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 - 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 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.