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 - Ona

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?

Ona Odum

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

I am Nigerian by birth, residing in 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.

My personal style is very simple but dressy. That's all I know for now, because I am still learning about myself.

5. What makes you feel beautiful?

When I look beautiful, I feel beautiful. Its a cycle really, cause when I feel beautiful it shows.

6. What do you think of the current issues concerning body image and race?
To be honest, I thought twice about sending in this post, because body image is a very sensitive topic for me. I am very conscious of my figure, always have, and I don't know if the constant worry will ever truly fade. I have always had friends with the "perfect bodies", and the media gives us a certain standard as women to look a certain way. However, I feel that as long as you feel good looking the way you do, nothing else should matter... nothing else matters! If I decide to be as skinny as a stick, or I prefer thickness and curves, that is entirely my business, as it is my body. It is always about feeling good and being healthy first. Once I accepted the features I have, and learned how to dress to look half decent, I started loving my body.

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

I cannot recall where I read that the media sets a double standard, but I completely agree. Dealing with what we see on the internet and on television as the 'ideal' woman can certainly drive women into complete frustration about their image, but there ARE positive things we see every now and again that remind us of the things that are important. On one hand the media motivates us to look good, and on the other hand promotes negativity towards certain body types.

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

The world of fashion has always greatly interested me. Lately we are seeing designers and the likes push the bars a little too far. I still appreciate designers and fashion labels that still give us things that are wearable, but still very stylish. Not one to spend too much on clothing and accessories, so as long as forever 21 and Zara stay sane, I'm good!

9. What advice would you like to give?

The key is to NOT follow every trend. I preach simplicity always! Also, accept your body, begin to love it, and you will look and feel good for certain.

10. Share a fun fact about you.

I LOVE FOOD. Nothing more fun than food :)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Ah food! Who doesn't love food? LOL! You can check out Ona's blog here.

 I just think the world has changed to be in a way where the society feeds off the media compulsively. Whatever they throw at us is most likely what we take in, and because they know this for sure, they play with out thoughts and beliefs. A solution to this could be to set your own standards and beliefs (still socially acceptable), but unique and independent, and then live by those rules. 

Guys, IAB is a universal project, don't be just an observer, get involved. So far, we've had only Nigerians featured, and I know the demographics of my blog readers... and you are all definitely not Nigerians. So I'm just encouraging you to join in! :)

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 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.