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FASHION . BEAUTY . CULTURE ISSUE 54 | SEP 2018

THE SEDUCTION OF MODEST FASHION

THE

POWER

ISSUE KES 500 USD 4.5 | UGX 22,000 RWF 7,000 | TZS 14,000

WHY ARE WOMEN SO SCARED OF POWER? WHY SELF CARE MAKES YOU A GODDESS

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CONTENTS

COUTURE CONTENTS

IN-HOUSE 10 The Team 10 Deep Dark Red 20 Contributors

NEWS 12 16 18 22 24

Digital Couture Fashion Beauty Culture

EVENTS 24 Make September Count 26 French Beauty Settles in Nairobi 28 Blue Carpet Charity Gala

EDITS 30 The Boldness of Sterling Silver 32 Brass Girl Magic

CELEBRITY 34 THE POWER OF VULNERABILITY.

Jane Mukami turned 39 this September.

As tribute to her glorious inner and outer transformation, as well as a toast to all the women whose lives she has helped turned around, we honour this Goddess.

COUTURE FASHION 40 If you thought Modest Fashion was code for boring and ancient, you will think again when you see what Jamil Walji Couture has done with inspiration from the greatest seductress of all time, Cleopatra.

COUTURE CONTENTS

GENTLEMAN 50 THE RENAISSANCE MAN. The Beat Must Go On For Chris Bitti.

HISTORY 56 That Time African Heritage Met Paris.

BEAUTY 60 Red Red Lips.

62 Your Body Is A Temple.

PROFILE 72 The Purge of Zippy Okoth.

CULTURE 72 Creative Is As Creative Does 74 I DO IT FOR FASHION Sheena C’s Style 76 THERE’S MORE TO TAILORS THAN WE SEE By Order of Brighton Okut 80 The Black & White of Space 82 Gadgets For The Woman Who Needs More 84 Should You Really Travel?

CONVERSATIONS 88 4 Things That Prove Kenyan Women Are Terrified of Power 94 Last Word

COUTURE CONTRIBUTORS

COUTURE Africa Magazine EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Carol Odero carol@coutureafricamag.com STAFF WRITER Jackline Njagi jackline@coutureafricamag.com IN-HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER Khalifa Louie khalifa@coutureafricamag.com FASHION STYLIST Ruth Odhiambo CONTRIBUTORS Alan Donovan, Wambui Kamau-Ong’weny GRAPHIC DESIGNER Alfred Matuku MAKE-UP ARTISTES

Lintons Beauty World & Lintons Beauty College HAIR Kevin Vousana from Djohnie Empire COUTURE Africa Ltd FOUNDER & C.E.O Olive Gachara olive@coutureafricamag.com DISTRIBUTION & EVENTS MANAGER Gemiene Mueni couture@coutureafricamag.com ACCOUNTING ADMINISTRATOR Winnie Mokaya winnie@coutureafricamag.com

ACCOUNTING Alphacap Ltd. LEGAL M M Gitonga Advocates DIGITAL: digital@coutureafricamag.com ADVERTISING: sales@coutureafricamag.com SUBSCRIPTION: subscribe@coutureafricamag.com KENYA OFFICE: COUTURE House, 37 Eldama Ravine Road, Westlands, Nairobi COUTURE Africa CONTACTS +254 714 770 516, +254 716 573 013 info@coutureafricamag.com © COUTURE Africa (K) Ltd COUTURE Africa Magazine is published by COUTURE Africa Limited of P. O. Box 359 Nairobi 00621 Kenya. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in parts without written permission from the publishers is strictly prohibited. While every care is taken in preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information held herein, or any consequence arising from it.

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The notion that a contemporary woman must look mannish in order to be taken seriously as a seeker power is frankly, dismaying. - Anna Wintour For as long as I can remember I have always wanted power. I seek it. I wear it. I nurture it. I tweak it. I study it. I study women who wear it well, and I admire them without reservation.

Particularly because as I grew older I came to realise such women were a rarity. I asked a few men what they thought power was. One said power = influence. I disagreed. You see, I don’t want influence. It is power I seek. Another said he didn’t know, which made me marvel at a grown man admitting not to have the keys to the kingdom, perversely granting him even more power in my eyes. I went to Google. What I found was depressing. Powerful women are also unlikeable women for some reason.

Years back I was on a quest to find a sex goddess, a woman who explored her sexuality unabashedly, who would walk with the earth shaking audacity of La Belle Otero. A real life flesh and blood female, not a screen creation. I saw glimpses of almost goddesses in the crowd, but they were like a wisp of smoke, spiralling away before I could wrap my hand around their wrist. I turned my attention to women in corporate, in politics. No one seemed to embody the glee of womanhood.

The sheer joy of being female. At their core, these women who made me expectant with pangs of femininity turned into turtles. Or settled back into an aggressive masculine energy. Which is how most women who have powerful titles, positions, status and rank, manifest their power. Why was it wrong to have a desire to create a distinct look? Wear certain clothes? Melt into a man’s arms? So many sharp edges I kept getting cut.

I turned to books. I read women’s magazines. I read interviews with women I found fascinating because they were a law unto themselves. I began to understand it. Studies and institutions called it Personal Power. The kind kneaded from transmuting life events, turning them into pieces of oneself. This knowing of the self; the body, the mind, the soul. It was where real potent life altering power sprung from: within. I loved this idea. It meant any woman could cultivate and nurture it. That it could be shared. That it would be intoxicating not because you have to take it from someone - but because it cannot be taken away from you. Yes Bey. You were wrong when you said power is something that is taken, not given. Neither is right.

Sorry Queen but no one is perfect.

Women like to call each other Queens and Goddesses these days. Everyone is slaying. It’s sweet. But it is not true. Looking like royalty or deity is one thing. Being about it? What are the odds you will unshoulder the velvet mantle, hide the sceptre under a bed and flee? Calling ourselves this sounds a lot like the beginning of reclaiming power. But from whom? There is innate power resulting from simply being alive, being human, being a citizen. There is power courtesy of being female, bearer of life and seer of things. As women we have forgotten who we are, so we do not know who we can be. We have lost of power and with it, our sense of self. It is time we understood who our royalty and deities are, were. Allow ourselves to be challenged by the fact that we have lost touch with our feminine energy.

There is a lot of work to be done before we can truly claim the throne. Are you willing to break yourself apart in order to put yourself and another woman back together?

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Hair: Rose Mulati | Makeup: Nikki from Lintons Beauty College | Gown: Aulgah Nato Designs

THE ONLY THING TO FEAR IS ….YOURSELF.

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COUTURE DIGITAL

Issue 53 Cover, August 2018

Wambujl: "Like a wild flower; she spent her days, allowing herself to grow, not many knew of her struggle, but eventually all; knew of her light." – Nikki Rowe.

Magazine Feature: Couture Africa Segment: Her Style Look: Shopping & Girls Day Out Make up by @daughtyartistry Hair by @wavesandlengthshair Leather Belt by @embodyaccessories.

Get your copy today!

olivegachara...still crushing over the New Look Magazine #TheAnniversaryIssue #FashionBeautyCulture #DoYouHaveYourCouture cc: @ coutureafrica @carolodero

From our cocoon we emerge and come in to our own space, wings ready to fly. The COUTURE House is officially opened for business with Couture Africa Magazine finding its new home along Eldama Ravine drive. We have cliches but you must watch out for this space. Beautiful things are afoot.

Celestinekenya: At 23, “ I have worked so hard to build a brand; a figure that has been an inspiration. I have set goals and a Focus on all that I want to achieve. I have a clear vision of what I want to become.”

Sept 1 2018

August 2 2018

COUTURE Africa‫@ ‏‬ CoutureAfrica"It's taken us 5 years to be bolder and that's what makes our brand stand out," @olivegachara. The new look COUTURE Africa is here and we are super excited to share it. #DoYouHaveYourCouture #AnniversaryIssue

As RMA Motors hands over @ jaguar.kenya and @landrover. kenya operations to @inchcape. kenya we have to throw it back to our First Fashion & Motor collaboration with the @jaguar #FType featuring @ marilynroesch wearing @ luluoniango styled by @ namnyak_odupoy 💃🏽 🏎 💃🏽 #TBT#ThrowBackThursday

#HappyNewMonth Fashion Divas!!! Zoe looking great in @ aulgah_nato 📸@khalifa_louie Look out for our larger than life #AnniversaryIssue on a newsstand near you shortly

Sept 2 2018

Carol Odero, Sunday Nation, Can You Rewear That Red Carpet Garment?

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Catch up with my model life story in the ANNIVERSARY ISSUE : ISSUE 53 of @ coutureafrica magazine . It’s an honor to having being featured in the East Africa’S home of Fashion magazine. Am humbled.

I give thanks to Almighty God for this far I have reached and all that I have achieved.

And to everyone who held my hand, I am grateful. IT'S JUST BUT THE BEGINNING! Photo picked from #natodesignhouse by @ aulgah_nato 2018 lookbook .

“Red carpet outfits have a complex life. They are collaborations between celebrities and/or their stylists and couture houses. Whatever the inspiration for a red carpet look, it is never random. Not even if the celebrity commits what is seen as the biggest faux pas of all, buying a gown. Gowns once worn are returned, or may be archived for a future museum showcase. Or the designer gifts it to the celebrity.”

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COUTURE NEWS

WHEN ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA BOUGHT SOME THOM BROWNE We know Thom Browne. We love Thom Browne. He provided much needed comic insight into menswear last year. We shared those images on WhatsApp. He trended. For putting men in heels, dresses and skirts. Maybe that is why it should not surprise you to know Thom Browne, the 17 year old unconventional clothing brand, has been bought out by the most honoured, largest name in menswear, Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna. A buy even Zegna admit was expensive at $500 million, but worth it. Zegna is worth $1.3 bn. The luxury house is wooing younger clientele hence buying 85% stake allowing Browne independence and freedom to run his house with a 15% stake. Browne dresses the Cavaliers, dubbed the best dressed team in the NBA. Zegna found a way round the challenge imploding Brioni; a lack of footing in the youthful modern world. Brioni brought in Justin O’Shea. With his luxe background, piercing eyes, tattoo sleeves and centerpiece of a beard, he was an inspired, unexpected choice. He left six months later. His luxury streetwear brand launched in Spring 2018. By the way Zegna manufacture suits for Tom Ford, Gucci, YSL and Dunhill. They make their own exquisite fabric. I, for one cannot wait to see what Browne does even as Brioni grapples with its identity. Especially as menswear battle gathers more troops in the classic versus modern and fashion versus style contest for your man’s pocket.

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COUTURE NEWS

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN What do you do when the French Open bans your awesome Black Panther inspired catsuit: made just for the new mother of a gorgeous baby girl and Vogue cover girl, are the greatest woman in sports, battling life threatening blood clots and happened to be called Serena Williams? You bend the laws of fashion yet again with the great Virgil Abloh, rope in Nike, wear a bespoke black tutu and collaborate on a collection wonderfully named #Queen is what. Abloh is enjoying an extended beat on his play. The first ever black artistic director at Louis Vuitton as the head of menswear as of March 2018, his is the reputation of a sneaker legend. His luxury streetwear label Off-White, his long term friendship with Kanye West as well as his artistic collaborator in Watch The Throne, the album Nye did with Jay Z, Abloh is literally considered as epitomising cool. Serena Williams with her thick, sexy body has as many cheerleaders as she does detractors.

The world could not have dreamt up a greater ode for this luminary’s comeback than Off White X Nike Air Max 97 Serena Williams Queen Collection.

HOW THEY DID THAT The Olsen Twins made cute actor kids. Now they are called the GOAT celebrity designers. They grew up to run a fashion empire with two brands. The Row, specialising in wearable, timeless fashion and the other, Elizabeth James, a fashion and lifestyle brand named for their younger and at the time less known siblings.

Elizabeth has since become a star thanks to Avengers: Age of Ultron and more recently, Avengers: Infinity War. Aged 12, The Row, an American luxury brand built on high end fashion, is very, very successful because of superb tailoring, attention to details and finishing. Beautifully minimalist, it has 164 stores in 37 countries.

Chances are high you wouldn’t know The Row if it smacked you in the face. It is something of an insider, people in the know brand. Imagine a fashion house committed to a capsule wardrobe with pieces lasting a lifetime. Explains why when The Row announced it would introduce menswear, the fashion world looked up. Their menswear line will be manufactured in parts; shirts in France, suits, Japan, knits made in Italy and t-shirts and denim in the US. Research took two years.

Their pricing is typical Row. $3,950 to $5,795. Falling squarely in Zegna’s price range. Fittingly, their name was inspired by Savile Row. I, for one could not be more thrilled at this inclusion. I cannot shout it loud enough. Local designers are neglecting menswear at their own peril. And when you spot The Row menswear or womenswear you can now nod sagely

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COUTURE NEWS | FASHION

#AMVCA 2018 The 6th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ choice awards (AMVCA), held in Nigeria, was characterized by all things glamour, pizzazz and red carpet fashion. An equivalent of Oscars, the event was a grand show with the crème de la crème of the African film, TV and entertainment industry coming out in their droves from all over the continent to attend the event. Quite possibly the most glamorous night, celebrities were dressed to the nine. From their stunning gowns, to their accessories, to their shoes, the celebrities brought their A-game on to the red carpet. From Nigerian stars, T-Boss, Destiny Amaka to our very own Nyce Wanjeri (aka Shiro), we saw it all at the Red Carpet. Shiro stunned in an electric blue backless gown with minimal shimmery details, a silver clutch and styled her dreadlocks in a side weep. Others caused an otherwise impression with outfits that did more of the “trend” job. Big brother Naija’s BamBam rocked a feathered tube dress which has caused major stir online. Nevertheless, Kenya won big at the 6th Edition of the AMVCA bagging 6 awards of the nine they had been nominated for, with Nyce Wanjeri bagging the Best Actress in a Comedy and TV series Award for her role as Shiro in Auntie Boss. Also feted in other categories were Phoebe Ruguru, Mark Maina, Sarika Hemi Lhakani and Dennis Wanjohi. The AMVCA is one of the most coveted awards by MultiChoice that seeks to celebrate outstanding Film and TV talent across Africa.

RUE BABY, BEST MODEL OF THE YEAR 2018 Aggrey Dion Okello, popularly known as Rue Baby has taken the modelling scene by storm. Rue Baby, daughter to Kenyan Songstress Akothee, recently bagged an international prestigious award when she won the Best Model of the Year 2018 award at the Diaspora Entertainment Awards and Recognition (DEAR) 2018 Edition which was held in Dallas, Texas. The good news were shared by her Mum, who expressed joy and admiration for her daughter after the win.

The DEAR awards is an annual feat held every September in Texas, that seeks to recognize people who have worked extra hard in making extraordinary changes in other people’s lives abroad, as well as at home country. The winners are drawn from various backgrounds in Africa, each under the merit of having unique talent and great accomplishments. The 20year old is also Nivea’s ambassador for the year 201/2018 after winning the Face of Nivea modeling competition.

Congrats to Rue Baby.

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COUTURE NEWS | BEAUTY

THE NON-INVASIVE FACELIFT NOT-SO- “HARMLESS” MANICURE Beauty trends have reached weird and wonderful levels, with each new trend more bizarre than the last.

From ‘halo eyebrows’ to nose hair extensions, and not even forgetting the latest obsession by women to develop a deep fake tan (leaving them looking like a ‘mahogany’ table’), I guess we are yet to see worse.

