AfroBlush blog

love for culture, art, design, photography, hair and African diaspora. [www.AfroBlush.com]

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#NowPlaying Friends by Shalamar

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#NowPlaying Lovely Day by Bill Withers

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#NowPlaying Show You Off (feat. Shizzi & Walshy Fire) by Wurld www.afroblush.com 🎧🔊

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What will a female general secretary mean for Fifa?

What will a female general secretary mean for Fifa?

Senegal’s Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura has been appointed as Fifa’s first female secretary general, and for an organisation that has been accused in the past of being ‘blatantly sexist’, the appointment of the first woman to such a senior position will be seen as a positive move. With new reforms limiting the powers of the Fifa president, Ms Samoura arguably becomes the most important figure in…

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Spanish-rooted footwear brand Camper has teamed up with the Ethical Fashion Initiative to launch a long-term footwear project.

For their Spring/Summer 2016 collection Camper have collaborated with Ethiopian artisans to re-create the Camaleon, Camper’s first ever shoe that draws reference from the local Mallorcan farmers who wore this design over a century ago.

The partnership creates fair employment in Ethiopia while minimising the impact on the environment. It also aligns with Camper’s brand values of partnership and creativity. The design and production combine Camper’s vast experience of craftsmanship with local artisans’ unique skills and techniques, as well as methods borrowed from the western part of the continent.

The result is a unisex boot made from local Bati goat leather. Tie Dye techniques, which have been used for centuries in different regions of Africa, have been applied to the leather using natural dyes giving the handcrafted and sustainable product a psychedelic twist. Working from the same concept, a unisex sandal is also part of the collection offered in kaleidoscopic blues, greens and oranges. The very special capsule collection for Spring/Summer 2016 carries three different options for both men and women and will be available at select CamperLab stores and at CamperLab online.

  Shoe brand Camper collaborates with Ethiopian artisans to re-create the Camaleon Spanish-rooted footwear brand Camper has teamed up with the Ethical Fashion Initiative to launch a long-term footwear project.

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#19 Tune of the Week – Gravity (produced by River Tiber & KAYTRANADA)

#19 Tune of the Week – Gravity (produced by River Tiber & KAYTRANADA)

I couldn’t decide whether to select a tune by KAYTRANADA or River Tiber, so I’ve chosen them both. The Tune of the Week is Gravity, produced by River Tiber & KAYTRANADA. Tommy Paxton-Beesley, a.k.a River Tiber, is one my latest musical interests and has been grinding it out in the Toronto underground for a few years now and it’s about to pay off. His take on R&B incorporates the cold, rigid style…

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Lupita Nyong'o stars as Ugandan chess prodigy in 'Queen of Katwe’

Lupita Nyong’o stars as Ugandan chess prodigy in ‘Queen of Katwe’

My bestfriend and I are rubbish at making plans that are in advance of more than two days, yet we’ve set an unmovable September date to see Queen of Katwe. Queen of Katwe is an upcoming Disney-live action biographical drama film directed by Mira Nair from a screenplay by William Wheeler. Starring David Oyelowo (yum) and Lupita Nyong’o (love), the film depicts the life of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan…

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‘The most beautiful place to stay in Uganda’ is a big statement, and yet I mean it. I know I’m not exactly Michael Palin, but I have moved around, and I still come back to this sweet spot that is Nyore Hillside Retreat.

‘Nyore’ in short, is Uganda’s an amazing retreat and hideaway that hosts the most breathtaking mountain views you’ll find. I stayed in one of the twin huts and the view from the window is like something you see in your dreams.

I work and live in London and spend most of my professional and personal time in an urban city environment so when I travel, that’s exactly what I want to get away from. Somehow Nyore has this healthy balance of authentic African/Ugandan feel, with English sensibilities.

What I mean by that is, I can spend the afternoon with the local residents who surround the area, eat local Ugandan food, and sleep in an beautifully decorated African hut, whilst also having Afternoon tea, access to WiFi and rest in assurance that all the facilities are running and spotlessly clean! – I’m not asking for much am I?!

I’ve revisited Nyore every time I’ve been to Uganda over the last five years, and it only gets better. I love the hidden swings among the trees, the fire place, luscious gardens and stunning sunset in the evening. My fiance claims he saw a shooting star one evening, which has yet to be verified, but it wouldn’t surprise me as it just has that kind of aura.

I’ve had wonderful trips to famously renowned places like Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mihingo Lodge, and yet the food, the environment and the price at Nyore beats them all. Many hotels in Uganda still have this post-colonial feel in a desperate attempt to be ‘international’ in a desperate attempt to appeal to whites; or African’s who want to be considered as such. That’s scene is not for me and Nyore isn’t like that, it’s unpretentious and laid back.

