Nana Afua Antwi: Britain's Top Model

My previous post about Nana was by mere opportunity. I found Nana's profile on Fashions Finest website and decided to write about her on the blog. Now I got the chance to interview her. Are you asking....who is she? Here is a bio about her!!

Nana Afua started modelling when she was scouted at H&M in Central London mid 2009. Same year she started her catwalk experience at La geneve north events working for establish and emerging designers. Nana Afua is one of the few African models to recently grace September/August Issue 2011 of Black hair Magazine which was voted best cover celebrating black beauty in America. She also appread in Pride Magazine as the face of the feature for 'real women' and did editorials for Fabulous Magazine. Nana Afua has walked in London Fashion Week for Matthew Williamson and the face for E'lon Cosmetics in America. She has grace most fashion and lifestyle magazine in the UK and also for American Online Magazine E'lon.

She has appeared in the Barking & Dagenham Post Newspapers six times continuous spread for her work ethic as well as the The Voice (newspaper). Nana Afua is an upcoming fashion designer with the clothing brand 'adopted culture' which was selected for Vogue Fashion's night out September 2011. In record the label is the first ethincal brand to ever grace Savile Row in Sartoria Bar Central London. She won Best Female Model of the year in October 2011 for Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television Awards (BEFFTA Awards).

Hi Nana, from the recent online voting, you have been titled Britain’s Top Model. How did you get into this ranking and how do you feel been No 1?

      Honestly have no idea how I got into the Hottest British Fashion Models ranking it’s been 8weeks and still voted No 1 so that’s a dream come true.

                                                                                                                                                    
Have you always aspired to be a model? Be honest *smiles*

Modelling has been part of me growing up so it’s definitely something I passion to pursue

 If not, what were your ambitions?

My ambitions were to be a Model and a fashion Designer which I am doing now so very pleased with that accomplishment having said that I always thought I would be a lawyer.

Who are your role models in this industry?

My role model in the modelling industry right now will be Tyra Banks the more I watch her I want to be better than her ‘laughs’

Have you ever comprised your principles or values to meet the want of a designer or your agent?

Well they say models don’t have a say in the industry but am kind of a girl that always say my mind. I do respect the job of a designer and an agent but still confident to make my point across if inconvenient.

Which magazines/brands would you like to cover?

American Vogue, Ebony Magazine, Love Magazine

What was going through your mind when you were ripping the runway at AFWL?

Freedom! that’s how I feel whenever I hit the catwalk

What is your highlight(s) of the event (AFWL)

Finale show for Adebayo Jones was fantastic finally got my ‘Yes Dress ‘signed by himself for me to grace on the catwalk

Describe “Adopted Culture”?

Adopted Culture is a clothing brand with an idea of different blend of fabrics to create unique creativity.

Adopted culture was not exhibited or showcased at AFWL. What happened?

Adopted Culture was showcased last year’s AFWL. I don’t rush making loads of collection just to show off. As a designer I study the market and know when to promote my samples

What’s in your handbag?

I love shoulder bags with a little funky twist. I am a big fan of big bags as well

How often do you go for beauty treats?

I must say I’ve never had beauty treats outdoor I do my own beauty treats I don’t like wearing makeup so I like staying natural at most occasion

Congratulations on your TV show!!

Describe your fashion style for your presenting role?

One word CHIC

Care to share some future projects?

  

Probably acting it’s something I feel I was born to do as well it runs in my personality

Advice to aspiring models?

Well just keep doing you not just for attention but as a positive role model

Thank you so much for honouring this interview.

For more about Nana, follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/nanatopmodelofcolour.uk 

Photo credit: Eighteen Forever

                    Adopted Culture

Interview With Asos Style Icon

 I ask about everything fashion.... 

                               you should read it

EF:  Who is Ferah?

Ferah: Ferah is a Turkish girl who lives
in UK, I'm a fashion lover and art lover,

talented about many things :)

EF: What is your history with fashion?

Ferah: Not too much, I can say honestly,
but I always follow fashion and trends, I
love fashion blogs and love bloggers who have their own style.
(Like Andy- Style Scrapbook or Chiara-The  Blonde Salad).

EF: I love your style, what inspires you?

Ferah: Thank you, everything inspires me :) Prints, art,books,trends,fashion, I can say everything for this. When I see a shirt or a blouse , I start to imagine how to combine it with :)  I love to watch fashion shows and if I like something from the collection, I find it on Google and use it in my outfits.

                    ***Outfits created by Ferah***

EF: How would you describe your style?