However, one new nail ‘trend’ has gained attention for less than positive reasons after a Moscow-based salon came up with a manicure that includes use of live ants entombed inside some acrylic to create a bit of nail art. The weird nail art was shared online by Nail Sunny showing the live ants being placed inside hollow, clear acrylic nail tips. Despite sharing a second video showing the ‘unharmed’ ants being released, the whole thing was quickly slammed by people with many claiming the creation was animal cruelty while others labelled it disgusting and messed up. The viral video also caught the attention of animal rights organization PETA, which termed the creation "so disturbing." The Moscow-based salon’s looks typically go viral for their creativity and unique presentations, ranging from tiny working hair combs to nail art.

This is not the first time that insects have been used for nail art. A few years ago, women in Mexico were gluing baby scorpions into their nails. Recently, an Australian artist’s video went viral when he used dead insects to make fossilised nail designs. Going green overnight might not be my cup of tea, but each to their own and all that. But seriously though, the nails look bloody awful, guys.

Celebs are recently forgoing the surgeon’s knife in favour of non-invasive treatments like Ultracel.

Mel B is one of the celebrities who have reportedly splashed out $4, 000 for the non-surgical facelift.

The former spice girl showed off her dramatic new and youthful look, which seemed to include a motionless and plump cheeks, at Simon Cowell’s Walk of Fame star unveiling. The 43-year old totally oozed glamour after the exilis elite treatment. The ULTRAcel is a non-invasive threein-one cosmetic procedure that combines radio frequency, intracel and ultherapy. Pain free with instant results, the procedure reduces stubborn packets of fat and tightens the skin, leaving the client feeling and looking rejuvenated and the skin brighter, firmer, tighter and more elastic.

#Boybeauty Do you know of a guy with a secret, or not so secret, obsession with his looks? Tired of seeing your fave lip balms and moisturizers go AWOL? Chanel know what’s up. As much as the idea of makeup designed with men in mind is still a new concept in beauty, Chanel is drawing its inspiration from the woman's world to rewrite the beauty rules. The company just announced the release of new products for men in 2019 called Boy de Chanel. The makeup line will include three products namely; a sheer, tinted foundation, waterproof eyebrow pencil in four different shades, and a clear moisturizing matte lip balm. We really don’t know men should require separate eyebrow pencils, but sure. Poised to launch this month, the Boy de Chanel makeup products will debut in South Korea in September, then roll out internationally in January 2019. But those beaus in antsy anticipation, you can get this beauty fix via their website starting November 2018 when the products are made available online. The Chanel’s Boy franchise is named after Gabrielle Chanel’s lover and muse, Boy Capel.

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COUTURE NEWS | EVENTS

EVENTS SEP 2018 September is meant to be a warm month, and so should you. Here at COUTURE Africa we help you plan your month with our September 2018 events calendar filled with the best activities. What a better way to accomplish that goal than to create a handy guide of all the fun-filled events sooner than later?

48th Annual CBA Africa Concours d’ Elegance (2018) 30th September at the Ngong’ Racecourse Fancy a walk through history? Then the Concours d’Elegance is your event.

Whether you are a marque aficionado or just a general enthusiast, this is the classiest event on the Kenya motorsports calendar deserving your attention.

Organized by Alfa Romeo Owners Club Kenya and sponsored by Commercial Bank of Kenya, the Concours d’elegance has everything for everyone. Open to all makes of cars and motorcycles, the event celebrates the very best, rarest and most important cars ever produced, and tells the story of the motor car from back in the days to today. Attracting entries from Argentina, Australia, England, Germany, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe, the event is a true celebration of rare craftsmanship and design in the automotive world.

NEXTGEN FASHION WEEKEND 14th Sept to 15th Sept.

At the Michael Joseph Centre

Get ready for an epic show of young fashion talent powered by the Kenya Fashion Awards. The Nextgen Fashion Weekend presents two days of fashion to celebrate, recognize, support and mentor upcoming industry talent.

Whether you are a student, professional looking for a fresh take on corporate style or a fashion enthusiast, this is one event you don’t want to miss. Keep your fashion credentials sky-high.

Tickets are available in advance via Mpesa Till number: 179236, KES 1, ooo per day. For more information log into www.kenyafashionawrds.co.ke

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MASAKU INTERNATIONAL 7S 2018 Date: 21st Sept to 22nd sept Location: Machakos People Recreational Park This is one Septemberfest weekender that you want to miss. The class one rugby tournament is back...just for yah! It is actually one of the most publicized event in the country. And it is a real party; it always has been anyway. And no, this time round we won’t have those unfiltered “Sodom and Gomorrah” photos leaking around. But yes, you can drink (responsibly) with your friends and dress as you feel. Just don’t blame us! And don’t get caught!

NYEGE NYEGE FESTIVAL 6th Sept to 9th September by Kalakala Safaris It will be extreme! It will be non-stop! It will be Nyege Nyege! One of the most renowned, most anticipated and best events in Uganda, the Nyege Nyege is a four day music and arts extravaganza on the bank of River Nile. Featuring over 300 artists from more than 30 countries on 5 stages, the event features a world class line up of electronic music DJs in 72 hours marathon of music and dance.

Nyege Nyege stands for peace, respect and abundant joy, it stands for Africa and Africans. For the music lovers, it stands for fun and curiosity and strives towards inclusivity and wonder, something of a perfect world you might say. So cruise along the East African roads, and not only do you get to see all those iconic Kenyan-Ugandan landmarks, but you can drink and dance to everything.

The total cost is Ksh 19, 500 per person. It covers comfy transport, entry tickets, hotel, visit to the source of the Nile and more. Limited slots available. A deposit of Ksh 9,000 is required to book your slot.

EVENTS

COUTURE NEWS | CULTURE

FILM OCEAN’S 8

Yes. Finally watched this movie setting the fashion industry on fire and finally understood why the fuss. Obviously there’s Rihanna. And Cate Blanchett, who in my book is the true Goddess. You know the nasty rumour women can’t work together if their lives depended on it? It is a ridiculous. Obviously all the women professed to crushing majorly on Riri. Aside from that, they rubbished any silly talk on in fighting. But I digress. The best about this movie is how perfectly scripted Ocean’s 8 is. I’m not going to tell you to watch it for the dialogue. I will tell you this. At its very core it is about a fashion magazine. And a posse of women who have, between them, been featured in every notable US publication. Set inside the biggest fashion event ever, the Met Gala, there is a cameo by Anna Wintour herself, not to mention we get a glimpse of the actual Vogue closet and finally, FINALLY, we get a clue about what it is precisely that happens during the Met Gala.

The fashion cameos are so many, the clothes and jewelry fabulous, and the beautiful people even more beautiful. Break open a Merlot, pop some corn and watch it with you GFs.

MUSIC Ms. Janet the Icon ART R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

The Nairobi Gallery is set to open an exhibition focusing on the female artists in East Africa showing how far the region’s Art and its purveyors have come. The show, titled Pioneer Women of the Arts enjoys nine women who have remarkable stories to tell through their bold brushwork. The nine women, Theresa Musoke, Tony Waite, Rosemary Karuga, Nani Croze, Geraldine Robarts, Robin Anderson, Magdalene Odundo, Joy Adamson and Margaret Trowell are famously known in and outside the artistic world for their extraordinary expression. Each of them is being acclaimed for taking a unique path to achieve their status and place of recognition in the world of art. The exhibition opens at the National Museums of Kenya from 9th of September to 8th of December 2018 with Amina Mohamed, the Cabinet Secretary for Education as the Guest of Honour. You must attend if for no other reason that to see powerful women give rein to their inner freedom then walk through their lives.

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The pop icon is back! Ms. Jackson returns with her first single Made For Now. Last heard in 2015, her latest rhythm is a nod to Afrobeats culture, fashion and sound. In her single produced by British-Nigerian producer Harmony Samuels featuring Puerto Rican reggae artist Daddy Yankee, Janet provides us with an infectious, party-worthy tune that's undeniably easy and fun to dance to. From the wax-print ensembles and beads donned in the choreographed Afrobeats video, the single is lively and filled with eye-catching Diasporic influences which celebrate all things Black and African. It features contributions from a number of creatives from Africa and the Diaspora with her limber dancers mostly hailing from Ghana, Nigeria, Trinidad, Grenada and of course, the US. Naturally, the triple threat herself blesses us with a muchappreciated dance breakdown.

COUTURE NEWS | CULTURE

BOOKS Uncle Snoop Dogg’s Cookbook

We are pretty sure the world is still clutching at its collective pearls over the Martha Stewart/Snoop Dogg BFF-ship. Never mind it’s been almost two years since Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner debuted. This potentially award-winning duo has been nominated for an MTV and wait for it - NAACP award…..! are proof you are the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with. Personally, if there was a recipe book I was expecting from Snoop it would have been one infused with the herb. Could it be we will finally learn, without room for error, Snoop’s Gin and Juice? The multi hyphenate; rapper, football coach and adult film director is launching the beautifully names From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from The Boss Dogg’s Kitchen. In it, 50 predictably surefire crowd pleasers like Mac & Cheese, chicken and waffles to refined cuisine like Lobster Thermidor and filet mignon. Tweeting the revolution Snoop said, “You know it’s blazin’ up in my kitchen. I’m takin’ the cookbook game higher with a dipped and whipped collection of my favorite recipes, ya dig?” The book hits outlets October 23 and currently available for preorder. Looks like we will have to settle for post-weed munchies instead.

TELEVISION Big Bang Theory Utters It’s Bazinga.

It is the end of a geeky albeit rather misogynistic era. For over a decade Big Bang Theory has been one of the TV’s most-watched and loved sitcoms world over. But alas BBT headlined by original cast members Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper), Kaley Cuoco (Penny no-last-name) and Johnny Galecki (Leonard Hofstadter) bow out with the finale of its 12th season in May 2019. The show will conclude as the longest-running sitcom in TV history with over a staggering 279 episodes since its debut in 2007.

Over its entire run, BBT has had the biggest comedy ratings nabbing an insane 46 Emmy nominations.

Say whatever you want about the show – like maybe it was unfunny and formulaic with niggling sexist geek-speak that misunderstood nerd culture on a toxic level. It exits by nabbing an insane 52 Emmy nominations winning 10 plus 7 Golden Globe nominations. An actual black hole might actually swallow us whole before CBS can find another show like this one.

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COUTURE EVENTS

YVES ROCHER What: A FRENCH BEAUTY SECRET When: September 1 2018 Where: The Hub, Karen WHO: Deputy Ambassador Madam Ramoneda Kim of the French Consulate to Kenya, Lou Prunier, Yves Rocher Brand Representative and cosmetics and beauty mavens Yves Rocher inaugurated it's concept, The Lab Store, at The Hub. Founded in France in 1959, this cosmetics and beauty brand marked the opening of their third outlet in Kenya. Their very first store opened in 2016 at Westgate followed closely by their second on at the Village Market four months later. The brand has since enjoyed double digit growth. Yves Rocher's commitment to 100% botanical beauty and their accessible prices appeals to the Kenyan market. The brand also reached a major milestone in August 2018, unveiling the first Yves Rocher kiosk in Africa at The Junction. All this at a time when French living, skincare and beauty secrets are keeping the world intrigued.

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1. French Consulate Ramoneda Kim 2. Ezil Ignatius 3. Jeddidah Thotho YR Lou Prunier YR 4. Maryanne Mugai Lou Prunier Deputy Ambassador Ramoneda Kim 5. Official Unveil 6. YR Hub Store 7. Sheila Ndinda Nancie Mwai Miss Mandi 8. Winnie Makena Ms. Edna 9.

Botanical Products

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COUTURE EVENTS

BLUE CARPET GALA What: BLUE CARPET CHARITY GALA Where: Villa Rosa Kempinski When: AUGUST 31 2018 Who: Philanthropists and catalysts The indefatigable Jane Mukami: FIT KENYAN GIRL lifestyle changer, held a cocktail gala to raise funds to buy 100 water filters for Just One Africa: a nonprofit charity organisation that specialises in helping marginalised communities find viable solutions. The blue carpet charity gala surpassed her target of 100 water filters raising enough money to buy 138 filters and counting…. Most notably in attendance were Nana Gecaga, Colombian Ambassador to Kenya Her Excellency Elizabeth Taylor, Chairman of Micro and Small Enterprises Authority Mr. Charles Waithaka, USN CEO Rajesh Maini, Renee Ngamau, David “Dj D-lite” Muriithi, Huddah Monroe and the beautiful Chemutai Sage, as well as the House of Fotography himself: Mr.Teddy Mitchener. In her vote of thanks, Jane reminisced on the journey taken from 2008 to date, including meeting Jose Kariuki on facebook and shooting their documentary called: Weighted, which was premiered in Kenya during said blue carpet event. #BeACatalyst of change. Donate via mpesa buy goods: 272786.

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COUTURE EVENTS

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1. Ted Mitchener and Jane Mukami 2. Jane and David Muriithi 3. Huddah Monroe 4. Nana Gecaga 5. Julie Gichuru 6. Hanif Msallam, Huddah Monroe and Filbert Mkwiche 7.

Evelyn Okinyi, Julie Gichuru and Jane Mukami

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COUTURE EDITS

THE THING AROUND YOUR NECK

Photography: Khalifa of Cool Pixx Studios | Styling: Ruth Odhiambo of RuthOdhiambo Styles | MakeUp Artist: Nicole from Lintons Beauty World | Hair: Kevin Voasuna | Model: Julie Obanda

So many powerful women on TV, so much style, suh little time. For a woman to stand out though, it is the details that rise to the surface. It is usually something smaller than you think and rests squarely on your limbs.

PATRICK MAVROS, PANGOLIN COLLECTION Pure sterling silver is officially the most underestimated joy Kenyan women do not embrace.

Granted, silver pieces are harder to find, fewer, because gold has whisked us away with its perception of wealth. Yet when it comes to the beauty of our skin tone, silver pieces can make a deep, cool complexion glow with regal beauty.

Pangolin Sculpture – KES 800,000 Pangolin Haka Necklace – KES 97,000 Pangolin Earrings in Silver – KES 19,000 Pangolin Haka Cuff (2) – KES 86,000 Pangolin Haka Ring – KES 75,000 Pangolin Scale Pendant – KES 72,000 Pangolin Scale Cuff – KES 49,000 Pangolin scale ring – KES 21,000 Pangolin stacking cuff – KES 26,000 Pangolin stacking ring – KES 20,000

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COUTURE EDITS

PATRICK MAVROS SEA HORSE COLLECTION

Distinct pieces not only allow you to stand out, they glint with obvious status. These are the pieces of silver lasting generations, handed down from mother to daughter.

Patrick Mavros, Village Market, Nairobi & www. patrickmavros.com RULES OF SILVER - Know your sterling silver digits. Ask because .950 needs regular cleaning while .925 is less high maintenance.

- Ask the jeweler for tips on how to treat and store your prized pieces.

- Never use paper towels to clean silver. It will scratch the surface. Instead, use microfiber, lint-free flannel and any other soft non abrasive cloth.

Seahorse Earrings with Pearls – KES 52,000 Sea horse Treasure Earrings Gold – KES 84,000 Sea horse Treasure Necklace – KES 25,000 Seahorse Necklace – KES 52,000 Sea horse Treasure Bracelet – KES 22,000 Seahorse Cufflinks – KES 31,000 Seahorse Necklace with Stone – KES 36,000

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COUTURE ACCESORIES

EMBODY ACCESSORIES Who said you can’t mix and match brass and aluminium? The beauty of jewelry is how you can play with it, breaking all kinds of rules. Which is why Embody earned itself a nomination at the Kenya Fashion Awards 2018 as Best Jewelry Designer.

Strong bold pieces can still look very feminine as an embodiment of power. See what I did there?

AAluminium Bar Ring – KES 3,500 Aluminium Mini Bar Cuff – KES 4,000 Brass Mini Bar Cuff – KES 4,000 Aluminium Bar Necklace – KES 4,800 Brass Bar Necklace – KES 4,800 Brass Sleeper Bar Studs – KES 3,700 Brass Wavy Choker – KES 10,000

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COUTURE ACCESORIES

EMBODY ACCESSORIES BRASS COLLECTION

The Designers Studio, Two Rivers.