Flower picking for the breakfast table 😊

A photo posted by afroblush (@afroblush) on Aug 18, 2015 at 8:17am PDT

I’ve bumped into all sorts, from some of Uganda’s inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives to, other Chinese, European, American and Australians passing in the middle of life’s many adventures.

So whether you’re based in Uganda, travelling through or a floating Ugandan like me, it’s somewhere you must go if you can. I guess there’s a reason it’s #1 on Trip Advisor in the region – and why my partner and I will be getting married here next year :-D.

Nyore Hillside Retreat is located in one of Uganda’s South Western villages, Nyakaguruka, located in the Mbarara district, 16 miles Mbarara-Kabale Road, 2km off this main highway. The road to the retreat is signposted.

http://www.nyoreretreat.com

For more info, or booking enquiries email: [email protected] 

The most beautiful place to stay in Uganda – Nyore Hillside Retreat, Mbarara. 'The most beautiful place to stay in Uganda' is a big statement, and yet I mean it.

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By way of Facebook I came across this brilliant and insightful article posted by Mikael Owunna, of “Owning-My-Truth”, about the Beyonce’s ‘Love Drought’ video and its depiction of “Igbo Landing” – An act of mass resistance against slavery.

Though, I remain weary of the ‘Beyonce Agenda’, this is one of many progressive references Beyonce has made to African history and discourse related to Pan-African popular culture. I’m glad she’s referred to it and brought an important movement in African American history to the present day.

“For those who don’t know, Igbo Landing is the location of a mass suicide of Igbo slaves that occurred in 1803 on St. Simons Island, Georgia.

As the story goes, a group of Igbo slaves revolted and took control of their slave ship, grounded it on an island, and rather than submit to slavery, proceeded to march into the water while singing in Igbo, drowning themselves in turn.

They all chose death over slavery. It was an act of mass resistance against the horrors of slavery and became a legend, particularly amongst the Gullah people living near the site of Igbo Landing” 

Mikael Owunna

Beyonce’s video draws inspiration from one of history’s acts of resistance against slavery, popularly known as the Igbo Landing. The story of igbos who were brought to America to be slaves but vowed to drown themselves rather than be slaves in a foreign land.

Igbo Landing was the final scene of events which in 1803 amounted to a “major act of resistance” by Africans.

These events have had enduring symbolic importance in African-American folklore and literary history. The mutiny by the Igbo people has been referred to as the first “freedom march” in the history of America. Although for more than two centuries most authorities considered the accounts to be an Afro-American folktale, research since 1980 has verified the factual basis of the legend and its historical content.

Beyonce’s entire video is set in occurs in a marshy, swampy landscape which is very reminiscent of what the shores of slave landing will be like, and in addition there’s a lot of random imagery that points to the slave trade, and landings. One of them is seeing Beyoncé physically bound in ropes, and trying to resist the pulling.

    Beyonce’s depicts slavery resistance movement ‘Igbo Landing’ in music video ‘Love Drought’ By way of Facebook I came across this brilliant and insightful article posted by Mikael Owunna, of…

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“…Africa has got swathes of photographic talent that are perhaps overlooked in the West” ” Dazed and Confused Magazine. 

Last night was the opening in Brooklyn of exhibition New African Photography curated by Red Hook Labs in collaboration for the first time with Nataal, a global media platform founded by Alassane Sy, Sara Hemming and Helen Jennings with the aim of celebrating contemporary African fashion, music and arts.

There is no one message.

Photographers weren’t chosen to tell one story or to fit pre-ordained themes, rather the exhibition is about telling multiple stories through fashion, portraiture and documentary images as a means of dispelling clichés and myths spun by traditional reportage photography and as a way to inspire the audience to want to know more about the tastemakers coming out of Africa today. Each artist has his or her own outlook, ranging from simple to fantastical, which provide snapshots of the huge diversity of Africa’s visual language today.

Lakin Ogunbanwo

Owise Abuzaid

Delphin Diallo

Atong Atem

Kristin Lee Moolman

Namsa Leuba

The photographers featured in the exhibition are Atong Atem,Delphine Diaw Diallo, Kristin-Lee Moolman, Lakin Ogunbanwo, Namsa Leuba and Owise Abuzaid. Their visions intertwine along the exhibition itinerary allowing the viewer to take a journey into the rich visual culture of contemporary Africa while challenging, at the same time, the ordinary usage and accepted meaning of such concepts as identity, belonging, daily life and imaginary, public and private. Portraits, fashion and documentary photographs that depict universal narratives capable of inspiring, raising a debate and reflecting upon complex matters like the African diaspora.

