Happy Birthday to the Queen of Black Beauty, Alek Wek

Alek Wek is not a Supermodel because she can catwalk and she is not a Black Beauty Queen because she's dark, No. Alek Wek is a Supermodel because she used what she could do to help us do what we can do. She is a Queen of black beauty because she helped us all see the beauty of our own.

I could go on and on about how much Alek Wek has done in my life. She's Alek the inspiration. Today I, WE stand grateful you are here. Thank you for all you've done and still doing.

Happy Birthday Queen.

Behind The Scenes Fabulousity (Nile Style Fashion Show - Juba)

Fashion is one of the fastest growing industries in Juba, just like that of music. December last year Nile Style Runway was held at Home&Away in Juba(too late to acknowledge? I say better late than never). The showcase was hosted by no other than Nyanut Ring Von Habsburg. A designer who market her designs under the brand Nile Style. Showing various designs, colors and material. Models like Manuela Modong, Grace and myself were present on that runway... 

Dr. Sandra Banks Miss South Sudan 2012/13 Speaks on Being Light Skinned in Juba

I often, maybe always talk about skin tone; I mostly talk about dark skin because that’s what I was blessed with. Today I bring you a different point a view, the light skinned. Who better than Miss South Sudan 2012/13 Dr. Sandra Banks to tell us about being a light skinned in Juba? No one. Sandra shares a part of her daily struggle in Juba. I hope it inspires you to be a better person, she’s definitely inspired me.
 
1.    Often we hear people saying “Sandra is not originally South Sudanese”, tell us about your background and where you come from.

Sandra: A lot of people say I am not south Sudanese. I actually can’t blame them because I don't look like one especially my skin tone and hair texture. Well, truth is I am half South Sudanese, my mother is from the Nyangbara tribe with Rokon, Central Equatoria state as her hometown and my father is a Canadian. That’s the simple truth. I am born to a dark mum and a light dad and I happened to be brown like what most mixed race kids look like. I was born in Khartoum, Sudan where I have lived all my life and moved to Juba in 2011. I proudly hold the South Sudanese passport as well and I have not been denied it being born to a South Sudanese mother.

2.   What is it like living as a brown/light skinned woman in South Sudan?

Sandra: Living as a light skinned woman in South Sudan is not easy I have to say. I am always, always mistaken for a foreigner in the streets, the market even my workplace, everywhere. They always mistake me for a foreigner which is not a problem at all unless you are being kind of harassed because you happened to be one. Many people just think I am an alien and when I speak Juba Arabic they think I have bleached my skin. Traffic police stop almost everyday to check my license etc. and they initially address me in English and when I reply in Juba Arabic they get amazed, and get more amazed when they check the nationality on my ID. One of them was like  “Ita junubia?, lala yakhi, amshi yakh ma magoul’’ another was like ‘’aslu ma mumkin, ita jebu lon de min wein’’ I ended up having a few friends so when I come across them they wave hello and sometimes stop me to say hi and the other colleagues ask for my license and they go like no she is South Sudanese, and again you see the surprise. It’s kind of fun actually. There was once a time I got slapped by a police officer because he thought I was a foreigner, which I found very inappropriate because as a foreigner in other countries I don’t get slapped. It sends the wrong impression and no hospitality. When they found out whom I was, of course by checking my nationality ID and telling them my titles and place of work they actually apologized, but my cheek still hurt. Lol. At the market you get called all sort of names because of your colour and it being attributed to a certain character, sometimes I ignore, sometimes I just talk back in Arabic and they get quiet. The point is people shouldn't really be going through any of this. It would be better if people just acted normal towards each other.

“Hating skin color is contempt for God's divine creative imagination. Honoring it is appreciation for conscious, beautiful-love-inspired diversity.”

Another one was after winning the Miss South Sudan 2012/2013 title. I got a lot of criticism from social media and sadly from people who knew me as well saying I do not deserve to win the crown etcetera because first I am light skinned and second I am born to a foreign father. Other minor accusations were fake color and fake hair. Well, I just hope South Sudanese all over know that there are many light skinned people in this country like the Zande’s and people from Western Bahr-El-Ghazal. So stating that a South Sudanese must be dark is not logic and not reality either. Another thing, there are mixed race people all over the world. It’s not a crime and in normal situations they are accepted, but with the title of Miss South Sudan it wasn’t. It is not the skin colour that determines your loyalty to a country or your hair texture. Lastly, I was created by God, the same God that created all mankind, be them white, black, brown or yellow, no color is better than the other and no color is worse than the other, we are all human, people!

It is sad that people get to judge you by your skin colour, and it is sadder when it is a wrong judgment. I feel sorry for people who make these judgments because it shows how uncivilzed they are. The world is a big place and it is one world, a world for all of us, there is no room for discrimination. And I believe that I have love for this country just like my other dark South Sudanese brothers and sisters, because patriotism lies in your heart and not in your skin tone. And no matter how much they try they can take me out of South Sudan but they can never take South Sudan out of me.
 