TOP BRASS RULES - Yes you love your sauna, but remove your brass before showering, jumping into the pool or hot tub.

- Find your signature. Are you a necklace personality, do you love cuffs or are you more of a ring master?

- The Internet has pretty effective homemade recipes to return shine back to tarnished pieces and give them more life.

Brass Escarpment Earrings – KES 30,000 Brass Wavy Bracelet (2) - KES 3,600 each Brass Flower Cuffs (2) – KES 3,600 each Brass Bar Ring – KES 2,400 Brass Wavy Choker – KES 10,600 The Designers Studio, Two River

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COUTURE CELEBRITY

THE POWER OF VULNERABILITY Jane Mukami is that bold sexy woman I have known for years. When she went through the loss and grieving of her brother, she left the country. I find a more introspective, vulnerable, potent woman on the tail end of her recovery. Who surprises me by breaking chocolate covered Digestives with me. Because we have both just been so good …

By Carol Odero

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Photography by Teddy Mitchener & Brian Wade | Makeup by Naserianne Mpeeyia & Lawreen Wanjohi | Gowns and Accessories by Dream Gown Rentals

COUTURE CELEBRITY

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COUTURE CELEBRITY

CA: You’ve been under the radar for almost two years. What have you been up to?

JM: I returned to the US in November 2016 and just never came back because I was trying to figure out what happened to my brother. The entire 2017 was rehab. When I am stressed I want ice cream and chapatis and mandazis. All the bad things, they make me feel good. I came home for the holidays, went back to compete last July. I decided to challenge myself. I knew I’d be home in August for my charity gala, providing water filters to rural Kenyan communities hence the Blue Carpet gala.

CA: What was it about this that got you involved?

JM: An Atlanta friend asked me about it in December 2017 and I had not heard anything of it.

The founders are a husband and wife team. They were really genuine people who came to Kenya in 2012 and were moved by the lack of clean water in Maasai land. We are at a million as of this morning.

We more than exceeded our target.

CA: How are you doing now?

JM: Last year was really hard. I already spoke it out on my birthday. I turn 39 this month. I have been so fulfilled and done so much from an inside perspective. I went from seeing my shrink once a week to once a month. Healing is a process.

You never quite get over sorrow, but I don't see something now reminding me of my brother and start crying. My parents are healing too. And when I am not ok I throw myself into work.

CA: Will you return to the US? JM: I don't know. I came on a one way. I'm throwing a wedding, doing a gala, let me see what happens. If nothing sticks, I get on a flight and go back.

CA: How do you have two parallel function lives across continents? Picking up like you never left.

JM: Here it is easy because of my parents. I go back to my old room in their house. In the US it is easy because I have an apartment, a car, what holds me down there are my IT contracts that I’ve stepped a little from to focus on my health and fitness coaching which I can now do online on Skype and WhatsApp. When I go home today, the hours between 6pm to 9pm are my US working hours. I am in two different places at the same time. I don't have an anchor like a child who needs to be in school during a season.

CA: I’ve watched videos about fitness experts taking great butt selfies but are not really fitness gurus. How does one tell a legit coach/trainer and not buy the hype?

JM: You must see what they have done. Do they have a track record? If it is only me me me then they are selling you a lie. Some people on social media don't even work out. They are blessed genetically and pose with two pound dumbbells. People might not understand your advantage is that you are

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genetically gifted or only 22. That you fake the funk. I have seen local accounts of really young girls. In fact I want to get rid of Fit Kenyan Girl. I don’t connect to 20 somethings. I have had them approach me asking for help lose 5 kilos so they can look good on the ‘gram. They are not my demographic. I have turned them down. I want to work with women in their 30s and 40s who tell me they cannot get a date because of their weight or have had kids and need their confidence back.

CA: Do you always feel pressure to look good?

Fitness is a very visual pursuit.

JM: I am selling a body. But now that I am older, there are months I want to eat whatever I want and eat sugar, go crazy and make myself go back. I share my struggles and the good and bad.

CA: No morning selfies with a flat tummy and pump your muscles before shoots?

JM: I do my selfies during cardio or in the end when I am feeling pumped and alive. I take pictures of my diet and post on Insta Stories. I went to Java and got pancakes, bacon and sausages. I’ve posted about not working out all week and how I feel flabby as a result. I don't want to be the person who people think of as perfect. Let me tell them upfront I am human. Problem with Kenyans is once they put you on a pedestal, and you move a little to the left, you’re done for.

CA: Have you not been trolled?!

JM: No. Once before competition I posted a picture and women bashed me. I was too lean. They did not like it. People don’t understand fitness. I got that women thought I looked like a guy. I realised they did not get it, and that I would revert. I chose not to engage them. Other than that I have been pretty lucky. I live under a rock. I don’t care about the politics or who did what when. Everything else is irrelevant.

CA: Despite that social media has helped you build a business.

JM: If it was not for SM ...That is why when my FB page disappeared I freaked out because suddenly I had nothing. No audience. I learnt to harvest people’s contacts. Right now I am coaching 12 women, only 2 in Kenya. They find me through IG. CA: How does online coaching work?

JM: What people don’t know is, weight loss is not workout. It is nutrition. I have a 3 month programme. The first two months you don't even have to work out. Towards the end of month two we discuss workout options. Most lose a good 15 kgs to 20 kgs by then. The Kenyan on week 3 has lost 5 kgs and was already asking if she could work out. I told her to wait. I will let her know when to activate the workout. I have tested it. If I tell clients to start with workouts they glaze over and I lose them. When I say don’t they feel it is doable.

CA: Then it becomes a choice.

JM: Then they start working out on their own. Most people assume I will make them go hardcore like I do at the gym.

CA: What happened with your FB? JM: They shut down my pages because my website, where I sell my e-books and promote that info on FB, was affected by a virus. So they shut me down. It took them 2 months to figure that out. I had to do a petition. In 12 hours it got 12,000 signatures then it suddenly popped back up. I now have 750,000 followers. Instagram is slow to take but Twitter is the hardest to grow numbers. What do tweeps want?

Cartwheels? Twitter is tough!

CA: Will you ever stop bodybuilding?

JM: I had not done it in 5 years. Still it is like asking someone if they would ever stop running marathons.

CA: I would because, knees.

JM: You can still run but a little everyday. I still subscribe to the diet and fitness but not the stage because I am not so lean. Honestly, this will be the last one because I am going to have a child next year. Don’t ask me how. I just know it will happen.

Will I ever bodybuild again? I don’t know. I might be a mother and get the itch.

CA: I’ve noticed the most successful bodybuilders are older.

JM: They have been doing it for a while.Their bodies are used to and they stay with it. When you know what you want you commit. The age thing might be out of maturity, discipline and mental commitment.

The women I was competing against last time, I was the eldest. They were in their 20s. It was probably their first or second show. It was my 6th since 2010.

Some said they would do this every year. I thought, I will look for you in a year. When you are older you need to stay the course.

CA: What made you do it again and again and again?

JM: 2010 to 2013, it was the excitement of getting into fitness as a beginner. I had a group of strong friends. The crew made a difference.Then I took a break. Then resumed. Halfway through my latest prep I wanted to quit. But I had to keep going because I had locked myself on social media. It is a lot of work. Do I think I will do it again and again, hell no.

CA: What it the hardest part of competing? Is it the training or the diet?

JM: It is the combination. I was working out twice a day. You can’t eat out so dining with friends, weddings, birthdays, social events, is hard. You want to work out, eat, get very tired and want to sleep. We call it going into a cave because you are cut off from the world. All it takes to unravel is the one party to undo two weeks worth of progress. It is the mental game, reminding yourself, ‘it will be there when I’m done.’ Mental focus breaks people down. Working out is hard, but when it’s done, it’s done. Nutrition is the hardest when your mouth wants pilau instead of fish and broccoli. I tell my folks it is easy to do this when I'm not around them and they are cooking because my life stays clean.

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COUTURE CELEBRITY

CA: Do you have a lean and a normal closet?

JM: I don't do lean clothes anymore. I now know better. A month ago I was a size zero, super small at 50 kgs with 22% body fat from 28%. I lost 12 kgs on my frame. I go between 54 kgs and 56 kgs.

To be able to get that small, my clothes were baggy with 2 or 3 inches off my waist and hips. I don't shop when small. It is not my maintenance weight and there isn't a fundi around the corner. I notice a slight looseness in my shoes.It’s so easy to shop when smaller and get excited but then in two months, I change. Competition weight is not sustainable.

It took me a lot of maturity to accept this. When women say they want to look like me I take out a checklist, asking them what they are willing to give up.So long as you understand you can get to your destination in 6 months, a year or 2 years. Effort is correlated to results.

CA: Breast implants alongside hard muscle is common in bodybuilding as as high levels of testosterone. How do you enjoy your femininity in bodybuilding and where are your fake boobs?

JM: By the way all my friends in the US have implants. Competition weight shrinks everything.

Some women would then feel tiny and get implants.

But off season, they put on weight. Now that they have implants, married or want to party they are twice as big. I know I will revert to my maintenance weight and I am fine with that. Also, femininity is a personal choice. Some women take steroids to look like men. When lean I can look masculine in a way that is not attractive to Kenyan women. Now I am about balance. I am Libra, the scale. I don't need abs anymore. I will take a flat tummy. Feeling healthy is what I want. I don't want to be the most ripped woman in the room though in Kenya I find I am anyway. This is middle for me. I am not even ripped right now.

CA: People are always surprised when they realise I am smaller than they expect!

JM: I am getting a lot of that now. Cameras and TV should have an ‘objects appear larger when on screen’ as a disclaimer! They expect us to be these buff people.

CA: You're naturally curvy though.

JM: I’m curvy but I tend to plump really fast. Last year during my brother’s thing I gained 7 kgs. I should not eat carbs because I store fat quickly. That is why I am consistent about working out 6 days a week. Another way of dealing is therapy. I met my psychiatrist when I was going through stupid relationship issues 7 years ago. Therapy is the best thing to have ever happened to me. You need a safe space. I encourage every woman to find that. It costs but let there be someplace you can vent and clarify your mind. There are days I wake up and feel like toilet paper. It is always two things. You are doing too much and not getting results, or people are not calling you back.

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CA: When you say you want to ditch Fit Kenyan Girl because you have become a woman, what does being a woman mean to you?

JM: FKG evolved around bodybuilding. The only thing I cared about then, ‘can I see my abs today?’

Then I went through a lot of things. FKG was driven by the physical. Now it is about the way I feel. There was a lot more vanity then. Do I have to work out for 3 hours because I need to have abs? Do people follow me because I am super fit? Will they follow me when I move into fitness and wellness? Curiously, I am more relatable now because they can aspire to something more real. I walked the thin line where my life was about wondering whether I can sustain my image versus grow. I am in a different phase of bodybuilding now. My intentions came from a different place.

CA: How can a woman find her power in her physicality and her body?

JM: Personal power comes from inside. A lot of women think when they lose 20 kgs they will be happy. You will be you, just 20 kgs less of unhappy!

Power has to do with finding out who you are, how you feel about yourself, how your friends feel about you. It drives you to show up as yourself every day because what it is is, living in your bubble. What matters is what you think of yourself. What you see me as is very different from how I see myself because you don’t live in me. You’ve seen a woman who is not very pretty but she walks into the room and you think …..

CA: I’ll have what she's having.

JM: Exactly. It’s the same thing about power. When authentic, you can’t hide it. You exude it.

CA: What is your style?

JM: I am so basic. This is my criteria. It has to be stretchy. I hate the feel on cotton on my hips. It needs to flow with my body and accentuate my good parts, hide my not so good parts. I wear a lot of dresses. I grew into them. I was always into pants and jeans. Dresses are easy. The only problem, you wear it, it's the same one you had on yesterday. But I love wearing dresses because I am small framed and my hips are bigger than my upper body. I know my body very well. I cannot wear a skater dress. I am not big on makeup. In fact you’re lucky I did my brows for you today. I do a red or a dark lip and that’s it.

CA: No foundation or concealer?

JM: Only by a professional for events. When I put on makeup I feel like it's not working and I see a line between my hairline and my face. I don't even have foundation. I wear the same loops I sleep in. I am so bland and basic I drive my mum insane.

CA: But you’re great on red carpets!

JM: I put in effort for that. I shop for my own dresses. I have control issues so I have to check fit and make sure. I am so low maintenance. I spent two days trying on dresses for the gala. I know I could hire someone to do that for me I am the only one who knows what I like. I hate shopping. It is so exhausting. My mum will go to the mall, spend all day by herself and come back with stuff.

CA: No wonder she is upset.

JM: When I walk into a mall and don't need anything, I see a lot of good stuff. But when I want to shop, nothing! So now when I see something, I buy two of them in different colours. When I hear women do one or two hours of makeup to go to the office I think, face beat? That’s my entire workout. I take selfies in the gym, sweaty, no makeup. It sets me up for absolutely no pressure. My mum tells me so many people in town know me. But they see me every day without makeup. What I won’t do is repeat clothes. I wear dresses once every two years.

A lot of my clothes still have tags on them. People think I work out to look good but I do it for my mind.

Don’t get me wrong. I love looking good and well put together. I got this from my mother. She was such a diva.

CA: What about those contest bikinis? I’ve never bought a bikini coming to think of it!

JM: The pressure we put on ourselves is so unnecessary. If you put on a bikini and took a picture people would think you look amazing. I buy all my swimsuits online. I know my measurements to a T. Competition ones are custom made in another state. Workout gear is sourced from Brazil mainly because they cater for curvy girls. By the way FKG liked Nike shorts. Now I wear leggings.

CA: Lawd! Are you becoming more conservative?

JM: I think so. Once in a while a put on a pair of shorts and think it’s so much attention. Working out with shorts in the States attracts so much attention it’s annoying. People don't just look. They come and talk to you so.

CA: Isn’t that exactly why Beats by Dre headphones were invented?

JM: They are not bothered by that. They will came and wave in your face. When I was younger I loved the attention. Someone told me on FB today if they had a body like mine she would walk naked. I told her she’d be tired of all the attention and cover up.

When I go to Naivas I do my best to look haggard or I leave the grocery store with 6 numbers because I am not giving mine. I wear hoodies and sweatpants.

It’s camouflage. I tell women that and they are horrified. But those men only want to talk to you because you have those shorts on. If I ever start a clothing line I would start with hoodies.

CA: Why morning workouts?

JM: I am a dunder. It takes me so much energy to catch up. I don’t even talk the first hour of the day.

My mum says I’m like a 1920s car. It takes me so long to warm up. I’m grumpy. That’s the role of working out in my life. Help me get back up from zero. Once I work out, everything equalises. I have to pick out my workout clothes the night before is it will be chaos.

CA: One last thing. What’s the deal with cellulite?

JM: Cellulite is like abs. You get the butt if you do the work. But. It’s slow to disappear.

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Fitted mermaid bell sleeve white silver gown KES 13,500 | Head shawl with thick silver border KES 5,000 | “Fool! Don’t you see now that I could have poisoned you a hundred times had I been able to live without you”. - Cleopatra

COUTURE FASHION

Collection by JW COUTURE | Photography by Khalifa Louie | The COUTURE Team | Model:Stacy Wangui Michuki from Ajuma Ltd | Makeup by Nikki from Lintons Beauty College | Shot on location at The COUTURE House

COUTURE FASHION

WOMEN DON’T REALISE HOW POWERFUL THEY ARE Said Judith Light. You know who understood power? Cleopatra of course. This collection by JW COUTURE is a tribute to her. Called Egyptra, it defines elegance and status with different levels of glamour. Always acclaimed for their brilliance, Egyptians have captured the imagination like no other civilisation bar Atlantis. They adored the human form and the human body. It figured then that they wanted clothes to be flattering. Inspired by the truly legendary queen, Cleopatra, whose style was channeled from her throne to fighting wars, seduction, passion and love, life and death. The result, a look replete with royalty yet at the same time, modest. The richness in the combination of fabric and colour exudes the tribute JW COUTURE pays to the opulence of high fashion in Egypt. Blue, for example, illustrated the god of air, Amon. Green represented life and youth. Yellow was the symbol of gold. Red symbolised violence and so was used rarely. Black was only used in wigs. White represents the quality we know it for, purity. Put this together and you get a taste of Middle Eastern flair from the banks of the Nile.

