of African history and our culture
too. It's so beautiful to know that I can share
my African prints with my daughter, Sarai.
I haven't started wearing matching clothes
with her yet but when I start I just know I
won't be able to stop."
40

SOLIAT BADA on familial bonds
"When it comes to Mariam and me, one
thing that strengthens our bond is trust.
It's knowing that there's somebody I can
go to for absolutely anything and that I
know 100% has my back. She's my cousin,
yes, but she's also my best friend. I can
laugh with her, joke with her and she's
incredibly loyal. It's a bond that really is
just priceless."
MARIAM TIMMER on sharing
African prints with her mother
"For me, the colours of my ankara
determine the kind of vibe I'm going
to give off that day, it determines your
mood. If my outfit is very colourful I just
know I'm going to be poppin' that day.
When I was younger it was difficult finding
people who I related to well, in terms of
fashion. But growing up I was able to mix
the things I had in my closet with different
prints, ankara fabrics and my mum's classic
vintage designer outfits. My mum is a very
fashionable person so I grew up looking up
to her in terms of fashion, hair and makeup.
She really birthed my love for African
prints and ankara."
PHOTO CREDITS
Photography: Salvador Lateef @lasalvy
Styling: Fayosola Aina @fayo_ths_
Make-up: Adamma Kenneth @adammakenneth
Hair Styling/Head Wrap: KL's Naturals @klsnaturals
41

ADVERTORIAL
New Product Crush:
ZURI BLISS
Have you ever considered that there are products
marketed to us that are not safe for us? Especially
when it comes to our body and skin care. Keeping
our health as priority, now more than ever is the
best time to eliminate products that are not healthy
or are made with ingredients that may likely cause
harm over a period of time.
As the saying goes, ‘out with the old in with the
new’. Whilst trashing harmful products, what healthy
alternatives do we have? Especially now that winter
is coming -the ashy look is a no no.
Allow us to introduce you to Zuribliss, a natural
holistic brand. The name ‘Zuri’ means ‘beautiful’ in
Swahili paired with the word bliss. Zuribliss aims to
provide a beautiful blissful experience through their
natural products and treatments to all clients and
customers. They currently have a range of natural,
cruelty-free tailor made products starting with a lip
kit (lip balm and lip Scrub), to body bliss oil paired
with cinnamon & vanilla pink body crush scrub, all
handmade with blissful love.
Speaking to the founder, she said, “We came up
with our range of natural products because we really
wanted to get people thinking about the products
they use on their skin everyday. Our mission is to
inspire people globally to go natural with their skincare!
One great unique selling point with Zuribliss is
we use mostly natural products & ingredients in all
our treatments. We pride ourselves on using products
that are healthy enough to eat”.
TESTIMONIALS FROM WOMEN WHO
HAVE TRIED ZURI BLISS:
“That lip kit works wonders! I used to have
rough patches along the lines of my lips
and couldn’t figure it out, but this lip scrub
after two uses got rid of it nicely, good
looking out!!” - Vanessa
“I’ve struggled with dry lips for years -
carmex and Vaseline doesn’t come close to
Zuri Bliss lip balms.” - Vivienne
Start your journey towards blissful skincare
now at www.zuribliss.bigcartel.com
@zuribliss
42

FASHION & STYLE
ORANGE CULTURE
Revolutionary Fashion
HOW
ORANGE
CULTURE IS
RECLAIMING
AFRICA'S STOLEN
IDENTITY THROUGH
ANDROGYNOUS
CLOTHING
BY ENIAFE MOMODU

Today, he's shutting down runways at Lagos and New
York Fashion Week, but when Adebayo Oke-Lawal first
launched Orange Culture back in 2011, he could not have
known just how far his vision would take him. On the one hand,
Bayo's designs were forward-thinking, thought-provoking and
in a lane of their own, but they were also controversial and
norm-defying in a way not everybody was willing to embrace.
Although he could have set up his fashion brand in Paris,
Milan or London where androgynous fashion would hardly be
anything to blink at, he opted instead to set up shop in his home
country, Nigeria - a country where brilliant ideas are too often
stifled by overly-conservative mindsets. When reflecting on the
type of society Nigeria is, it's hard to imagine how Bayo-Oke
Lawal (who was once told he would go to hell just for making a
red suit for a man for making a red suit for a man) ever found
the courage to introduce androgynous fashion to conservative
Nigeria. But the Orange Culture vision was far bigger than
its detractors, and the world is better because of it. With
thousands of admirers all over the globe and a host of celebrity
fans including the likes of Burna Boy, Adekunle Gold, Masego
and Chimamanda Adichie, Orange Culture is clearly doing
something right.
One common criticism of the androgynous fashion
movement has been that it is somehow "un-African".
There is this idea that unless modern clothing exists within the
rigid, socially-constructed boundaries of the western gender
binary, it must be antithetical to African culture and tradition.
But this is a very misinformed, and, I must say, neo-colonial,
critique. Somewhere along the way, African culture has
become synonymous with white and western conceptions of
masculinity and femininity. In reality, this would imply that men
must stick to dark-coloured two-pieces in order to remain true
to their African roots. However these are not the true hallmarks
of African culture, and they never have been. Look at the
Kenyan Maasai tribe, whose men can be seen wearing bright
Photography: Jesse Navarre Vos
44

FASHION & STYLE
red wrappers with layers of rainbow-coloured beads, or the
Swazi and Zulu tribes of southern Africa, who can be spotted
wearing layered-print garments with feathery accessories. And
it doesn't stop there - the Dogon people of Mali, the Hamar
men in Ethiopia, the Hansi in Tanzania - skirts, bright colours,
make-up, over-the-top jewellery and dramatic headpieces have
all been staple features in traditional African menswear for
centuries. Meanwhile kitenge, kikoy fabrics, dashiki prints and
patterned wrappers continue to be worn by men from East to
West Africa, and all over the diaspora. These influences can be
seen throughout Orange Culture's collections, which regularly
draws inspiration from Yoruba culture, infusing adire textiles,
buba & sokoto and agbada-inspired pieces.
Those who seek to brand androgynous fashion as
necessarily 'un-African' do so because they continue to see
their own history and heritage through a foreign lens, and in
doing so, they fail to appreciate all the diverse expressions of
African identity, masculinity and sexuality that westernisation
has forced us to forget. Thus, Orange Culture's triumphant
rejection of gender finds futurism in the antique and reclaims
Africa's lost identity in a way that history can not ignore.
45

SOOO HOT RIGHT N
1YOUNG,
HOMEGROWN
AFRICAN DESIGNERS
There has likely never been a time
where young African designers
have been so celebrated on the
world stage than they are right
now. A few of the LVMH fashion
prize winners currently receiving
due recognition and showing at
major international fashion weeks
include:Kenneth Ize, Thebe Magugu,
Lagos Space Program, Tokyo James,
Rich Mnisi and Lukhanyo Mdingi.
Snatch their clothing now (whilst
still affordable) because these
creative youngsters are set to hit the
stratosphere.
3
BUCKET HATS AND
BABUSHKA SCARVES
2
BOXER SHORTS AS
SHORTS IS YOUR GO-TO
FOR SUMMER
This look is based on 1970s
sportswear — think tennis champs
John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg or the
incredible Boston Celtics basketball
teams of that period. Thankfully, the
current versions are a little longer
on the leg and slightly looser on the
thigh. Bellisimo!
We hate them. We really do. But
somehow, between Balenciaga
hurling babushka scarves down the
catwalk, musicians A$AP Rocky and
Frank Ocean unashamedly sporting
them (A$AP even has a hit called
“Babushka Boi”) and GQ blessing
the bucket hat as being back, these
head accessories are everywhere
and (unfortunately) will be for some
time.
46

OWTHE DOMINANT TRENDS
for SPRING/SUMMER ’20
BY LITHEMBA VELLEMAN
5
SLIDERS AND CHUNKY
SNEAKERS
Still. Led by Balenciaga’s Triple S
whose unending popularity defies
logic and all rules of fashion, the
ugly/chunky dad sneakers still rule
the streets. Get in on it, or spend the
summer lazily in sliders - perfect for
both beach and beach clubs alike.
4
CYCLING SHORTS
This is one of those trends that
is going to fade very quickly, so
we legitimately think if you have
a pair of cycling shorts (that you
actually cycle in or wear to the
gym), just start pairing them with a
chic oversized white shirt and some
sliders (more about that below) and
voila - you’re ready for street style
fame! We wish we were joking.
47

P I C T U R E S
Photography | Videography
07568146789 ~ hi@wilokpictures.com ~ www.wilokpictures.com
48

HAIR & BEAUTY
THE BRAIDED
BUNCH
From woven textured coils, to gravity defying
towering woven topknots, braided do’s in all styles,
colours and patterns are making a statement this
season. To help you shake up your basic braided
hairdos, we’ve hand-picked 5 of the best jazzy styles
for you to try out this season.
Leave no stray hair
on sight with this fun
intricate and edgy
space bun look. A feed
in braided style that’s a
great alternative to the
traditional top-knot. It’s
ideal for anyone looking
for something simple,fun
and eye catching.
TOP-KNOT BRAIDED DO
BRAIDED TOP-KNOT
@magicfingersstudio
By Stasha Mababatano Harris
You can never go wrong
with a simple braided top
knot. It’s the simplest way
to keep hair off your face
whilst still looking chic and
sophisticated. A good
protective style to try out if
you are looking for a no
fuss, go-to style that's edgy
yet classic.
@magicfingersstudio
By Stasha Mababatano Harris
Alissa Ashley
Youtuber and Blogger
This boho-chic Fulani braided
style has to be one of our all time
favourites. We love how you can
instantly switch up this look from
an office=friendly style to a bohochic
vibe by adding colourful
accessories to loose ends, giving
this look beautiful flow and
movement.
@alissa.ashley
FULANI BRAIDS
RETRO BRAIDS
If you’re on the lookout
for something new
then why not try these
braided bangs for a
feel-good factor. Braided
bangs are a great way
to switch up your look
for any given season.
They are the perfect way
to put a remix on old
tried and tested staples
like box braids. They’ll
refresh your look and
add a cool retro twist to
your plaited braids. We
suggest playing around
with accessories and
charms to suit the look
and feel of this style.
49