3. What would you want to say to young girls about skin tones in general?
 
Sandra: A message to my sisters out there be them dark or brown or whatever colour God has given them; you are beautiful, embrace your skin colour. Do not wish you were any other tone except the one you are because God has created you in the best image, and if that tone didn’t suit you h wouldn’t have given it to you. To the dark skinned girls, you are truly blessed and black is a beautiful and gorgeous colour, love it and make it shine. Being brown I don’t see myself any better than any of you because it is not external beauty that counts, its internal beauty. Beauty comes in different forms. Last but not least, I love who I am and I totally accept it, and whoever mistakes me for a foreigner, well, there’s not much I can do about it. 

Last word for everyone out there “I hope that instead of judging someone by the colour of his skin, judge that person by the content of his character”. 

God Bless South Sudan.

Miss World SS Manuela Modong Campaigns to Minimize School Dropouts

Lately we have not heard much good news in our beloved country. Well, Manuela Modong Miss World South Sudan takes a stand and changes that by campaigning to make sure we are all getting educated. 

In Manuela’s words “Education is important, it only makes sense that we minimize school dropout”. Well I agree, minimizing school dropouts is not only an advantage for the long run but also the short run. There are many street children, youth who if in school would not have much time to roam around the streets. Not to mention the future of this country relies on the youth of this country, we must take a stand to help them build this nation and that is possible through the books.

I love how Manuela is passionate about her cause, recently on facebook she also posted “You kill an educated person, you kill two things; the Education and the person. Peace Education in South Sudan a.k.a Minimizing School Drop-out and Girl Education” as she also calls out for the public to contribute to the cause through this status “We're thinking of organizing a campaign launch party of performances and creative acts, how can you contribute? inbox me your ideas or acts for "Minimize school dropouts"… Well how can you contribute? Check out  the poster below and let Manuela know.

Uganda's Aamito is Africa's very 1st Next Top Model

Yes as predicted, the best won. The proud Ugandan that couldn’t hold her tears when she saw her country’s flag took the title home. What did she win? A one year modeling contract in New York, as announced on the show by ELLE’s editor Jackie Burger an editorial on ELLE Magazine, and of course the $50,000 cash price.  Its been a very emotional journey for the contestants but even more emotional for the last three standing, including Angola’s Michaela, Nigeria’s Opeyemi and of course the winner herself Uganda’s Aamito.

Aamito may have won the competition but this is only the beginning, we want to see you everywhere girl… On ELLE, VOGUE, Marie Claire, Chanel runways, Versace runways and yes… Victoria’s Secret runways too. Congratulations.

Swim or Sink Shoot

(The Last Three Standing)

Opeyemi - Nigeria

Micheala - Angola

Aamito - Uganda

The Moment Of Truth

Aamito is Africa's Next Top Model

In Other News, South Sudan's Grace Bol poses for Sleek Magazine!

Grace is a New York based South Sudanese Model, Magazines are not new to her as we've already seen her on Elle, Vogue and many more. This time around going for the calm and scenic route for Sleek Magazine‘s Spring/Summer 2013 issue. Photographed by Marcus Pritzi

Check it out. 

COVER GIRL: Alek Wek

South Sudan's Alek Wek Covers the 1st issue of Africa's Forbes. The accessories and red lipstick worked perfectly for her and is it me or Alek looks younger and the best we've ever seen her look?

  

Yay or Nay? Givenchy SS14 Runway Masks!

Givenchy appears to be doing the most out of all at Paris Fashion Week SS14. We've seen Alexander McQueen models do the net masks, Givenchy this season did the mix of crystals, netting and sequins masks in a variety of colors which took over 12 hours and 40 hands to make. 

 I vote Yay! 

Beautiful People!!!

Through the eyes of Dutch photographer Mario Gerth

If You're Reading This Oluchi...

Around five months ago Oluchi one of the world’s leading supermodels launched Africa’s Next Top Model, OH! What a moment that was, then around three months ago Oluchi was out and about in a few countries in Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Mozambique) looking for who would eventually earn the title of Africa's Top Model.

Usually as we've seen from America’s Next Top Model and other Top Model shows, they film for a few months, produce the show and then air it for all of us to see. After three months now the suspense is starting to get the best of us, starting to itch our fierce nerves especially that we heard that auditions in South Africa had been a complete mess, nonprofessional and quite some ridiculous reactions to rejections, and you know me(I LOVE ME SOME DRAMA TV). As we all wait for some drama TV let me catch you up on what the social network streets have been saying; before auditions started it was announced that all shapes and sizes were allowed to participate. After auditions in Lagos and SA people were enraged at the auditions blaming ANTMAfrica for not keeping to its word and only picking slim and tall girls with low cuts, could this be another “They're playing favorites” kind of show? I hope not.