Jamil Walji Couture | +254 722 814 356 | + 254 731 310 585 | www.jamilwalji.com

Winged collar princess dress KES 12,000 | Brass low crotch harem trousers KES 8,000 | “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” - Coco Chanel

COUTURE FASHION

Asymmetrical one shoulder dress KES 14,000 | Bolero jacket KES 5,000 | Feathered Fez KES 6,000 | Powerful women intimidate men. If she’s a really well known woman, she has a career, she’s famous - in that case men are really afraid.” - Donatella Versace

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COUTURE FASHION

Brown frills cascading chiffon gown KES 13,000 | Head fascinator KES 8,500 | “Some women fear the fire. Some women simply become it.” R. H. Sin

COUTURE FASHION

Chiffon silk jumpsuit KES 15,000 | Fringed Fez KES 4,000 | “There is something about a woman with a loud mind that sits in silence, smiling, knowing she can crush you with the truth.” - R. G. Moon

COUTURE FASHION

Turquoise lace silk gown with sequined bodysuit KES 28,000 | Peacock fascinator KES 8,500 | “My three husbands were very afraid of me. I am a very powerful woman.” - Nawal El Saadawi

COUTURE FASHION

Halter crop top KES 8,000 | Pyramid pants KES 10,500 | Velvet Fez KES 5,000 | “She is a strong cup of black coffee in a world that is drunk on the cheap wine of shallow love.” - JmStorm

COUTURE FASHION

Green fitted pyramidal suede gown KES 25,000 | “We still think of a powerful man as a born leader and a powerful woman as an anomaly.” - Margaret Atwood

COUTURE FASHION

COUTURE GENTLEMAN

CHRISTIAN BITTI THE RENAISSANCE MAN Christian Bitti has a career that has spanned the continent. From setting up businesses in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda while simultaneously working behind the scenes in the music and TV industries, he finally launched his own music career. It has taken marshalling his range of skills as a computer scientist working in artificial intelligence, starting and running an agency and now The Untapped Academy, modeled after FAME. “I think I have become very disciplined over the course of my life because I practised martial arts. I had a dojo. This is why I think people need to use up all of their potential. That’s what my life is all about.” Chris is currently working to transform the entertainment industry with ideas that traverse more than one industry.

COUTURE Africa: Could you just start us off with an introduction into The Untapped Academy and I can take it from there.

Christian Bitti: The Untapped Academy is about the importance of working together instead of alone for transformation to occur. That whole ‘I’m selfish, I’m thinking of myself, and I want to succeed’ mindset, it doesn’t work. In the Academy, when someone comes on board, we redo their brand, find them sponsorship, look at social media and control how they behave. After a year we ask them if they want to stay on. We work with hair stylists, make-up artists and fashion stylists. I can’t do it alone. And someone has to start. The Academy is fashion, style, dance and music.

CA: When did your brain fire up with this solution?

CB: A very good friend of mine who once worked as a strategist at my agency. She then asked me how I wanted my music to work. I was just doing a launch for my song, no video. She asked what next because I am not the artist who is going to be on stage and needed to think how else I was going to work with music. She pointed out how if I help others, my brand would be bigger, which is what I have always wanted. That’s how the idea started. At the same time it gave me the final push to launch The Academy and to reflect on how I would feel if I knew I could have done things differently, but didn’t.

CA: How do you find the artistes you work with?

Is there a 101 step selection process or it’s all gut?

CB: We have a very selective process. The Academy is not just us. It’s everybody in the industry. I work with producers based on the brand, sound or look.

When we are looking for an artiste we think, ‘How original are you? How do you look?’ You have to 48 | COUTURE AFRICA

have your own identity to sell because it’s so hard out there. If you cannot stand out on all platforms, that’s it. We need authenticity. Initially we interviewed people we thought were good and had even started making music. But we had to return to the drawing board and we then raised the bar. Now you have to be exceptional. It could be an artiste already in the market but hasn’t been able to break in or someone completely new.

That is why we look at your personal life. We don’t want drama. Let us orchestrate and create the drama. Of course there is no guarantee when we do find someone. It is about discipline. There are going to be brands that will sign contracts with you with The Academy members on the line. People don't understand the business of music. They think if you can just sing, it’s enough. No. It’s not enough.

Discipline and integrity before talent. The perfect example is #Beychella. You can't just want it and not work for it.

CA: If you want to be Queen you must be prepared to wear the crown.

CB: I don't think people know that they want what they think they want because if they knew what was involved they wouldn't want it!

CA: How do you ensure your artistes sell?

CB: They are part of our team. There is a contract.

There are NDAs. You cannot post any pictures online without our consent. You could be drunk and post and it has consequences. Where you go, what you do, I cannot see you on TV doing an interview we did not know about. It’s not rocket science.

Styling by Ruth Odhiambo and Christian Bitti | Photography by Khalifa Louie of Cool Pixx & Iyanu Omoboye

By Carol Odero

COUTURE GENTLEMAN

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COUTURE GENTLEMAN CA: I remember once catching an online clip of Real Housewives of Atlanta personality Eva Marcille. Her manager advised her on who to take as a date for a red carpet event based on public perception.

CB: This is a good example. It will further speak to the importance of an artist safeguarding their brand. As an example, BMW really supported me during my music launch and they very often partner with me on events and projects. They know that my peers are possible clients.

CA: How much is a singer’s image vital to their success?

CB: I need to answer with an example. The world has become so fickle that perception, image, is really everything. Scroll through your IG. people are selling what it is they would like people to see them as.

CA: It is all about illusion.

CB: If you are an artist and you really want to sell you really have to work on your image. People won’t make excuses for you. It does not mean artistes who do not care about image won’t sell, but they will have a niche market, unfortunately. That is why I tell guys you need to go to gym, watch what you eat, wake up early. There is also something that happens when you take care of your image. I have put on a bit more weight now but I had lost 20 kilos in a year.

I was posting my workouts every single day on my IG. I have maybe 5 or 10 people that started going to the gym because of me. Then I stopped. And they would post, asking why I stopped posting! Then when my body started reverting, I just felt different.

Forget what people think. Image is important but you shouldn't get lost in it. Be human. Now I have put on four more kilos but I won’t be stressed out over it. I know what I have to do to lose them.

CA: Is this a record label in the offing?

CB: I’m not going to claim we are a record label. The goal is to build sustainable brands for artists, which in turn frees them financially. We are trying to turn artists into money making machines. Focus on your music, do jingles. You don’t have to be on stage. Just earn from your music. If a brand is positioned very well, because music is very powerful, we will then make a pitch. Artists will not have to do it on their own. We will be there to manage their experience.

I know the problems artists face and I have specific skills I can use to help. I may not change the entire industry but at least I can start. Eventually people are going to come around.

CA: You keep saying we…

CB: An eclectic team of local (Anje) and international producers (Qura Rankin) and marketers.

Atemi is hands down the best singer this country has. She has a lot of experience as well so it made sense. We need to coach people and train them how to perform. I also needed someone young and fresh. That’s our resident sound engineer and composer Anje. He understands fresh content that Millennials listen to. Then there is me who brings the marketing and some of the music. This is the initial team but it is not fixed. We will bring people as and when needed. Don’t forget I have a whole marketing group of agencies I can use. Not just this one I run now but people I have worked with before. Some went off to freelance or create businesses so when we have something to work on we regroup.

CA: How do you cultivate these relationships?

CB: Sometimes you have a little job, you call them and pay them. Support them. They say an artist will

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never forget the first studio they recorded in. It’s the same with an agency. I think that’s what has really helped. I can call former creative directors and ask for perspective and they could say, “Come on Chris, now what is this? What the hell are you thinking?” I was the one who used to tell them that, now they’re telling me that!

CA: The student has surpassed the teacher.

CB: Yeah I know. I think for me the music business has become marketing. When people understand this, a lot will change. Nigerians have gotten it.

CA: What about the fabulous fashion team? Where do we come in?

CB: This is where I'm actually going to struggle some. I love fashion and there is need for us to bring in people who already know what they are doing.

The Academy’s focus is on raw talent; fair game for the both the O.G. and emerging designers. I believe in specialty not the idea of knowing what should be done because I think that is bull. I have spoken with a few people so far, and I’m on the lookout.

CA: You’re talking about originators, not imitators.

CB: Think about music. Someone needs to create it. We can't do the same thing being done at the moment. I am a composer so is our engineer. But I need some international guys I work with. When I come up with a track I can send it to them and they either listen, finish the track or send it back to the drawing board. It means the music we create will be up to the international standard. Same thing with fashion. We have to be able to compete globally.

I went to the launch of SHE. I don't think I have ever seen a show like that in Kenya. What I saw; MDQs team is impeccable. They are not playing.

I had to tell her how impressed and proud of her I was. With talent like hers, when The Academy is fully up and running, we can work on building the event experience. My plan for fashion right now is, I know what works visually from a branding point of view. The intricacies of coming up with and putting together an attire however, is something else entirely. I’ve spent my time looking at magazines.

I’m looking for artists that have some kind of swag, with an IT factor. I need someone who has the fight. Someone who will push us beyond the look and think international. I’m very good at finding a reference. I will give my guys a brief, and they come up with the look. But that should not be my role. I’m not going to create a look.

CA: Is your agency ready for all this awesomeness?

CB: Yes. We are able to rely on past and current resources. I have always been really strong on production but we have done it on TV with KTN and Citizen. 50% of the jingles on TV were produced by me and a musician I collaborated with. I want to take that department and blow it up especially because the internet has blown up. The agency will then revert into what we were before: a content creating agency. We are a brand experience agency and can conceptualise and fully execute events so we hardly ever outsource the work. The only way to stay in control of an artist’s brand is when you have to think about how they look, communicate, market them, look for sponsorship and manage their online reputation. My guys tell me we are doing too many things. I tell them that’s the point.

CA: How do you factor in the human condition?

CB: People spill all over the place and no matter what you try, you can’t actually control them.

I think that is what makes it interesting. Atemi and I fight all the time, and it is not because we don't like each other. We challenge each other. No one knows what the future holds. Sometimes your best artist can wake up and decide they don't want to perform or show up.

CA: I just want to be left alone! S/he says dramatcially…..

CB: You have to understand this. I am an artist as well. You have sit them down and talk to them. Tell them people are relying on them, careers are at stake, woo them. Then of course there are people who are always on their A game all the time.

CA: Are all talented people insane?

CB: I wouldn't say that but the people I know who have the most amazing talent, they always have something wrong with them. If you're managing someone like that you just have to know it’s a price to pay. In their creative space you know when they are really good they come up with that OMG! idea. It’s also the whole ecosystem factor. Just be you. If there is work you have to do, deliver and be accountable. But in Kenya, it is not that simple.

CA: It sounds like you’re basically setting yourself up.

CB: There are people who are born like that, who do not need supervision. In my team I have three or four of such. They just run with it, and that’s enough.

CA: Where is this Academy? Is it a physical location?

CB: Have you watched Fame Academy? It’s something like that. Later we'll have a physical place like a boot camp with artists moving around for styling, briefs, branding meetings and such. We had started working with some people then realised we had to change the recruitment process because the people we had were not good enough. What happens now is we need to bring in a platinum sponsor. The program runs for an entire year. We found the brand we wanted to work with, one that really fits. So The Academy will properly kick off this or next month (June or July) by launching an online campaign. What we are doing presently is working on the brands of members of The Untapped Academy. Atemi, Angie and I, and the brands that can support us. We have people on board, both signed and working ad hoc, the latter people we didn’t think were good enough. We maybe do a track, cover or single for them, post it on Spotify and they go on their way.

CA: That’s cold!

CB: No no, not at all. The Academy is a business and it has to make money.

CA: How do you make money?

CB: An example. Atemi works for The Academy.

We find her sponsors then make our money back because what we spend on her comes back to us.

So the artists are aware how much money is being spent and made on their account. But, that is not its purpose. The purpose is to find funding so everyone in it can benefit. It is not a gimmick I have created for me to make money.

CA: What are the odds of getting funding locally?

CB: We use marketing. Say I create a show and find five artists a brand will be interested in. We put up a show. The sponsoring brand pays for that.

We take some of that money and inject it back into The Academy. There’s always an angle. Always.

Sometimes we go for struggling brands. My agency comes up with a pitch and presents it. With time

THE GENTLEMAN COUTURE

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COUTURE GENTLEMAN other brands will come in because if you want talent you have to pay for it. For them it is also content creation so they don’t have to do ads. At some level we will work with government because ultimately if they are not part of it, it doesn't work. But it is always easier to go with corporates and businesses first for that buy in. And there is Kenya. Uganda.

Africa.

CA: Are you working with any associations or bodies?

CB: Not yet. We have realised we need to talk with MCSK. When it comes to rights, our people are really going to push the content online and there are many mechanisms of making money there.

CA: Are you building a Songa, Spotify or Tidal?

CB: No. Not really. A video platform - maybe. Then again who am I to compete with YouTube. Which now has strict rules for copyright purposes.

CA: It sounds like the future is purely online for you.

CB: You know, we are really slow. Gary V says in a year, what you are working on is old. There is no such thing as a social media strategy. The strategy is the execution. You work on it today. see how your audience is responding and move according to that. Anything else is BS. You don't know what people want tomorrow! Why are people looking for big ideas when you can have small ideas that you execute flawlessly? Why should people listen to you? This world is cut throat. I can see jobs and companies right now that will not survive another year or two. Everything is changing. No one is safe.

CA: What’s your sound?

CB: My sound is mature and soft. I’m not all over the place.

CA: Is it a reflection of your personality or what you want to say?

CB: From a musical point of view, yes. When it comes to music, there is the musician on stage and one who creates sound for radio and TV. I am compiling an instrumental album. It is not necessarily what people want but it works for me. My sound is more epic than commercial.

CA: Will you be touring and performing?

CB: Probably at one of the shows when I put talent on stage. Atemi is the one who is always pushing us because she is such an active performer.

CA: Why now?

CB: What do you mean?

CA: You could have started at age 2, 12, 20, 23.....

CB: It’s not for lack of trying. I had to focus on business. My mother always told me to do what I need to do first. But I would not have learnt about marketing and succeeding in music or helping someone else get to this point. So why now? It’s so much more exciting because I am looking at so many people with talent but no guts to do what they want. What is the worst that could happen?

My business fails. I get a job. This is why I consider myself extremely fortunate and grateful. It took me 40 years to start making music. I want to help people do it earlier. And you can’t be one thing. Who says you have to focus on one thing to succeed? It’s only that I haven’t done it to the scale I wanted to.

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COUTURE GENTLEMAN

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H COUTURE HISTORY

AFRICAN HERITAGE IN THE PARIS MEDIA

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Fashions f dominate African fa Millenium

COUTURE HISTORY

H

TAGE Fashions from African Heritage Nairobi dominated the French media coverage of African fashions during the 1970’s to the Millenium, especially in magazines like AMINA

published in Paris but with a large readership in French speaking African countries. English language international magazines also gave African Heritage abundant coverage, including cover issues.