HAIR & BEAUTY
FINDING
The Right Hair Mask
FOR YOUR HAIR
Whether you have kinky, curly, coily or wavy hair, finding the
perfect hair mask that’s both hydrating and moisturising on
afro tresses can be an unending task.
50
5
LUCKILY, WE’VE
HAND-PICKED
OF THE BEST ECO-FRIENDLY HAIR
MASKS WE KNOW
YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH

TANUR REGENERA
1
This Ginseng & Ginkgo is a good repairing
conditioner for natural hair which is specially
formulated for dry damaged hair. It contains
linseed oil and supports the structure of any hair
texture for renewed fullness and softness. The
conditioner also protects against antioxidative
stress and provides anti-aging and stimulating
effects to your tresses.
ARGAN OIL
EVO MASK
Evo, aptly dubbed ‘the great
hydrator’ helps treat dry
and frizzy hair, gets rid of
stubborn knots and improves
the overall softness of your
hair texture. Depending on
your specific needs, you can
apply it a few times a week
for greater results. Follow
up with your favorite styling
tools to create your next
head-turning look.
3
AMIKA HAIR MASK
Amika Mask is soul food for the
hair with its rich and nourishing
ingredients. It’s a good intensive
mask designed to deeply condition,
hydrate and restore dry hair,
bringing your locks to their natural
glory. The mask is
formulated with Jojoba
5
Seed Oil to strengthen
your hair and Vitamin
C to repair and protect
it. Amika mask is
cruelty-free, sulphatefree
and gluten-free.
2
L'OREAL EXPERT
CURL CONTOUR MASK
L'oreal Serie Expert Curl Contour mask is a
lightweight gel treatment for curly hair, which
hydrates dry hair and helps to smoothen the
surface for a sleek look and softer feel. Infused
with glycerin (which is known for its hydrating
properties), your curls will feel nourished,
moisturised and will look more defined.
4
LIVING PROOF
If you are looking for something more
intensive to add to your hair regime, Living
Proof hair mask truly lives up to its name.
It’s an intensive mask which can be used
regularly to boost your hair’s moisture. The
mask will help restore, nourish and condition
your hair, adding softness, shine and body
using the latest patented lab developed
technology.
GRAPE SEED OIL
JOJOBA SEED OIL
KERNEL OIL
TUCUMA SEED OIL
51

SOCIAL MEDIA CRUSH
Finally! Black influencers are shaking up the industry with wide-ranging
representation, bold makeup looks, out-of-the-box style, the straight-talking girl etc.
Depending on your mood, here are the IT girls to keep you company on the web.
Consider this your list of experts to help you be your best self:
@T0nit0ne
TONI TONE
Career, finance and even
relationships, Toni is the goto
girl. Imagine that big sister
who has the answers to all
your life troubles. Toni is
also an ambassador for the
Young Women’s Trust and
has had her tweets reposted
by the Kardashians,
Huffington Post and Oprah
magazine.
@thatgirldami
THAT GIRL DAMI
Dami’s page is a must-follow.
As a professional make-up
artist, you are fully covered
with the latest products,
especially for the
darker-shade girl.
Who says black girls can’t
wear the brightest and
boldest makeup colours?
Fumi tries them all. Her latest
collaboration with Juvia’s
Place (known for the richest,
most vibrantly-pigmented
makeup essentials) could
mean even more bold and
bright colours are expected
on her page.
@fumidesaluvold
@estaregrams
ESTARE
An aggregation of some
of the best travel shots on
Instagram, this is the handle
to peruse for endless eye
candy. Whether you're
looking for imagery of
gorgeous African lakes,
blissful Asian beaches or
some of Europe’s most
captivating cities.
FUMI DESALU-VOLD
@hodhenliaden
HODHEN LIADEN
She is the founder of
of the much-needed @
darkskinnedhijabis (aimed
to raise up fellow black
Muslim women) as well as
@deardivorcedgirl (which
aims to break the social
stigma and cultural taboos
of divorce). Over on her
personal page, you’ll find
beauty reviews and product
finds — especially for those
who seek modest fashion.
@oloni
OLONI
Sex, relationships and more.
Oloni has it covered on
Twitter and Instagram. Also
known as the Clap Baq
Queen, if you are thinking it,
Oloni is definitely saying it.
52

YOUR
SORTED!
PROBLEMATIC
SKIN
We recently discovered Naturelle By Iqra Khan which was
launched with the sole purpose of providing a natural,
organic and cruelty-free skin care range, made in Britain,
with products that are full of antioxidants to benefit your skin.
These products targeting people with mainly problematic
skin (acne, hyperpigmentation, blemishes etc) can be trusted
for flawless, radiant and smooth complexion. Here are four
amazing products we discovered from the Naturelle By Iqra
Khan collection:
NATURELLEBYIQRAKHAN.CO.UK
@NATURELLEBYIQRAKHAN
@NATURELLEBYIQRAKHAN_
RAPID RECOVERY
GLOW ELIXIR
This concentrated elixir is
a luxurious mix of organic
and natural oils, including
lemon, sandalwood oil,
orange peel & seaweed
extracts, formulated
specifically to help banish
spots & pimples, reduce
acne, heal acne scarring
and lighten pigmentation.
ACNE PRONE FACE
MIST (FOR ALL SKIN
TYPES)
Made with antiinflammatory
and
detoxifying properties
that can help reduce
redness caused by acne
and prevent the build-up
of bacteria that can clog
pores, while drawing out
heavy metals and toxins
from the skin. In doing so, it
enables the skin to remain
clean, fresh and pure,
which prevents breakouts.
USE CODE NEW20
FOR TO 20% OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE
CONTACT-US
@NATURELLEBYIQRAKHAN.CO.UK
DRINK ME UP SKIN
REPAIR MOISTURISER
Specifically designed to
lock in intense concentration
of hydration while
continuously releasing
it throughout the day,
resulting in radiant skin. The
moisturiser aims to reduce
breakouts and blemishes,
fight acne and even out
skin tone, giving it a subtle,
healthy glow.
It also contains SPF 20.
SKIN REJUVENATION
2 IN 1 CLEANSER &
FACE WASH
Infused with coconut,
apricot kernel and avocado
oils which are rich in
anti-oxidants, enhancing
protection for the skin. This
2 in 1 face wash helps to
reduce the appearance
of ageing, lightens
unwanted blemishes &
dark spots. Also, a number
of the ingredients have
antibacterial and antifungal
properties, beneficial for
those suffering from skin
acne and eczema but can
also be used as a daily
cleanser/face wash for all
skin types.
53

HAIR & BEAUTY
BRANDS
BY GRANDY KAT
REVOLUTIONISING
MAKEUP
We’ve all heard of the amazing makeup lines like Fenty Beauty
and Iman Cosmetics, but these are not the only black-owned
beauty brands out there. Here are 3 young makeup brands that
you should consider the next time you refresh your makeup bag.
Uoma Beauty
Founded by Nigerian-born, former beauty
executive Sharon Chuter, Uoma Beauty is a
breath of fresh air within the ever-evolving beauty
scene. The brand burst onto the scene only eight
months ago in April 2019 and has already been
spotted in the makeup bags and on the faces of
all our fave queens such as Tamar Braxton, Ciara
and Keke Palmer. The brand has been praised
for its foundations not only having a large shade
range (stocking a massive 51 shades), but also
infusing its foundations with skincare benefits. The
brand recognizes that different skin complexions
come with different skin needs. For example,
the darker shades have built-in components for
hyperpigmentation and the lighter shades have
elements to combat hypersensitivity, giving those
of us who still haven’t developed a skincare
routine a helping hand (don’t judge us please).
The brand’s ethos is based on uplifting women,
instructing women to ‘never apologise for being
the sh*t’, and frankly, we are here for it.
Sharon Chuter,
Founder of Uoma Beauty
Uoma,
Spring Campaign 2019
54

Mented Cosmetics
Ladies and gents, your quest for the perfect nude
lipstick has finally come to an end. Usually, I
have to layer at least 2-5 different lipsticks to
create a simple nude lip, but thanks to KJ Miller
and Amanda E. Johnson, the founders of Mented
Cosmetics, it appears that this struggle is now
over. When these two professional women
realised that they both couldn’t find a simple nude
lipstick to wear to work, they also spotted a
gap in the market for products with
women of colour in mind, hence
brand Mented was born. They
sought out to create a brand which
celebrated the beauty of women
of colour starting with launching a
collection of six nude lipsticks ranging
from pinker shades to browns,
which work perfectly for darker
skin tones. These nude lipsticks,
which launched only two years
ago, have created massive waves
in the industry, receiving press from
prestigious magazines. Beauty Guru
sensation, Jackie Aina, even stated
that Mented has "the best makeup
for women of colour". Now, the only question left
to ask is, “how quickly will my package take to
arrive?”, because I’m completely sold!
Beauty Bakerie
Is it a chic bakery selling all of our favourite sweet treats or a
flourishing makeup brand providing us with all of our beauty
must-haves? When you first click onto the Beauty Bakerie site, I
admit it’s hard to tell. Although on closer inspection it is evident
that the black-owned beauty brand’s USP is adorable bakery
themed makeup to make us look good enough to eat!
Do make sure you don’t browse the site on an empty stomach
because the names of the products such as ‘raspberry tiramisu
lip whip’ and ‘Lollipop eyeliner’ might leave you craving a
snack or two. You can also shop guilt-free knowing proceeds
from your purchases are going towards Sugar Homes, an
amazing foundation founded by the brands CEO Cashmere
Nicole, which supports orphanages for children in need around
the world.

