In light of the Black Lives Matter protests sparked in summer of 2020, a call for recognition and diversity has emerged in the world of fashion. Black and African culture have always been a great source of inspiration for Western designers throughout the ages, but still the black community remains underrepresented, and often uncredited for its huge contribution to the fashion industry.
Many trends that characterised the last century and still lasts today, were first born in the black community and then popularised among the mainstream media and public. Let’s discover the major ones:
Nails as a form of art
Notably, Acrylic nails were first worn by African-American model Donyale Luna, who wore them on the cover of Twen magazine in 1966. In the ‘70s they became sensational in salons and started to be associated with disco music stars such as Donna Summer and Diana Ross. During the 90s, acrylic nails were popularised by the rise of R&B and hip-hop music artists like Missy Elliot and Lil Kim, with her ‘money manicure’ as the first example of nail art being displayed at the Museum of Modern Arts (designed by Bernadette Thompson).Since that time, the concept of ‘nail art’ started rising and became prominent as we know it today.
Logomania
Logomania refers to the printing of logos all-over a piece of clothing or accessory. Its origin is in Dapper Dan’s Harlem boutique in the 80s. He would take famous designers’ logos and customise leather jackets and more, using them in ways never thought of. He was forced to shut off his business in 1992, due to legal action from these brands. Three decades later, logomania is not only accepted, but also welcomed and labeled as innovative. In 2018, Gucci released a jacket that hinted too much at Dan’s work, without crediting him. After being attacked on social media and apologising to him, they started a collaboration that is still ongoing.
Bucket Hat
Originally designed as a tool to protect fishermen’s necks, the bucket hat has become a ladies’ accessory in the 60s, in a stiffer version and more elegant style. However it was the rapper Big Bank Hank who made it popular, by wearing it in a TV show in 1979, followed by Run DMC, LL Cool J and Jay Z. The bucket hat has made a strong comeback in 2020, and is now designed by all the haute couture brands, like Prada and Fendi.
Hoop Earrings
This form of jewelry dates back to the Nubia civilization, that lived in what now is Sudan, worn by Egyptian royalty as a fashion accessory. Hoop earrings are recognized as one of the symbols of Black and Latinx culture; they became popular thanks to Nina Simone and Angela Davies in the 60s. In those years, the black power movement was in its full bloom and black women of culture wore them to embrace an Afrocentric way of dressing. Ever since, this piece was adopted by other icons such as Madonna and Cher, and are now reinvented and reimagined by designers on the daily.
Sneakers
We have to thank the rap and hip-hop scene once again for this trend. Sneakers existed since the invention of rubber, but they were reserved for sports and had nothing to do with fashion. They started gaining widespread attention in the 80s, when rappers like Run-DMC and Grandmaster Flash wore them, existing as part of a sportswear-predicated aesthetic born out of black communities and artists, largely in east coast American cities.
This legacy continues even now, with many collaborations with rap stars like Jay-Z and Kanye West. The Black culture continues to contribute to industry trends in the Fashion world in this present age and would continue its impact in the next generation. Further promoting the historical and cultural importance of black culture and talent and its monumental influence in fashion today must be acknowledged.
No matter how big or small, your achievements are, they are impactful to your success and deserves to be acknowledged. Today is a time to celebrate yourself and enjoy how far you’ve come. All too often this side of review and self-evaluation gets missed. For every meaningful accomplishment in your life it is important to acknowledge those personal wins and take pride in those achievements. Success can come in many shapes and sizes, we just have a habit of not recognizing the smaller ones as such. To celebrate the end of 2021, we wanted to take a trip down memory lane and celebrate Chinakwe’s achievements…
PS: Notice we didn't say "Small" or "Big" Achievements; to us, we appreciate every achievement (big or small).
At the beginning of the year, Chinakwe held a bold 3-day event titled ‘Colourism: The truth about skin tone bias’ from the 29th to 31st July. Hosted at the lively and multicultural Brixton Village at the Brixton Studios, the event was described as an ‘amazing success’. We saw over 100 guests with VIP attendees such as broadcaster Brenda Emmanus (OBE), Simon Bartholomew, lead guitarist and founding member of The Brand New Heavies, and actor Charles Venn. All eager to experience the meaning of afro-luxe lifestyle, art and fashion through the eyes and mind of Caroline Chinakwe - Mother of three, fashion enthusiast and small business owner.
The exhibition offered an insight into her cleverly crafted work, inviting everyone to come along, and take a look at Chinakwe’s exotic patterns, fearless colours and creative take on cultural influences. Pieces were showcased from the “Colourism” and “This Is Me” collection, including a new edition to the Colourism collection, “Phenomenal Women.” Chinakwe’s classy, modern elegance was a learning experience for all.
Our first public exhibition and pop also bloomed conversations, about personal experiences on the topic 'Colourism' with a live talk that was hosted by Cyndi Handson. Bringing colour to this social issue the guest panellists featured; Caroline Chinakwe, Leigh Odimamah (UAL lecturer), Asiko (Artist and photographer) and Bebe Kiffin (Founder of apparel brand Black Love Love Black). Creating an unapologetic space for important discussions, in the design and wider community. Colourism: The truth about skin-tone bias, although unforgettable, this was the beginning of Chinakwe’s events and exhibitions.
Following the success of Chinakwe’s first pop up exhibition, we had the opportunity to participate in the newly reprised exhibition titled, Some of Us Are Brave, that was brought to Newham as part of their Black History Month celebrations in October. The exhibition showcased the work of nine contemporary artists variously expressing ideas that explore the feminine, form, and function in art created by black women. Seeing what it means to be a woman and an artist at this time by touching on themes ranging from ecology to sexuality, family and myth-making.
Caroline Chinakwe, was one of the exhibiting artists, alongside emerging artists; Sharon Adebisi, Helena Appio, Bokani, Simone Brewster, Hannah Uzor and Denise Williams. This event presented the chance to feel more involved in the Chinakwe experience filled with culture, colour, creativity and black excellence. In addition to displaying some of your favourite pieces by artist and designer Caroline Chinakwe such as; Unity, Spiritual, Natural, Let Go Colourism and I Can't Be Stung By You.
Link to watch the talk - https://youtu.be/kH78uHe8F6c
Some Of Us Are Brave - the exhibition - was intended to open conversations about how art can provoke, inspire and transform our thinking on a range of issues from artistic language to representation and climate emergency. Caroline Chinakwe was also in conversation with curator, Sukai Eccleston, discussing her new art collection “Colourism” and explaining why this is such a poignant and sensitive subject for Black women and people of colour. Caroline highlighted how she used her art to illuminate the nuances of deeply embedded discrimination, whilst reconstructing oppressive societal rhetorics. Not only did this talk disempower perceived hierarchy, but it cultivated appreciation and respect for individuality and the variation in our skin colour.
The conversation around this topic is far from over. Chinakwe hopes that we can open our ears and our eyes to these artworks, plant them in our minds and make them grow. Through Caroline’s practice, Chinakwe intends to eradicate the rotten roots of colourism and racism and allow a new flower of hope and equality to bloom.
The end of October saw Chinakwe take part in its first solo residency. To mark the celebration of The Curtain Club’s recent reopening at the new Mondrian hotel in Shoreditch, the club announced Caroline Chinakwe as their first artist in residence in collaboration with Gone Rogue. We had the amazing opportunity to exhibit Chinakwe’s, colourful, powerful and unapologetic visuals that capture the beauty found in black culture and style. A perfect experience to be The Curtain Club’s artist in residence and cultural events programme. The events vibe was truly electric, everyone that came, came with such good spirits and support. In the 8-week pop-up gallery, 22 pieces were featured including new works and pieces from Chinakwe’s “Colourism” (2021) and “This Is Me” (2020) collection. Working with a leading lifestyle brand such as The Mondrian hotel, provided a step in the right direction to showcase Chinakwe's beautiful and impactful selection of artwork that empower people of colour and address social issues that affect the community.
