In fashion&style August 12, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Angella Manda, A Malawian Entrepreneur Who Making A Clothing Business Out Of Crocheting

For many, crocheting is a hobby. Something they do to pass time and clear their mind. But with time, crocheting has proven to be an art and craft that has grown to be lucrative to the point that it becomes a business, a stream of income for a lot of people.

Malawians are taught the art of crocheting at an early age and Angella Manda has decided to stand out from the rest by turning her craft into a clothing business. She is the founder of Angelos Crochet and today, her growing customer base are in constant demand for her beautifully crafted crochet garments and accessories.

Angella was born in the Central part of Malawi, in Lilongwe. She graduated from the University of Malawi, Chancellor College. In the fourth year of her studies in college, she started crocheting as a small business and upon graduating, she took it on as a serious business. Angella has been crocheting for about 15 years in total. Long enough for anyone to become a professional!

Angella started crocheting because of her deep love for creating that she has developed as a child. This love for creating something was what drove her to start her business. Another inspiration to start her business was the lack of existing suppliers of crochet products because at the time she started her business, there were not a lot of people doing it. So the fact that people wanted crocheted products but had limited options from where to buy, was also a source of inspiration to start the crocheting business.

Angella believes her business is special because it is a representation of a childhood source of joy. Since she had the best time crocheting as a child, she ensures her pieces have that same childlike authenticity and innocence to it.

Concerning her journey as an entrepreneur, Angella did not come from an entrepreneurial background. Being an entrepreneur was never something she envisioned. Her course of study was even far from business.
She transitioned into a business woman as soon as people started showing a lot of respect and love for her products.
According to her, “there would be times I’d think, this will probably not last that long in the early days of my business. But turns out, the support was always growing and now I have come to accept and believe that this is what I was meant to be doing. And my effort into it has also just automatically grown.”

Satisfying her customers and getting positive feedback is her greatest source of fulfilment as an entrepreneur. Satisfying their orders is a source of joy on her end.
“It is also satisfying knowing that you’re doing something you truly love. Every day when I’m doing it, even times when it’s not easy, I am satisfied already.” Says Angella.

Angella’s biggest advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is for them to believe in their work and talents. “You have to have so much trust and belief in your own talent that even on those hard or bad days you know you are great, and you’ll be able to get through this. That way no matter what hurdles you face along the way that try to stop your business goals; they are nothing compared to the belief you have in yourself. It is also important to celebrate others along the way and be open to collaboration.”

Angelos Crochet, designs and crochets all sorts of products – fashion items and accessories, ranging from dresses, skirts, suits, trousers, tops, hats and bags, all produced using quality yarns.

In fashion&style June 28, 2021 By Women of Rubies

#Rubygirls | Improving Self Esteem In Women

I’m Okonkwo Emmanuella Chinaza the current Face of Glamorous Queen World 2021

I am currently schooling at Abia state polytechnic studying Public Administration.

My Role model is Amudat. Like she will always say be focused and never give up. And that has really kept me going.

Describe yourself in 5years to come what it will look like for you

I look forward in learning new skills and improve in my modeling career. In five years from now I see myself more professional .

How has beauty pageant helped in improving self esteem in women

Being part of a pageant gives young women the courage to try new things.

And develop a greater sense of confidence. In as much as we dont try to rely on someone we give ourselves the best in all we do we try something new and make sure it turns out to be great. we also make sure we love ourselves

What is your drive and passion relating to being a Beauty Queen

I’m always motivated and always want to try new things .

What is your Philosophy of life

I don’t fear failure but rather fear not trying. And if I believe very strongly in something, I standup and fight for it.

My dear young girls out there. Go for whatever thing you want in life. Don’t fear failure, standup and fight for what you what. And always make improvements in whatever you do.

In Fashion June 23, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Emma Maame Efua Tandoh, A Ghanaian Fashion Entrepreneur Using African Textiles In New Creative Ways

In Africa, fabric and prints are more than just cloth; it’s at the core of who we are as Africans, expressive, creative, confident; a colourful and authentic people that carry an inextinguishable spirit.