56

CAREER
Gone are the days when we had to manage all aspects of our
businesses and even our lifestyle through diary managing, PAs
or even through our overloaded memory. Thankfully, mobile
applications have helped some businesses ensure that they
do not fall behind. The cellular applications have facilitated
growth, managed finances and increased productivity levels.
BY TOLU BAKRE
Whether it be business or personal financial matters, managing
finances has never proved to be an easy task, especially if you are
a sole trader. However, some of these applications below have
revolutionised the ways in which you are able to streamline your
businesses’ financial tasks.
TRELLO: These digital boards allow you
to organise and prioritise projects with
yourself and employees whilst rewarding you
along the way. Employees are able to stay
organised, view colleagues’ tasks and see
what’s left to do. It's perfect for people who
need a visual task system.
Mobile applications have also been known
to foster and nurture connections within the
workforce by enabling direct communication.
MONZO: One of the biggest banks to
challenge internet banking in the UK.
The digital, mobile only bank offers
a current account and various ways
to make saving easy. The easy-to-use
interface is designed to make seamless
transactions between businesses and
friends. Therefore, if you are looking for
ways to save and budget accordingly,
Monzo has you covered.
REVOLUT: If you’re a young
tech-savvy use this app is for you.
The mobile banking application
allows you to top up your account
in your own currency, then when
you travel, the bank automatically
changes the currency to the local
currency whenever you use your
card.
The app also allows you to convert
your currency into crypto currency.
You can set up price alerts to see
when prices change.
Being a business owner means
that, at times, you tend to carry a
weight on your shoulders. It can be
challenging to manitain organisation
with the business and keeping it in
order.
But some mobile applications are
are changing the game.
Whilst it is absolutely vital
to keep your professional
duties in order, your wellbeing
is also crucial in order
to carry out productivity to
its full capacity. Similarly
the Health app is good for
maintaining fitness and health
responsibilities.
PATTERN: allows you to help understand your mood and emotional patterns
on a daily basis based on the information you submit. The app proceeds to
give a unique perspective of what to do when different situations arrive.
The transformative changes in today’s businesses are absolutely parallel
to the success of companies thanks to these mobile applications. With
over a million users across each app, it is no mystery why businesses and
individuals are doing so well.
There is no doubt that the changes these apps have affected are making
traditionalyl mundane tasks easier and highly effective. Mobile applications
have modernised businesses’ productivity and efficiency from financing right
down to communication.
OTHER APPS TO CONSIDER
GOOGLE DRIVE
Imagine file storage, emails, word
documents, excel and so much more all in
one, and within reach from any smartphone,
tablet or computer.
MONEYBOX
The Moneybox app is the simplest way to
save and invest. Round up your purchases to
the nearest pound and set aside the spare
change.
OTTER
Save time and never miss a word. Otter
lets you record and review in real-time.
Otter converts live speaking into a written
transcription, and you can search, play, edit,
organise, and share your conversations from
any device.
57

COVER STORY
OVIE SOKO
Colouring Outside
"
t
THE LINES
Interview by Mika Abraham
Story by Eniafe Momodu
When Ovie arrived at the
Glam Africa studio in central
London, I wasn't too sure
what to expect. On the one
hand, I'd spent the better
part of my summer holiday
glued to my TV screen, shamelessly caught up in the
Love Island media storm. On-screen, Ovie was a pure
delight. You could hardly open your mouth to criticise
him. But that was a little while ago now. Back then, he
was just Ovie Soko, your average, 6 foot 7, unfairly
good-looking basketball player. Now, he was Ovie, a
national treasure with millions of fans across the UK and
beyond, so could we really expect him to be the same
person we'd seen on screen earlier on in the summer?
Plus, there were some strange rumours circulating in the
Twittersphere that the Love Island producers had done
some creative editing to make Ovie appear slightly more
pleasant than he always was.
But none of that mattered now, because suddenly, Ovie,
once a figment of my TV screen, had materialised at the
top of the staircase, followed closely by Gemma, one of
his managers. He made his way downstairs, lowering
his head as he walked, to avoid hitting the ceiling.
Welcoming him warmly, I offered to help him with his
suitcase. He politely refused, determined to pull his own
weight for those final few steps. Later, he would ask me
where he could find a bin, and subsequently decline my
offer to dispose of his trash for him and insist on doing it
himself. It was admirable, if not supererogatory. After all,
he was the star, the man of the hour, the guest of honour.
But it quickly became clear that any form of special
treatment was not on his agenda.
A true gentleman, he took his time to greet everyone
in the room, from the Glam Africa interns to the
photographer and the stylist, charming them all along
the way. He struck me as the kind of person who would
be popular anywhere he went. He must have known
going into the Love Island villa that he would become a
viewer favourite. And yet I wondered if he could have
ever really known just how much of a sensation he
would become in the days and weeks that followed his
entry. "I had no idea about the public response because
I was in there for so long. I wasn’t expecting anything
58

There's a whole other side
o myself that I still want to
explore"
59

in particular when I came out of the villa. But being out, it’s
been dope. My cousin who went to school in Nigeria told
me I'm even getting love out there. That blew my mind. I
didn't even think the response would be so big here, talk less
of back home. The love has really been crazy." And crazy
doesn't even begin to describe it.
So how does life outside the villa compare to life on the
inside? "In the villa, it’s a very different environment. You’re
around a lot of different personalities and I guess some of
them aren’t people you would normally interact with in your
day-to-day life. It’s very different from that standpoint because
you’re thrown in there with all of these different characters.
It's a big space, but once you’re there 24/7, everyday,
it becomes a really small space. So it was a different
experience, but it was dope at the same time."
Well, thanks to that experience, Ovie has joined a league of
hypervisible African men whose individuality and creativity
are helping to change the narrative surrounding blackness
and masculinity. From Virgil Abloh to Edward Enninful,
African men continue to thrive in the global creative space,
and newcomer Ovie has a lot to learn from his predecessors
if he's going to take on the industry. "We sort of just met as
two black men," he said of his recent sit-down with British
"I'd love to see
more of the younger
generation taking
charge of who they
are and who they
want to be"
Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful. "He’s done very well
for himself in the fashion space, he’s done great things. I was
able to sit down with him and just catch up and hear his
views. Maybe we’ll get to work on something in the future,
but all of that stuff is still in the pipeline, so we’ll see."
There is a lot happening on set at the moment. By now, Ovie
has done all his fittings and the photographer is ready to get
going. I plug my laptop into the in-house speakers and select
my favourite iTunes playlist. The bass-line begins on track 1.
It's Zombie by Fela Kuti. Ovie dances and hums along with
the blaring horns, playfully mimicking trumpeter movements
with his fingers. "He's dope, man," Ovie says, when asked
for his opinion on Fela. "Fela is to Africa what Bob Marley
is to the Caribbean. He’s huge. There’s not an African
artist or even an artist outside Africa in the musical scene
that won't know who Fela is." It is evident how much he
loves talking about Nigerian culture, food and music, even
though, as he admits, he hasn't been back to Nigeria since
he was a child. At one point, Ovie attempts to zanku, and
although I can see a hint of the popular West African dance
JUMPSUIT
by Soboye Boutique @soboye_boutique
60

somewhere in his hip and shoulder
movements, overall he looks more
like a salsa dancer than a zanku
warrior. He knows he looks silly, but
he doesn't care one bit (a distinctly
Nigerian trait). He's enjoying himself,
carefree and uninhibited, in true
African fashion.
"I mainly know about Nigerian
culture through media, and also
through my parents and family. I
have relatives come over here quite
a bit but I haven't been back to
Nigeria since I was five. I've wanted
to go back now for a really long
time. I grew up in England and that's
a huge part of who I am, but there's
a whole other side to myself that I still
want to explore a lot more. I want to
go there, experience the culture for
myself and see all the things that my
parents and cousins tell me about."
And Ovie is not alone. With the year
2019 officially declared the "Year of
the Return", people across the African
diaspora have been itching to go
back to the motherland, and many,
for the first time. Diggy Simmons,
Steve Harvey and Jordyn Woods
are just a few African American
celebrities who have made trips to
West Africa in the past year, and
many more are expected to follow
suit in the months and years to come.
QUICK HITS
GET TO KNOW
OVIE
Ogbono soup
or egusi soup?
Egusi
Favourite musician
at the moment?
Burna Boy, easy!
Can you translate "how
far?" from pidgin English?
What's going on? How you
doin'?
Big Brother
or Love Island?
I've gotta rep for the Love
Island.
WATCH THE FULL
‘GET TO KNOW OVIE’
interview by
Big Brother Star
URIEL OPUTA ON OUR
YOUTUBE PAGE
youtube.com/
glamafricamag
So what exactly is causing this surge
of interest? One key factor is the
booming creative scene, which in recent years has even
caught the attention of mega-icons like Beyoncé and Naomi
Campbell. Every year, the continent of Africa reaches new
frontiers in sports, music, fashion, literature and art, as more
and more people begin to explore opportunities outside of
the traditionally ‘acceptable’ career choices. "I feel like I'm
in a very privileged and blessed position, because I know
that people who come from an African background tend to
be pushed into certain positions. You're usually pushed to
become a doctor, or pushed to become a lawyer, because
that's what's been respected in that culture. But now I feel
like we're in a moment where we're breaking out of those
boxes that society has tried to put us in. I see it a lot now
in the Nigerian community. We're being very creative and
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61

just being ourselves. That's something I want to be a part of,
I want to mentor people out there and here as well. I want
to help people to grow into themselves. I still meet people
who see me playing basketball and they're like, 'man, I
wish I could've done something like that'. When I go back
to Nigeria, I'd love to see more of the younger generation
taking charge of who they are and who they want to be."
In September, Ovie launched his debut clothing collection,
in collaboration with fashion brand ASOS. Unveiled at the
#NationalOvieDay celebrations during London Fashion
"Never apologise for
being who you are"
Week, the ASOS x OVIE collection featured a diverse range
of pieces, some of which incorporated artwork from Ovie's
"biggest role model", his dad. "I look up to my dad more
than anyone outside of my house. He’s very real to me. It’s
huge to have that sort of relationship with my dad." Like his
father, Ovie sees immense value in the arts, creativity and
self-expression. As part of the six-figure father-son clothing
deal, Ray Soko granted ASOS exclusive access to more than
four decades-worth of his artwork, including an expansive
collection of paintings and sketches inspired by his West
African upbringing. "My dad is an artist so he's not exactly
in those traditional boxes either," Ovie reflects. "Fully diving
into a profession or something that’s outside of the norm can
be a huge risk, but my dad has always just told me to shoot
for the top."
On set, the light flashes for the thousandth time, and letting
out a sigh, the photographer declares the shoot over. The
evening ends with cheers and hugs, and after all those
hours, Ovie's spirits are still as high as when he first walked
through the door. We could have spent days speaking to
Ovie, but the short time we spent with him has left us with
a lot of insight into his upbringing, his outlook on life and,
of course, his hopes and aspirations for the future. Whether
he's onscreen or off, Ovie's fun-loving, quirky and courteous
nature follows him everywhere he goes. With his passion,
drive and the right people in his corner, the sky is really the
limit in terms of what he could go on to achieve.
So what message does Ovie hope we take away from his
growing success story. “It's simple”, he says. “Just be yourself.
Don't follow anyone else. Figure out who you are, first
off, and never apologise for being who you are. Don’t be
concerned with trying to be like someone else because you'll
never be able to do that as well as just being yourself."
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by River Island @riverisland
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by Moss Bros @mossbros
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62

CREDITS
Photography: Arron Dunworth @arrondunworth
Styling: Neesha Sharma @neeshabadass
Grooming: Tracy Grabs @tray_grabs
KIMONO SET
by Soboye Boutique @soboye_boutique
GOLD PENDANT & BRACELETS
by Illion Jewelry @illionjewelry
SHOES
by River Island @riverisland
63

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The RENAISSANCE
MEN
BY BOIPELO JEAN CHABABA
2019 has been an interesting
year for us as black people.
At Glam Africa, we're used to
celebrating remarkable women
and putting their achievements
on full display, but for this
edition we wanted to specially
acknowledge some of the strides
being made by men, that are
changing the world in big ways.
From music to TV & film, and
even the world of sports, here
are a few that have wowed us
this year.
Burna Boy, The glue between Old
Africa and New Africa
Whether the title is self-professed or fanbestowed,
it is certain that the Nigerian-born
‘African Giant’ is indeed the giant we needed
to bridge the gap between the old sound
of Africa and a new one, which has now
gone global. Burna Boy draws inspiration
from musical legends like Fela Kuti and Hugh
Masekela to create a unique sound that has
captured international ears like none other.
Akon, Lighting up the way
Every now and again we find ourselves
wondering where Akon is, and what he is
up to, but with each instance, the answer
lies somewhere with his contributions to the
growth of the African continent. In 2015 the
Senegalese artist launched a solar project that
was projected to provide electricity for around
600 million people. Very few men in recent
years have come close to matching Akon's
contributions towards eradicating poverty and
improving the lives of African people.
66

Colin Kaepernick, Restoring the
dignity of a man’s life
When future generations talk about historical
figures who were “on the right side of history”
despite reproach in their own day, we imagine
that Kaep will be at the top of their list. A
natural athlete, Colin Kaepernick was destined
to be one of the top quarterbacks in Americanfootball.
However, in 2016, after deciding
to 'take a knee' during the national anthem
in protest against police brutality, Kaepernick
became public enemy number one to detractors
of the Black Lives Matter movement. At the time,
he said, “I am not going to stand up to show
pride in a flag for a country that oppresses
black people and people of colour. To me this
is bigger than football and it would be selfish
of me to look the other way.” Kaepernick also
made a ‘Million Dollar Pledge’ to donate to
organizations that worked to fight against
systemic oppression. Sadly, the NFL blacklisted
him as a result of his protest, but Kaep refused
to let this deter his mission. In 2018 Nike
launched a campaign with the athlete using the
slogan “Believe in something, even if it means
sacrificing everything.”
Trevor Noah, Tapping into a joyous
Africa
Famously known as the comedian who was
‘born a crime’ (also the title of his 2016
autobiography), Trevor Noah has broken
through the glass ceiling of success, becoming
the first African host of the American late-night
programme, The Daily Show, which was
previously hosted by Jon Stewart. Trevor’s story
is one of an unconventional family structure told
through the eyes of a child who had all the
odds stacked against him, starting with South
Africa's apartheid system, which put him in a
peculiar and unpleasant situation as a mixed
race child. In 2018, he launched the Trevor
Noah Foundation with the aim of developing
brighter futures for vulnerable youth in South
Africa, through education.
67

Tyler Perry, Building our own table
Most famous for creating and portraying the
hilarious grandma character, Madea, that has
become an 11-movie blockbuster franchise
(with a sitcom and cartoon in the ranks too),
Tyler Perry is also revered for pushing the
boundaries of black storytelling. Tyler Perry
recently unveiled his own 330-acre studio,
which is set to change the film industry as it
stands, and will be opening up to writers,
directors and actors of colour. It will also
include a shelter for homeless/displaced LGBT
youth.
Jaden Smith, Saving the world one
bottle at a time
Stormzy, Influencing change for the
diaspora
From the tender age of 12, child actor and
music prodigy Jaden Smith wanted to do
something about the pollution in the ocean so
he started working on a solution.
Five years later, in 2015 Jaden launched a new
bottled water company that sells responsibly
sourced water packaged in 1005 recyclable
plant-derived cartons. His company has grown
so much since then, officially launching in the
UK in 2018. In September 2019, Just Goods
was valued at a whopping $100 million.
Still on his musical rise, British-Ghanaian artist
Stormzy first came onto our radar with his
2015 single 'Shut Up'. Since then he has
broken international barriers and has gained
a loyal fanbase of millions across the world.
Stormzy voice, however, goes far beyond his
music, and he often uses his influence to speak
on sociopolitical issues in the UK. A stern
advocate for the improvement of conditions for
minority groups and cultures, Stormzy famously
called out former-Prime Minister, Theresa May,
for her inaction following the Grenfell Tower
fire. Stormzy was named one of the '100
Most Influential People on the Left’ in 2017 by
conservative commentator Iain Dale. In 2018
he launched Merky Books, his own imprint
under publishing house Penguin, which has
already released worthy contributions to the
world of literature and diverse voices with
releases such as Taking Up Space and That
Reminds Me.
68

69

FEATURE STORY
D'BANJ
THE LEGEND:
15 YEARS ON
Interviewed by Adesope Olajide
for The Beat London (103.6FM)
Written by Eniafe Momodu
So far into his career, D'banj remains humble,
driven and an all-round positive spirit. Meanwhile,
on stage, he's a force to be reckoned with.
There's no doubt that he has a lot left to show us
and to achieve in the years to come. To celebrate
this icon, here are 5 D'banj classics that never fail
to remind us why we love him.
With his sweet vocals, infectious dance moves and
untouchable swagger, D'banj has firmly cemented
himself among the most iconic figures in Afrobeats
history. After almost 15 years of hitmaking and
boundary-breaking, one of the pioneers of the neo-
Afrobeat movement is still at the top of his game,
with no signs of slowing down any time soon.
The self-proclaimed "African Michael Jackson"
(with the moves to back it up) overcame immense
odds when he broke into the limelight back in 2005,
and it's been an upward journey ever since. But
even the sweetest success stories come with some
bitter moments. In June of 2018, news broke that
D'banj had lost his son in a tragic accident while
D'banj was out of town for the BET Awards. Since
then he's been on tour, worked on some new music,
and headlined the Global Citizen Festival alongside
Beyoncé, Jay Z and Cassper Nyovest. We caught up
with D’banj to speak about music, his legacy and
making lemonade from the most difficult of times.
TO LISTEN TO THE FULL LENGTH INTERVIEW WITH DBANJ
GO TO WWW.THEBEAT1036.COM
OR WWW.MIXCLOUD.COM/THEBEAT1036FM.
For all the top tunes in UK Urban, Grime, Trap, Drill and
Afrobeats, tune into the THE BEAT 103.6FM and we are
now on DAB.
Just search for THE BEAT.
1. WHY ME? One of D'banj's earliest hits, this
nostalgic yet fresh tune combines all the elements
one should expect from a classic record:
a fun theme, relatable lyrics and ambitious
instrumentation. It's easy to see how D'banj rose to
superstardom when he set the bar so high with hits
like this so early in his career.
2. OLORUN MAJE With an uplifting message and
some Yoruba seasoning to add extra flavour, this
song doubles as both a celebration of life and a
rejection of bad vibes and negative energy. To
this day, Olorun Maje ("God forbid") remains a
disc jockey favourite, and is the kind of throwback
record you play when you want to get everybody
at the function, young or old, up on their feet.
3. FALL IN LOVE An honest record with a universal
theme, this uplifting love song combines cheesy
lyrics with raw energy and emotion to produce
a truly timeless Nigerian classic. "Omo, you don
make me fall in love..." What else is there to say?
4. OLIVER TWIST With its infectious beat, catchy
lyrics and an unforgettable hook, Oliver Twist
quickly soared to the top of the charts, becoming
one of the defining songs of D'banj's career.
With widespread acclaim and an unrivaled
international appeal, very few Nigerian records
have been able to match its success ever since,
and not for lack of trying.
5. EMERGENCY After a brief hiatus, D'banj's
2017 single, Emergency, marked his triumphant
return to the spotlight, utilising hot lyrics and a
bassline to rival the likes of Fela Kuti. D'banj
had returned with a new sound and a mission to
remind us exactly why we loved him, and he did
not disappoint one bit.
70

Q: D’banj, your incredible journey began with
the decision to move back to Nigeria. Why did
you decide to move back?
Honestly, I've never been too comfortable being
in one spot. Today it looks like this great story,
but going back to Nigeria and so many other
big things that God has done with the brand
have happened through misfortune. Don Jazzy
and I went back to Nigeria because we had no
money - no money at all - and I think Jazzy and his
former partner had fallen out. Before that, one of
my friends back home, Ruggedman, told me that
he'd been paid a thousand pounds for a show in
Nigeria, and so I went to Jazzy and I said, "there's
money in Nigeria, let's go home" even if it was
just to balance ourselves out for a little while ... he
agreed. So going back to Nigeria was literally
out of us looking for visible hope. Then after going
back, in less than a year, everything changed.
not something you'd wish on your worst enemy.
Losing a child is not something you ever think
about, I'd never, ever thought about it before.
Unlike other situations, this was one thing that
really broke me. Getting through it took the grace
of God and a little bit of therapy, but I'm happy
that over time, I've been able to channel those
feelings into my music, which is so important for
me. The most important thing that I prayed for was
restoration. No matter how many times I tell me
wife that everything is okay, I know it's God that
has to give us the restoration, and I'm proud to
say that in a few months I'm going to be a father
again. On the album I wanted to talk about how
we've been able to deal with the loss and how
we're still dealing with it, but more importantly, to
let people know that we're on our way to being
restored, and if that can happen for us, it can
happen for anybody.
Q: Afrobeats has now completely transformed,
we're seeing different doors open for the likes of
Wizkid, Davido, everybody has kind of walked
in the path that you opened doors with. What
were some of the struggles for you as an African
pop artist trying to become the superstar that you
envisioned and taking your music international?
The biggest problem for me was lack of belief
because no one had done it before. People didn't
believe - not my partners, nobody but me. For
me, I think that was the hardest part. Today, a
child can wake up and tell his mom, "I wanna
have a number one record worldwide", and it's
believable. But when we were saying it, it was
more like a dream and so that was one major
struggle, but I'm the kind of person who when I set
my mind on something and I pray and I believe
and I move, it might be tough, but I'll always do
it. I'm so happy for us as a continent and as an
industry as well, because getting that access was
one of the hardest things for us to get. When it
comes to the UK industry, you'd have to actually
ridicule yourself or go through a lot before they'd
even recognise you, but today to come here and
see my posters on the wall as we were driving
down, to see the things that are happening and
hear and see all the successes is just a dream
come true and an affirmation that I'm on the right
path.
Q: The last year and a half has been really tough
for D'banj, the artist, and Dapo, the person. Our
condolences to you and your family for the loss
of your young one. How have you been able to
cope through this very difficult time?
Firstly, I want to thank everyone out there that has
supported us. I believe that it's God that granted
the grace and mercy for myself and my wife to be
able to be here today, and be able to smile. It's
71