Ferah: My style is totally bold and different, we can say 'novelty'because I love novelty trend,I also love metallic and shine trend...I always try to be different with my outfits- works,I'm not creating for 'creating', I mean I always want to create something special,I care about layouts,too...My outfits must be like an art for me :) I'm a perfectionist :) In my life and for my works, always like that...I see many outfits without special attention, it's easy to put a shirt and shorts with sandals all together, I can do it in a minute, but i don't like that! It's not fashion! Sometimes I want to scream "did you like that outfit after you created it" I see some users with no taste of fashion, but I don't want to hurt anyone's feeling, so I don't make a comment to them :) Well known user or not, I prefer to support them, but sometimes it's boring to see those kind of outfits there..Let's return to the topic, if you look at my outfits on fashion finder, you'll feel that they are made for celebrities :) Because I'm always bold with my style. I also care about prints and textures, I don't like 'cheap fashion'..

                                                                ***Ferah's outfits***

5. Do you consider yourself a stylist from your creations @asos-fashion-finder?

Ferah: Not at all, I do what i like on fashion finder, I create
outfits for my taste, for trends,with my favourite items of the

season...Being an icon is about voting,commenting and being
creative on fashion finder. I love being creative,supporting
people,helping them by messages. But  I can't say "I'm a
stylist" ,but lots of users asked me if  I'm in fashion work :)
That makes me happy to hear that kind of messages,that means
people like my works-outfits...

EF: You have been awarded “Outfit of the Week” few times, how did you feel the first time you received this?

Ferah: Thank you, it was great to see my outfit as an outfit of the week,read it many times in a week :) Looked at it many times, had screenshots :) Hehehe :) It's great to see my work on front page, on  trend pages or as an outfit of the week, those all make me happy...hope ff team chooses different user's outfits for every week, because there are many talented ff friends there. I'm always a fair person, I'll be happy to see deserved outfits there...

EF: Do you do anything relating to fashion for a living?

Ferah: No, I don't do anything about fashion, only creating outfits for fashion finder,I respect who does it perfectly and follow their fashion as a fashion lover.

EF: What are the benefits and challenges you have encountered as a style creator?

Ferah: It's a great feeling on fashion finder, users ask me my fashion tips, my advices by messages, I always help them...But the important thing is; knowing your body and wearing what suits you, I care that...I always have compliments about my outfits and that makes me happy, I haven't had a challenge yet :) I don't like people who becomes spoiled with our fashion status there, I know myself well and it never changes me, I'm still the same after being a style icon there.

***EF: I remember when I first joined FF, I was a bit lost to be honest. I was trying to create an outfit for my profile page and I couldn't. So I sent you a message and you replied...really helpful too. I was like...wow, I'm new, she doesn't know me but she replied. I really thought you work for ASOS. It was a great feeling knowing that someone can help you online without even knowing who you are :).

    EF: Do you have style icon(s)?

Ferah: Yes, of course I have style icons, everyone has their style icons I think :) It's about being into fashion :) I love Olivia Palermo's style,she's always so chic and trendy.(I also care about being beautiful...If a woman hasn't got a make up on her face while showing her clothes, it's nothing to me, I don't care about her.That's not the fashion for me.I also care about the nails, an icon has to do all those totally to be a style icon for me ;) I also like Anna Dello Russo's style, she's so bold and I'm always excited to see her outfits on fashion weeks :) I like celebrities with their own styles, I also like Emma Watson and Siena Miller,too.... And if you ask me about fashion finder; my favoruite stylish fashion finder user is definitely MacademianGirl,she's always bold with fashion love her style,I vote for all of her looks, she's a style icon for me.

  EF: What is your favourite fashion buy(s) this season?

Ferah: This season's must haves for me; printed shirts,I love them, I love colourful outfits, I don't like one coloured outfits, I always add some colours to my outfits in my life, so I like new trends this season.I also love lace,it's so romantic and every girl has at least one piece in their closets,I decide to buy a lace shirt or a dress.

                          ***Ferah adds some colour***

  EF:   Do you follow trends or do you consider yourself a trend setter?

Ferah: I love feeling comfortable, love sporty luxe trend for my real life, I always follow the trends, watch fashion shows, also searching for designer pieces online, I love fashion...I love to wear trendy clothes,too...

EF: How often do you shop?

Ferah: I often shop, but I generally prefer online shopping :) I
love picking my favourite items and putting them in my basket :)
Every women like that I think, I like screen shopping ,too :) I
always make them real for myself, I like and buy...it's done :) I
love visiting all the shops around, seeing beautiful clothes and
in the end buy them :) I love designer products :)

EF: Are you a high street shopper or designer lover?

Ferah: I'm a designer lover. I love Alexander McQueen, Marc
Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel, JCDC, oh, hard to write here all of them :)

EF: Will you be attending any fashion festival this year?

Ferah: No, I won't attend any fashion festivals this year.

EF: Thank you for honouring this interview :)

Ferah: Thank you for the interview <3

      ***To see more about Ferah, visit asos-fashionfinder***