To round off the year, Chinakwe was part of the pop up shop with the group at Camden Black Creatives (CBC) @camdenblackcreatives . Founded by Caroline Chinakwe and a group of 3 women who embarked on a project to champion the representation of black artists, freelance and business. On Tuesday 19th of October, the doors to the pop up opened in the heart of Hampstead. The shop rebranded to ‘Omenka’ which is of Igbo origin and means "Craftsman or Technologist". The shop successfully brought diversity to Hampstead, presenting businesses, art, fashion and homeware products that reflected the diversity and creativity of Camden.
All the achievements we have listed could not have been possible without the love and support from all of our customers and followers at Chinakwe. We want to say a big thank you for allowing us to achieve some incredible milestones this year. Bring on 2022, who knows what the future has for us!
Self-love is the bridge between you and everything you want. So, let’s sit with ourselves in front of that mirror and say to our inner child:
“You are lovely, you are brave, you got this!”
The first thing we all should remember is that self-love starts with us. You are the master of your life. The power comes from within, just stop and look inside. You are sure you will find a wonderland within yourself. Self-love means accepting yourself as you are in this very moment for everything that you are, learning from your own stories, experiences, wins and falls. Believing in yourself self is a powerful form of motivation... if you don’t do it, who else will!?
It has become so easy to lose yourself and become overwhelmed in the daily routine of this modern era. Sometimes you just need to pause, take a moment to breath and reevaluate yourself . We all need to be kind to ourselves, take one step at a time and know that the only way out is through it. There is light is at the end of the tunnel. As said by J.K.Rowling:
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light”
Self-love can sometimes mean different things for each person because we all have many different ways to take care of ourselves. If we could choose only one person to lead us on this journey it would have to be the one and only Oprah Winfrey. We all know her name, we all love her and are inspired by the astronomical heights of success she has achieved through the sheer grit and strength of believing in herself. If you are looking for inspiration, you can find it with her. She is a symbol of the dreams that come true and she is proof that if you love yourself the world will love you too. So let’s take some time to dive into some of her top self-love tips:
1. Take care of yourself
Everything starts with a wish- if you dream it, you can achieve it. Believe in yourself, acknowledge your potential. The moment when you decide you can, in that very moment you will. Sometimes you need to save yourself first, then go save the world, making yourself the priority and do the things that you love and make you happy. Taking care of yourself starts with taking time for yourself. Deeply investing in your goals and thinking hard about what it is that you want to accomplish in your life and what you want to do more of. You need to take responsibility for your life as you are the captain of your ship and the only one that can make that journey remarkable.
2. Go within and connect
You are your best friend, please remember that! Sit down with yourself and talk, start a journal and dive deep within your soul. Why not take time to even meditate? Meditation is a symbol of eternity and serenity. We all need it in this fast-absorbing atmosphere to calm the mind and give us a better insight into our thoughts and feelings. Time is all we have, so use it wisely. Steal just 10 minutes of your day to switch the world around you off to be still, present and enjoy the silence.
3. Focus on what you are grateful for
Living your life with gratitude helps you notice the little wins. We all need to take time to savour, absorb, and really pay attention to the good things that are sometimes taken for granted. Be thankful by slowing down and focusing on all the great things in your life, all those laughs with family and friends and moments that make you happy. Each of these small things strings together to create a web of well-being that over time strengthens you as a person.
4. Keep your vibration high
Choose your tribe, surround yourself with like-minded people that inspire, motivates and believe in you, even when you do not. Everything is energy, so if you catch a good vibe cherish it. Cultivate high-vibe relationships by surrounding yourself with people who spread positive energy and lift you up, rather than drag you down. Taking this simple approach can have you vibrating at a higher level that makes you feel lighter, happier, and more at ease.
5. It begins and ends with you
Be the change you want to see in the world. The mind is a powerful weapon, so use it to create, achieve and become what you want to be. Your life is what you make it. You are the King or Queen of the castle, so make it colourful, make it big, make it your way. Life is like a race, so no matter where you start from, no matter your circumstance, challenges and failures, know that in the end, it all depends on you.
At the end of this journey of self-care and self-discovery, we need to remember to say to ourselves a few affirmations to start your day:
I am powerful beyond any measures.
Useful Links:
How to start journaling - https://www.deanbokhari.com/journaling-ideas/
Meditation for beginners - https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/
Checking in on your mental health - https://www.chestercountyhospital.org/news/health-eliving-blog/2021/may/how-to-check-in-on-your-mental-health
]]>- A Chinakwe Statement -
Colourism is a social issue we are passionate about addressing. We pride ourselves in appreciating black culture from head to toe. Adopting bold and vibrant colours, to illustrate the rich beauty in a range of black skin tones. Our products aim to represent the diversity in skin tones, with the intention of increasing the visibility and appreciation of black culture, beauty, and style to capture the advocating eye of a multicultural consumer.
Definition of Colourism:
Colourism is an extension of racism. It is a term used to describe the choice of favouring light skin tones and mistreatment or exclusion of those with a darker skin tone. This is a form of prejudice and discrimination which can commonly occur within the same ethnic and racial community. Examples of colourism can include perceiving someone with a darker skin tone as “unattractive” based on their complexion as well as assuming they are of a lower social status.
How does colourism influence different communities?
Colourism is a global issue, damaging the mental health of dark skin models and citizens within Black and Asian communities. Many experience cases of depression, anxiety, lowered self-worth and self-esteem because of this social issue. In countries such as India, skin lightening products such as Fair & Lovely, promote an unhealthy narrative of branding light skin tones more worthy than dark skin tones. There are still many products like this in the world that continue to show admiration of the Eurocentric beauty standards, attaching and pushing the agenda that femininity, vulnerability, beauty and high status is reserved for those of lighter skin.
Despite some companies discontinuing the sale of these products in light of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, many will just change their names to “glowing, radiant, bright” or present them as anti-aging products. Similar to Fair and Lovely which was rebranded to Glow & Lovely.This is still disappointing, as the company keeps the problem, which is the product itself.
The skin bleaching industry is worth a staggering $8.6billion which is very heartbreaking and concerning, despite the progress that has been made through social media to highlight race issues and promote the beauty in melanin through hashtags like #blackgirlmagic, #brownskingirl and #melaninpoppin. Black women and men continue to go through dangerous and life threatening lengths to change the colour of their skin with the use of illegal chemicals and creams, all to fit into the Western ideology of beauty.
Chinakwe challenges colourism, by using many dark skinned black models in drapes of colour to invite you to see the beauty in all skin tones. Modelling items on dark skin tones, pops fashion colours in their full bloom. Presenting a classy start in unpicking the threads of colourism that are woven in our multicultural society. Products such as our ‘Silk Printed Queen Chiffon Scarf’ and ‘Silk Printed Kimono With Success Art Print’ are modelled by dark skinned black female model Ajara Leigh. A symbol of crowning blackness, but also showing the uniqueness of black girl magic. These positive representations of black people are empowering. Chinakwe loves using powerful words such as ‘paradise’ and ‘success’, to recognise the worth of Chinakwe’s creations. Using words like Queen, promotes self love, which is a step towards acceptance.
The conversation around the topic is far from over, colourism is a social issue that exists in all communities. Here are some of Chinakwe top tips to fight against colourism:
Useful resources:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/colorism
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
]]>Welcome to the festive season of joy and Christmas lights. Another year has passed by and the magic of giving, loving and being together is here again. Christmas is a time for being kinder and supportive, letting our hearts dare to dream and believe in the magic of the Christmas spirit. A season that is all about being a better version of yourself, believing in a brighter tomorrow and experiencing moments filled with festivity and happiness.