72

7WITH LALA ‘RAEE’ RAJI
STEPS TO ACHIEVE
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
CAREER
Lala started her luxury affordable wigs and
lashes brand, La 'Bello Beauty, while working
full time as a social worker. By the age of 25, she
successfully turned this side hustle into a business
that would see her outearn her £50k a year job
and also buy an apartment in the City of London.
Speaking to our Managing Editor, Lala shared
the 7 steps that helped her achieve financial
independence at such a young age.
For Mentoring email
lalaraeee@hotmail.com
1
IT ALL STARTS WITH THE MIND
Your mind is your power. Training your mind
is just as important as training your body at
the gym. Work hard towards having the right
mindset which will enable you to work towards your
dreams.
WORK OVERTIME
Just like a baby relies on you
to feed them; like your car, it is
reliant on you to provide it with
fuel, your business relies on you
to put in the WERK!
FIND BALANCE
Ensure you have a work-life balance
to refuel your creative juices. Life can
take a toll on us, so be sure to create
some ‘YOU time’.
WHATEVER YOU DO,
KEEP IT CUTE
This is my ultimate motto! No
matter how hard it gets, stay
humble and don’t let anyone
move you from your centre.
2
3
4
5
YOU NEED A TUNNELLED
VISION
My favourite line that has followed
me through my years working as a social
worker and owning a demanding business is,
‘have a tunnelled vision but an open mind’.
Remain focused on your destination
and do not lose sight of it.
RESEARCH
Conduct in-depth research
into your chosen field. Be sure
to recognise the ins and outs
of your business and what your
competitors are up to.
6DISRUPT YOUR ROUTINE
Often, as an employee, you tend
to be stuck in a routine, whereas
7
for entrepreneurs it’s usually the
opposite.. Entrepreneurs have a
very disruptive routine, so disrupt
yours and get the feel of life as
an entrepreneur.
VISIT
WWW.LABELLOBEAUTY.COM
to find all you need to ‘keep it cute’
USE CODE GLAM10
FOR 10% OFF
73

FEATURE STORY
WOMEN
WANTING
MORE
What’s your status?
Married! Taken!
BY TUMININU OLAOSHUN
It’s Complicated! Boss Babe!
Our generation seem to be quite unique and the atmosphere
seems ripe for the NEW black woman. Hashtags such
as #bossbabe, #blackgirlmagic #queening are being
used everywhere, and thanks to Ciara's recent exploits, it
seemd the bloggosphere is currently competing for who can
#levelup the most. These tags are pulling in more interaction
on Instagram, and to quote one of my favourite memes,
“what a time to be alive!”.
With more and more women getting married at later stages
in life (with the average age at which a woman marries is
now 35) it is clear that the traditional tale of the young girl
who goes to school, gets a qualification, works for a bit,
gets married, becomes mother and then lives happily-ish
ever after, is one for our parents’ or even grandparents'
generation.
As we get older, we are having more candid conversations
with the matriarchs of our families. Many of our mothers and
grandmothers, are sharing their desires and their regrets,
reflections on their past years, and wishing they had had the
opportunity to do more (yet ironically, they continue to share
their concerns about the fact that we’re still single). We're
in the middle of an uprising, and young people all over the
diaspora are shouting from the rooftops, “I will not inherit
the silence of my mother!”. With the influx of educational
programmes addressing the age-old problems of sexism,
racism, and in the words of Yanick St-Jean the 'double
burden' (where she explores the "difficulties in the hiring
and promoting process, racial and sexual discrimination at
work, and feelings of isolation and exclusion") it’s clear this
conversation and re-education is essential and desperately
overdue. While I am not in full agreement with the notion
that the ‘future is female’, at least there is an understanding
that the future needs better-treated females - and I am all for
this process of enlightenment.
So bringing us back to 2019 - the last year of the decade
- the powers that be, influencers on the ‘Gram, are urging
us to “take the risk, sis... we only have a few months until
the end of the decade, sis...” and the like. Personally, I
am pleased to see that many of us are taking the plunge. I
would like to think that we are doing and saying things that
our mothers only dreamt of doing and saying, and doing
so proudly. And the best part is that we are setting an even
greater precedent for those coming up behind us, just like the
amazing women before us did.
However, in the mix of “taking that risk”, amidst building
myself spiritually throughthe teachings of The Bible, whilst
climbing the ladder of success and building my Instagram,
I do wonder if we are doing ‘too much’ for our male
counterparts? I also wonder, if we are too concerned with
getting it all now instead of growing in seasons. In other
words, does our growing repertoire make us too much of a
woman to handle? And do we have to pressurise ourselves
by expecting everything right away?
I dare to wonder that perhaps more of us would be married
earlier, if only we spent more time doing what our mothers
had done, perhaps maybe our stories would be a little
different? Are we doing too much too soon?
There has been an loud yet often-quite command that
requires women to be a little more quiet, a little more calm.
When you view this in the context of women of colour,
then that command can be overbearing. Whilst I am all
for decorum, some of these societal and cultural norms can
be stifling, to say the least. The moment we step out of the
norm, we are questioned as if something is wrong with us,
or we receive an unwelcome and unsolicited opinion from
74

people telling us that they “liked us better - from our hair to our
attitudes - before this wild change.
Moreover, my faith strongly tells me to run my own race,
looking at the author and finisher, Jesus Christ, who was
known to be a radical, non-conformi who challenged
stereotypes and helped those deemed incapable of help.
Therefore, as a believer of Christ, I think anyone willing to
dim their light by only striving to pursue half their life’s purpose
to please others are doing themselves a disservice. I love to
see people walking in purpose, achieving their goals and
breaking glass ceilings placed on them. I believe it is biblical.
Whilst there is a desire to add more roles other than a 9-5,
I want to see more men and women pursue their purpose. A
woman chasing purpose is only too much for the man who
isn’t. And indeed, vice versa.
As I mature, I have seen the value and necessity of being
surrounded by people who can correct you, love you,and most
importantly, grow with. If you had told my twenty-one year
old self, that ten years later, she would be single and childless
as part of the purpose I am fulfilling right now, I would have
slapped you hard, and snapped my fingers above my head
and said, “OLORUN MA JE!” (Yoruba for ‘God forbid’).
However, I’ve recently found a new level of peace knowing
that I am becoming better equipped for what God has in store
for me, and indeed for my life partner, because of all of the
things I have accomplished and the lessons I have learned. I
am fully confident that all I have gone through was necessary
for the next chapter of my life. Even if my body clock, aunties
and uncles’ voices sometimes tick loud in my ear.
I think we can be ‘boss babes’ and still be attractive to the
right people in the right season. For example, for some it
may be a season to invest in your family and children - taking
time to build the relationships and foundational keys that you
will thank yourself for in the future. For another, it may be the
season to invest financially in your dreams, so budgeting,
saving and living life like you just got ‘flewed out’ just isn’t an
option. Or it may be the time to spend money on the house,
the business or yourself in terms of investing and working on
yourself. Alternatively it could be season that you sow into
others through voluntary service in your church, community or
organisation.. Once we have an understanding of the season
we are in, it is easier for us to embrace our inner boss babe
in that season. And remember my definition of ‘boss babe’:
‘dominating the space and season I am in, in the way that I
am supposed to’.
So for my fellow singles, it just may be the
time to invest in yourself now - financially,
emotionally and spiritually, because the
next season you may be required to invest
in others your partner and family. For
my wives and leaders in the home, it may
or may not be the season to build on the
business right now, but instead pour into
your children so that when the time is right,
you know that what you have invested in is
solid and you won’t feel guilty during the
season of rebuilding yourself.
I look at amazing women like Finally Fiona, who has been
open about having to go back to full time work, because it
was not sustainable to be a full time blogger/influencer in her
previous seasons of life. Whilst being married, a homeowner
and now a mother to a gorgeous baby girl, her journey clearly
testifies that there is a time and a season for everything, and
that balance is key. It is more than possible to be a ‘boss
babe’ at any stage of your life.
As we enter a new decade and indeed a new year, I think it
is important to redefine what a ‘boss babe’ actually means.
And to be honest with you, I think it can mean whatever you
want it to. For me, wealth doesn’t play a vital role for the term.
In my humble opinion, it means dominating the space and
season I am in, the way that I am supposed to. It is important
that we take time to redefine these trending phrases because
it is easy to say, especially to ambitious women, that because
you’re pursuing this ‘boss babe’ lifestyle, this is why you don’t
have…(insert desireable life goal). I think it’s unfair to make
women feel uncomfortable because they are passionate
about something. Instead of labelling women by one single
characteristic, be it ‘a career woman’, ‘a home-maker’, or
‘wife material’, why can’t we accept them for the seasons
they are currently in? And I very much include myself in that
question.
Perhaps why we feel we can’t have it all, is because we
expect to have it all RIGHT NOW. But is it possible to excel
and flourish in all areas of our life in every season?
When you have articulated what season you are in: married,
single, divorced, or ‘it’s complicated’, you can then feel
confident that you’ll be able to discern what people you
need around you and who you can invest in too. This will
also eliminate the dangers of people-pleasing, because you
understand the season you are in, therefore you will know who
you can make time for and who you cannot. And hopefully,
they will be understanding that life works in times and seasons
and just because you may not be physically available right
now, it doesn't mean you cannot be emotionally or spiritually
available for them or that you never will be. Some seasons
can be extremely overwhelming and take longer to master,
and it is important that we surround ourselves with people who
encourage us. Similarly, it is equally important that we are
understanding to others when the roles are reversed.
As I close, we have touched on the changing narrative for
womenand this is a good thing, despite there still being work
to do. We are in a space where we also have some control
in how the narrative is shared. From the content creators on
our socials, to our classrooms and conference rooms. If we
are confident that we are walking in purpose, as opposed to
just chasing clout, then we can easily identify the people who
can support us.. Take this as a challenge to redefine the term
‘boss babe’ and reclaim your season so that we can flourish
in ways you have been called, because we can’t have it all
at the same time. Transition from the boss babe who was
#teamwantsitallnow to #teamdoingEVERYTHINGbyseason.
75