“Soon” is the only response we have been getting from Oluchi and Africa’s Next Top Model as far as revealing contestants or judges and any further news about the show but “Soon” is just not good enough anymore.

SO... If you’re reading this Oluchi.. I’m a big fan but CATCH US UP on what’s happening, patience is not a quality of ours in this kind of situation ;).. 

MANUELA MODONG FOR MISS WORLD TOP MODEL 2013

As you know, I have been Manuela’s NUMERO UNO fan and have been keeping up with all of her updates and activities at Miss World 2013. Just last weekend Manuela was chosen along with 9 other contestants for the Miss World Top Model 2013. Out of 127 contestants from 127 countries the judges found our African Queen Manuela Miss World South Sudan to be outstanding as they called our country among the top 10.

Manuela wore a tight neck, long train short front gold dress where we must all agree looked like a goddess in, the only question now is who designed that dress? Anyone? Don’t be shy… raise your hands ;)… while we gather up our confidence let’s have another look at the fabulous Manuela in the mystery gown below:

Last year Atong De Mach brought this very same title home, isn’t it only fair that Manuela brings it back to where it belongs? I vote FAIR!

I can’t wait for the winner to be announced on the 28^th of September at the Miss World Finale, both Miss World Top Model and the newly crowned Miss World 2013.  The whole nation is rooting for you Manu, GO GET’EM! 

They Walked that Walk, Now They're Talking That Talk; Naomi & Iman Address Racism on The Runway

Last week supermodels Naomi Campbell and Iman Abdulmajid were on ABC news talking racism on the runway. The supermodels stated that designers would have only one or none black models on the runway and they demand diversity, they find that designers are sending a "powerful negative message by defining beauty as all white in high fashion". The fashion icons didn't just stop there but they called out some of our favorite designers Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Armani. Funny enough Calvin Klein had 5 black models this very recent New York Fashion week. Anyways, I can't even watch anymore CK or Armani shows without judging for not having black models -__-.. & God bless Naomi and Iman for talking that talk, we've been waiting for someone to address this mess that's happening on runways, now we're looking forward to the next fashion week, how much you wanna bet there will be more black models? :)

Naomi & Iman's interview on AbcNews below: 

SPOTTED: Manuela Modong Miss World South Sudan in Indonesia for Miss World 2013

Last year Atong Demach brought back the crown for Miss World Africa, this year we are looking at a bigger crown, Miss World crown maybe Manuela? ; )! 

Manuela's Arrival in Indonesia

Singapore, Indonesia, Bulgaria & Mauela's South Sudan

Manuela Modong from Central Equatoria South Sudan is representing us in Miss World Pageant 2013, a beautiful young smart fierce junubiya young lady that the South Sudanese nation is extremely proud of and is rooting hard for.

As a South Sudanese Woman its quite important for me to keep on building us up, to keep on putting all kinds of spotlight possible on our achievements and our journey, to keep supporting and showing love everyday. That's the kind of person Manuela is and the kind of message she's been spreading & one of the very many reasons why we LOVE HER!

YOU GO GIRL, SHOW THEM THE FIERCE JUNUBIYA IN YOU!!!  

FFAP After Dark: Festival For Fashion & Arts For Peace

I wrote quite a number of words trying to express the beauty of these designs, then I realized the designs are capable of speaking for themselves... On that note; Here is FFAP After Dark

Model: AWOR

Model: Atong

Model: Lorna

Model: Lorna

Model: Sandra

Model: Awor

Model: Mary 

Finale

How about a round of applause? Standing Ovation? 

Congrats to the FFAP Team for a fantastic show! 

FFAP In The Afternoon: Festival for Fashion & Arts for Peace

FFAP (Festival for Fashion and Arts for Peace), held last weekend at Bedoiun Juba - South Sudan. 

The FFAP team showed beautiful pieces within the Crafts Market representing 8/10 South Sudanese states that were colorful and attractive to the eye in the afternoon. Below are some of the pieces that were displayed: 

Jongeli State

Western Equatoria

Unity State

Warrap State

Upper Nile

Northern Bahr El Ghazal 

Northern Bahr El Gazal was my favorite, the way the beads were organized and color mixed was absolutely fierce. 

Events such as FFAP are highly needed in South Sudan, it is one of the 1st Festivals to be held to appreciate Fashion and Arts. & OH! Stay tuned for "FFAP After Dark" Breath taking designs by Akuja Mading DeGarang, The Roots and more.

For details on Orders: stay tuned for  FFAP After Dark blog post & Check out the sneakpeak below; 

Photo Credit: Camille Lep