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B E A

U T Y

COUTURE BEAUTY | MAKE-UP

LIPSYNC: POWER ME RED!

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Nouba Millebaci Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Red

MAC Retro Matte in Ruby Woo

NOTE Cosmetics Mineral Semi-Matte Lipstick in Burn Red

Pauline Cosmetics Red Wine

Black|Up Red Lipstick

COUTURE BEAUTY | MAKE-UP

RED PICKS There is nothing more powerful than a classic Red Lip! Here are our favorites, for that perfect Matte finish.

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COUTURE BEAUTY | MAKE-UP

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COUTURE BEAUTY | MAKE-UP

HOW TO RED Many people stay away from both matte lipsticks and red lip colour for various reasons… with these simple tips, you can rock your matte red lippy like the queen you are!!!

Moisturize: Ensure you start with a lip balm or lip moisturizer before applying your lipstick to prevent your lips from drying up too much, or worse still, cracking.

Stop the Bleeding: Apply lip liner in red or brown before applying your lip colour to ensure the colour stays within the lines.

Stain It: kill two birds [drying and bleeding] with one stone by applying your lip colour as a lip stain instead. You can create a lip stain by applying a generous amount of lip colour onto your lips, dabbing out the excess colour with a tissue once, applying more and dabbing again! Easy.

Exfoliate: Keep your lips supple by exfoliating your lips, just as you would your face at least once a week. You can use your face exfoliator, or create a natural, better tasting exfoliant such as brown sugar and honey.

Find Your Match: Finding your perfect shade of red is almost akin to finding your perfect man… You may have to try a number, but when you do find the one, never let it go!

FACT BOX

RED LIP ETIQUETTE The best thing a red lippy, is that there is a shade for every personality. The worst thing, however, is that you have to be ten times a lady to pull it off!!!

Mind You Rim: There is nothing more unsightly than lip stains on your tea cup at your breakfast meeting. The trick here is to work with a lip stain, or have a wet-wipe close at hand.

Mind Your Lip Line: Your pocket mirror [or selfie camera] is never quite as useful as it is when you have red lips on…

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COUTURE BEAUTY | BODY

THE SUPERWOMAN’S REFUGE You cannot pour from an empty glass, and that is why behind every successful woman, there must be a stash of self-care secrets!

Spa at Home

Too busy to make it to the spa or salon? Worry not in an hour or less, you can have some self-care right at home.

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COUTURE BEAUTY | BODY

Mini Facial & Mask Pretty simple to do, a thorough cleanse [with warm water] followed by a face scrub and steam if you have the time and equipment, all topped off with a rejuvenating, hydrating or tightening mask is all you need to do for your mini home facial! Feel free to zen out and meditate with cucumbers on your eyes as you wait for your mask to take – or you could just use that time to do some other chore, read a book or dance alone in your bathroom!

Body Scrub Did you know that your skin completely regenerates itself every 28 days? This means that every 28 days, you should scrub off the dead skin to reveal your younger glowing more radiant glow!

Hence the full body scrub. Whether store bought or DIY, it is best to start your body scrub with a hot bath or shower to rinse off all the dirt, scrub, then close with a bath oil to add that much needed moisture to your skin. Close this with a luke-warm rinse and your body will be left silky smooth.

Foot Bath with Salts If you spend all day on your feet, there is nothing more relaxing than coming home to a warm foot bath. Other than leaving your feet nice and soft, foot baths – complete with aromatic salts help relieve stress tension and anxiety. Improves blood circulation, fights fatigue and eliminates toxins. Rub your feet with some spearmint infused oil immediately after and put them up [literally] for an hour or two at the end of your day.

Mini Massages We all have stressful hectic days that will give us isolated aches and pains. If you do not have time to go to the spa, make use of mini massages to isolate and focus on your pressure areas. This could be by way of massage rollers that you physically roll over the strained area, or electric massage cushions to give you instant relief.

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COUTURE BEAUTY | BODY

Aromatherapy for Tranquillity

Sometimes the pressure goes beyond the physical… and turning one special room into a mini spa by way of scent and smell will go a long way in relaxing your mind and calming your spirit. Anywhere, anytime.

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COUTURE BEAUTY | BODY

Humidifier A humidifier is a great way for adding scent to a room as well as keeping H2O levels high. This is especially helpful if you live in dry climates, use a room heater or suffer from sinuses or have a flu. Easy to use and becoming increasingly artistic in form and design, a humidifier is a must-have to step into your zen.

Incense Sticks The easiest way to zen out a large space – for a long time – is by use of incense sticks. Tried and tested, incense sticks have been there since time in memorial. Beware when using them in small closed spaces because the smells can become overwhelming and direct inhalation of the smoke is not good for you over time, but they are the best when looking for a strong, lingering scent.

Scented Candles If you don’t care too much for gadgets, scented candles will not disappoint. Coming in all shapes, sizes and scents you could easily be spoilt for choice. The best thing about candles is that you can fill your entire house with them for both anaesthetic and sensual feel. The rule of thumb here is to keep one scent per room [especially because some candles still smell even before you turn them on]. Use the scent guide to decide what smell you want to go where.

Brewed Herbal Teas Tea, oh tea! If you like your mixed tea or coffee in the morning because of that morning kick, then you will love a cuppa herbal tea in the evening to embrace you as you wind down your day. Let tea time be ‘me time’ for those 15 stolen minutes in your day where you can cuddle up you’re your favourite variant. The benefits are vast depending on the herbs you choose, but some staples such as chamomile, ginger and the exotic nettle should always be at hand. Visit www. coutureafricamag.com to explore the variances of herbal teas available and their benefits.

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COUTURE BEAUTY | BODY

Massages

Many a novice will assume that massages are used specifically for relaxation purposes. However, there is a massage treatment to meet your every need.

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COUTURE BEAUTY | BODY

Acupuncture Do not let the needles scare you, it is really not that painful. Acupuncture had been celebrated as a fantastic treatment for chronic pains, be it headaches, backaches, neck pain and even sore throats! It is also a great relaxation and stress relieving technique for those who feel they need to balance their energies! Should you get minor soreness and bleeding, do not panic. It shall go away within a matter of hours. However, do ensure that your practitioner uses sterile single-use needles for hygiene purposes.

Deep Tissue & Swedish Massage Swedish massages are the most commonly practices form of relaxing massages. For best results, go to a certified spa with welltrained masseurs and ensure the right essential oil is used on your so that you can reap the additional benefits f that oil. Deep tissue [and sports massages] are on the other hand the more intense version of the Swedish massage. As the name suggests a deep tissue massage goes deep, right to the bone, and while it may be a painful experience to ensure, guarantees ultimate muscle and body relaxation after the fact.

Reflexology Reflexology really is the future! One of the oldest healing techniques continues to outdo almost any new therapy that comes up regarding its healing benefits. Working on the premise that there are points on your feet with corresponding impacts on almost every part of your body, reflexology foot massages are a great way to map out your body. The rule of thumb is that reflexology points only hurt if there is an underlying issue with their corresponding body parts, and continuous gentle pressure on that area will ease and heal the body part.

Hot Stone Massage An interesting and now popular massage technique, hot stone massages are where the masseur used hot stones and oil to massage you. A welltrained practitioner not only massages you but focuses the stones on your energy centres to balance and relax not just your body, but your mind.

The choice of oil you choose here is also key in adding to your entire experience, and if you have never had a hot stone massage, there is no time like the present.

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Zen Life

In the fast-paced high-pressure world we live in, a little moments of zen are required to prevent us from loosing our minds. And while we capture this more in-depth online on #WellnessWednesday, here are a few think we feel you could add to your daily / weekly routine.

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Meditation “Be still and know, that I am Lord”. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of or daily lives, all the mind needs is a little stillness. It goes a long way. the best part is, meditation is also not as difficult as it seems. Meditation, unlike popular belief, is not necessarily the absence of thought, but the absence of your response or judgement to your thoughts. Play the role of the observer for 10 minutes a day as you sit in silence and just watch your thoughts go by and I can guarantee you, it shall be the best 10 minutes of your day.

Nature Spending time in a large body of nature is extremely rejuvenating. This could be in the forest, by the ocean, beside a river or at the foot of a mountain. Other than the fresh air you get to breathe, nature takes you back to your true essence, to help you connect with that which is an extension of you. The sounds of nature are also especially calming to the mind and help relieve stress and make you feel more grounded. Next time you are out in nature, ditch your Aldos and Sketchers and try going barefoot as you take in deep calming breaths of the crisp pollution-free air!

Yoga There are many forms of yoga, and it is up to you to find the one that suits your mental and physical needs. Why yoga stands out above every other exercise is because of the mindbody connection you have to form to become good at it, and as a result reap its full benefits.

Yoga poses were intentionally created to ensure your full attention stays in the present moment, on your body and on your mat. That in itself is a form of meditation because it focuses your mind on the essentials of life: you, your arms, your legs and that elusive headstand.

Exercise Well, any exercise junkie can give you a mile-long list of the benefits of regular exercise. Top on that list is the well-known fact that exercise releases endorphins which are the feel-good hormones into your blood stream. It helps you loose weight, helps you regulate blood pressure, helps you tone etc. The secret to the perfect exercise routine is to find the thing that works for you, at your convenience. Forget the fads and the quick fixes, and opt instead for a simple yet consistent routine, and even you will be impressed by the psycho-physio benefits you will reap in the short, medium and long term!

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P COUTURE PROFILE

HOW TO JOURNAL A ONE WOMAN ACT Zippy Okoth is one of the most dynamic, multi-talented and phenomenal woman we in Kenyan theatre. Known for her two-part one-woman show, Stranger in My Bed & the sequel, Strange Voices, the bubbly Zippy has certainly endured much.

Photography by Khalifa Louie | Makeup by Enid from Lintons Beauty World.

By Jackline Mukami

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COUTURE PROFILE COUTURE Africa: Who is Zippy Okoth?

Zippy Okoth: A 35 year old mother of two and a divorced woman. But I believe in love, I believe in marriage and I believe in happiness. I am a lecturer of theatre arts, a PhD graduate of theatre arts, actress, playwright, director and producer. I am the first woman with a PhD in theatre arts from a Kenyan university. I am the festival director for Lake International Pan African Film Festival and I also own a company called Legacy Arts and Film Lab. CA: Tell us about your journey in the art industry.

ZO: I have actively been involved in arts since 2003.

That was when I released my first song while an intern at Nation Media Group. I later graduated in Theatre Arts from Maseno University in 2005. I did a few films, the first being Excuse Me Teacher. After that much of my work has been on the teaching side and on students’ projects.

I also call myself a film promoter. Film production was a dream since 2015 but could not actualize it for lack of funds. Come 2016, there were still no funds but the dream was too strong. Together with my friend Nzuki Wanza, we pooled funds and started the Lake International Pan African Film Festival (LIPFF). Nzuki is the festival coordinator. I am the festival director. LIPFF focuses on African films presented in African languages. It has been quite successful. We honestly can’t wait for this year.

Your one woman show, Stranger in my Bed: Diary of a Divorced Woman. How did you arrive at the decision to produce it?

It is a personal story from my diary. I married the love of my life in 2008. Only down the line, things started changing. Into a physically violent, emotionally and financially abusive man. The man had lots of money but chose to spend it away from home on/with other women and drinking. Despite the abuse I had two pregnancies. We lost our first son in 2011. He actually blamed me for the loss of our baby. During the mourning period he was emotionally absent and cheating. I did not know whether to mourn my marriage or my child. My son died when I was already pregnant. The abuse never stopped. I’d plead for the baby’s life but he never cared. He actually asked me if that would be the first one I lost. I remember calling my mum, telling her I wanted to leave him. She said no, to stay and have the child. Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones because I did. Things started getting worse. He had one too many clandestine relationships. I was tired of wrestling my marriage from other women. He always apologised, promising he would never do it again. We tried counselling but he reverted to his abusive self. I was now suicidal. I had no social life.

He gave me a curfew. I was living in fear. I grew very prayerful. Asked God for signs. My eyes opened, The final blow came when he hit me in public at Kenya Cinema. That was when I realized the man was not worth it. That was when I decided to leave.

After all he was not even a good father, and he is still not. I did this play for voiceless women. To give hope. Most women are scared of leaving property and wealth but at the end of the day, you have to make a choice. Part two is about life after divorce.

Divorce is hard. It takes time to let go. It took me three years. When I left, I got back doing theatre.

Since then I have been performing.

CA: Wasn’t relieving your divorce on stage emotionally wrecking?

ZO: Yes it was. I wrote after leaving the marriage. I wrote poetry and run a blog to purge. I thought of writing a book. I got all kinds of advice. Some said all men cheat. Others, that all men are like that so stay put. After all, you are not the first to be beaten. I decided to go for extensive counselling. I remember a counsellor telling me ‘Zipporah you have to know when to hold on, when to walk away and when to run. As for you, you need to run.’ Divorce is quite draining and should be a last resort. Even then, you make it happen.

CA: How was been the reception?

ZO: The inaugural play was Valentine’s Day, 2018.

To my surprise the hall was full. After the show women came forward saying ‘that was my story.

That is what I am going through right now.’ Some men saying they had never shed tears before but that day they cried. It was quite emotional with men watching the play and saying they were sorry they did not know this was what women go through. The reviews were overwhelming. We got some women calling me saying they just want to talk to me and share their stories. After listening to women out there, one thing I can say is this; do not leave your job for a man. I think the moment a man tells you to leave your job, that he will take care of you, is the beginning of emotional abuse. I thank God I never left my job. Part two is about what happened post separation with dating.

CA: Do you think society stereotypes divorced women?

ZO: Definitely. They think divorced women are hoes, bad women. The ones to blame for their broken marriages since men are polygamous by nature. Divorced women are selfish because they do not wish to share their men. Very aggressive; especially if highly educated and career-oriented.

Women who do not want to support their men or conform. Society expects the Proverbs 31 woman forgetting the role of the man. Others will quote the verse stating divorce is a sin. But you cannot serve God when hurt.

CA: What is theatre to you?

ZO: I am theatre. I love theatre. Theatre is the world of all possibilities. I actually fought with my parents to do theatre. They wanted me to do law or education. In the we agreed I would take communication and media studies. Then I joined campus and found Drama and Theatre studies. I changed courses. By the time my parents realized it I was in my 2nd year. They just had to accept it.

Theatre for me is healing. I did Dramatherapy for my masters. Theatre is the voice of society. Life to the performer. I live my talent. It is a source of income.

Stage is therapy for me and the audience. We need to embrace theatre more.

CA: What is the biggest challenge about being in the industry?

ZO: Being a woman. Women in our profession are criticized more harshly than men. Judged, be it performance in professional circles or dress sense. I am personally judged harshly as an actor cum lecturer. I know of a lot of women face this.

Expectations are too high. Oddly when you are

too good, you are labelled aggressive. If not at par, women can’t do it. I can’t be fully me because people of this.

CA: Tell us about Legacy Arts and Film Lab. ZO: It is my baby. My retirement package. Our home. My empire. It started in 2015, a registered company in Karen Village. We consult on social issues like gender, community development, and curriculum activities. Day to day activities involve training on theatre performances, film directing, production design, cinematography and scripting.

We have a kids’ lab for skills development. They join us for two weeks during the holidays or Saturdays once schools open. We believe in nurturing talent early so by the time they are choosing careers they have direction. The kids’ lab nurtures their selfesteem and confidence. We also stage world class stage productions like Stranger in my Bed, did a June musical at KNT and Part Two of Diary of a Divorced Woman in August. Come December, we will stage another musical. We also do advertisements and documentaries for organizations and organize LIPFF, an annual festival.

CA: You are now organising the 3rd Lake International Pan African Festival, right?