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FEATURE STORY
THE RISE OF THE
‘BOSS BABE’:
PHENOMENAL WOMEN
successfully navigating a man’s world!
BY ASHEDZI AYUBA-KUWU
Nicki Minaj famously said in an interview
in 2012, “when I am assertive, I am [called]
a b*tch, when a man is assertive he is
[called] a boss’’ - it is no secret that we are
operating in a man’s world. Time and time
again women who dare to be ambitious
are classified as ‘pushy’, ‘bossy’ and ‘divas’,
in comparison to their male counterparts,
who are ‘great leaders’.
Over the past few years, the term ‘BOSS
BABE’ or ‘GIRL BOSS’ has become a hugely
controversial topic on social media, a
term used to denote a female that is
unapologetically ambitious, knows exactly
what she wants from life and takes the
necessary actions to acquire success.
This is not a feminism piece, but a
celebration of trailblazing millennial
queens, who have managed to successfully
navigate a man’s world, drive change,
shape culture and define success on their
own terms. I have highlighted five (out of
many) successful 'boss babes’ from across
the African diaspora who are not only
changing the narrative in their respective
fields, but are also using their social and
economic influence to drive positive
impact in their communities.
77

Bonang,also
popularly known as ‘Queen B’,
is a South African multi-media
personality, businesswoman,
producer, and philanthropist.
She is one of the most successful
media personalities on the
African continent - the first black
South African to be featured
on numerous magazines,African
ambassador for various global
brands (including Revlon) and has
won over 30 awards over the
course of 15 years.
Bonang made her TV debut at age
fifteen on SABC 2 kids shows, and
nearly two decades later she is
still killing it on her current gig, Top
Billing. In typical media boss babe
style, she has immersed herself
in the world of media including
radio, film-making, and has many
high-profile shows; MTV Africa
Music Awards 2016, and the
Global Citizen concert alongside
Trevor Noah and Naomi Campbell.
On her hugely successful reality
TV show, Being Bonang, we get
a glimpse into her fabulous life,
which is not only fun, bold and
entertaining but also aspirational;
she consistently
encourages
others to chase
their dreams. Her
much anticipated
autobiography ‘From
A to B’, is a no holds
barred story on her
upbringing, where
she reveals personal
challenges whichus
to admire her work
ethic and
perseverance BOSS BABE:
even more. INDUSTRY:
In business
Bonang is a
powerhouse.
She went
from
being an
ambassador
for Ciroc to
launching
her very
own luxury
champagne
brand,
The House
of BNG,
to cater
78
COUNTRY:
to a gap in the black female
market. Other ventures include a
production house, Bonang Matheba
Entertainment, and of course a
lingerie collection with Woolworths,
aptly called Distraction. When it
comes to fashion and style, Bonang
can do no wrong in our eyes, she
is always serving us looks online
and is one of South Africa’s most
influential online personalities.
Bonang heads up the Bonang
Matheba Bursary Fund, where she
drives change in her community by
sponsoring the tertiary education
of 10 young ladies
each year, in line with
her advocacy for the
education of the female
child. It is clear that
Bonang knows what
he wants, has a distinct
brand vision and an
incredible work ethic to
match, she is a constant
reminder that success is
your responsibility. boss
babe material!
BONANG MATHEBA
MEDIA AND
BUSINESS
BOSS BABE: GRACE LADOJA MBE
INDUSTRY:
COUNTRY:
SOUTH AFRICA
CULTURE, FASHION
AND MUSIC
UK E NIGERIA
Grace
is a ‘cultural
curator’ and
undeniably a
trailblazer within
the music industry,
and youth culture.
This Britishborn
Nigerian
filmmaker and
creative director
is manager to
Skepta, one of
the UK’s biggest
artists, and has
been recognised
for her instrumental
impact in his career. In 2017, she
was awarded with Music Week’s
Rising Star award for the success
achieved independent of a major
record label - an absolute boss
babe!
Epitomising her name, the talented
music executive is asgracefully
stylish as she is cool and well
versed in sneaker and streetwear
culture. . In 2017, she got her first
break as a filmmaker co-designing
a sneaker line for Nike alongside
her crew of boss babe friends
who make up International Girl
Crew, which includes Sharmadean
Reid - founder of WAH nails and
FutureGirlCorp. When she is not
working with some of the world's
biggest brands, Grace can be
found on panels, devoting her time
to sharing her knowledge with
young upcoming talent within the
music business.
In 2017 masterminded the
Homecoming Festival in Lagos,
a three-day cultural exchange
event showcasing African music,
sports and fashion. The festival
promotes African youth culture and
provides a platform to empower
established and rising African talent
through performances, talks and
an exclusive pop-up store featuring
both Homecoming and Nike
collaboration pieces as well as
designers such as Mowalola, who
recently launched the controversial
‘Coming for Blood’ collection.
Homecoming is supported by major
brands (Nike, Virgin Atlantic and
Red Bull), and is well attended by
African diasporans, and celebrities
including Naomi Campbell.
Adding to her accolades, Grace
was recognised as one of Vogue’s
25 Most Influential Women of
2017 and in 2018was awarded
by the Queen, the Member of
the Most Excellent Order of the
British Empire (MBE) award for
services to music.. She captioned
this moment, “as a scene we have
all worked hard to try to
leave an impression on
this Earth and create new
blueprints so that the next
generation can flourish, I
think that’s my calling in life”.
Today, Grace continues to
make huge inroads within
the male-dominated music
industry whilst cultivating
versatility across her career paths
and championing her community.
Need I say more? Major boss babe
goals!
is a fashion,
Patricia beauty and
lifestyle vlogger, entrepreneur,
author and all-round social media
powerhouse. The London-born
Nigerian became the first black
female YouTuber in the UK to hit a
million subscribers, which has since
grown to over 2.7m. She started
creating content at university, on
beauty hacks, fashion hauls and
daily life, to escape her lonely
experiences before turning her
secret hobby into a successful
business over 10 years later.
In her book ‘Heart & Hustle’, she
expands on how her journey as
a financial services management
consultant, creating content in
secret, and becoming a full-time
YouTuber, (where she is said to
earn over $200,000 per year
on the platform alone). As a
corporate girl myself, with a similar
corporate job, juggling a career
in TV Presenting and fashion, I am
personally inspired by Patricia’s
story -. her work ethic and passion
are unmatched.
BOSS BABE:
INDUSTRY:
COUNTRY:
PATRICIA BRIGHT
BEAUTY, FASHION
AND LIFESTYLE
UK

She has built an empire off
the back of her influence and
collaborated with many celebrities
including Khloe Kardashian.
Patricia is also associated with
many high-end cosmetic brands like
MAC and Fenty Beauty and runs
Y-hair, a hair extension company.
All of which has earned her many
accolades across the fashion and
beauty industry including. InStyle
Magazine’s ‘most innovative fashion
video award’. This ‘mumpreneur’,
who is expecting baby number
two, has shown no signs of slowing
down as she recently collaborated
with Amazon on a 30-piece limited
collection and has launched an
online business school for aspiring
bloggers.
Patricia has been open about
her family’s struggles when she
was a child and how this built
her mental attitude and resilience.
Her authentic and honest style has
captivated the hearts of many, and
her journey is paving the way for
more black British bloggers. A true
testament to hard work, dedication
and resilience, a boss babe through
and through!
is a multifaceted
Irene Nigerian Londonbased
fashion designer, model and
creative director. She is founder of
TTYA (Taller Than Your Average)
London, an apparel brand
for girls 5’9” or over, which
incorporates African prints into its
designs, especially in her latest
collection which combines her
‘Nigerian heritage with western
upbringing’. As a tall girl herself,
she is signed to the renowned
Storm Model Management. Hence,
she embraces this fact by making
a statement through fashion and
by challenging the status quo to
improve inclusion in the industry.
At 5’11, Irene also has an ambition
that is taller than average, her
mission is to make an impact and
influence positive change. She has
openly shared her struggles as a
tall teenager and how it sparked
her eye for entrepreneurship after
identifying a gap in the market.
TTYA London was the first tall brand
to debut in Selfridges, andis also
stocked in Barneys and online retail
giant, ASOS.com. She was invited
to showcase her SS19 collection at
Lagos Fashion week, and has been
featured in Vogue, Glamour, Elle
UK and I-D Magazine. Irene’sbrand
has been worn by the likes of
Jourdan Dunn, Elle Macpherson
and Wendy Williams and she has
collaborated with other tall brands
including Long Tall Sally where
together they produced a sold-out
collection, which was advertised in
Times Square, New York.
Prior to her journey into groundbreaking
entrepreneurship, Irene
garnered extensive experience
within the fashion industry from
e-commerce to styling. She worked
as head of women’s styling at
ASOS.com, visual merchandising
at Selfridges, fashion editorial
at Complex magazine and
independent consulting for brands
like Amazon. To add to the already
long list, she has curated and
BOSS BABE: IRENE AGBONTAEN
INDUSTRY:
COUNTRY:
FASHION
AND CULTURE
UK E NIGERIA
creatively directed pop up stores
for the merchandise of some of our
favourite Afrobeats artists, namely
Tiwa Savage and Wizkid.
Her TTYA Talks platform empowers
women withpanel events on career
and industry topics and connecting
talented creatives with more
successful women like Vanessa
Kingori. Her recent International
Women Day dinners are well
attended by the likes of boss babes
Maya Jama, Julie Adenuga and
Clara Amfo.
We stan Irene’s values of self-belief,
work ethic and achieving success
on her own terms, as well as her
uplifting sisterhood with Grace
[Ladoja}, two peas in a boss babe
pod. Then again, Irene is not your
average!
is an awardwinning
Sherrie
choreographer, dancer, creative
director, actress and philanthropist.
She bagged the MTV VMA best
choreography award in 2018
for choreographing and featuring
in Childish Gambino’s ‘This is
America’ viral music video (which
has over 600million YouTube
views). This Rwandan-born star
has a mission to “[take] the world
to Africa through dance” and is
changing the negative narrative
of Africa through music videos,
commercials, films and ventures
including. Guava Island film and
teaching dance workshops across
the globe.
This creative entrepreneur is all
about her business. She holds
a degree in Business Marketing
and encourages young creatives
to monetise their talent, which
she has done successfully, with
Nike’s #theforceisfemale campaign
being a prime example. She is the
founder of a charity, Children of
Destiny, that equips homeless street
kids in Africa with a bright future.
Alongside Afrobeat superstar Mr
Eazi, she is a UN International
Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) global advocate for rural
youth and has spoken publicly to
audiences of global dignitaries
including Pope Francis, President of
Rwanda, Prime Minister of Italy and
Bill Gates.
Sherrie is a true definition of
an authentic boss babe, as she
inspires women to embrace their
dark skin tone through sharing
her experiences with bullying as
a teenager and staying true toher
Christian values. She has been
recognised by major publications
(Forbes, IntheStyle and Vogue
magazine) and worked with our
favourite celebrities; Rihanna, the
Kardashian-Jenners, Nicki Minaj
and Burna Boy. Most recently, she
was Vogue’s movement director at
one of the biggest fashion events on
the planet, Met Gala 2019.
I can state a million more reasons
why Sherrie embodies values of a
boss babe, not to talk of the global
success and endless accolades
she has acquired. At just 25 years
of age, this African queen is just
getting started.
BOSS BABE:
INDUSTRY:
COUNTRY:
SHERRIE SILVER
ARTS, CULTURE
AND
PHILANTHROPY
AFRICA AND
UNITED STATES
79