Life has changed over the past two years and we are now living in such unprecedented times, which we call all agree sharing and caring has been made more relevant than ever before. Giving is something that does not necessarily have to be related to giving or receiving material possessions, sometimes the real mystery and charm is hidden in the small details of giving from the heart. To help inspire you, here is a list of some great ideas for Christmas gifts that will cost you nothing:
1. Listen and support a loved one
Sometimes to be heard and understood is the most precious gift of caring and sharing. When that person only wishes to share their story with you, express their desires, dreams or sorrow, you being there for them, fully present and ready to listen makes a wonderful gift. We all need a sparkling moment or two in our lives from time to time. To lift each other up by showing support and encouragement when it’s dark, is a gift this is one of a kind.
2. Raise your hand to help
Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help or even know who to ask, so letting someone know you are there can mean a lot. It lets the other person know how important they are to you and that you truly care about them.
3. Writing something meaningful
It could be a letter, poem or just simply expressing your feelings on a piece of paper. Some people are gifted with the ability to create magic with words, so why not use this gift and share it with others? Back in the good old days we wrote love letters and posted homemade Christmas cards, who said that wonderful tradition has to stop. Writing can create a genuine opportunity to connect with one another so don’t hesitate to write a row or few to someone!
4. Donating to a charity
I'm sure we all have some pieces of clothing that we no longer use, so why not donate it to someone that may need it. It doesn't matter how big or small, whatever you decide to give will make a difference in someone's life.
5. The gift of time
Nothing can beat quality time with a loved one. Over the past two years, we've all learned just how important it is to spend time with the people you really love and care about. The gift of committing quality time to talk, listen and just be together is so special and should be cherished.
We hope these gift ideas that will cost you nothing motivate you to think outside the box. It really is the most wonderful time of the year – Christmas spirit, mulled wine, love, family and friends uniting the world in joy and harmony. Remember some of the greatest gifts don't have to cost a thing, it could be a smile, hug, love, kiss, support and thank you to our dears and nears or to a stranger. The list is endless, all you have to do is put your mind to it!
From all of us at the Chinakwe Team…
]]>Thank you for taking a moment and looking at the brand new CHINAKWE blog. We are excited to launch a new side of the brand called “Chinakwe Chats”. Our blog will be a space of discovery, information and debates. Here we will bring you things that we at Chinakwe love. This will include following us and other startups on our business journey. Discover new trends with us, find out about brands we’re collaborating with or would love to collaborate with. We will also keep you posted, of course, on all things Chinakwe, from our upcoming events to new collections dropping. On this blog we want to share our passion for the world of art, fashion and lifestyle, taking a look at what we currently love and inspires us. To start the journey of “Chinakwe Chats” we wanted to launch with the beginning of CHINAKWE.
“I create art that will challenge the mainstream, igniting an understanding and appreciation for black culture, style and beauty. As equal to the western ideology of beauty, and to help forge a stronger pan-continent relationship between fashion and art”.
CHINAKWE is a brand formed by artist and designer Caroline Chinakwe, originating from her desire to blend her biggest passion – art with her first love, fashion.
After graduating from London College of Fashion and working in the industry for 20 years a change was needed. Caroline felt the urge to challenge the ideals of beauty and womanhood she lived side by side with during her career, and at the same time express what real beauty is for her.
Appalled by the white beauty and rigid stereotypes experienced whilst working as a stylist and designer, she was disheartened by the way black models are treated and the boxes they’re put in. Caroline understood she had to take action first to spark a change. The idea for a more colourful and transparent future came alive in the form of the brand CHINAKWE.
Caroline didn’t want her art to be purely self-expression, but an inspiration for the present and future generations to realise that change is possible. To see change occur we first should be the change we want to see.
As a self-taught artist, she started putting together her art pieces using a combination of various artistic mediums including photography, acrylic painted details and digital collaging.
In 2019, Caroline started sharing her artworks on social media and the overwhelming response inspired her to launch her first collection “This Is Me” in 2020. The brand CHINAKWE was officially born. A brand with a story and message. The artist poured her heart into this collection, all her resentment and frustration towards the industry that homed her for years. The way black models were treated, either as a token for contrast or forced to look like white models, felt stifling and disrespectful.
Through this collection, the mission of CHINAKWE became clear: promote the positive representation of a spectrum of melanated individuals. Each new piece aims to empower, awaken your thoughts, inspire and fall in love with the vibrant and colourful rebellion against what someone else decided is “the norm”.
In the second collection “Colourism”, the mission was particularly present and ignited by the very painful subject matter. This phenomenon is the discrimination of people belonging to the same ethnic group because of their darker (or lighter) skin tone. It is a more damaging form of racism as it happens inside the community you should feel safe in. Caroline has touched on experiencing this differential treatment for being a lighter shade of black as a child when her mother would refer to her as the “light-skinned child” compared to her sister. As an artist, she felt inspired and a sense of responsibility to produce work that highlighted race, colour and acceptance.
Following the success of her art series, Caroline found there was a lack of products that embody African culture and history in a cool, classy, yet bold way, interlinked with Western-style. This pushed CHINAKWE to not solely be an art brand, but an Afro-Lux advocate. The launch of our first homeware and fashion collection in April featured luxury soft furnishings, reupholstered vintage chairs, silk scarves and loungewear with prints from the ““Colourism” collection. CHINAKWE wants to allow a strong and revolutionary message to softly enter everyday life until skin colour won’t need to be mentioned anymore. We will all be regarded as we are - people.
Are you ready to be part of the change?
Useful Links:
Read more about Caroline Chinakwe:
https://chinakwe.com/pages/the-artist
https://chinakwe.com/blogs/chinakwe-lifestyle-blog/conversation-with-caroline
Nothing rings truer than the love of self. With all that is happening and has happened around the world over the past 2 years and as we approach our 3rd year of a new normal, loving yourself has never seemed more important. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and we sometimes look externally to find love. For some men and women, the thought of not having that special someone to share that day of love with will fill you with dread. That lonely feeling of truly being alone, not being wanted or loved by that special somebody. Hoping to at least receive a text message from that mysterious person that has secretly had a crush on you and waiting till this day to let you know just how they feel…but nothing comes. So how does that make you feel?
Less loved?
Less wanted?
Less valued?
Less appreciated?
Less liked?
Less important?
For me, the love of self is the love of me. At a very young age, I was lucky enough to understand the importance of loving myself. I knew I wanted to like the person I saw in the mirror every day and to do that, I started working on the things I didn’t like about myself. This love of self grew with confidence and self-assurance and the belief that I was good enough for anything.
This love of self carried me through everything I did and do in life and was my support during the hard times when I lacked confidence and didn’t feel so self-assured.
The love of self helped me through relationships and self-doubt.
The love of self meant I knew my value and worth as a black female living in a white country.
The love of self-taught me that I had what it took to succeed in whatever I wanted to do.
The love of self gave me the strength to forgive and not to hold on to things.
The love of self reminded me that I was my own competition, I set my own standard of greatness.
The love of self reminded me that I was good enough and would always be good enough.
The love of self takes us to ‘The Love of Me’ and the launch of my new series of affordable artwork that is a continuation from the ‘Colourism’ series. This mini collection will include 3 variants, over 2 colourways.
‘The Love Of Me’ is a reminder that we have everything we need in us to feel loved, special, wanted, needed, perfect, valued and appreciated.
Click here to shop the new Love Of Me Art Series!
