IAB Is Back.

After several weeks of putting IAB [I Am Beautiful] on hold for so many reasons, IAB is returning. For those who don't know what IAB is all about, you can check out this post here. It contains all the information you need to know about IAB. The next IAB feature will go up next Wednesday. As a refresher, here are the 10 questions you need to answer to be featured on IAB:

IAB Questions

1. What is your Name?
2. What is your Nationality and Where do you currently live?
3. Which age group do you belong to? 0-17, 18-25, 26-40, 40 and above.
4. Describe your personal style.
5. What makes you feel beautiful?
6. What do you think of the current issues concerning body image and race? (Eg. Body size, interracial marriage). And how important do you think these issues are to the well-being of people?
7. Do you think the media has had a negative or positive influence on these issues? Why?
8. What do you think of the current fashion industry and trends?
9. What advice would you like to give?
10. Share a fun fact about you.

 The Reason For IAB

The whole idea behind this 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. For example: The media (Including social media)

Anyone can participate in IAB, so it doesn't matter if you have a blog or not. However, if you are a blogger, this is a great way to show what you've got. To get answers to any questions you may have about IAB, go to this post to see all the FAQs answered.

So if you would like to get featured on IAB and share your views, send your answers with 1-5 CLEAR pictures to kikilehin@gmail.com to be entered.

You never know whose life you are saving by doing this. Read previous IAB entries.

Xo

Kike.

I Am Beautiful - Funmilayo

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?

My name is Olufunmilayo Adeleke

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

I am from Nigeria and I live in the US

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

18- 25

4. Describe your personal style.

My personal style…hmm. I love being comfortable and being me. I can withstand a little pain from my shoes as far as I look good. I rarely wear makeup. I'm more of a Jean and shirt person but for events I love to get dressy. Not a big fan of chunky jewelry. I do not like any outfit or accessory that competes with my natural beauty. Overall, I am open to trying different styles as long as I’m comfortable with whatever I throw on. 

5. What makes you feel beautiful?

My eyes, my legs, my personality and the fact that I am beautiful. I feel beautiful because I am beautiful J

6. What do you think of the current issues concerning body image and race?
I feel society has put a lot of pressure on body image and race. They portray imperfect people as perfect and the youths and teenagers feel the need to be perfect. About race, different countries have different reactions to race but at large racism is going to stay for a long time, it’s just the way we teach our youths and children that matters. If we can set good examples for the little ones, we would be able to gradually eradicate the notion of perfection (skin color and body wise)

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

 The media has both positive and negative influences but the negative outweigh the positive. Like I said before, the media has displayed the imperfect people as perfect, teaching the world to see the need to cover up their imperfection. However, I have seen quite a number of articles, in the media, condemning the media. These articles are showing us the dangers of trying to be perfect and what some of these celebrities have to do to remain “perfect”.

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

I think it is very interesting. I do not follow fashion very closely but looking at the different styles, I see creativity in fashion. A lot of styles keep revolving and its interesting how they have added twists and turns to these old styles. I'm very impressed with the creativity of the fashion industry .

9. What advice would you like to give?

Welcome change, always believe in yourself, and remember whosoever we are trying to impress is very busy trying to impress another person. Just be yourself!

10. Share a fun fact about you.

I want to have 6 kids.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

I agree with you so much Funmi! One of my favourite things you said is the part about 'teaching the world to see the need to cover up their imperfection.' 

I sometimes wonder how all this talk about 'imperfection' and 'ideal-ness' came to be. Who began pointing out 'flaws' in people, who gave the person the power to? How did certain things become the 'norm'? 

Do these thoughts also come to you?

Funmi and I have been friends since the beginning of High School in Queens College, Lagos, Nigeria. She has a blog where she writes and she is beginning to get into Fashion Blogging.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

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.

I Am Beautiful

It's finally the 5th of February and the official launch of the IAB project. Yaay!

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?

Kikelomo Omolehinwa.

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

I'm Nigerian and I live in Accra, Ghana but school in Windsor, 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.

Versatile, dynamic, spontaneous and comfy

5. What makes you feel beautiful?

Happiness. I know this may seem weird, but that's it for me. I like to be happy. I'm at my optimum level when I feel happy. Being happy makes everything beautiful to me and because I feel comfortable when happy, I feel beautiful... inside out.