FEATURE STORY
BY MALITHA FERNANDES
The Decade of
INFLUENCER
MARKETING
IS NOT A TREND,
It’s Here
to Stay!
It wasn’t too long ago that I would wake up in the
morning and the first thing I would do was brush my
teeth. Now, the first thing I do is check my phone,
browse through my social media then brush my
teeth before I carry on with my day. While there’s
lots of speculation around social media being a
boon or a curse, I believe social media has taken
over our lives and has caused a drastic shift in
our consumption. Although one might think they
are just casually scrolling through social media,
in reality they are unconsciously being targeted
by one endorsement scheme or the other. And to
add to it, what makes it incredibly hard to resist
these endorsements is the fact that they look very
appealing, almost as if they've been tailor-made to
suit your lifestyle.
When you come to think of it, endorsement isn’t
all that new at all. From radio networks to satellite
television, marketers have long found effective ways
to communicate brand messages to consumers.
Whether we see them on the billboards while
we are driving down to work, or hear them while
tuned in to our favourite pop music station, we are
constantly surrounded by advertisements and brands
that are trying to catch our attention. In recent times,
however, we have seen marketers make a big shift
from traditional media to digital platforms such as
Instagram, Twitter and Youtube. Netflix has taken
over television, Spotify has taken over the music and
podcasting realm, while social media has become
a very prominent part
of our daily lives. Not
only has social media
exploded, but there
has also been a huge
shift in the way users
view the purpose of
social media platforms.
Recent statistics show
that the number
of social media
users in the UK is
about 45million (
approximately 67% of
the total population),.
out of which 77%
actively engage by
posting, sharing, liking
and commenting on
posts. Just think about
it, can you remember
the last time you went
a day without checking
one of your social media accounts? Unless you've
recently been on a social media detox, I'm willing
to bet that the answer is a resounding 'no'.
In recent years, the abundance of active users
across various social media platforms has given rise
to influencers - ‘regular people’ who have become
online celebrities by creating content for social
80

popular.
media, which
has subsequently
led to increasing
demand for a
new marketing
strategy known
as influencer
marketing. In
the present day
scenario, where
the average
consumer spends
very little time on
traditional media
(let alone sits
through an entire
advertisement),
this 'non-intrusive'
and 'noncommercial'
approach known
as influencer
marketing has
become extremely
So why exactly are mainstream brands so eager
to harness the power of the influencer? One thing
brands have found fascinating is that influencers are
not only effective in getting their brands' messages
across, but also in starting and popularising new
trends. Research has shown that 92% of people
trust endorsements by online influencers over those
that come from traditional celebrities. Consumers
will often view the opinions and endorsements of
an influencer the same way they would view that
of a friend of relative, as they perceive them to be
more accessible. Consumers feel less 'targeted'
when products show up on their Instagram feed, for
example, and are generally more open to finding out
more about them.
Numerous studies have shown that influencer
marketing increases brand awareness and purchase
intention, which in turn helps to boost sales. The
proof is in the pudding. Influencer-created content
has led to great returns on investment for many
companies. With the ability to reach potential
consumers within a short period of time and at a
reasonable price, the strategic importance and
power of influencer marketing cannot be ignored.
Nike, Daniel Wellington, Adidas, Asos, Shein
and Zara are just a few of the major brands that
are absolutely nailing it in the influencer marketing
department.
So while social media platforms maycome and
go, social media influencers, and thus influencer
marketing, is definitely here to stay. This is good
news for brands who know how to seize the
moment, as well as for influencers who are keen
to get even more creative with their content in
preparation for whatever digital phase this new
decade may bring.
81

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82

TRAVEL
A Pinch of
PHUKET
BOIPELO JEAN CHABABA
In a country of sandy beaches, ancient
culture, true mystique and a recent tragic past,
Phuket is the perfect place to go for a sprinkle
of fresh culture.
At the most southern tip of Thailand, a cluster
of islands create a community of crystal blue
and white sandy beaches no deeper than 50
meters. Phuket is a melting pot of Asian cultures
spanning from China to Indonesia to India
and back to the origins of Thailand. When I
planned my 10 day trip to this majestic place,
I had an ‘experience wish list’ longer than the
hours in a day, but I wasn’t going to let time
stop me. I wanted to sample everything that
Phuket has to offer – with plenty of beach time
included!
83

BIG BUDDHA
Erected after the devastating Tsunami that hit 14 countries in
2004, Phuket’s version of the sitting Maravija Buddha rests on
top of Nagakerd Hill and is finished with pure marble. It was
the first stop on my bucket list. The shrine, which is actually
not yet complete, represents, in an eerie way, a reminder of
the carnage that was left after the Tsunami destroyed the city
almost two decades ago. As it stands, the shrine is used as a
Buddhist temple, with the Monks’ chanting adding to the spiritual
atmosphere as they echo through the mountaintop.
SIAM NIRAMIT
If you want a crash course in the history of Thailand,
the Siam Niramit show is a world-class performance
of Thailand’s arts and cultural heritage. This must-see
spectacular show features over 100 performers, lavish
costumes, stunning set designs, enhanced special effects
and the world’s most advanced technology, producing a
very realistic, stimulating and immersive 4D experience.
I got there just as the buffet dinner was about to close to
allow the audience to make their way to the auditorium.
Unintentionally I ended up receiving VIP treatment from the
staff, being served ice-cold champagne on one side, and a
delicious Phad Thai on the other- although I’ll admit this was
probably to get me to eat faster so I don’t miss the amazing
show!
JUNGLE KINGDOM
Now, I’ve met enough people in my life who would frown upon me for
being excited to ride atop an elephant in the jungles of Phuket, but it was
an experience I simply couldn’t miss! An encounter I can only describe as a
very slow roller coaster ride, the time I spent on a 10 foot tall elephant with
no security from falling was just as exhilarating. I also had the option to visit
Tiger Kingdom… but that’s where I drew the line. When I heard that there
are no longer any wild Tigers in Phuket, seeing restless animals in cages
was a heartache I personally didn’t want to experience.
84

PHI PHI ISLAND
To my surprise, although the title is how it is officially referred, the
correct name is actually Phi Phi Islands with an ‘s’. Because I was
in Thailand for an adventure, I chose a speedboat as my mode
of transport as we bounced from island to island. The island
clusters, famous for their coral reefs, mini boulder islands and
wild monkeys, is where I had my first snorkeling experience. So
eager to test my phone’s waterproof claim I got to ‘find Nemo’
and capture it myself. Maya Island, the one that was made
famous in the movie, “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio,
was unfortunately closed off for preservation. We got to swing
by and hear a little story about the production of the movie and
how the coral reefs were destroyed due to the influx of fans from
around the world. There is still hope that one day it will reopen,
but until then you can check out the newly renamed James Bond
Island, named after the blockbuster film that made it famous.
NINE EMPEROR GODS FESTIVAL
Now, I was really lucky to travel to Phuket during this
festival, which is a Taoist celebration beginning on the
eve of the ninth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. It
actually coincides with their annual vegetarian festival.
Old Town Phuket (downtown) was turned into a massive
street market were different Asian meals are cooked
without meat, the delicious aroma wafting throughout
the city. Surprisingly every dish I tasted didn’t taste like it
lacked any meat!
JOHN GREY’ SEA CANOE
For my birthday I wanted an adventure like no other.
Chatting to newly formed Australian friends at their Tikki
Bar on the beach one night, they let me in on a word-ofmouth
secret: John Grey. He was apparently one of the
first non-locals to ever see the magic that waited in the
many mini islands of Phuket. Over the years he created
a unique canoe experience for visitors to discover the
hidden corners of Hong and Panak Islands on a private
long tail boat by night.
I even got to meet John Grey himself, something the
locals said was special as the years are catching
up with him. Soon this man will be a legend only
remembered in tales, and so I’m glad I now have my
own story to tell!
85

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It was easy to have lofty dreams as a
child, everything seemed possible, and
the world was our playground. We felt
we could achieve our dreams, find the
perfect partner, have perfect children -
'happily ever after' may be too cliché or
asking for much, but yes, we dreamed
of something relatively close.
I mean, how difficult could it be? Go
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Simple - or is it?
There's a thing about life we have all
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so we chip and downsize our lofty
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right?
We don't play like we used to. Going
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We get caught up with pursuing a
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huge and audacious are reduced to
slightly lofty to-do lists we pray we are
able to tick off.
Even the sweet things, like finding the
right partner, becomes a mundane task.
We would consider the time, emotional
investment, what if the other party just
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although they mean well (sometimes),
it's not always a good feeling and
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86