Personally, I’m so captivated by the work of Atong Atem, a young artist from South Sudanese by way of Melbourne.

Her work explores postcolonial practices in the diaspora and the relationship between public and private spaces. She tackles the politics of race and gender and class head on.

Nataal is also showing her series Third Culture Kids, which is something of a homage to legendary African studio photographers such as Malick Sidibe, Seydou Keita and Phillip Kwame Apagya. For her it’s about documenting that journey, freedom and community.

What I appreciate about this exhibition is that it’s all about six artists and their own unique perspectives on contemporary Africa. Viewed together the message is that young artists such as these have a fresh outlook that is socially engaged, authentic and gaining traction fast. It’s also a breath of fresh air to the increasingly commercial and self-referencing international art world. A must see exhibition this May.

Red Hook Labs, 133-135 Imlay Street, Brooklyn, New York 11231

What a diversity of narratives at Brooklyn exhibition ‘New African Photography’ "...Africa has got swathes of photographic talent that are perhaps overlooked in the West" ” Dazed and Confused Magazine. 

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To take, or not to take creatine? WHEN is the question.

To take, or not to take creatine? WHEN is the question.

I’ve added creatine powder to my smoothies on days when I expect to really pump. Hundreds of articles professed not only the benefits of creatine, but more important, its safety. For starters, you could expect: More muscle More power and strength Improved anaerobic capacity However, I’ve heard a ton of mixed reviews about when to take creatine and the possible side effects of taking it at the…

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#18 Tune of the Week - Tay Iwar - Renacentia EP @TayIwar

#18 Tune of the Week – Tay Iwar – Renacentia EP @TayIwar

It’s 24 degrees in London today and I’m about to pack up my laptop station, head down to Finsbury Park and listen to Tay Iwar’s Renacentia EP under the sun. Tay Iwar, is a Nigerian recording artist, singer, songwriter and producer. Raised in Lagos and Abuja, he began creating music at age fourteen. After Co-creating Bantu Collective in 2013, Tay released his debut compilation, ‘Passport’, in…

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Filming for the BBC Three Body Beautiful series - Changing perceptions of #naturalhair

Filming for the BBC Three Body Beautiful series – Changing perceptions of #naturalhair

Last Friday I made my way down to Loft Studio’s in North West London to be filmed for the a new BBC Three series entitled The Body Beautiful, a season of programmes starting this autumn, exploring the topic of body image. I was called in specifically to talk about the relationship between the black female community and our relationship with synthetic hair (hot topic I know!!) The Body Beautiful…

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Talking beauty products and hair care with beauty PR queen Debs aka @Chewing_the_fad from PURE PR London

Talking beauty products and hair care with beauty PR queen Debs aka @Chewing_the_fad from PURE PR London

I had a great opportunity to have a chat with one of my favourite PR people Deborah (@chewing_the_fad), from one of my favourite PR companies PurePR London. Here is a snippet from our chit chat on beauty products and hair care. Have you always been interested in beauty? My interest in beauty comes from being on the receiving end as an ordinary consumer, and from having a background in journalism…

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Uganda cracks down on skin lightening cosmetics

Uganda cracks down on skin lightening cosmetics

Last month I spent almost £50 on Boots No.7 ‘whitening range‘ – not because I’m whitening – don’t panic. But because I have uneven pigments on my page and scars and I was advised that the range works. The range didn’t work, not really, and if I had confessed this sooner, out loud, I’m sure my mum, an aunt, or a friend would have offered me something in nondescript toothpaste sized tube that would…

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#17 Tune of the Week by Sansai 'Diferente' @svnsai

#17 Tune of the Week by Sansai ‘Diferente’ @svnsai

Week 17’s Tune of the Week is by trio Brazillian producers Sensai. Who floated onto my Soundcloud feed courtesy of a repost by Sango Beats. If you listen to Sango, you’ll see why he reposted this. It’s where Brazillian baile funk meets trap. So good. The Sansai trio, formed around this time last year by Lucca Scherer , Caio Nardiello and John Henry Schier. With less than a year in the industry,…

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Ambition, Mistakes and Lost Momentum

Ambition, Mistakes and Lost Momentum

Maybe it’s because I’m almost 30, maybe I’m influenced by my social circles or both. But I’m observing a real season of sowing, for myself and friends/family around me. Big ambitions, lead by big decisions and even bigger expectations. Behind the selfies, these big expectations, often lead to equally large frustrations. Particularly in the era of social media and self-comparison; because of this,…

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