ZO: The 3rd LIPPFF is going to be really big. We have received impressive entries since we opened call. Most from Kenya with entrants from Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa. This year we have short films, documentaries, animations, workshops, panel discussions and two-day conference paper presentations on creative arts. We want people to share ideas at a professional level. It will be held in Western Kenya because we want even more people to see other parts of Kenya. With excursions, it is not just about the film, but also exploring. We don’t have a TV and web series yet but we hope.

CA: Do you believe women who make the effort to look great get ahead faster?

ZO: Yes. That is true. Cleanliness is second to Godliness, and God uplifts his people. The way you portray yourself in terms of dressing determines a lot.

Describe your style: Contemporary African and semi casual.

Which accessory can’t you live without? My lipstick and wallet.

Popular misconception held about you.

Party animal. I am fun-loving, bubbly and love dancing.

Your daily routine? I am a creative. We hate routines. My days are quite unpredictable.

Quote you live by. Theatre is a world of possibilities. Also, be you.

You in three words. I AM ZIPPY.

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COUTURE CULTURE | OFFICE STYLE

WHAT WOMEN [AND MEN] WEAR TO WORK Fashion is also an integral part of their corporate biosphere. And these people were slaying their fashion game. They looked elegant and spot on with their fashion sense. We also gleaned a few of their cool-as-a-cucumber tips along the way.

By Jackline Mukami | Photography: Ludovick Mwamburi Make-Up by Julie Nsambya of Lintons College of Beauty

Ricky Luvutse Data analyst

My personal style is casual and spontaneous. I don’t have that specific style that I stick to. My office is pretty much consistent with my personal style. Our working environment comes in handy, it gives me a chance to dress in anything casual, comfortable and simple. My mood determines my outfit for the day. I am a simple guy so rarely do I accessorize. You can count me out of wearing skinny jeans. I love shoes, I own quite a number. I admire Khaligraph Jones and Jua Cali’s sense of style. They simply have this way to rock their outfits. I normally shop at Jeans Collections for my pants or Bata shop for my shoes. It generally depends on the item. I go for quality over quantity anytime.

T-shirt: Gifted Pants: Jeans collections Shoes: Bata Shop

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Mohammed Abdifatah Human resource assistant

I am quite a laid back guy.

My personal style is simply comfortable and functional with lots of smart casual. It is slightly different from office style which happens to be more formal. I like to start my week in a smart official look then ease into a more casual look as the week progresses. My dressing is general determined by a mix of everything, from the occasion, to the weather to my moods. I spend most on shoes, especially the Converse. My favorite accessory is my Garmin Vivoactive HR which serves as a watch and fitness tracker. I am not into trends and also I happen not to follow anyone’s fashion sense in particular. I normally shop at Peperuka, Bonk and LC Waikiki.

Glasses: iStyle T-shirt: Bonk Watch: Amazon Pants: LC Waikiki Shoes: Converse store

Joan Wanjiku Finance manager

Simple, chic and different best describes my personal style while smart casual describes my office look. Being appropriately dressed for the weather or occasion of the day is so crucial to me. My favorite accessory are statement earrings. I actually splurge most on jewelry, especially earrings and watches. I draw my fashion inspiration from Adrienne Bailon.

She is really stylish and knows how to pull off simple outfits in a really big way. Locally I admire Anita Gaitho’s style. You can wear her outfits anywhere. I would never turn up for work wearing stockings. My ideal wardrobe is this large walk-in closet full of versatile outfits and lots of shoes.

I shop anywhere; from thrift stores to abroad when I travel.

Earrings: Too Luxed Watch: Gifted Belt: Gifted Bodysuit: Thrifted Kimono: Avadore Fashion House Pants: CBD Shoes: Dubai

Sandra Njuguna Media planner

Classic and simple best describes my personal style. It is not that different from my office which I keep simple. I also believe the less you have on, the greater the beauty as long as the final look is decent. My moods usually determine how I dress for the day. There are those days I got an “Argh” kind of day and you will spot me in probably some jeans and hoodies. When I am happy I will likely be in a dress and all glammed up if going out. I admire Meghan Markle’s sense of fashion.

Her style is just simple and classic. My favorite accessory is my watch; it happens to be quite sentimental since it’s a gift from my dad. I love smelling good so I splurge most on perfumes. You will never catch me dead wearing chokers. I normally shop at Vivo activewear and Toi Market. I always go for quantity over quality when shopping.

Head wrap: Maasai market Dress: Mr. Price Watch: gifted Shoes: Bata shop

COUTURE CULTURE | OFFICE STYLE

SARACEN MEDIA LIMITED Saracen Media Limited prides itself for having one of the strongest local presence backed by global award winning credentials. We can’t argue with facts; after all they are one of East Africa’s largest independent media specialists and they have bagged the Global Media Agency of the year Award 10 times in a row!

Mitchelle Njoki Monitoring compliance assistant

My personal style is versatile and it can shift from urban chic to preppy. To sum it all up, my style very modern. My office style is however a bit toned down. The work environment here is very relaxed, and we are allowed to express ourselves in terms of fashion. What I wear for the day is determined by a combination of mood, occasion and weather.

I admire Cynthia Njoki’s sense of fashion. Her style has really evolved and she has set the fashion bar up there. I also admire the Nancy Mwai’s confidence and how she daringly rocks her coloured wigs. I can never leave the house without my earrings.

I would never be caught dead wearing wedges or those fringed jeans skirts. When shopping I go for both quality and quantity.

Lucky for me my mum runs a boutique and she got quite the fashion sense. So I don’t shop much.

Earrings: Maasai market Choker: Primark Top: Egypt Watch: H&M Pants: Zara Shoes: TJ Maxx

Collins Kiarie Copywriter

My personal style is eccentric and very individualistic. Thanks to a creative space such as ours, we are free to express ourselves in more ways than one way and fashion is definitely one of them.

I am a fashion enthusiast myself.

I have always being interested in fashion. I think my fashion sense is hereditary. I draw a lot of inspiration from reading a lot of magazines and online sites as well.

However I don’t follow trends. I admire Birkin Boy’s style; he has this timeless classic style. I also admire Denora Grey’s sense of fashion. He is very individualistic and he is not tied down to rules.

He is also very original. Being appropriately dressed for the weather determines my outfit for the day. My ideal wardrobe is classic, eccentric and timeless. I spend most on shoes, but I would never be caught dead wearing the 2018/2019 Balenciaga sportswear.

When shopping, I go for both quality and quantity. I normally shop online.

Glasses: Ray Ban African Shirt: Maasai market White Shirt: Marks & Spencer Watch: Casio Pants: ASOS Shoes: ASOS

Bernice kariuki Media executive

My personal style is elegant and comfortable. It is a little different from my office look happens to leans towards formal. I generally dress smart and presentable but I have no strict rules that I follow to the tee. My job however allows me to have a creative sense of style which is something I put in my mind when planning my outfits. I admire Kefilwe Mabote sense of fashion. She is a stylist and everything in terms of fashion. She knows how to perfectly wrap her elegance with flawless pieces. My favorite accessory is my watch. Without it I will otherwise feel distracted.

I love shoes a lot and I happen splurge quite a lot on them. The best shopping advice I have ever received is wear it for you, not for others. Albeit my random shopping habit, I normally get my outfits from Atmosphere.

Beret: Collections by Nesting Earrings: Beauty Galore Kenya Bracelet: Maasai market Watch: Online Shift dress: Siri Studio Boots: Shoestruckke

Juddy Munene Office administrator

My personal style is comfortable and trendy. It is not different from my office look. I love trendy and chic pieces. I also love color, with yellow being my favorite. Dressing for work is easy and fun when you work in an office space that appreciates creativity. My moods determines my outfit for the day.

Given a chance, I would swap my wardrobe with Grace Msalame in a heartbeat. Being a plus size and curvy as she is, I love how comfortable she is to dress her body. I can never leave the house with a lipstick. I splurge most on handbags and shoes with my collection rapidly growing by day.

I would never be spotted wearing any black outfit. My shopping mantra is buy something you know you will wear over and over again. As far as my shopping habits go, I am an impulse buyer; I spot and buy.

Earrings: Ideal_accessories Top: Bold collections Pants: Bold collections Kimono: House of Kaji Shoes: InStyle

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COUTURE CULTURE | HER STYLE

I DO IT FOR FASHION Sheena C’s Style Lawyer, Fashion Developer, Founder and Director of Strategic Fashion Development Consortium (SFDC) ‘What a queen’ is my immediate thought when I meet Sheena at The Couture House. Her lewk summed up everything she is. Fierce, pouring over with art, talent and a sense of self far beyond her years. It is an admirable, intoxicating mix of beauty and brains from a woman with an unwavering equine love.

By Jackline Mukami CA: I like starting with this question. Who is Sheena?

SC: Sheena the person is a creative, a lover of life and art since I was young. I am lucky I grew up supported, realising art was not just a hobby but who I am. I also have a passion for law. I studied it.

Art and fashion won in the end. This is how I started my brand; Sheena_C. Working my way through the industry, I realised there were a lot of challenges.

Creatives were perceived poorly in Africa. There was no access to information and careers in art and fashion had no protection. Fashion is business. No matter how many editorials or morning TV shows, it doesn’t add up until you make money off it. Kenyan designers would be much further given more opportunities, platforms, access and information.

CA: How did YOU do it?

SC: I was lucky enough to have mentors around me.

I remember one, how come we don’t look around and try understand how other fashion industries work and apply that? So we did exactly that. I did fashion weeks in Uganda and Kigali. Kigali Fashion Week (2016) was a major deciding factor in my career. It answered my questions answered. This was where I was first introduced to the Commonwealth Fashion Council (CFC). They gave industry players a platform to interact with influencers by bringing together industry players with policy makers. From the encounter I understood the ways in which the fashion industry is a value chain and everything is interconnected. When I came back home I put together what I had learnt in a logical flow, working on creating a board and a company specifically for fashion development locally. This is how SFDC was founded. With mentorship from the Commonwealth Fashion Council, the journey had started. It was amazing because shone an international spotlight

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home. After that I could not stop. Development projects came next and SFDC went ahead to make sure Kenya had some form of representation.

CA: Break down Strategic Fashion Development Consortium (SFDC).

SC: I am the founder and director. We are also the Commonwealth Fashion Council representatives to Kenya. We work both locally and internationally to develop the fashion industry through multiple ways. The most important thing to us is growing the market, creating access to the world and the economic stability of Kenyan designers. We do all this in partnership with CFC. When we work with individuals our focus is largely on their potential and interest for self-actualization. SFDC is a catalyst.

Our role is to simply trigger the fashion industry into the next level. We do expect them to sustain that expansion and deliver on what they set themselves to do. Industries have to work together. in 2019 we should be launching certain programs.

CA: You sound driven. What gives?

SC: I have two types of drives; internal and external.

My internal drive is the passion in me, which has opened great doors for me. My external drive are my mentors who push me to be the best me. They keep re-triggering my spirit of resilience. And of course God. CA: Your have a thing for horse-racing.

SC: Since I was very young. My spirit animal is actually a horse. There has always been a connection I have had with horses. The horses and the racing are simply amazing. It also really calms me. I am that kind of girl you will find in the stables. My favorite horse’s name is Manzouhli, an elegant chestnut and quite a friendly animal. She is not an every time winner but she has her moments. It is also fun when you can sit with other horse lovers and families and enjoy horse racing. It is amazing how we have the only horse races in East Africa. We have been pursuing horses and fashion on the same platform.

Instead of experiencing it as a hobby we love, we did something more with it. We approached Jockey Club and worked on melding fashion with horse racing. Through this we have been giving designers opportunities to showcase over the last two years on any major race day. We are currently preparing for next year.

CA: How do you combine all your loves?

SC: I try as much as I can to involve myself in projects I believe in, projects I am deeply passionate about.

This allows me to make necessary sacrifices without any problems. Again, I have a great support system in terms of mentors. These are people who know when to pull me out or push me back in when the occasion calls for it. They are my energizers. Third is of course nature. I love nature. I love animals; the wild animals. I enjoy fishing.

Describe your personal style.

Simple chic, sultry and quite vivacious.

Fave dish. Seafood anytime.

Your 3 fave people in the world. My niece, my mum and my fiancé.

Your current read. Tuesdays with Morrie.

A very insightful book.

Most prized possession you’re wearing right now.

My engagement ring.

Where do you shop?

Anywhere. Everywhere. The backbone of my wardrobe is staples first; dresses and heels, then I buy the rest. I don’t play with my heels.

Sheena would never be caught dead wearing.

I have a list but silver spandex pants top it.

Define beauty in a woman.

Her inner self, what she is ready to show to the world and what she is able to do.

Sheena in three words.

Lover. Artist. Academic.

Photography by Khalifa Louie | Make-up by Edelle Noela | Shot on location at The COUTURE House

COUTURE CULTURE | HER STYLE

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COUTURE CULTURE | HIS STYLE

THERE’S MORE TO TAILORS THAN WE SEE

By Order of Brighton Okut 27. Founder & CEO of Cittifficial_klothing.

Brighton Okut, popularly known as #Tailor001, says he doesn’t smile in his shoots. I took that as a challenge, but failed. Terribly. He never smiled, just a brief laugh here and there. He says this is what makes his vision and style stand out. Season after season he produces fresh designs reinventing classics into cool, anything but boring or predictable pieces.

CA: Who is Brighton?

BO: Brighton is a fashion entrepreneur; not trained but in it out of passion. I run a brand by the name Cittifficial_klothing. I have a BSc in Actuarial Science and an MSc in entrepreneurship. Then package all this in a tailor.

CA: How was Cittifficial_Klothing born?

BO: Cittiffical_Klothing started back at the University of Nairobi. Guys would always ask me where I got my outfits. I used to get them from Gikomba; buy pieces left right and center, try and match them up.

I would refer them there. As graduation approached, an idea hit me. I told guys I make suits. I got 10 to 15 orders at a very minimal price. I planned to outsource the job to the guy who did my suit. That was how Cittifficial_Klothing came by. Except the follow up was hell. Most of us were messed up during graduation including me. I had nothing to wear and I did not deliver. Still, inquiries kept coming through social media so I decided to say I make suits myself.

I would get the job and outsource. But this was still not really working with the stereotypes surrounding tailors. I needed to package myself well. I had to learn how to take measurements and hoped I would not be reduced to conning clients, change material, or use shortcuts to make extra coins. Back then the industry was messed up. I felt the need to fill in the outsourcing gap. I wanted to rewrite history. We are getting there. It is great satisfaction to see my pieces out there, someone going down the aisle and the wedding was success, or when I get recommended for a job.

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CA: Is fashion something you always thought to do?

BO: No. Actually, six years ago, had you asked me if I wanted to be in fashion, my answer would have been no. There are things we get into because of circumstances, situations and maybe personalities.

But, since I was a kid I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. My parents still want me to get a better job. One with a title, you know.

CA: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

BO: I would not say I am a designer per se. I would like to focus on the business aspect of the fashion which makes me an entrepreneur. Can I create a product the market is willing to buy? Can I sustain a cash flow and make a profits? I am not a designer myself. I would like to make that clear. Mine is the ability to bring together a team of guys who can sketch, design or stitch. I work with the businessminded.

CA: Gone are the days of being an emerging talent.

You are now established. What’s changed?

BO: Everyone wants to achieve something at the end of the day. Everyone gets into something with a vision of what they want to achieve. Going into fashion is fulfilling. I do what I love and get rewarded for it. I am grateful for my awards. It means there is word out there about my work. This is a small idea I had maybe 4 years back. One still has to keep up with what the public says and you live up to that expectation.

CA: Was there ever a moment where you just felt like you had arrived?

BO: I tried literally trying everything in the beginning. African, kids, khaki; then I had to sit back and wait for a response. Fashion is very wide.