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

I think they're quite interesting. We're kinda hanging in the middle. Although, there's still the stereotyping of the female body size which leans towards being skinny, these days having a little more flesh is beginning to be encouraged. At this point, I feel like there might just be a breakthrough for ladies. I sometimes wonder why these stereotypes don't really affect the men. Even though the 'ideal' man portrayed by the media is the 'husky, bulky, muscular, tall' guy, no one ever questions the male body image or size. Even 'plus size' guys (is that what they're called?), are accepted in our society, so why is it a different case when it comes to the ladies? 

Concerning race in terms of skin color, on a general level, I feel society has gotten rid of negativity with respect to that. The only issues still present are issues concerning the characteristics of the different races and ethnic groups. For example: the eye lids of most Asians. You know what I mean? If we can get rid of these issues, the world would be a much better place.

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

I feel the media is two-faced. Again, because of the transition I spoke about earlier. Honestly, for the most part, it's been negative. The media is broad and some of the most influential parts include the social media, electronic (TV), and paper (magazines). A lot of people have become victims of eating disorders, depression, low-self esteem, suicide and many more just because of what these sources put out. They are so influential that they've become the dictators of our society. It's so sad.

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

I'm not even sure where fashion (especially ladies's fashion) is headed.  Fashion designers and the media have managed to commercialize women's bodies so much that I'm so scared to imagine what fashion will be like in a few years. I feel that all the originality and talent in fashion design has been lost to a world that is now based on sex appeal.

9. What advice would you like to give?

Be yourself and  Stand by your values. This is the greatest and most profitable thing you can do for yourself. There is a reason why we are not photocopies of each other. Don't try to fit in because you will get lost in the crowd. Anyone who truly loves you will love you just the way you are, so don't try to change anything for anyone.

10. Share a fun fact about you.

I'm a very shy and reserved person, but I can be a chatter-box when I feel comfortable in an environment. :p

What do you guys think?

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

I Am Beautiful Project

Hi guys so I've got some important news for you!

I want to begin a series on the blog called 'I Am Beautiful' aka the IAB project.

The whole idea behind this 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. For example: The media (Including social media)

IAB will cover different body shapes/types and how to dress them up.

We all have flaws, nobody is perfect and we must learn to understand that.

How is IAB different?

- The goal of IAB is to remind people that everyone is uniquely beautiful. IAB will try to achieve this goal through fashion and style. All races, ethnicities and sizes are beautiful irrespective of what people or society thinks.

How Does It Work?
- The IAB project will be a weekly series on my blog posted on Wednesdays.
- There will be 10 questions to be answered by each person featured. (Questions are at the end of this post)

- IAB aims to prove that irrespective of race, or size, everyone is beautiful so there will be an element of fashion and style incorporated into IAB.

Who Can Participate?
- Anyone, anywhere at all can participate. As far as you would like to impact on our generation in some way: this is a little way you can. Optional: Follow this Blog via GFC. This way, you get to see other features too!

Do I have to be a Fashion Blogger?
- No, you don't have to be a fashion blogger or any kind of blogger at all to participate.

Is IAB open to both males and females?
- Yes, both males and females can participate as stated above.

How can I participate?
Email your answers with 1-5 very clear pictures to kikilehin@gmail.com.

When will IAB be launched?
IAB will be launched on the 5th of February, 2013.

When can I send an e-mail?
You can send the e-mail at any time from now, and I will notify you once your feature is up after IAB is launched.

What do I need to know?
Be enthusiastic. Be positive. Be yourself. Share your Knowledge.

IAB Questions

1. What is your Name?
2. What is your Nationality and Where do you currently live?
3. Which age group do you belong to? 0-17, 18-25, 26-40, 40 and above.
4. Describe your personal style.
5. What makes you feel beautiful?
6. What do you think of the current issues concerning body image and race?
7. Do you think the media has had a negative or positive influence on these issues? Why?
8. What do you think of the current fashion industry and trends?
9. What advice would you like to give?
10. Share a fun fact about you.

Weekly obsessions will now be posted on Fridays.

*See all IAB features so far here*

**If you are a blogger this is a great way to get more traffic, views, and followers to your blog**

Thanks for reading. If you like this idea, please share it and spread the word. Feel free to re-blog this also!

Thanks for reading and please leave your thoughts, suggestions and questions in the comments!

Xo

Kike.