Useful Links:
Read more about Caroline Chinakwe:
https://chinakwe.com/pages/the-artist
https://chinakwe.com/blogs/chinakwe-lifestyle-blog/conversation-with-caroline
]]>The season of love is has ended but as the great preacher of love that I am, it is only right that I come to you with tips to pamper yourself as we make our way into a new month. Self-love exists and as many of us have come to learn over the years, it is the pillar of every other kind of love and today I would like us to do more things to embrace or pamper ourselves more. I have curated a list of activities that have kept me going all through my adult years. Who made the rule that love should only be limited to romantic love, we also deserve to take time and love ourselves.
Sit back and relax as we go through 4 Things You Can Do To Pamper Yourself!
1. Sleep
I bet you didn’t see this coming, most especially in a world where we are programmed to keep going, we feel the need to keep busy or engaged. But I am here to tell you that you mustn’t. This first tip is for you to kick back and get some much-needed rest. For one, did you know that sleeping improves our decision-making and creativity skills? So go lay in your bed, shut your eyes and get some sleep.
Shopping is one of my top five favourite activities to do because having new things gives me such happiness and I would like you to join me in doing so. The first step is going into your screenshot album and picking out your favourite item, or maybe you have some things in your shopping cart, why not go there and check out those items because you deserve pampering.
You should take a look at our new art collection “The Love of me”, we have the perfect art pieces centred around self-love.
What better way to start the week than with self-care? Self-care for many people means a lot of things but for the purpose of this post and staying on theme, we would be narrowing it down to just enjoyment/feeling pampered. For me, self-care means working out for an hour then taking a long shower that includes body scrubs, face wash and doing my skincare while listening to music. So what makes you feel the most relaxed or loved? This is the time to do just that. You could decide on watching a show with candles lit while munching on your favourite pizza as long as you are taking care of yourself by engaging in an activity that makes you feel pampered.
Pro Tip: Remember to take your time with everything, cream your body longer and tenderly, feel the fabric of your nightie, tie your scarf slowly and just enjoy every moment of your life.
I hope you take inspiration from this post as I will be doing at least three of the things stated here because every day is for pampering one’s self. Love yourself enough first before seeking it from outside. I've been listening to this album by Alessia Cara “In The Meantime”, it makes me relax and have the most fun by myself. Take a listen: https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-the-meantime/1586230323
Make sure you relax and enjoy yourself!
]]>So, I know that moving on with your life after you’ve been cheated on and betrayed can feel like an impossible task ― especially around the holidays and Valentine’s Day but in this article we have a few tips to share that I think can help you pull through.
The usual reaction to emotional betrayal is usually self-blame and self-loathe as you tend to blame yourself for someone else’s actions and poor choices which are in no way related to you. Other times you think about what you could have done better or less, who you should have spoken to or steps that you should or shouldn't have taken.
When reading this article, remember it is not your fault that someone you trusted and gave yourself to broke your trust. It is not your fault that they make poor choices or do not value what they shared with you. Now that you know this, I will request that you say these words out loud before we continue - “It is NOT my fault” . Say these words until you believe it. This is the first step to your healing.
Accept that the relationship is over
Accept this and commit to it. No one goes forward by looking backwards. It's okay to miss this person but you need to move on and that means figuring out the logistics of coming to terms with the finality of your decision. This includes moving out or finding alternative arrangements if you were living together or blocking this person on social media, so you stop seeing or running into them. This will help you build some emotional stamina.
Get The Closure You Need
Getting closure is relative.
While closure looks different for everyone, it is important to realize that getting closure might have to come from within. Trying to hunt down the truth is how we try to gain back control, reassurance, sanity, and even closure. A crucial part of gaining this perspective is also a part that often gets neglected, that is demanding honesty not only from your partner but especially from yourself.
Instead of investing all your investigative fury into the person who has cheated, you have to seek clarity within yourself.
Time is a healer
The mourning period varies from person to person and depending on things such as the length of the relationship and the details of the infidelity it can take anywhere from 1 month to as long as you decide to wallow. Yes, you heard me- wallow.
You need to realise that regardless of everything you shared with this person, they are not worth one more second of your time. So, ideally, over time, the pain will subside, and you will be able to forgive your ex — even if not completely, you need to let yourself move on.
Commit to not looking at old photos, letters, texts or even listening to songs that remind you of of them for one month. Instead of looking at old pictures, why not visit our new art collection titled “The Love Of Me“ that can be a visual representation of where you want to be and will serve as a constant reminder of your need to move on.
Once you start to notice you’re feeling better, you may feel tempted to check in on your ex but try to resist the urge. Remember, things happened the way they happened and no amount of shoulda, coulda, woulda can change that.
Although I can’t promise that you will ultimately be able to completely forget what they did, no matter how upset you feel in this moment, you can experience love again. Don’t let the decisions of one person stand in the way of you opening your heart to someone else in the future.
I would recommend you visit Chinakwe.com and buy art pieces from the “The Love Of Me" collection that you can hang to remind yourself of the kind of partner you should have. One who is the opposite of everything that represents where you're coming from. There's the possibility of even creating a registry this valentine's season so your friends and family can send you meaningful gifts that remind you of the goal and help you move on.
Learn and Let Go
If you’ve spent some time doing all the above, you’ll hopefully feel a little better and have a renewed sense of hope and perspective. You might even be ready to embrace this new chapter. Think about all the things you want to do and achieve. Consider how you can use this experience as a way to move forward. What new habits would you like to introduce into your life, what kind of experiences do you want to have, what kinds of people would you like to meet?
It’s still going to be tough, for a while, but that’s okay. Betrayal is a crippling thing to go through but it’s also an amazing trigger for unleashing raw emotion and creativity that can be channelled in a positive way. Try your very best to let go of any anger, as it only makes you cling on tighter to that painful emotion. Forgiveness really is the key to moving on.
There’s no quick fix, but the more you start to gently push yourself in new directions every day, the more clarity you will start to get on the situation.
I don’t think there can be any definitive conclusion on how to cope with the pain you feel but know that with every small step you take forwards, it won’t be quite so painful.
Useful Links:
Read more about the new art series 'The Love of Me' - https://chinakwe.com/blogs/chinakwe-blog/chinakwe-chats
Read our other Valentine's Day Inspired posts:
]]>The ultimate expression of Love is giving. This is the utmost expression of how at peace you are with sharing your time, resources and body with your significant other. I mean finding someone with whom you can utmostly feel this sense of peace with is pure bliss.
This is probably why Valentine’s Day culture is widespread and the most celebrated holiday after Christmas because at least on this day you get to give and receive those words, feel those emotions and just be in that state of pure bliss. Truth is the people who get on this rollercoaster are primarily the “coupled up”. Single people usually feel left out on Valentine’s Day celebrations but that’s just for another day. Today, I just want to recommend gifts for your significant other that say “I love you and you mean the world to me”.
Are you ready?
Let’s go!
Chocolates
As tradition demands, chocolates better not be left out of your list of gifts. As cliché as it might sound, I confirm that for the ladies, chocolate is an easy path to melting the heart. So a box of love shaped chocolates in the company of sweet words and a dinner invitation is a perfect way to say “I love you” this season. The heart shaped box of chocolates is still one of the most popular Valentine’s gift to this day..
Have you considered personalised gifts as a good fit for Valentine’s Day?
Personalised gifts create the atmosphere for your lover to feel heard, seen, and most importantly loved. This can include cards, Homeware, Fashion pieces, or even Art. A good example of everything listed can be found on our website chinakwe.com. With all of our product we can also offer a bespoke service, allowing you to customise each piece to meet your specific needs.
An Expensive Dinner
Expensive is relative in this case. Nigerians will say “ no go do pass yourself” which means staying within your means. Expensive does not mean breaking the bank but doing something out of the norm is not a bad idea. It could be a candlelit dinner at home or at a romantic restaurant out of town, or something as simple as a picnic at the beach. You cannot go wrong with Food.