I was looking into creating more of an authentic, trustworthy brand. The notion that tailors are liars was enough motivation to create my own line.

Cittifficial_klothing works because we are build bridges between clients and tailors. What we basically do is shield clients against inconsistencies that come with tailors.

CA: Who is the best personality you have dressed?

BO: I have worked with quite a number. My objective is transformation. Am I able to transform an individual from one look to another? I have worked with Timmy TDat, King Kaka, DJ Mo, Daddy Owen, Vivianne and Willy Paul to name a few. I can’t single out any individual who stood out for me. I want to have them all stand out.

CA: Describe the ideal Cittifficial_klothing man or woman.

BO: That is derived from the name itself. Citti stands for something urban, trendy, stylish, comfortable and not restricting. While ‘fficial’ is the official aspect of urban. One who can coordinate something urban with official and make something out of this world.

The city offers everything. Our ideal man or woman is someone who can combine the two.

CA: Now describe your personal style.

BO: Easy and comfortable. I dress up based on particular events, occasions or situations. The agenda of the day dictates my style.

CA: What do you do for fun?

BO: We work for fun.

CA: Ok! And your greatest achievement is?

BO: The fact that I have a brand out there that guys are talking about. My greatest achievement is being able to fill the gaps presenting me with an opportunity to tell people more about me, my brand and what I started off as a joke. Awards then push us and tell the world we are doing an incredible job creating something vibrant, viable, has been tested and still standing strong.

CA: What do people not know about you?

BO: I have more than one personality. I know when to work and when to play. I don’t smile in my shoots because mine is a serious brand.

CA: What is your definition of a true gentleman?

BO: A gentleman requires a very wide definition. I will focus on fashion. A true gentleman is not very trendy, but knows what he needs in his wardrobe.

He looks at his wardrobe very closely, and invests in and rarely gets the wrong outfit.

CA: What is your definition of beauty?

BO: Beauty in a woman means brains. I would classify that in terms of age difference and age gap.

I think as a man, the more you grow the more your definition of a woman keeps changing. All in all, beautiful is beautiful but it needs to be backed up by brains.

Photography by Khalifa Louie | Make-up by Edelle Noela | Shot on location at The COUTURE House

COUTURE CULTURE | HIS STYLE

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COUTURE CULTURE | DÉCOR

POWER COUPLE ABODE

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COUTURE CULTURE | DÉCOR

According to Urban Dictionary a Power Couple means “two people who are equally as cool as each other. They are as individually awesome and fun to be around as they are when they are together. If one person is flawed, the other person makes up for their weaknesses in strength. Together they are the epitome of what anyone would desire in a relationship.”

By Wambui Kamau-Ong’weny

Do you have a power couple you look up to for interior design goals? Mine are the Mushwanas. A South African pair whose house from architectural design to interiors, is breathtaking. Yes, we can aspire to have homes exuding confidence and elegance that power couples have. The key is balance. That, in essence, is what they have found.

It is how an epic style clash and pitfalls of his and hers shared spaces live. By combining two visions into a seamless blend. But how can you and bae do so without a divorce swiftly following?

Here are my top 6 tips for designing a home with conscious coupling.

1. Go for unisex decor.

I would hold back on girly floral wallpaper or black puffy leather seats unless both of you are absolutely in love with them. There are a myriad of style choices appeal to both partners. Should you disagree on style, for example, modern versus traditional, then go transitional! I do strongly advice against ‘halving’ it. This is just a recipe for disaster! Imagine a steampunk industrial coffee table with a bohemian style carpet.… I think not. Sometimes what works in individual spaces that speak to individual tastes become more ‘urgh!’ than ‘hell yeah!’Whichever style you choose. Push boundaries and make it look like money.

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COUTURE CULTURE | DÉCOR

2. Keep most used living areas as neutral as possible and accessorize wisely.

3. Lighting takes the spotlight.

The lighting system of your home needs to be considered to provide a variation of tone and ambience. No harsh lighting. You both work hard, You can still reach out for vivid colors such as bright likely under fluorescent lighting, and want to come pink or red but also, keep those limited to some to a relaxed space, a sanctuary. Mellow it with spaces like the home office, bathroom, man cave lighting. or terrace. Israel and Adrienne Houghton are a PC in two-part harmony. Their lovely home is a neutral 4. Art. masterpiece. Use inexpensive accessories as your Need I say more? Mention one PC whose walls main hook. Do so by keeping an eye on lamps, wall have no art. Go on. I’ll give you a minute to Google. art, creative shelving and even poster art. We are at We could be here for a minute so to just get to the times fooled into think every PC home is expensive point, art is crucial. Art is not meant to just sit, a when it actually is not. Good things can be found at wall hanging simulating a coat on a rack. It needs bargain, thrift or vintage stores. to speak to the design style present in the room or at least blend cohesively. Buying or commissioning art helps you confirm your style, theme and color palette instantly. If you are in Nairobi, the Circle Art Gallery will have you spoilt for choice.

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COUTURE CULTURE | DÉCOR

5. The rule of three.

If you have a room that feels off, chances are you simply need to apply the rule of three. The rule, or guideline if you prefer, states things arranged in odd numbers are more visually appealing to the human eye. Our brains love odd numbers because they challenge us mentally and look more natural. Even tends to look somehow staged, like it’s trying too hard. Take this bookshelf styled by Joanna Gaines, one half of the Power Couple famed for the HGTV show Fixer Upper.

6. Hire a designer.

If all this has left you with a distant throbbing on your temple, pick up your phone. Get a professional to mix and match your styles. Especially if you are both collectors unsure of what to do with your collections or how to display them. At home as in the outside world, you want to showcase both personalities. It might be nice to have a third party with a trained eye bring it all together. Creating a stable palette does take a lot of experience and that’s why this is a great idea.

My idea of a Power Couple living space? Definitely a black and white colour palette. “Black has it all.

White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.” If Coco Chanel said it, who are we to contradict it? Throw in a Chesterfield sofa and transitional coffee table then highlight it with an Eames chair. Adorn the sofa with a modern painting as the background then ground the space with a traditional area rug. Not forgetting use of a minimal number of materials repeated in different ways to unify the spaces and create a sense of calm. Now that’s a power statement! I feel I must say this before I leave. A space doesn’t have to stay the same forever. Tastes will change. You will inevitably finesse design styles with time and can always switch things around. Think of designing a room as a fluid process.

It is not about perfection or creating something static. In any case you are a Power Couple. You will move and/or buy houses and other new things.

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COUTURE CULTURE | GADGETS

POWERFUL GADGETS FOR THE POWERFUL WOMAN In this golden age of technology, we are lucky enough to have unlimited access to handy gadgets and gizmos to help us live our best lives. Every woman needs these gadgets in her arsenal; and no, we don’t mean a lifetime supply of shower gels or membership to the new yoga classes. We also don’t mean shiny watches or gadgets that revolve around color palettes, specifically pink. We mean tools that actually target women’s convenience needs, rational thinking, and utility requirements, rather than nurture stereotypes.

So read on for our pick of the best and powerful tools you need for your modern powerful self;

Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 8 instant camera

Smartphones are great, yes, but there is nothing more fun than an instant camera. You know, a fabulous old-school camera that prints photos as soon as you have taken them. The Fujifilm’s instant camera is compact, perfect and sturdy for everything from your vacation pictures in Malibu to a party photo booth with your gals. The camera is now available with a wide variety of printing options and colors. It even has a selfie mirror so that you can always look your best. The Ultra-wide bell bottoms are not coming back though.

Amazon Kindle Oasis

This is the Rolls Royce of e-readers and the techiest gadget your resident bookworm is going to get - so go on, and splurge a little.

If you are a total bookworm who makes her way through multiple novels a month, enjoy snuggling up with a good book when it gets cold outside by getting yourself the Amazon Kindle Oasis. The e-reader will save your eyes from a lot of unnecessary strain caused by the usual screens of our electronic gadgets. Not only does the e-reader keep it simple with a black and white display for easy reading, but it also can connect with Audible for audio books galore. Plus the 4GB of space ensures that you can carry hundreds of your favorite books.

Powerful women read!

Apple MacBook Pro

The ultra-slim MacBook is the ultimate portable tool for the creative professional in you. You can undoubtedly find other cheaper laptops on the market, but the 10-inch Apple MacBook Pro makes a perfect gadget for any woman outchea seeking a blend of power, performance, and overall quality. Highlights include a more userfriendly experience with a touch bar and touch ID. Plus it is so thin that it will easily fit in your purse.

Fitbit charge 2

Fitness is feminine, so add a Fitbit Charge 2 and get movin’ in style. In this age of confusing diet plans and millions of fitness routines, comes the Fitbit Charge 2 to help you maximize your workouts and make the most out of your sweating by tracking your outdoor runs, weight training, calories burnt, plus much more. Need some little Zen? The Fitbit charge 2 will also help you find some little calm with personalized guided breathing sessions based on your heart rate. You will still receive notifications on calls, texts, and calendar. So set goals, see progress, analyze trends and earn achievement badges (AKA no procrastinating, AKA a second mother).

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Google Home Mini

This is one butler with a serious bass you should get for your bossy self. The Google Home mini is a recently released Bluetooth speaker that houses a powerful force. This voice-activated gadget does everything for you – it lets you sync up your music library, schedule appointments to finding answers to obscure questions. Plus, the must-have gadget works with other smart home gadgets from Samsung to Phillips.

COUTURE CULTURE | GADGETS

We-Vibe Nova Rabbit Vibrator

Samantha Jones had a goodies closet, Miranda had a goodies drawer, while Christian Grey had a goodies room. No matter which category you fall on the good spectrum, every woman should have a collection, however big or small. Start your collection with the Nova Rabbit Vibrator and reward yourself with the most powerful orgasms. With a super-soft, smooth surface that allows it to bend with your movements and two powerful motors on each arm for dual stimulation, this vibrator creates earthquaking sensations in both your vagina and clitoris. One of the best features is that you can control the movements via an app on your phone. You can even buy a waterproof Rabbit, so you can use it anywhere you feel the urge. So take the plunge to give your regular sex routine a little ‘jump’.

Apple iPhone X

Do we need to explain this one? You can never spot a woman with a smartphone. A phone is a must. An iPhone X is an absolute must - the most coveted phone on the market right now.

If you are the kind of woman that digs Apple’s style and you are in need of a new smartphone, and you have lots of cash to spare, then you cannot go wrong with this one. The iPhone X is an attractive phone, sure, but it has much more going for it than just good looks. It lets you stay in touch with your gal-pals and fuels live streaming of gossip! Don’t get worried though, this is not the one with the exploding battery.

Bellabeat Leaf Urban

Dear Woman, the Bellabeat Leaf Urban is the stylish health tracker you need. This thoughtful jewelry comes in handy to help you track your complete monthly lifestyle. Yes, we are talking about your periods and fertility issues.

The Leaf burn can be worn as a necklace, brooch or bracelet without looking bulky or obstructive. Use it to monitor your sleep and general activities, but more so monitor your stress levels and encourage yourself, through mediation goals, to relax and reboot. The Bellabeat leaf urban is your best choice if you wish to track more than your steps.

Mighty Purse

There is nothing as annoying as running out of battery and being stuck with a dead phone.

And for the tech-savvy woman of today, this is where the Might Purse comes in. With of hassles of daily tasks, long meetings, and taking care of everyone around you, spare yourself some bothering with this cool purse. The Micro USBfitted purse comes features wireless charging with a built-in power pack that can actually charge your smartphone up to four times. All you need to it is plug your phone onto the charging cable and let your phone lie inside your purse in style. The purses are spacious and stylish in their own right too. After all, who wants to carry hefty power banks around?

Simplewoman Wide View Sensor Mirror

What an all-around perfection? The simple human Wide view sensor mirror is the ultimate makeup mirror for your morning beauty routine.

After all the regular mirrors are not much of help while trying to get that winged eyeliner right or checking if the compact is perfect enough under your eyes. Get yourself the widesensor mirror and solve all the above-stated problems plus much more. The mirror has three panels and app-controlled lighting strips which can be used to replicate any lighting situation, including selfies. You can thank us later!

Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera

This should be your digital watchdog, woman!

Whether you are worried about break-ins or pet shenanigans, this smart security camera will help you keep an eye on your queendom 24/7. The camera constantly records highresolution videos and has cool features like motion-sensing alerts and activity zones. It works with a smartphone app installed in your app to become your eyes or ears while you are out of the house.

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COUTURE CULTURE | RESTAURANT REVIEW

DOES TRAVEL REALLY OPEN THE MIND? I don’t travel well. Every time I read how Eva Longoria or Victoria Beckham chill first class in hydrating face masks and creams so they can bounce off the plane all glowy, or find yet another article on celebrity airport style, I want to scream.

By CAROL ODERO

Sure my career has been awesome enough taking me to Spain, Germany, Botswana and South Africa to glamping in the Mara. I will not tell a lie though.

I am an exceptionally high maintenance traveler. I want soft white towels, a plunging bathtub, robes caressing my bare clean skin and will pack bath salts and essential oils in my skincare and makeup mini suitcase. What. Don’t you have one of those?

I have no concept of traveling light. You should see me lugging bags across country to shags. In my list of reality shows I will never ever do, topped by any and all Big Brothers, is The Amazing Race. I would be the snippy, annoying, irritating, hateful companion to the saintliest patient person on earth. Viewers would beg producers to squelch me. I am not a roughing it kind of gal.

But why is travel just so important with the universal campaign for finding bliss through experiences?

Profound advice about living gets couched in travel speak. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Thanks much Ralph Waldo Emerson. Instagram poetry will never be the same. As an avaricious reader, I much prefer travel underneath the comfort of my comforter. With a delicious book transporting me into another universe. Travel does not have to be physical when words can teleport you. Besides, as J.R.R. Tolkien, creator of elves, Hobbits and One Ring said, intriguingly enough, “Not all those who wander are lost.” Maybe, like me, you find joy in spelunking your inner depths as opposed to physically extracting yourself from one location to the other. After all, the journey to self knowledge is unending. In fact, “The longest journey is the journey inward,” rightly said Dag Hammarskjöld. And another thing. What is it with referring to careers, paths and choices as ‘journeys?’ Whose grand idea was that? Listen to this self-congratulatory message to mankind.

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Yes Andre Gide,

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but what if I have a perverse fear of the ocean? What then, huh Andre? Huh? Then there’s Jack Kerouac anticipating my life choices by declaring, “Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” Well! The nerve of! Life, apparently, has nary a destination in sight. Because, Aldous Huxley states, “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” And naturally, “Blessed are the curious for they will have adventures.” I will have you know I am deeply curious thank you very much!

This makes me quite miffed with both my Sagittarius horoscope and Life Path 5 numerology reading. Both are insistent on a soul riddled with wanderlust. A restless energy ever propeling me away from ‘home.’ Fiddlesticks! Or, have I been doing travel all wrong? Could Benjamin Disraeli have known something when he said “Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” Perhaps I forget wherever I go, there I am. An extraordinary quote by none other than Carrie Bradshaw summed it up. “I wasn’t searching for something or someone….I was searching for me.”

For the longest time I thought travel was an affair.

Something lifestyle bloggers and celebrity chefs did because they knew secrets I did not. It turns out my episodic travails did in fact, shift my perspective of myself, and inevitably, others who are nothing like me and my people circle. Travel is disruptive for me, because it flips me, grabs my ankles and gives me a mighty shakedown. Would I recommend it to anyone? Hello? Haven’t you been interacting with my jet-lagged brain? Or, maybe it is because I completely agree with Lin Yutang when he said “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.”

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COUTURE CONVERSATIONS

ARE WOMEN AFRAID OF POWER? Think of the most powerful woman you know. What is it about her that makes her powerful? Money? Political status? Power by association like a First Lady? Or is it because Forbes say so therefore it must be so? Women, I have come to observe, need to rethink power and what it means to them.

By Carol Odero

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It is said there was a time the world belonged to women. When goddesses were worshipped on altars, and women communed with nature and the spirits. Power, it is obvious, lay with the women simply by virtue of their nature. They understood the moon, blood, fertility, growth, plants, healing not to mention seduction. Of course they were inevitably named witches and burnt at the stake. Somehow, there is next to no history of this time. A time when her story was the world’s story.

Before diving into The Power Issue, I looked up power, hoping, yet knowing it was pointless, that it’s definition has since stopped being so male, masculine and negative. It has not changed. Perhaps this is why there is more ease around ‘influencer’ and ‘tastemaker’ and power is something that belongs to the political arena. Where women are not exactly known to be the manifestation of femininity.

It is a complex thing women are told is taken, never given. To answer the headline yes women are afraid of power. So terrified of it anything will be done to stave it off.

A CASE FOR SUPERGIRL In this CW series, once the Queen Bee aka bitchy boss lady Kat blesses the female relative of Superman as Supergirl, she has an exchange with Kara aka Supergirl that goes something like this.

KAT: Yes but why Supergirl. She is not a girl.

KARA: I named her Supergirl. And I am a girl. Am I not a girl? Are you not a girl?

It is a bit of an inane one, trust. But it does occur to me I do in fact mind it when I am called a girl. Mainly because I am grown and have not been an adolescent for sometime. Also because I have noticed whenever a man called me a girl, I bristled. I feel diminished, not flattered. Girls don’t do what I do for a living.

They do not wade through the underbelly of life and have to go wash of it’s gunk knowing tomorrow has even more gunk. But, the biggest epiphany was when I realised being a woman has responsibilities attached to it, and they are not for the faint of heart.

Being a woman demands confidence, vulnerability, understanding and managing your emotions, knowing the relationship you have with your mother will be very definitive and complicated especially as you grow older, you will realise you can seduce and be seduced, that broken hearts heal, that you have to be enough for yourself and others can go to hell.

There is a reason it is called ‘being’ and ‘becoming’ a woman. It is a process. It requires growing up.

That’s why you cannot hesitate to be one. Girls are children. Women are adults.

BECAUSE WE ARE ROYALTY Instagram has a lot to answer for. All those quotes and memes about being Queen and deserving a King. Or worse, the princess, she who wants a man to swoop in, take care of her and her meet her needs all the while not stating what said needs are, expecting him to read her mind. When she does not get her way, she throws a hissy fit. A princess has socialite tendencies if she is not already one. The queen is not any better when she has coronated herself via social media. True queening is bloody hard work. Ask Queen Bey. Ask her how many times she rehearses a move, a line, how big her team is. How involved she in every single aspect of her life and her career. How she dealt with marriage to Jay Z post affair. There is a mistaken belief a man makes a queen. Not even close. A true Queen wears her heavy crown whether she is alone or with a partner. She does not wait for him to pack royalty into a velvet pouch and have it brought to her. She earns it. Just the same way she earns her king. And he earns her. I agree royalty traded children to form allies, marrying them off as property. But once you get lemons, whatever you make out it builds your throne. Do not be the queen without a kingdom. Or as motivational speakers like to insist, an empire.

OWN YOURSELF What in Aphrodite’s name does this even mean?

Yet another Instagram ‘truism’ that says everything and nothing at the same time. Women who own themselves are celebrated as Goddesses. Goddesses are sometimes interchangeable with Queens. Here is the thing. Being one is not automatic. It is not acquired. It is the result of inner work. Emotional, mental and spiritual work where you figure out who you are, what you want, how to get it, how to have it when you get it, what makes you cry and breaks your heart. It is about having the ability to handle yourself. Remember how during season 1 of Scandal women wanted Olivia Pope to run their lives? See, in order to own your self first you have to know who that is, and this is the most intoxicating, inevitable, painful, rewarding thing you can ever do as a woman. Of course with this knowledge also comes the certainty that you will constantly change, and you cannot pin self down, content that you have captured it. In my book, a Queen graduates into a Goddess. A Queen does, a Goddess is. If you call yourself a Goddess I would like you to examine yourself in this one area. Have you helped another woman grow in any way in any part of her life? Have you repeated this process of nurturing others, seeing them become better versions of themselves? Even the selfish Aphrodite helped a sister out. Hera, if you must know, showing her how to win back her lover.

You cannot be selfish and claim the throne. It just does not work that way.

club, a man’s world, and she has to live by the rules.

Except, she is told, why not make new rules? Her own rules? Dress like the hot woman she is, and transform what she has into potent power. In the next episode she is in crimson red with abundant cleavage and a smokey eye. Women play by men’s rules in politics and the corporate world. We see this in the way they comport themselves and dress.

Female politicians give speeches like men, attacking fellow politicians and toning down their femininity.

Women in the corporate world dress in dark muted colours and meh hair. Personal shoppers and stylists were invented for this very reason. To create women in their own likeness as opposed to male hybrids.

The kind of skills needed in the workplace now as distinctly feminine. There is no need to ‘man up’ says Psychologies UK November 2015. Leadership styles are shifting into transformational where the ability to inspire is critical. This creates an environment where collaboration, agility and communication skills thrive. What have traditionally been considered soft skills are becoming critical skills.

WE GET THE SOCIALITES WE DESERVE I have a theory. Socialites embody what has long been considered the most hyped aspects of femininity with this calculated helpness and obvious leaning towards their physicality. They have emerged because there are next to no female influences coming across as a reflection of positive femininity.

On the one hand, the colourful relationship oriented princess, the other, Miss fiercely independent. There is no middle ground for a woman to explore being female. As a fashion industry insider, I know more women are influenced by Kim Kardashian’s version of femininity, fashion and style than Kenyans care to admit. They want to be adored like Bey. They want to be fabulous and uninhibited like Rihanna.

The latest Ipsos survey on role models placed Riri at the top of the international celebrities. The identification with these women, the constant labelling of them as Queens and Goddesses speaks to the absence of what Clarissa Pinkola Estes speaks of in her book, Women Who Run With The Wolves.

The absence of a crone, where crone is a hallowed term for an older woman who instructs the younger in the ways of the world. Think of a crone as a Ssenga for every aspect of a woman’s life. Mentors are on every woman’s lips, but to be honest, they are failing women by not talking about sex and relationships.

Mentorship cannot be about finances, careers and entrepreneurship. It has to touch at the core of what it means to be female. Clarissa’s book does a beautiful job of giving the woman back to herself.

But you have to werk at it. This is not How To Seduce A Man flip chart in point form.

IT’S A MAN’S WORLD I watched cult classic TV series Boston Legal the other day. In one episode a young, beautiful, sexy woman is confronted by a future male companion about why she is always dowdy and covered up yet she could own the world. She retorts that it is a boy’s

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COUTURE CONVERSATIONS

CONVERSATIONS WITH THE AMAZING BIO OIL FOUR It was the 12th of June this year. I was at a friend’s place. He happened to come from refilling his gas cylinder and asked me to help him close the burner.

I did. Closing the burner, I lit a matchbox to confirm it was tightly closed. Unfortunately gas was leaking.

I tried to quickly tighten to prevent more leakage.

The leaking never stopped. We had to think fast. I asked my friend to run out so I could pass him the cylinder. The exit was too small for both of us. He was to get out first as I follow. Once outside I threw the cylinder which then burst into flames. I got to the exit and the whole place was on fire, quickly spreading. I ran to a nearby pub. Found it vacant.

Everyone had escaped the fire. My apron was already on fire. I rolled around on the floor to try put it out.

Then tried pulling it off. It came off with my skin.

I ran to the road, several meters away, waved off a motorbike to rush me to hospital. By now I was so numb I barely felt any pain. That’s when I realized my face was burnt. At the time I thought it was something doctors would quickly treat and send me home. But the nurses came rushing towards me. I was admitted immediately. That night I got much worse; I was in so much pain. I was moved to Kenyatta National Hospital and required to pay for my transfer. I had to call my wife who came and helped transfer me. I used a Nissan. I don’t know what happened once in it. I came to two days later in ICU post surgery, staying there till my discharge.

Three months in, I am yet to fully recover.

It has been hard and traumatizing. In hospital I saw patients with burns. Many are the times I was on the verge of breaking down. People treated me differently. I have lost a few friends. Questions and comments can be really unkind. Counsellors have really helped with my healing process. Were it not for my family; my wife and two kids, healing would not have been as likely. They have accepted what happened to me, always been there offering all the emotional support they can. I have learnt to be strong for them. My dad feel sick when he learnt of my accident and has been in hospital ever since.

I know it will take time before I get to fully accept and come close to terms with my new self. I can barely work as hard as I used to. I cannot lift anything beyond 15kgs. But I have also grown stronger. I now have a different perspective on life.

The best way society can help burn victims is to be generous with emotional support. Family support goes a long way. Healing is expensive whatever you can give goes a long way.

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Photography: Khalifa Louie of Cool Pixx Studios | Styling: Ruth Odhiambo of RuthOdhiambo Styles | MakeUp: Christine Wanza of Lintons Beauty College

John Gitutho Mwati, 34, Businessman

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Monique Wangera, 40. Fundraiser I have no memory of how I got burnt. My mum tells me I got the burn at age two. That we were in the kitchen and there was a hot cup of water on the counter. I reached out for it and accidentally poured the very hot water on myself head downward. I was heavily dressed a woolen sweater. I actually got scarred because it retained water. By the time my mum started undressing me the damage had been done.

I don’t recall how it was growing up with a scar but one thing I know is the scar has never been something that defined me. My mum did not treat me differently because of it. As you can see, you can barely see the scar. So can I. Neither did it affect my social relationships. I have never bought clothes just to cover it. Because I never hid it, anyone I dated saw it. I developed this thick skin. I have to treat the scarred region with good skin care routine.

Sometimes it can get itchy. The skin becomes very dry so I use a good moisturiser.

I’m very careful with kids around the kitchen. You will never find the jiko in the same place as my son.

It won’t work. It is because of this scar that I am that careful. And generally with any child, it doesn’t have to be mine. And also kinds are very delicate and are inquisitive; so as your children are growing, teach them that people are different. We also need to teach ourselves of how to take care of ourselves against fire accidents. We all need to be careful and learn how to react if the fire happens.

For the burn victims, we should learn to be kind to them and support them with whichever way we can.

The healing takes time, and without any support from the society it can take a toll on them. They are people like any others, so people should stop with the judging and staring. If you want to ask the question of how they got burnt, be kind, ask, and teach your kids to treat people who are different with the same kindness.

I believe support groups are also important for victims who have also been emotionally scarred.

It is actually the burn survivors, with the support of counsellors, who should come together and form these groups. Only then we can the start the conversations; no one else can start the conversations.

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Bilha Njeri Waithera, 22, Student and Project Management My burn accident happened when I was a few months old. I don’t know the actual story but I am told we were asleep with my mum, during the day.

My cousin then came from fetching firewood and they were making tea. You know in those kitchens outside the house in the village. So when I heard them, I woke up and crawled towards the kitchen.

I pushed the kitchen door and fell in the teapot. I actually landed with my hand, and some splashed on the face. Actually my cousins did not know I had burnt my face, but I was taken to the hospital, treated and later recovered.

Growing up, I used to protect it so much, much especially when I was in Primary school. However, I have never let the scar hinder me from doing what I should be doing. I am that abled person. I wear anything I want. I do whatever I want. I don’t even think it. I simply have not given it much power over me. I am that kind of person that just loved it and learnt to live with it. My life has generally been normal.

Despite my experience and my barely noticeable scar, I feel that people with scars really do have a hard time. I would want you to see me as me, as a normal person and not define me by my scars, like our society is doing. The society should appreciate those people and stop judging them. No one wants to intentionally get burnt. Stop judging, criticizing, and treating the burn victims different.

The burn survivors too should have a platform where they can express themselves and share their stories. The schools too should have programs that educate kids about fire and burns.

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Getrude Katula, 24: Student, Wife, Entrepreneur, Founder of Beyond Burns and Disfigurement Program.

4707 I got burnt when I was three in 1997. I have scars all the way from my chest to my knees. I was unwell and fell asleep by the fireplace. Then my clothes caught fire. There was no grown up at home at the time. Just my aunt who happened to be seven years older. My response was to lock myself in a metallic box. Being a kid I guess I thought that was the best way I thought to put out the fire. Through sheer luck I was found by my cousin who noticed how hot the box was. For “first aid” my aunt poured water on me after which they screamed and caught the attention of our neighbors who rushed me to the nearest dispensary. The following day I was transferred to Machakos General Hospital where I stayed for six months. I was later transferred to Nazareth Hospital.

Growing up my scars were not an issue till 14. That was when I started growing breasts, and people started noticing them and how different I was. The comments were brutal. One breast sat up, the other went down to my stomach. I would hear comments like “Hey, adjust your bra!” I remember a kid once telling her mum about my one belly breast. Then back in high school in the shower I overheard “Can she have kids or ever get married?”

All these comments, they were so horrible. I completely lost my self-esteem. I was always angry, there was selfhate and I felt that everyone was out to judge. There is nothing as bad as being poor, physically, emotionally and financially while nobody seems to understand. I was always in a sweater or wind breaker to hide my breasts.

I became withdrawn until 2016, in my third year at Kenyatta University when I founded Beyond Burns and Disfigurement Programme. One of my breasts cut off and started bleeding. I could not afford treatment. My mum was jobless, I had just deferred and as first born, I was taking caring for my siblings. I would just wash and apply some Vaseline.

The programme helped me heal and connect with others who had scars but had a hard time in society. Currently we have burn survivors, blind people and a few cleft lips among other disfigurements. I felt that scars and disfigurement was not only affecting fire victims. We lift each other up. I want people to know we are soul carriers and have something beautiful inside us. Burnt survivors tend to feel segregated but I want them to learn that we can live beyond the scars. Life is a miracle and a gift.

I get a lot of support from my family, in-laws and most of all, my husband, who has accepted and loves me unconditionally. He sees the beauty of my scars. He actually kisses them every day, something he promised do for the rest of our lives. I am now expectant. The love and support is even more overwhelming. They have given me courage to embrace my scars and share my story.

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LAST WORDS | OLIVE GACHARA

The Entrepreneurship Secret.

Putting the Power Issue together is especially interesting for me because there are so many dynamics when it comes to power, especially for women. Power Plays in the workplace… Politics and Power – literally and metaphorically speaking…

Power of and over self… Power over others… The list is endless. What however specifically draws my interest is the power you get when you run your own business. More often than not, we get so caught up in the day-to-day that we never stop to realise the impact your business venture has on your microcommunity. This is in the people your serve or sell products to, the people you employ and the people whose products and services you use to achieve your goals.

If you do not think there is power in entrepreneurship, just look at Safaricom! If MPesa goes down for even 1-hour in the middle of w working day, there will be uproar throughout the country! As such, with great power, comes great responsibility [hence the phrase, step into your power]. Bringing it closer home, look at the blogger of today. Bloggers, are essentially SME’s, yet they carry the same weight and influence as most mainstream media today. What about you and your business? If you look around you, you will quickly realise the influence you have over various situations, that can only be created by virtue of the business you run.

So, as you look to get into business or continue to build your existing one, think not only of the bottom line but also of the impact you can make in your community. Be intentional and use the platform you create to do good and to uplift and positively influence the lives of those around you. Instead of sitting around complaining about the powers that be, focus on the good you can do and the value you can add to your environment to create a better and more comfortable living and working environment for yourself and for others. Be the power that be.

And the best and fastest way to do that, is through entrepreneurship!

Remember the one true secret is this: Where Power Lies, Poverty Cannot Survive.

Love and Light.

O.

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