LIVING
HOW TO
&
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE
DECLUTTER
YOUR SPACE
BY CHISOM WINIFRED
We all tend to get caught up in the complications of life
that we create, sometimes unconsciously. Have you ever
been at that point where you realize how complicated
your life is? We have all been there and it’s not pretty.
But admitting a problem is the first step to effectively
solving it. To declutter your space, (or complicated life)
here are simple tips that can help:
TAKE A BREAK FROM
YOUR PHONE FOR AT
LEAST 30MINS ADAY:
We are constantly on our
phones for at least 15 hours
in a day which is bad for
our mental health. Make
a conscious effort to take
a phone break for at least
30mins every day. This
helps to clear your head,
take in your surroundings
and have a necessary
phone break moment.
ADOPTTHE ACT OF
CLEAR THINKING:
What usually causes worry
and anxiety? Thinking too
much, over analysing and
magnifying problems in our
head. When you are faced
with a challenge, pause
and clearly think about
how you can solve it. Set
a plan and work towards
it. This removes the issue
as a problem in your head,
thus making your life less
complicated.
ALWAYS MAKE TIME TO
DISTRESS:
You know that song by Wiz
Khalifa, ‘Work hard, play
hard’? It’s no joke. In as much
as hard work and discipline is
important, make time to chill!
Put your feet up, (phone away)
and enjoy quality ‘me time’.
Life is short guys!
87

LIVING
CURATING A
Well-travelled Home
The evidence of meeting a celebrity is an
autograph (or a selfie), the evidence of running
a race is a trophy, the evidence of travel is a
souvenir and the evidence of a traveller is a home
with a collection of travel stories. Our rooms tell
intricate stories of experiences and lessons we
have picked up along the way.
It’s no surprise that something as simple as a
trinket can hold an interesting tale.
TO CURATE A WELL-TRAVELLED HOME,
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL TIPS:
ARTEFACTS
Artefacts hold stories of heritage
and adventure, plus they are a
great way to decorate.
Image credit: Hyggehome & WillowandBeech
Mask
Trouva.com, £89
Mid-century Cabinet
by westelm.co.uk, £399
WALL ART
Asides from being good house
decor, wall art is a great way to
entertain guests in your home.
Art usually inspires insightful
conversations,
VINTAGE PIECES
Wall art
at wafair.co.uk, £10
Vintage items typically exhibit the best of certain
qualities of a time period or era. There is no better
way to share your travel stories than to display your
exquisite vintage items by hanging on the wall.
88

FOOD & BODY
HEALTHY EATING
on an African Diet
BY CHISOM ASOGWA
90

FOOD & BODY
Many African meals are made up of starchy foods in large
portions, and often well-dipped in fat. Common meal choices
include fufu, a semi-solid paste made from staple food cassava and
accompanied with soups, rice or stew.
However, many studies have shown that regularly eating a diet rich
in refined starch is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, heart
disease and weight gain.
THERE ARE CERTAINLY WAYS TO STAY HEALTHIER WHILE STILL
ENJOYING THE FLAVOUR-RICH AFRICAN DELICACIES. HERE ARE
A FEW SUGGESTIONS:
Infuse lots of vegetables into your meals. Not only will this
provide added flavour, but it is an opportunity to fill up with more nutrient-rich
food.
Snack on healthy fruits. Instead of having fruits as dessert, choose
fruits as a healthy snack option. In fact, have some before your meal, it helps
to control how much of the main meal you eat, and it can often help improve
the absorption of the main meal. Get creative with fruit salads, smoothies and
more.
Reduce your portions. African food tends to be served in very large
portions - exercise some self-control by reducing the portions of each meal.
This way you can still enjoy the meal without the risk of an unhealthy diet.
Cook with healthier oils. Keep your family healthy by cooking with
healthy oil. Avoid unbranded oil which may be illegally processed, recycled
or produced and packaged in unhygienic environments. These bad oils could
cause high cholesterol and work against the normal flow of the body.
Opt for grilled meals instead of fried. Some food, like
chicken, fish etc already contain oil. Why not grill instead of frying. Not only
will you avoid the additional fat, grilling food helps reduce the natural oil in
the food.
Right food at the right time. As there isn’t much physical activity
done after supper, eating a heavy meal at such time means the body stores the
excess calories as fat. Eat supper at least 3 hours before bedtime, this will give
your body enough time to digest and absorb the food before you go to bed.
Get active. No matter what sort of food you consume, ensure you stay
active. This will improve your overall health.
91

Laura Mercier Loose
Setting Powder,
Translucent. £24
MY BEAUTY SECRET
Morphe 35O Nature Glow
Eyeshadow. £23.00
Dior Forever Skin Glow
Foundation 30ml. £37.00
Inglot Sparkling Dust
Highlighter. £12
WUNMI BELLO
Sought after TV and radio personality turned beauty and fashion
influencer, Wunmi Bello, shares her favorite products, tricks, tips, and
more with Managing Editor, Desiree Masiela.
Image credit: Lucy_Hakobian & Instagram/Youtube ( @WunmiBello)
What’s one beauty rule that you swear by?
I can be a bit systematic in terms of the way I
use my beauty tools. So, I’d say my Morphe
eyeshadow palette because I use it as a double
agent for a lot of things.
What beauty rule do you think is total B.S.?
I think luxury beauty products can be very
redundant sometimes. I honestly do not think
that you need to break the bank in order for
you to get your skin to look amazing. You can
still use ordinary products and still get your skin
to look flawless.
What beauty trends are you looking to try
out this winter?
Using my eyeshadow as liner to make my
lipstick stay longer. That should definitely be on
your list of things to try out this season.
Which make-up brands do you absolutely
swear by?
Oh! This is a bit tricky, I’d say my Dior Forever
Skin Glow Foundation because it gives my
skin a radiant glow to it, which I absolutely
love. I also swear by my Laura Mercier setting
powder, it’s extremely lightweight and gives my
skin a silky smooth feel. I absolutely cannot live
without it.
Do you ever leave the house without wearing
make-up?
No way!
Worst beauty sin?
Too much foundation or a powdery looking
face is not a good look at all. A nice healthy
glow to your face is always a good look.
If you had to choose three beauty products to
takewith you to a desert island, what would
youchoose?
1. Dior Skin Glow Forever Foundation
2. Morphe eyeshadow palette
3. Inglot highlighter
93

Meet Elvin Mensah
"That Train Date
guy"
All you need to know
about London prankster,
Elvin Mensah, and his
unorthodox dates on the
London Underground.
Train dates, is that your style?
How would you react if an unknown commuter
charms you with an impromptu dinner date
complete with a well-dressed dinner table,
food and wine while sitting on one of London’s
commuter trains, Well, Elvin is the social media
entertainer who has made this a reality for a few
unsuspecting passengers on London trains, and
their reactions (and that of other commuters) are
recorded and shared on his social media page for
the viewing pleasure of those who care for a bit of
a laugh. But how did it all begin?
WATCH ELVIN’S VIDEOS
on Instagram @elvinmensah
Have you always wanted to be in
entertainment, what fuelled that interest?
Well, sort of. I developed an interest in
becoming a sports presenter/host over the
past few years but also enjoyed writing jokes
and making comedic content as a pastime.
As time went on, I started taking comedy a
bit more seriously.
Who did you look up to for inspiration
when you first started out as a content
creator?
A friend of mine had some meme/Christian
comedy accounts that were fairly well known
on social media and he initially encouraged
me to get into making comedy skits. I was
definitely inspired to emulate him and other
Christian comics who were doing really well
on social media.
How do you find inspiration for creating
new content?
A lot of the time inspiration comes mainly
from just thinking about making entertaining
content and also talking with others. I really
enjoy the challenge of creating new and
original content.
94
How do you plan and successfully carry out
your pranks?
Planning is fairly straightforward and usually
I’ll have things in place for pranks on the day.
Trying to carry the pranks out successfully
is usually smooth sailing, but it can be a
challenge at times, especially when looking
for a “date” on the train.
Sometimes a bit of patience and observation
is required to find the ideal situation before
we start filming. We try to be discreet when
carrying out pranks but always let people
know after filming.

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GAM-AUTUMN-2016.indb 2 01/09/2016 13:38

GAM-AUTUMN-2016.indb 3 01/09/2016 13:38

(1) Davido | (2) Ghana + Portugal | (3) Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor | (4) The Lion King | (5) DJ Zinlhe from South Africa | (6) Tiwa Savage | (7) US | (8) Trevor Noah
QUIZ:
2019 IN CELEBRITY
BY BOIPELO JEAN CHABABA
1 Which African superstar got married
and had a baby in 2019?
- Davido
- AKA
- D’banj
- Ice Prince
2 Which two countries hosted the
afrobeats festival Afronation?
- South Africa + United Kingdom
- Ghana + Portugal
- Nigeria + USA
- Kenya + Jamaica
3
What is the name of Prince Harry's
and Duchess Meghan Markle’s son?
- Archie William Mountbatten-Windsor
- Charles Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
- Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
- Henry Charles Mountbatten-Windsor
4
’The Gift', a soundtrack album by
Beyoncé which featured African artists
such as Yemi Alade, Burna Boy, Tiwa
Savage, Wizkid, Salatiel, Mr Eazi and
Shatta Wale, accompanied the release
of which live-action Disney remake?
- Aladdin
- The Little Mermaid
- The Lion King
- The Jungle Book
5
Which Glam Africa cover star was
named Africa’s biggest female DJ?
- DJ Cuppy
- DJ Zinhle
- DJ Nyce
- DJ Soupamodel
HOW DID
YOU DO?
6
8
Which African female artist signed
with Universal records this year?
- Tiwa Savage
- Yemi Alade
- Sho Madjozi
- Shekhinah
Which African comedian hosts the
American late night show, The Daily
Show?
- Basketmouth
- Michael Blackson
- Anne Kansiime
- Trevor Noah
7 What is the one-word name of the
blockbuster horror movie released in
March starring Lupita Nyong’o?
- Life
- US
- USA
- Twin
0 - 3
Really though?
Do you even own a TV?
4 - 6
Clever Clog
You clearly know your
Wizkid from Davido.
7 - 8
Go Champ!
But you may wish to spend
less time on Linda Ikeji and
TMZ in 2020!
98

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