Art Pieces Say I love you too
Art enthusiasts and collectors will appreciate statement pieces with underlying messages and voices. If your lover is an art enthusiast, he/she will feel your affection when you gift them a piece from Caroline Chinakwe’s new art collection “The Love of me”. This series is centred around self-love. I could give you all the details about why I’m confident your partner will hear you loud and clear if you gift them any of these pieces but you will need to see for yourself to experience this collection and order a piece for you and your partner. It will look good on your wall and through her eyes.
It is the perfect gift to your lover, letting them know that you see their steps towards self-development, self-love and self-improvement, showing that you deeply appreciate them and all the effort they are making to become a better person for themselves and for you.
Clothing
You can never go wrong with this. So long as you know their style and stick to it consider your message delivered. If you want to deliver some cultural fashion pieces, explore Chinakwe's choice of fashion pieces that represent the black culture and vibrant style in a cool, classic, and simultaneously bold way. Everybody loves new clothes and giving clothes express your feelings if you do it right.
Gifting your significant other anyone one of Chinakwe Caroline’s art pieces or expressing your love via her contemporary fashion items or bespoke gifts will be sure will leave a mark on the heart of your lover and say “I love you” even better than your lips.
Happy Valentine’s Day, have fun, live, love and be loved in return.
Cheers
P.S
I want to hear all about your Valentine’s Day gifting experience in the comments. Did you take my advice? How did it go? Give me the tea 😉
Useful Links:
Read more about the new art series 'The Love of Me' - https://chinakwe.com/blogs/chinakwe-blog/chinakwe-chats
Read more about Caroline Chinakwe:
https://chinakwe.com/pages/the-artist
https://chinakwe.com/blogs/chinakwe-lifestyle-blog/conversation-with-caroline
]]>Valentine’s Day is known as one of the most celebrated yet expensive holidays of the year and as much as we all love love, sometimes, loving on a budget is best for all parties. This is for couples who want to spend time together but don’t know what activities to do that wouldn’t cut deep into their pockets.
Are you an older couple looking to reignite your spark or this is your first valentine’s day celebration with your loved one, then I assure you that you can always have a special day no matter what your money restraints are.
Budget-friendly ideas for Valentine’s day are simply well-thought ideas or places you could visit with your loved one to maximise fun while also learning something new about each other.
1. Go For Brunch
Evening date nights are so played out and one way to revolt against that is by going out for brunch(especially because the menu is usually more affordable). Put on your best brunch outfit, wear your sunscreen and hit the road. My favourite brunch place in Lagos, Nigeria is SideBarbyMiskay because their menu is so wide that it covers some evening dishes too. Here are some brunch places to visit according to Vogue
2. Picnic
Picnic dates are probably the cutest date idea ever because of how intimate it is and the best part is it could be done either during the day or night. Do you have a balcony at home? Then even better, you could set up some snacks, candles, burn incense and make cocktails. But if there is no balcony, then find the nearest garden or park close to you and just go. Don’t forget to take some pictures!
3. Take a Lesson Together
One of my favourite things to do with my partner is learning a skill and since it is valentine’s day, there will be so many classes available at discounted prices for couples. So why not take a lesson with your loved one? Try a cooking class, painting, pottery or even dance lessons. Just make sure that you are both having fun, being open-minded and enjoying each other while at it.
4. Visit the Theatre
For a landmark made available in most countries, it is funny how many people who do not know about the theatre talk more about visiting it. Theatres are known for displaying the cultures of a given society through art, drama, music, film and others. Visiting the theatre with your loved one on valentine’s day is one way to spend your day. Go for a friendly tour, look at art and engage in whatever activity may be happening on that day
5. Attend a Comedy Show
What other way to enjoy each other's company to the fullest than sharing a laugh together? Find a local comedy show to attend and go laugh your asses off. Buy a few cocktails and enjoy the night.
6. Go To A Theme Park
Going to a park is a great way to let loose and even plus, it could be a group activity with the rest of your family. So put together a list of rides you would like to get on and just do it. Here are some UK Theme Parks you should check out according to Timeout
7. Dinner With Another Couple
My mum used to say that being friends with another couple that share similar values with you is great for every relationship. So who are your couple friends(you may want to run this by your partner), then you all go out for dinner? Going out as a group will help you guys save a little on expense and also have a wide range of conversational topics at the table.
There you have it, 8 cool budget-friendly valentine’s day ideas for you and your loved one. We hope that your home is filled with love as you try out these spots and ideas.
Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day and make sure you have fun!
]]>“I have a dream that we will all be judged by the content of our character and not the colour of our skin.”
An excerpt from the famous I have a dream speech by the founding father of the modern-day black civil rights movement, Martin Luther King. A statement that not only permeated through the hearts of everyone that stood at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28th 1963. It has now become an ethical standard through which we can benchmark values and trends in our world today. Looking at how far we have come as black people, one question worth asking is: Are we living the dream or are we yet to wake from the horrors of our forefathers?
Black emancipation is a never-ending journey. In the words of popular Black-American activist and writer, Langston Hughes;
"Hold fast to the dream for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."
To remain in this consciousness, we need to constantly remind ourselves of the goal no matter how grey our area seems to appear. For us as black people, our goals should lie within this benchmark: Content of character.
A New Decade Of Emancipation
This decade has further instilled into our subconscious the need to fan the flame of civil rights across every societal quarter. Key movements such as Black Lives Matter and numerous other niche movements have gained the ascendancy it needs and the support it requires. Achieving the goal of emancipation requires the collaborative efforts of all people and all generations, from the likes of Malcolm X, Ella Baker, Martin Luther King Jnr and you inclusive. Yes, you reading this article. This is because while these names are from our past generations, we need to examine who today’s voices are and how they reflect the values of these activists.
While the past is characterized by public speeches, activism today is characterized by social media and art. Beyond the fact that most activists are people of past generations, the truth remains that several other names come to mind when looking at iconic figures in today’s civil rights movement (not just as a result of the death of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin and Breonna Taylor).
First on the list are the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement: Ayọ (fka Opal) Tometi, Alicia Garza, and Patrisse Cullors. Upon the incessant killing of black people in recent times, these activists organized rallies in and around the United States where this issue is rampant. They pulled crowds across the world and made structural moves to demand justice for the killings done by white supremacists. The group has grown to become the global voice for the black civil rights movement with the #blacklivesmatter hashtag which also lead to the renaming of the plaza just around the White House to The Black Lives Matter Plaza.
Before the advent of this movement, these women have long been involved in civil rights. Opal Tometi was once involved in reuniting families after the Haitian Earthquake. Alicia Garza brought equity for domestic partnerships across the United States as well as soliciting for the inclusion of the queers. Lastly, Patrisse Cullors has always been a prison abolitionist. Collectively these three women have established a political intervention to prevent the deadly oppression of black people.
Another set of iconic figures worth mentioning is James Bucker and Van Jones, founders of the online activism platform Color of Change. They have been able to build their online resource to the toll of 7 million active users who share, inquire, and discuss topics surrounding racial justice. They birthed this concept after the 2005 Hurricane Katrina with the aim to impact politics, corporate practice, media, and policy at all levels. Today they seem to be living their goals as they have successfully influenced various movements through their Art. For instance, they were able to get companies such as PayPal and American Express to cut off payments to white supremacist groups.
On this list is artist Caroline Chi Chi Chinakwe, whose art series on colourism amongst black people is bringing physical and mental emancipation to black women who either suffer from or benefit from colourism as a social ill. She is using her platform and creativity to bring awareness to the subject and the effects it still has on black women. These series are found at https://chinakwe.com/.
It's important to note that racism manifests itself in different subtle ways and as a result, these various approaches to tackling it are ingenious, unconventional, and deliberate methods guaranteed to work. Activism and the civil rights movement have gone beyond those rousing speeches in public places and the use of non-violent resistance. It has grown to embody solution-based concepts like art, photography, and media. In truth, several of these battles have been won over the years as we have had more black and female representation than in previous years (adding Barrack Obama as President of the United States and Kamala Harris as the first Black and female Vice president of the United States as one of those milestones).
