Q&A with Omolara Cole Chiori

Meet Omolara, a successful Nigerian business woman, loving wife and devoted mother. 

1.Please can you introduce yourself, your work and share a little about your background?
My name is Omolara Cole Chiori I was Born May 1, 1987, A Nigerian businesswoman and the CEO/Founder of ElanRed Store (A Unisex departmental Store and Amarelis Atelier (A fashion designing brand).
I attended the University of Lagos, where I bagged a BSC in Biology Education; and later proceeded to study Fashion & Merchandising at the FIT (Fashion Institute), New York in a bid to pursue my passion in fashion.
After my Studies, I moved back to Nigeria, set up my brands and has since then launched Fabulous pieces, Hosted Pop up Sales, worked with the Crème de la crème in the industry and created a market for local designers to sell & advertise their products.
I am happily married to Peter Cole Chiori & blessed with Three children.

Amarelis is a fashion brand which I initiated in the year 2012 while Elanred was initiated in the year 2014. Amarelis design is an indigenous lifestyle brand which was launched in 2012. It embodies my personal style and sensibility. Its collections are known for colour, print & eclectic details, which includes ready to wear, couture, shoes, handbags, accessories, beauty & home.

 2. Does your Brand name, Amarelis, has a meaning? 
Yes it has a meaning. Amarelis was derived from Amaryllis and Atelier means studio.
You know how Flowers are precious goods surrounded by exciting stories and are praised for their symbolic meaning for centuries? 
So are most of my collections: each collection are surrounded by exciting stories in a studio where my collections can be displayed. This was what inspired the name Amarelis Atelier


3. Please tell us about your latest collection. 
“SHE BORN” is a collection featuring elusive details and vibrant colours which is a pristine blend of this present time femininity and urban allure. it’s basically a mix of elegance and functionality.This was inspired by each facets of a woman’s life, there were times when a woman would just pull looks together to look lady-like meanwhile, there are times she would want to look classy and stylish. “SHE BORN “is about giving women a perfect blend of class, simplicity and elegance.

4. Do you strictly use fabrics from Nigeria or source elsewhere? 
Hmm I won’t say I use fabrics strictly from Nigeria, but rather I would say I often use fabrics from Nigeria, and few times I source from elsewhere, it all depends on the story am trying to create as a stylist.

 5. Amarelis is stylish & elegant clothing, as well as being eco-friendly and socially responsible. How do you do it? 
I would just say I do me; that makes it easier to keep up. Also, I try not to get distracted.

6. What would you say to someone looking to start a sustainable Brand?
It’s not going to be easy at first so many things would come up but hey, don’t stop being you, in other words, don’t stop being you, continue doing what you love and surely your passion would take you far.

7.How do you balance being a Fashion Designer, Entrepreneur with motherhood? 
Its basically  time management. When I am at my studio I forcus on my designs and all I have to do making sure I use up all the time I allocated for work effectively and while at home try not miss business with family , this is very important in achieving productivity .

8.What are your personal values? 
Consistence
Since people pay attention to my brands, credibility is critical, and I have a lot to live up to. Therefore, this core value reminds me to integrate humor, the Awesome Experience, and all my other lessons into my life and work, every single day.
Creativity
I do remind myself that I need to take that extra step to make my collections compelling so I can intrigue and connect with my audience.
Impact
Like most entrepreneurs, I see potential everywhere. This value reminds me to disregard when my brain is saying: "I can do that!" and instead ask the question: "Should I do that.”
Some of my personal traits like passion, integrity, and energy don't qualify in my mind as core values because I follow these instinctively without consideration. They are unnecessary in my decision-making process. 

 8. Some international brands are being called out for cultural appropriation. What is your opinion regarding this topic?
This is a sensitive topic I really don’t like the word cultural appropriation because different tribes and races influence me as a designer so I would rather say they are drawn to our rich African culture and they use this inspiration in their works.

9. How would you define your Fashion Workshop? 
My fashion workshop is more like a space where every detailed processing starting from the sketches, through the choice of the suitable fabric and the modeling stage, to the proper sewing of the piece is done.

Get in touch with Omorola

Website: https://amarelis.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AmarelisAtelier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amarelisatelier

Vanity Afro, 13/09/2019

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and kind. X

Q&A with Model Giovanni

I had the pleasure of interviewing an amazing up and coming model from the US. 
Meet Giovanni! 
A gorgeous model with an admirable personality to match his beauty. 
His vibrant persona shines through in this interview.

1. Please briefly introduce yourself. 

My name is Justin Sansom, aka Giovanni, I was born and still reside in Michigan.

2. How did you start your modeling career?

I began modeling in fashion shows back in 2013 on my college campus, and in Metro Detroit. Following that, I started networking with different photographers and building my portfolio.

3. What is your favourite part of a fashion shoot?

My favorite part is actually doing the shoot! I get into this zone while posing where i’m in another world, and it’s amazing to see how the images come out.

4. What has been one of your favourite career experiences so far?

I’ve realized this year that I’m really into blurring the lines of masculinity and femininity and I’ve improved so much with modeling after realizing that.

5. You have an amazing creative portfolio! If you were to choose just 1 image, which one would you say is your favourite and why?

It would be the image attached with the red background and my hair pushed to one side. I saw a different side of myself with that shoot, and gained a new level of respect for modeling. I saw that I could do more with modeling than I imagined.

6. Which of your images reflect the most your personal style?

I’d have to say my selfies. I rarely take selfies nowadays, but when I do, it reflects mostly who I am, and how I look on the daily.

7. How do you keep your hair healthy and keep your body fit?

I wash and deep condition my hair once a week, and try to moisturize is throughout the week. I recently started a fitness/meal plan and go to the gym 4-5 times a week! I’m in the process of toning my body and trying to build more muscle.

8. What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty is a reflection of happiness and positivity. I feel like true beauty is deemed by an amazing personality and not just by looks.

9. What are you doing when you are not modelling?

I work a 9-5, so when I’m not doing that or modeling, I’m usually binge watching TV, writing poetry, taking naps, or spending time with my family.

10. What makes you happy?

Honestly, I don’t know right now. I’m currently trying to find out.

11. You are openly gay; how easy or difficult what is to come out?

Coming out was the most difficult, but liberating thing I've ever done. The bond with my friends and family grew stronger and it’s been amazing ever since.

12. What advice would you give to the people that are afraid to be honest about who they are?

I’d say don’t feel pressured to come out. It’s harder than most people think, but I’ll also say that living in your truth is so liberating. People will have something to say about you til the day you die, and living for others is not living... it’s just existing.

13. If you could you be on a gigantic billboard, what would you say and why?

I’d probably cry. It’s a dream of mine to be on a large format advertisement and I’d be even more humbled and honored. It would push me to keep going knowing that my modeling is steadily improving.

14. Who is your role model?

My role model is my past self. I am so different than who I used to be, and I keep elevating, and growing as time progresses. I love seeing progress with anything I do, because it shows me my growth in front of my eyes.

15. What's your dream campaign?

My dream campaign is a beauty line campaign. I got into wearing a bit of makeup with modeling, and have gotten great feedback that some of my supporters have been inspired from it. Ultimately, my goal is to produce content that positively impacts others.

Explore the world of Giovanni

Website: https://www.justinsansom.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modelgiovanni/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/modelgiovanni_

Vanity Afro, 06/07/2019

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and kind. X

Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition

On entering the exhibition, Nelson Mandela introductory footage, running through a projector, set the tone for the exhibition. Beautiful and powerful!

I’ve experienced lots feelings throughout the exhibition: sadness, speechless, horrified, gloomy, hopeful, inspired. Overall, I was very impressed with the inspirational journey of this great man.

Nelson Mandela has endured so much cruelty, injustice while remaining humble, positive and fighting for peace. An inspiration to humanity!

Great presentation & graphic design, innovative installations and layout, Mandela The Official Exhibition, is a truly brilliant tribute to Nelson Mandela!

Nelson Mandela will always be remember. May he rest in peace.

Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition 

https://facebook.com/MandelaOfficialExhibition

https://twitter.com/mandela_exhibit

https://www.instagram.com/the_mandela_exhibition

Vanity Afro, 07/04/2019

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and be kind. X

Q&A with Salkis Re

        My first 2019 post this year is with Salkis Re; a brilliant artist combining the painting of black             

women/soulful eyes with heart touching poems. 

1. Who are you and what do you do?  

I am an ARTIST, POET and SPIRITUAL HEALER living in Southern California presently...

2. Do you paint first and think of a poem or do you write a poem once you finish the painting?

It depends. Sometimes while I'm painting, verses come to me and then I'll stop painting to write it down before I forget. At other times, the words come to me when I look at a completed art piece. 

3. Are all your poems a reflection on your life experience? 

For the most part, but I do get inspiration from spiritual coaching sessions with my clients. I'll recall something they said that really touched me and I will write about it..

4. The beautiful girls in your paintings have deep expressive eyes. Is there a central main theme? 

Well the eyes are where all the emotions of the heart can be expressed. 

I prefer big doe-like eyes in my work because they convey "delicate" and "innocence" to me.

It's important that my girls are seen as delicate because its not a character trait synonymous with black women unfortunately...

5. What does your art express about you?

It expresses the pure parts of me. By pure I mean that its not trying to be anything. It is what it is: no pretense, no trying to look sexy to get attention, no trying to be anything to win people over like the so-called adult part of me habitually does..

         6. If you could have a billboard with anything on it, what would you say? 

Your Soul Isn't Fully Form When You Are Born. It Grows As You Grow Through Emotional  Experiences.

7. Of all your paintings, what’s your favourite? 

I've tried to pick a favorite and I honestly do not have one. It's funny though, cause I can tell how I was feeling at the time I created each piece. I see sadness in some, joy in others, the longing for love is in most of them... Each one is a piece of me, so I love them all.

8. Who do you credit, if anyone, for encouraging you to be doing what you're doing right now?

I credit the bleeding hearts of the women I've had the privilege of working with spiritually. I also credit all the people who called me black and ugly. I give a big thank you to those who made me feel stupid and unworthy.

 My art is symbolic of sovereignty and gives me self efficacy over my life.

 I'm a self taught artist.

 I didn't wait for anyone to tell me I "could" do it. This is why I'm so passionate about my creative process.

9. Can prospective sponsors organise a big show for you? Absolutely!

10. From which sites can people buy your art? 

You can browse, share and shop via my personal store at:

 http://www.iloveherart.com/  

or my etsy store at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalkisReArt

Discover more about Salkis Re artwork & poems and follow her on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/salkisreart

Vanity Afro, 05/01/2019

Be happy, do the best you can, be good and be kind. X