African print has been finding its way into mainstream fashion for a long time, but it is always good to see a brand emerging from the continent that innovatively celebrates its diversity. This is why we acknowledge Love Ankara, a fabulous retail, footwear and accessory brand, proudly made in Ghana but loved by the continent.

The Love Ankara brand is here to re-define and showcase what authentic African fabric stands for. This it does by promoting authentic African prints, empowering women and preserving existing local textile industries.
Love Ankara shoes and accessories are made for powerful, outspoken, daring empowered women who are not afraid to be authentic and stand out wherever they are in the world.

Truly, one’s upbringing and environment during their formative years play a role in deciding the paths one would go in life. This is seen in the case of Emma who was raised in an entrepreneurial background. She grew up seeing her mother juggling between a 9-5 job and other businesses including clothing and drinks supply and distribution.

Forget the odds and go for it. As crazy as it may seem, the future of our continent rests with us women; especially women entrepreneurs. You will make some mistakes, but heck, start, go ahead and begin that dream and keep at it every day.

Emma always knew she would venture into entrepreneurship but she still worked in several industries including print media and marketing roles until she decided to launch her business by first creating an awareness around local African prints.
She launched her unique shoe making business after gaining access to lock prints like Woodin and GTP, both produced in Ghana.
Her mission is to provide employment to skillful artisans while the same time pushing the “Made in Africa” agenda.

Their foldable women’s shoes are made from premium leather soles as well as authentic African prints. The in-soles are extremely soft and prioritize comfort and the fabrics are all authentic pieces and do not fade after several washes. The shoes are machine and hand washable and dry within 3 to 4 hours. Because they’re foldable, they’re great for tucking away into a clutch purse, mini shoulder bag or handbag and are also packaged in mini shoe boxes which are great for presenting as gifts.

The Love African shoes are purposely made using Eco-friendly packaging that supports the “green” initiative as proof that quality, yet Eco-friendly products can emerge from Africa.

Love Ankara also retails men and women’s slides, beaded bags with ankara, jewelry boxes and other fashionable African accessories for the urban market.

Entrepreneurship is a journey and for us women, we often pride ourselves with being jugglers who perform the balancing act to almost near perfect, but entrepreneurship is challenging and will push you almost to the point of burnout so its important to also remember to pace yourself and schedule, as much as you can, and get much needed rest and relaxation.

In Fashion June 23, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Femi Olayebi Is Leading In The Nigerian Leather Space With Her Femi Handbags Brand

A translator turned designer and manufacturer, her entrepreneurial journey started in 1992 when she tried her hands at making a diaper bag for her first daughter.

Since then, she has poured all her energies into building her business, consistently pushing the boundaries and emerging as a leader in the Nigerian leather space.

Renowned for her statement, colour-drenched pieces, Femi has received several awards, and in 2013, her business became a case study for MBA students at the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos.

Nothing, absolutely nothing in her background had prepared her for the world of entrepreneurship and she did not have an entrepreneurial mindset as both parents were academics.

She learned all she needed to start up her business from books, as the Internet was barely three years old when she started and Google didn’t exist then. She kicked off as soon as she got tangible information and started with her friends and family as her first set of customers.

Success as they say, is 10% inspiration (creativity) and 90% perspiration (hard work), that failures, frustrations and setbacks are all part of the growth process and that very simply put, in spite of the curveballs that life may throw at you, you must keep showing up.”

In her words, “A major turning point along my journey was being selected in 2008 as one of the first set of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women scholars. This gave me the opportunity to attend an entrepreneurial programme at the Enterprise Development Centre in Lagos and undergo a business course for the very first time. After that, the ball started to roll and I was twice nominated to attend mentoring and networking programmes in the United States, where I job-shadowed some famous American handbag designers.”

“In 2010, I participated in my very first stand-alone international Accessories Show, Pure London. I felt the time had come to reposition my brand, and that led me to rename my line of leather handbags; Femi Handbags was born. Before long, my business became a case study for MBA students at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

“In 2017, determined to change the landscape, I took the boldest step of my life and created the Lagos Leather Fair, a platform designed to promote Nigerian talent, tackle the industry challenges and begin to unlock the massive potential of the leather industry in Nigeria. With the support of the Bank of Industry, and a few other organisations, we were able to curate a massively successful, world class event. We have earned some recognition and been featured on local and international media, including CNN Marketplace Africa and BBC News Africa.”

2018, she opened her first flagship store in a high-end area of Lagos, showed on the runway at the Autumn/Winter edition of the London Fashion Week and have since participated at two editions of the Coterie trade show in New York at the invitation of SheTrades, a businesswomen’s empowerment initiative under the International Trade Centre (ITC) based in Switzerland.

Femi believes you are not successful until you have creates value in the lives of others.

Your team plays a very vital role in your business, and no matter how successful you become, you’re really nothing without your team.”

She enjoins entrepreneurs to work hard as much as they believe in their dreams. She believes in hard work, grit and tenacity as the key to success.

She said they must not be afraid to ask for help, but build a tribe on the way up, because at the end of the day relationships matter. That they must stay focused, stay curious, expand their mind and programme their mind to win, so they can develop a growth mindset and continue to thrive and grow.
Entrepreneurs must keep challenging themselves, never stop learning, keep building and preparing because, like they say, luck favours the prepared mind. They must seek to exceed expectations, and excel in all they do. And finally, they should trust the process, and remember always that good things take time.

In terms of the brand however, Femi Handbags has become much more than a handbag brand. It embodies the values of excellence and integrity to be cherished and has become a symbol and an expression of creativity, positivity and possibilities.

The brand sends out very clear messages and seeks to tell a powerful African story, change the negative narrative around ‘Made-In-Africa’ brands and shatter established stereotypes around African luxury.

In Fashion June 6, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Deola Sagoe, Founder Of Deola, And The Leading Lady Of African Haute Couture Fashion in Nigeria

Deola Sagoe, founder of Deola is the leading lady of African haute couture fashion from Ondo State in Nigeria. Deola has been at the cutting edge of high fashion since 1989 and became the first black woman to present a collection at AltaRoma, Rome’s celebrated fashion week, back in 2004.
Her globally appealing style has earned her an enviable clientèle that ranges from Africa’s first ladies, to society girls like Lydia Hearst, top model Alek Wek, and famous personalities such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.

In life, you choose certain things and sometimes, you don’t have the luxury of choosing some things, they choose you instead. In Deola’s case, she didn’t choose fashion. Fashion came calling and she had to respond to the call.

“I didn’t choose fashion, it chose me, … I think the only way I’ve managed is because I know fashion was my destiny. African designers face so many challenges, producing collections and working hard to rise above the manufacturing infrastructure problems. For me, it’s about rising to the challenge and I think it’s made me a better designer. I feel I produce more intelligent clothing as a result.” In her words.

Deola, a mother of three, studied at the University of Miami and University of Lagos and earned a Masters in Finance and Management.

She was appointed Nigeria’s representative to the United Nations World Food Program ‘Catwalk the World: Fashion for Food’ with the goal of raising money towards halving the number of hungry people in the world, particularly children, by 2015.

Deola frequently exhibits her couture collection at Cape Town Fashion Week and has been an invited guest of New York Fashion Week in the past.

The rave-maker employs a simple secret to stay relevant in the rapidly changing world of style. She pours all her heart into each of her collections, but none of them defines her. She is rather defined by her astounding ability to blend with the times, to make attires that speak to the spirit of the age.

The reinvention of her Deola Sagoe brand to House of Deola is just one indication of her willingness to tweak her identity to maintain her pride of place in each era.

As her advice for entrepreneurs, Deola said, “I just had this can-do spirit. I was just so convinced that my product was so genuine and would no doubt conquer the world. As an entrepreneur, you must believe in yourself and in your vision.”

In fashion&style May 30, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Eva Sonaike, The Brain Behind The Eva Sonaike Luxury Home Décor And Accessories Brand

Eva Sonaike is a London-based interiors and lifestyle brand, creating luxurious textiles, home-décor and accessories with a distinctive and vibrant West-African aesthetic. Inspired by the cultural mélange of West-African textile tradition and European craftsmanship, a passion for interior design and an exuberant love of colour.

‘I’m completely self-taught; I don’t have a degree in textiles but I can draw and have an eye for what works together,’ says the German-born, London-based former fashion journalist, who set up her eponymous company 11 years ago. ‘I start by creating moodboards using Pantone cards and colour swatches that reflect the essence of a theme connected to West Africa. After lockdown, I decided to take things back to basics. Until now, all my prints have been vibrant and bold. This collection still uses strong shades but it feels calmer than anything I’ve done before. I want to show that something can be simple but still make an impact.’

She is a journalist and has experience working in the creative and lifestyle sector. She had a great career as a journalist and couples with her ability to multitask and the experiences she has garnered from working as a TV producer, magazine journalist and fashion PR over the past 12 years affords her that expertise needed to run a business.
She is also multilingual (fluent in German, English and French and a bit of Yoruba). These play a role in how well she has been able to run and manage her business.

Eva Sonaike is a motivation and a strong proof that you don’t have to limit yourself to your field of study. Regardless of where you work at or what you’re studying, you can still dream and act on your dreams. As long as you have a passion for it, you believe in it and you work smart, you can reach your goals and make that dream of yours a reality.

As a piece of advice to other women looking to venture into a start-up, Eva says ‘First of all, you have to have a great product, idea or service. The market is over-flooded with so much these days, that you really have to stand out! Then be persistent and don’t be discouraged if there is a ‘no’ or some doors won’t open. You have to have a lot of stamina and keep going. It is a ongoing journey, which can be very frustrating sometimes, but if you stay positive and focused, unexpected things may happen!’

Image credit: https://www.evasonaike.com/

In Fashion March 6, 2021 By Women of Rubies

A Quick Guide to Finding the Best Nail Shape for You

Playing with different kinds of nail colors is fun and relaxing. But when it comes to truly making your hands beautiful, it’s not all about the color or finish of your manicure. To have beautiful nails, don’t just look at your polish. You also have to know how to find the best nail shape for you.

Each hand, finger, and nail shape is different, and we are all born with various features. However, with the right nail shape, short fingers can look longer and hands can look daintier, edgier or more sophisticated to go with a particular look.

Get the right shape that accentuates those beautiful hands with these tips on how to find the best nail shape for you:

Round

This type is the simplest and most natural look that you can do for your nails. It is effortless to maintain, especially if you have time growing your nails.

To achieve this look, simply cut your nails to create an arc similar to the arch of your cuticles. Then, file off any of the rough edges.

A round nail is best when you are after strong nails. If you have visually long nails even after cutting, this makes your hands look very feminine and beautiful. Gel manicure would look lovely over it.

Oval

This shape is quite difficult to execute. The form should be symmetrical, and the point is a little between oval and almond. If you file it too much, you could end up getting either one so it would take time to file your nails to get the perfect shape.

It’s perfect for people with long fingernails who want a beautiful, sophisticated look because it creates a more feminine vibe.

Almond

Almond shape looks lovely on glamorous, eye-catching events. It looks a little like an oval, but it is more tapered on the sides to shape more like an almond. To make it noticeable, you have to have longer nails.

To get the perfect shape, make sure to ask your nail salon to do it for you. It is one of the most playful designs you can get because it works for medium length nails. When you get tired, you can turn it into a squoval – a square or even an oval shape.

Square

Square nails are the easiest to make. To achieve this look, just file your nails down and make sure that ends become perpendicular to the nail. It is one of the most versatile looks because it works for either short or long nails.

However, if you already have short nails, the square may make your nails look even shorter. If that’s the case, go for an oval, round or squoval to make the shortness look less noticeable.

Squoval

It seems the most natural because most people are already born with this kind of nail shape. That’s why it is suitable for both long and short nails.

For the nails you currently have now, you only need to file a little bit to get the perfect squoval shape and you’re good to go. If you want the square look but hate how sharp it is around the edges, this would work best for you.

Ballerina

As the name suggests, the ballerina is a nail shaped like a ballerina’s pointed shoes. It is a longer version of a square, but it is a little more convex with a straight tip. It is slightly tapered like the oval. Instead of an arc, the tip is flat.

The ballerina works best for people who love growing their nails long or for people who love going to nail salons. It’s ideal for people who love putting on gel manicures or acrylics to achieve a longer nail and avoid damage to the natural nail.

Stiletto

Stiletto nail design looks intimidating and deadly. Both sides are tapered to create a pointy end. It’s very dramatic, edgy, and can be best left in the hands of professional nail salons.

For this, you need the help of nail extensions or gel overlays to create the look. Your nail techs will shape and design your overlays to create the pointed tip for each nail. It also works best for gel manicure because the polish makes the design look more prominent.

Lipstick

Going for an out of the box look for special avant-garde events? Choose the lipstick.

The lipstick is like a simple square nail but only longer and asymmetrical, meaning it is just tapered at one side of the nail. It creates an uneven look that is too risky, eye-catching, and highly unusual. It works best for an equally experimental or innovative fashion style.

There are plenty of options for you to choose from, but what would be best would totally be up to you. This guide on how to find the best nail shape for you is just here to help you out.

If you want feminine looks, you can make your hand look dainty and slender by choosing rounder nails shapes like round, oval, almond or squoval. If you want strong, intimidating nails, you can choose between the square, ballerina and stiletto.

In fashion&style January 31, 2021 By Women of Rubies

5 Things Every Woman Should Have In Her Closet

Fashion is like eating, you shouldn’t stick to the same menu. —Kenzo Takada

Over the years, fashion has evolved and from recent trends, it shows fashion is that thing that keeps and will continue to evolve as the days go by. Women no longer dress as they did in the early 2000s, which is clear proof of fashion evolution.

In the midst of these evolutions, there are 5 essential clothing pieces every woman should own in her closet.

1. A-Line Skirts.

If you want that flattering, classy and chic look, A-Line skirts are your best bet. Not only for the comfortability they provide but also that they can be matched with anything ranging from a T-shirt to a button down shirt to a tank top.

2. Pencil Skirts

Pencil skirts can be worn as a business, formal or a casual attire. It flatters most body shapes and figures and while it gives you that ladylike look, it is so readily available in Ankara prints, suit or stretchy materials.

3. Denim Pants

You can never own too many denim pants. There is nothing as too many denims because these beautiful pants can be paired with almost anything you choose such as a blouse, shirts, jackets, plain tees. Just about anything goes with pair of denims!
They are sweet because if the versatility they offer and they are usually very comfortable and blend in perfectly.

4. Slack/ Dress Pants

There are no such things as too much denims but your wardrobe should comprise only denim pants. A pair of dress pants can add extra touch to your closet. You can wear them for formal and casual events. They’re great in black, navy blue and Grey colours.

Choose the pair that suits your body style and fits perfectly.
Always choose a style with normal size pockets that are right at the centre of your backside.

5. Non-Negotiable Black Dress.

Whether long, short, one-shoulder or with a unique detail it’s just one of those things that don’t lose style and you’ll always look put together with minimal effort! You can wear this up with a nice pair of heels and statement earrings or down with a pair of sneakers! it is designed to be functional and works in just about any occasion; cocktail parties, evening occasions and very perfect to go to work. This is why every woman needs a little black dress, multi outfits in one!

BONUS.

Plain T-shirt.

For that causal fit that isn’t too casual and can match with any accessory, plain t-shirts come into mind as it can be worn to casual hangouts. If comfort is what you seek while also looking prim and proper, a plain white T-shirt or any preferred colour worn with a pair of denim pants can never go wrong.

In fashion&style February 21, 2020 By Editor

The Ghanaian Architect Building Her Dream Through Crocheting

While sketching and crocheting is not a common skill, Akosua Asabea Obese’s passion is enabling her to build her dream through the art.

The young Ghanaian creative makes some of the most stunning pieces with unmatched quality.

Akosua Asabea Obese had her secondary education at Wesley Girls Senior High School Cape Coast where she studied Visual Arts.

Prior to having her secondary education, she had an idea of what she wanted to become.

Asabea spent her early days with her grandparents and showed signs of a talented girl while growing up at her grannies.

She recounts her grandfathed realised her potential during the early stages as a toddler.

Asabea disclosed that her granddad often told her that she drew a lot.

”Most times, I drew the pattern of the houses we lived in where I grew up,” Akosua Asabea Obese told Pulse.com.gh.

Asabea perfected her crafts when she enrolled to study Technical Drawing in Junior High School. Her teacher by then let her know her potential.

She started nurturing herself in that direction, taking up Visual Arts as her line of study during her days at Wesley Girls High School.

Having heard on many occasions from her grandfather that she was destined to be an architect, the young Ghanaian realised her dream after being accepted as an architecture student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

”My grandfather told me I would be an architect. I realized he and my JHS teacher really had a point,” Asabea said.

Despite becoming an architect, Akosua Asabea Obese fell in love with something different after gaining her architecture degree.

She developed a stint for crocheting during her early days. With the focus of being an architect triumphing over everything else, Asabea didn’t realize that was also a passion.

The wait for national service placement turned an inspiration to channel more of her energy into crocheting.

When she started, she realised she could make money from the art and decided to take it serious.

In 2018, received an award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year at Miss Malaika.

Watch video:

Asabea’s vision has moved on from being just a one-woman business. She wants to have the capacity to train more people and not just focus on the market in Ghana.

The end as an architect is not nigh for Akosua Asabea Obese. She still takes on part-time jobs in what she spent years studying at school.

Currently, she is focusing on building her dream through crocheting.

Marsai Martin’s film, Little, which is based on original ideas from the teen actress but inspired by the movie Big, helped her ink her name in the history books.

Article from WomenAfrica

In fashion&style February 10, 2020 By Editor

Genevieve Nnaji had an Eventful Week in Hollywood | Let’s Take You Through

EVENTS

Genevieve Nnaji had an Eventful Week in Hollywood | Let’s Take You Through

Published

1 day ago on

February 8, 2020

By

BellaNaija.com

On Friday we spotted Genevieve Nnaji looking a star at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon. But her week has continued to be eventful since then

Just after the Essence Black Women in Hollywood event, Genevieve headed to the Vanity Fair and Lancome Women in Hollywood celebration, where she, again, dazzled.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Genevieve Nnaji attends the Vanity Fair and Lancôme Women in Hollywood celebration at Soho House on February 06, 2020 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images)

On Friday, the producer/actress headed to the 13th Annual Women in Film Female Oscar Nominees Party, joining stars like Lulu Wang, Mj Rodriguez, Idina Menzel.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: Genevieve Nnaji attends the 13th Annual Women In Film Female Oscar Nominees Party at Sunset Room Hollywood on February 07, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty

Still on Friday, Genevieve was also at the Essence House: Hollywood Edition event, where she spoke on a panel about “Global Collaboration” in Hollywood with producers Euzhan Palcy and Gina Yashere .

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: Director/Producer Genevieve Nnaji poses backstage during ESSENCE House: Hollywood Edition at NeueHouse Los Angeles on February 07, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: (L-R) Cori Murray, Director of Entertainment for Essence, Director/Producer Euzhan Palcy, Director/Producer Genevieve Nnaji and Comedian/Producer Gina Yashere speak on a panel during ESSENCE House: Hollywood Edition at NeueHouse Los Angeles on February 07, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENSE)