I Am Beautiful - Faith Imaralu

The main idea behind IAB is Empowerment, Motivation and Success. Many of us know that there are many issues concerning body image, social stratification and general emotional and psychological well-being of people. These issues have lead to too many devastating ends such as depression and death- in the form of suicide.
                                                                                                           
I would like to use this series as a way to destroy all that negativity and build up the self-confidence of our generation that is being tampered with by so many sources.

Relax and Enjoy...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

1. What is your Name?

Ehimare Faith Imaralu

2. What is your Nationality and Where do you currently live?

I am a Nigerian and I currently reside in Ontario, Canada

3. Which age group do you belong to? 0-17, 18-25, 26-40, 40 and above.

18-25

4. Describe your personal style.

I will say it's classy and elegant with a twist of casual chic. I dress age appropriately taking the weather into consideration, as well, and I love to be confident in my outfits. My policy is, “If I don’t feel it, I don’t wear it”. I love heels and flats but you will never see me in heels at school unless I'm making a presentation. I basically dress for myself and nobody else.

5. What makes you feel beautiful?

Knowing that I can brighten up someone's day either with an act of kindness or by smiling. Like my high school friend says: “Faith, your smile makes my smile smile”. It is not just the physical, but the ability to connect with someone and make their day or even more.

6. What do you think of the current issues concerning body image and race?

Ahhhhhaaa, I love this one. People need to understand that you can’t really have a perfect “V or S” shape. If you are not born with it, there is little artificial stuff can do. You can’t belong to a race were people are predominantly on the curvy or slender side and expect to look like a person from a different race. Dieting or denying yourself of the essential things your body needs is killing yourself while looking at the mirror and saying you look good. 

For instance, eating once a day and supplementing with a specific drink which some girls do, or eating mostly protein based food (guys) and excessively being obsessed with the gym is not going to provide you with the necessary nutrients, vitamins or body size you want. Taking supplements isn't going to help because after a while, it can become toxic especially the fat based ones. Since I knew ABC, I can’t remember when Anorexia or Bulimia became sexy. 

Avoid excess sugar, salt, and fatty foods but please, feed and take care of yourself. Know your body and adjust your lifestyle to carter for it. You can’t be like B neither can B be like you, so love your body and let it be radiant. If someone does not like it, tell them to get lost. (BAM!)

7. Do you think the media has had a negative or positive influence on these issues? Why?

I will say the Media has reinforced the skinny trend. People on the curvy side are called fat, given names, and asked to go fix their flappys. There are more ads about weight reduction and gym memberships than there are about health living and nutrition. Photos are edited to give abs and skinny curves that might not really exist.

8. What do you think of the current fashion industry and trends?

I really don’t mind. Although some designs make me wonder how the concept came about, I understand fashion is fashion. As long as you wear what fits you and is appropriate to your size, then it's cool.

9. What advice would you like to give?

Just be you and enjoy even the littlest things in life. Don’t feel bad because of your looks or way of expressing yourself. Though some people might hate it, there are others wishing they can pull it off just like you.

10. Share a fun fact about you.

Unlike popular belief, I am not a fan of books although I love intriguing/suspense novels. I love to watch action movies at home, try out new recipes or go to the countryside/tourist attractions.

LOL @ your 'get lost' comment in question 7. Just like Faith, I find that people will always talk about anything, so it's BEST to be yourself always  This way, you are happy and you cannot be bothered by what others say or think. Do you agree with Faith? I'd like to know, what Influences your daily outfits?

Xo

Kike.

I Am Beautiful - JesulOba

The main idea behind IAB is Empowerment, Motivation and Success. Many of us know that there are many issues concerning body image, social stratification and general emotional and psychological well-being of people. These issues have lead to too many devastating ends such as depression and death- in the form of suicide.
                                                                                                           
I would like to use this series as a way to destroy all that negativity and build up the self-confidence of our generation that is being tampered with by so many sources.

Relax and Enjoy...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

1. What is your Name?

JesulOba Akinyele

2. What is your Nationality and Where do you currently live?

Nigerian and I live in the United Kingdom 

3. Which age group do you belong to? 0-17, 18-25, 26-40, 40 and above.

18- 25

4. Describe your personal style.

I'd like to think of my style as classy and elegant, but age appropriate. Think Victoria Beckham and Blair Waldorf from gossip girl. I love shoes (flats and heels). I don't do converses, high tops or creepers. I can stand toms occasionally :p 

5. What makes you feel beautiful?

My height and my smile. I like to think of myself as 'curvy'. Some people say fat, but I say curvy! At 5ft 10inches, I think I pull it off very well. When I smile, people smile back. I've never gotten a no with my smile. I know it sounds very cheesy, but when you have cheeks and an occasional dimple, who is going to say no to that? 

6. What do you think of the current issues concerning body image and race?

Concerning body image, it's mostly about being slim and being able to wear a size 6 (I think that's an American zero). I know girls who go on crazy diets to loose weight. I personally have done it all and I lost weight and put it back on. Name it: master cleanse done, eat and binge, atkins diet!

  I was a UK 16/18 when I decided to gym and eat healthy, and the weight went down. Girls especially need to know its not about size but it's about being healthy and feeling beautiful. Finding the things that are unique to them and making the most of it.

Race is a little bit difficult to answer because I don't think you can change your race without some form of magic! I have vague memories of my friends in high school who wanted to be lighter. They never bleached or anything, but they had the idea that being light skinned made people 'more beautiful'.

7. Do you think the media has had a negative or positive influence on these issues? Why?

I think it has a negative effect. I have never seen an advert concerning how to put on weight. Most of the models on E! or FTV are all skinny. Its all skinny skinny skinny... I remember starving myself till I fainted in the tube one day because I really wanted to be skinny. I remember looking at vogue and all the models in their dresses all skinny and beautiful; all the runway models with their hip bones showing...and I'll look down at my love handles. 

At the same time, there are some good shows out there that encourage healthy weight loss and talk about BMI and being healthy. There are also plus size models coming up. There just has to be more input of the "good weight and body image vibe".

8. What do you think of the current fashion industry and trends?

I'm quite liberal about many things like short dresses, revealing shirts and things like that. I might not wear these things but I don't mind them as long as they are worn properly. For example: I wont like to see a girl like me with a bit of tummy wearing a crop top!

9. What advice would you like to give?

My advice is very simple. Big can be beautiful. This is a very traditional thing to say, but "all fingers are not equal'.  Everyone is different. Different sizes, shapes, figures, faces and we can't blend into a particular form that has been created where we have to starve or worry about blending in. We have to be bold and strong because we are beautiful. 

10. Share a fun fact about you.

I love to sing but I can't sing to save my life, but I still sing my lungs out in the shower or whenever I hear a song I like. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

JesulOba, I really enjoyed reading your answers! I'm glad you spoke about the height-weight factor. 
A lot of people forget that's the important thing.  

LOL at the singing part... trust me, I know what you mean. :p You have reminded us again that we are different and beautiful in our own ways.

What do you guys think?

Check back next wednesday for the next feature. More info here.