However, a deeper look into the social scheme of things tells us that there is still a lot to be done to tackle the challenges that remain prevalent.To achieve this, we need a more tactical approach that requires our grit, discipline, and passion.
By extension, this requires input from everyone because we are all leaders in our rights and merits. Start shining the light from where you are with what you have. Are you an artist, photographer, writer, spoken word artist or entertainer? This is the call to speak your truth. Learn from Caroline and other artists who are shining the light on their platforms and through their art. Martin Luther might be dead, but he shines through you and I.
I will end with these words from Franklin Thomas;
“One day, our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.” Franklin Thomas.
To read more about Martin Luther King Day visit https://nationaltoday.com/martin-luther-king-jr-day/
]]>
Have you ever felt the dread of going to the salon to get your hair done? Not because you don’t have the time, money or even know the best hairstylist in town, but because you just don’t want to hear someone whining about how hard your hair is to manage. As much as I find comfort in knowing that there are black women reading this post and understand exactly the feeling I am describing, it breaks my heart.
It breaks my heart that I was made to feel like my hair was too ‘hard’ to maintain at such an early age, that it put fear in my heart when wanting to visit the salon or even let my hair loose publicly. But today, I am glad to be writing this because knowing the reasons, history and power behind our hair is exactly why black hair is more than just hair!
As black women, society tries to control our voices, spaces, beauty, feelings, power and even our hair and this practice goes as far back to the 80s with the tignon law. The Tignon Law was stipulated in 1786, preventing black women from wearing their natural hair in public spaces. The name ‘tignon’ itself is a piece of cloth worn as a turban or headdress by Creole women of colour in Louisiana after the law was passed by Governor Esteban Rodriguez Miró. This law amongst many others were passed with the intent of subjecting free black women to white subordination and inferiority.
Black hair is more than just hair for many reasons but first we all need to say remind ourself that your hair belongs to you and you should carry it on your head with pride as it making you a part of the history, culture and love of many black women before you. Here are a few more reasons why black hair is more than just hair:
Black Hair Is Your Identity
If there is one thing I love about black women, it is how seriously we take care ofour hair. We know the right products to buy and use for each style, we know the kind of materials to lay our heads on and so many other practices. This is because our hair is our identity and it isn't just recognised by us. During the slave trade, black women were forced to shave their heads as a way to weaken and dehumanise them. This was intended to eradicate black women’s identity and culture.
Cultural Representation
So many things tell us about a person’s background and hair is such a great way to distinguish people of many races. One of the reasons the tignon law was passed in the 80s was because black women styled their hair so elegantly and with jewels that their white counterparts feared that they received more attention than them. Black hairstyles tell a story about people, where they’re from, wealth, their tribe, age and family roots. In the 15th century, different tribes had their unique hairstyles and you could tell where a person was from just by looking at their hair. Cultural representation through black hair has evolved through braids, a popular example being: Ghana braids which date back to 500 BCE, was a way in which enslaved Africans expressed their identity.
A Call For Freedom
One of the reasons black hair has a social significance is because of the major part it played in leading slaves to freedom. Hairstyles such as cornrows were used as a means of communicating escape routes to slaves to leave the homes of their captors.
The Pencil Test
As Between 1948 to 1994, the pencil test was a segregation tactic used in determining one’s racial identity or whether a person has afro-textured hair. This was done by putting pencils in people’s hair. If the pencil fell out, you were white and if it stayed, you were black. As a result, black people were excluded from churches, parties, schools and other social functions.
It is also not news that black hair is also shamed within our own community with the usage of words like ‘too thick, nappy, hard’ and the encouragement of relaxing it for better texture. These are passive ways white supremacists beliefs on our culture and hair continue to be perpetuated. We must first understand the history behind black hair and the impact it has had on society for us to start loving it.
You can also find a few art pieces that showcase beautiful black hair from the latest collection at Chinakwe titled: Colourism (2020) such a Natural and Unity.
I hope that reading this has given you that much-needed nudge to walk into that salon without dread and make whatever hairstyle you so desire because your black hair is more than just hair.
Useful Links:
Read more on the Tignon Law here: Amplify Africa
Inspiration for black hairstyles: AllThingsHair
Ideas for Ghana Braids: Cosmopolitan
Read more about Black hair, tips, tricks and style inspiration: Essence
]]>If you said the word manifestation and Caroline to my friends, they would probably role their eyes because that’s all I spoke about in 2020 and 2021…Now, I wouldn’t call myself a spiritual guru or the know it all of manifestation, but it is something that I’ve been putting into practice on and off most of my life and have seen and experienced first-hand how when I truly believe in something, I can make it a reality. The only problem I faced was that I wasn’t quite used to putting it into practice every day, most days when I would find myself needing it I wouldn’t even remember it was there and I had it in me.
In 2019 when I transitioned from being a full-time fashion designer/stylist to being a full-time artist, I went through major depression. It was a year filled with uncertainty and doubts about my future as an artist. With zero knowledge and experience as a self-taught artist in the art world, I constantly asked myself, what the hell was I doing? I was a single parent with 3 children and already self-employed, on the constant hustle for work and very little savings and here I was leaving one unstable career for an even more uncertain career, seriously? “What was I thinking!?” I can honestly say the first 9 months of 2019 were probably one of the worst years of my life. What got me through it was that I knew it would be like this. I’m not going to go too deep into my state of mind during my dark days, but let’s just say it wasn’t good...
Once I decided in January 2019 to take that leap of faith and jump right into this new world of art, I knew I needed more than faith to see me through. I expected extremely hard and dark days ahead. I knew I would be tested more than I had ever been in my life and I would have many days of wanting to run back to what I knew and felt safe doing. But, I also knew that I was no longer happy being safe and for a long time I stopped liking what I had been doing for over 20 years. It was a career that I couldn’t see going anywhere and if I didn’t make the change now, I might miss my only chance and then what?...
So what was that extra thing I needed more than faith in myself? It was this extra power and true belief that I could actually make it work. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I knew I could and the belief I had would definitely get me through to the other side and keep me going.
Manifesting is nothing new, people have been practising this, probably since the beginning of time. Now I’m not going to give you the history of manifestation, laws of attraction and the secret 🤫. I’m sure you can research this and find out valuable information about it better than anything I could have told you. But, what I can give you if you’re someone that dreams of change and is unsure of how to make this change your reality is how I successfully manifested my change. So, here are my 5 personal steps to manifesting your goals.
I started this manifestation journey by stating my intentions. What do I want? I would be clear and direct. Say it out loud, write it down, share my intentions with my friends, that way you’re putting it out there for all to hear. Don’t worry if people look at you like you’re crazy and don’t believe you, that’s their problem, not yours. This is your goal and you only have to look around you and see people living their dreams. This leads me to…
BELIEVE. No not believe, but BELIEVE! You really have to believe that you can get this, you can do this, you can be this and you can make it happen. You have to believe without doubt or question. Believe like you own it. Like you’re just collecting what is already yours. Visualise you having that thing, see yourself in that position when you’ve got it, feel it and then…
Just let it go. Now you’ve put it out there and you believe, just wait for it to arrive like your Amazon order, sure that it will arrive and just wait for it to come. This is when you need…
Patience. Don’t expect it to happen as soon as you ask for it. You have to trust that the universe knows when the time is right for you to receive it. While you’re waiting for one to arrive, put out another one and another. Sometimes number 5 comes before number 1 and sometimes number 1 comes before you’ve even had the chance to really put it out there. Just be patient and keep doing what you’re doing and it will come to you when you need it and when it’s the right time.
Finally when you do get what you want, be grateful and appreciative. Sometimes you get less than you wanted and sometimes you get more than you expected, but the universe loves nothing more than your appreciation for the little things as well as the big things.
You’re probably thinking, I’ve done that so many times and it’s not working for me. Like everything, you have to train your power of manifestation. Start with small things and as you start seeing results, your belief will grow and so will your confidence and power to make more things happen. I’ve honestly lost count of the amount of things I have manifested this last 3 years, from manifesting my way out of depression when I first left fashion, starting my business with 0 savings, getting my first studio and managing to negotiate 90% off the rent, employing 2 full-time staff and having a Popup shop in Hampstead and many more in between. I’m not even close to where I want my business to be or where I want to be in life, but what I am sure of is that I have the ability to make it happen
So let’s put away our New Years resolution failures and find a new way to achieve our goals. 2022 has already started well for me and I intend to keep it that way.
Last thing… you’re also probably wondering how come I haven’t manifested a huge lottery win. Trust me, this is something I’ve been working on and also can’t believe it hasn’t happened yet. Like seriously, what the hell? But I know it will happen when it’s meant to and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t, then that wasn’t meant for me. It doesn’t take away from all the other amazing things I’ve made happen, I just know what is meant for me will come to me.
I would love to hear how you make things happen for you. We all have stories to share that could help others, so share yours. Or if you have a question I can help answer, then please ask.
Happy Manifesting! 🤗
Useful links to read more on manifestation:
https://www.instyle.com/lifestyle/how-to-manifest
https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a38802302/how-to-manifest/
]]>
Now that Christmas is over, January is looked at as the next best thing. For many of us, it is a fresh start, a do-over or even a time to revisit failed resolutions from the previous year by thinking- What did I do wrong? And how can I get better?
In some African homes, yearly resolutions come from what others tell you about yourself and what they will like changed. For instance; growing up, my mum made my siblings and I write down our new year resolutions. It was such a big deal that she would gather us in the parlor and make us do it as she watched(mostly because she wanted us to do more dishes) but you know, just hovering around. As a result, I never really liked the experience and that spilled into not liking writing down my new year resolutions as I got older. However, I find that over the years I have had a few new years resolutions without even trying. For instance, one of my resolutions this year is to take care of myself first before doing so for others and it is quite funny to me as I never recognised that putting these thoughts in my head and out to the world is my version of having a new year resolution. Only difference is, I haven’t written any of it down.
On the other hand, some millennials practice a form of resolution called manifestation. Manifestation is a form of attracting something tangible into your life through positive thoughts and sometimes chants… I’m told it works like magic. So when you hear someone mumbeling “I am kind and well-deserving of everything good in 2022” under their breath, you know what it is about. With many practices of seeing January as a new beginning, it begs me to question, are new year resolutions still a thing? Or are they old traditions that have been killed because we were forced to practice them or maybe we just grew up? From my experience and others around me, I believe that new year resolutions are still alive and well. And of course they continue to take different forms and names, it is important that we recognise what they are in order to walk the course and stay productive.
New year resolutions are thoughts, wishes and visions you have for yourself. They are simply changes you want to see within yourself at the end of a certain year…but then how do we stay in check with all of these wishes? How do we make sure we stay productive in 2022 and not fail at it? Here are a few tips to staying productive that we are adopting at Chinakwe and we hope you do so too:
1. Be Real With Yourself
As good as it sounds to have big words on paper, are these things really aligned with who you are as a person? Being real with yourself in your 2022 new year resolution requires only knowing who you are and not being ashamed or afraid of it. For instance; I have identified that I need to be kinder to people so one of my new year resolutions is ‘be kind’. So knowing who you are makes your target easier to achieve.
2. Write It Down
My literature teacher in high school would always say “a short hand is better than good memory”. It is always good to feel so pumped each till we cross over to a new year, we get filled with dreams and hope of all the good things we are about to achieve but realistically we lose our way in the third month. But do you know one sure way to always remember what you want for yourself? That’s right, writing it down. You could never go wrong with a pen and paper, they are always a reminder of where we used to be. Okay now, I know some of you may be thinking, I don’t want to have papers laying around but you could do so in a notepad or even by using one on your phone(title it: GOLD’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTION 2022) and pin it to the top, that way you will always see it.
3. Have A Vision Board
Vision boards are always fun to create so why not right? Remember the qualities you envisioned yourself having at the end of the year? How about putting some images on it to help you visualize what that life looks like.
4. Timing
Now whilst I acknowledge that we have talked about looking back at the end of the year to know how far you’ve come, I think it is best to work with a time that best suits you. For me, I always do a quarterly check on my progress so for your year to be more productive how about trying checking in with yourself every week or month.
5. Track Your Progress
I learnt a habit from my partner last year and it is writing down high moments in my life on a monthly basis. It is so easy to stay focused on achieving your goals that you miss out on the other wins you have gotten. So why don’t you pull out that same note pad and create a space to track your wins and progress. Always take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come and it’s going to fuel your journey
6. Manifest That Life
I’m not sure how you may have lived your life till now but since we are on the topic of being productive and having resolutions, how about you try some positive manifestations. First, you have to believe that the life you want is yours and then start saying it to yourself…because once you believe it every other thing starts falling in place.
Quote of the day“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.- Malala Yousafzai -
For an exercise, I would like you to think about two things you would love to achieve in 2022. Now think about the qualities of the person you see having these things. Are they flamboyant? Do they read novels, poems or watch documentaries?Are they kind and helpful? Write them all down and finally, what qualities or skills do you need to adopt in order to be exactly this person you just described. And that is it, you have your new year resolution.
We hope you enjoyed this post and found these tips helpful. Here’s to wishing you a year full of fun and achievements. Cheers to 2022.
Useful Links:
How to make a vision board - https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-make-a-vision-board
]]>Aside from Stork’s amazing menu, what stood out for us is their appreciation for art. Chinakwe has had the opportunity to showcase some of our bold artwork in this Afro-Fusion restaurant. If you are a fan of African cuisine, lover of art and want to immerse in a cultural atmosphere, you should add this restaurants to your list of places to visit. So when you get the chance make sure to head down there to enjoy some good food and see Caroline Chinakwe’s art pieces 'I am who I am' and ' We are who we are from the debut art series 'This is Me' (2020) in person!
Address:13-14 Cork St, Mayfair, London W1S 3NS
Website: https://www.storkrestaurant.com/12:51
Next on our list is 12:51. The founder James Cochran got his inspiration from his Scottish and West Indian roots to bring expertly seasoned recipes to a casual dining restaurant. 12:51 is a chic eatery at St Mary’s on London’s vibrant Upper Street with a burgeoning reputation.
Lunch brings an express menu with great value that promises three plates for under £20, offering sensational meals and a fine selection of hand crafted cocktails that will add extra touch to your meal. You can also visit in the evening to expeince their spectacular 5-course taster menu! 12:51’s contemporary interior design and warm dining atmosphere makes it a great spot to celebrate a special occasions with friends and family
Address: 12:51, 107 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1QN
Website: 1251.co.uk
PAPA L’S KITCHEN
Papa L's Kitchen was founded by Chef Lawrence Gomez, who has gathered 15 years experience working at renowned restaurants in London such as The Ivy, Sexy Fish and Scott’s. He decided it was time to start his own restaurant by launching Papa L's Kitchen, an African Fusion pop-up kitchen on Jermyn street. Dedicated to pursuing his passion for food by celebrating African fusion flavours in a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere.
The restaurant portrays a rich celebration of African cultures and diaspora – through beautiful art (from local uk artists and uk art curators), ambience, good music, vibe and energy. Chef Lawrence is on a mission to create a truly social dining experience where guests can enjoy each other’s company and the astounding flavours of his dishes. There is a wide variety of delicious meals, such as PAPA L’s signature Ma’s Benachin rice and grilled king tiger prawns; a national dish from Gambia, passed down from Gomez’s mother. All signature dishes are totally unique with top secret marinades and sauces that are sure to delight all who take a seat at Papa L's .
‘I can't be stung by you’ behind the amazing @takkunda at Papa L's Kitchen
Similar to Chinakwe, the restaurant shares our passion for showcasing the vibrancy and history of black culture to the modern consumer. In addition to providing you with another opportunity to see a Chinakwe art piece, ‘I can't be stung by you’ from the debut art series 'This is Me' (2020) hanging on their walls.
Address: 16-17 Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6LT
Website: https://papalskitchen.com/
THREE LITTLE BIRDS
And last, but definitely not the least is a female owned restaurant 'Three Little Birds' founded by former Jamaica Miss Universe, April Jackson. Her passion and love for her country's delicacies inspired her to set up this fine Jamaican inspired restaurant. Situated in Coldharbour Lane – the centre of the British Caribbean community in Brixton.
With a Jamaican inspired menu, this café, boutique and rum bar was created to celebrate her island's cuisine, music and talent, whilst giving guests the opportunity to escape as they journey to the Caribbean. The restaurant also pays tribute to the musical legend of Bob Marley. So if you want a new spot to indulge in the best of all things Jamaican you should head over to Three Little Birds.
Address: 412 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LF
Website: threelittlebirdsja.com
Leave a comment below if you have tried any of these restaurants and share your experience with us… If you haven’t you totally should (and come thank me later).
To inaugurate the start of the year, we are kicking it off with a conversation with our founder Caroline Chinakwe. She is not only a mixed-media artist but also an entrepreneur, stylist, black woman and a mother of 3. Born in Nigeria, she has grown up and is based in London. Caroline is known for her colourful, powerful, and unapologetic visuals that capture the beauty found in black culture and style while addressing social issues that affect people of colour. In this 3 part interview Caroline tells us about her life, career in the fashion industry and what led her to take the bold decision of transitioning from her 20-year fashion career into pursuing a new journey into an industry she knew nothing about, but believed was her true passion.
Through Caroline’s words, we understand how all the different elements of her upbringing, heritage and career come together into Chinakwe, a brand that aims to be the missing bridge between African culture, legacy and artistry in the Western world.
Caroline, you worked for more than 20 years in the fashion industry. Were you always passionate about fashion? Did you know from the beginning it would be your thing in life?
Fashion was something that just happened to me, I knew I was creative, but I thought I would go more into the direction of acting or music. Going into fashion was a pure fluke, but I quickly realised I loved working with fabric and especially enjoyed making things. That’s where I found my passion to create. I graduated from London College of Fashion and worked in all areas of the fashion industry. Starting off in production and going into designing with manufacturing companies that were supplying to the high street brands.
I soon realised I didn’t enjoy being controlled and being told what to design. I approached design in a totally different way, I would sit with the sewing machine and just come up with new designs along the way. At 23, I became a mother and felt that it was the right time to transition to self-employment. I’ve been a freelancer since and covered many roles: I was a designer, stylist, consultant for upcoming brands as well as a maker, soon after about 10 years in the industry, I got into personal styling.
What was your experience as a black designer/stylist in the industry?
I saw there wasn’t much support for black designers in the UK. Amazingly talented people were doing all the designing and production work but were relegated to the back rows, to let “white brands” shine. In the last years of my career, when I was mainly focused on styling, I was trying to support African designers.
I organised and promoted African Fashion Week with other creatives like Samson Soboye to give black designers a platform to showcase their work. What we did was really inspiring to me, so I started doing a lot of styling in my homeland, Nigeria.
How does Nigerian fashion and creativity overall differ from what you experienced in London?
When I started working there more, it really struck me how different design is: we love our culture and that really shows in our style. Creativity is also on another level, we love experimenting with fabrics, prints and colour. It was so different and I really wanted to see that here in the UK. Obviously, here you need to conform to the western idea of style and fashion, whereas in Nigeria I realised how much potential we have that we restrain. That’s when I started feeling very stifled and started disliking the fashion industry in the West. I didn’t know if I wanted to be part of that anymore.
Were you starting to lose your interest and enjoyment in fashion?
As a black designer and creative, I could see big western brands being influenced by African designers, in terms of prints and fabrics and failing to acknowledge it. I would say African creativity has inspired western creativity and culture a lot. And that’s been the issue we’ve had: we’ve been doing the work but not being given the credit. Creatives like Dapper Dan, produced a whole new collection and now for the first time has been recognized by fashion houses, 30 years after the same houses forced him to shut down his business.
Do you think the gatekeepers of the fashion industry are starting to open their doors?
They have no choice. Social media doesn't let brands get away with racism or cultural appropriation anymore. I’m against “cancel culture”, though. I think the internet can be a place to educate brands and people, so that they grow and change, rather than breed more anger.
How did you start approaching art and realized it was the next chapter in your creative career?
When I started my social media in 2017, I didn’t really know what I should put there. I knew they are a powerful platform but I didn’t have much work to display yet. That’s when I started collaging: I put together images of black models that I would find online and started styling them my own way, doing it on a canvas rather than on a real person. People started following me for that and they would call it art. Everyone who knows me knows how much I fought against being called an ‘artist’ because usually, art is painting, acrylic, a standard canvas that you see in a museum. I didn’t really think about digital art being “proper art”.
Later on in 2019, I understood that was what I truly wanted to do. People started to enquire about how to purchase my work and I really felt it was the right path for me, because it still allowed me to be in fashion, but in a very different way. I was still able to work with designers like Anita Quansah and BiBi, whose work I used in a lot of my artworks. And that’s how it started.
How was the transition into this new career? Was it hard to leave your network and your safe space to start something new?
In the beginning, I was just creating and going with the flow. Art was an industry I knew nothing about, but I had a friend who loved my work and introduced me to some people in the industry. People might think that fashion and art are similar, but actually, the creative industry is so vast, it spans from fashion, music, art, dance... all these fields are very different from each other.
I was new to this world and I learnt everything from scratch. I educated myself and did my research. I’m also a self-taught artist, so I’m still learning about what I need to do and how to produce my work in the best quality. I’m still learning about photography, digital art and painting. I think it’s something I will carry on forever, that’s how it is with any kind of art.
How did you move your first steps into the art industry? Did you have any setbacks?
The first time I showcased my work was in 2018, at an event where fashion met art. I was still very much in fashion but I had all the artwork I was working on, and I was slowly shifting towards this new creative path. The decision to leave fashion wasn’t easy because I was moving from a world that felt safe to me, towards a career that was unstable, unknown, and I didn’t know if it would work out. It was a scary transition and I knew it was hard, so I had to prepare myself.
In 2019, I wasn’t getting any work from fashion, as I was concentrating on my artworks and starting this new business. People around me thought I was still doing both, you can’t really tell others how hard things really are. The deepest point of my depression was halfway through 2019, when I started wondering if it really was the right decision to dive into something completely new. I was thinking about my children and all the daily life expenses. But within me I kept telling myself after that dark time I would find myself on the other side, that things would work out.
And how did it go?
At the end of 2019, I started being on a high. People were interested in buying my work, I was starting to get noticed in this new industry and luckily things did work out. I was really excited for 2020, also because I had my first exhibition under the agency GoRougue, which unfortunately was blocked by the pandemic. Anyway, any transition is scary, but I knew it was the right thing to do...
Thankyou for tuning into Part 1 of Conversation with Caroline, we will soon be releasing Part 2: Transitioning into Art. To stay updated, make sure you sign up to our newsletter so you're the first to know when it has been relased.
Happy Afro-luxing!
Useful Links: