Vintage Diaries - Chapter 2 - 1950s / 25 things

Hey lovely readers, still on this journey of taking you through some of my interpretations of the decades in fashion. We're on to the 50s and today's post features a special girl who happens to be my sister :D and she is 25 today!!! Woop! 25 years ago today I met this little creature, much to my surprise I guess, because I was only still so little and yet another little person had come to share mummy time with me *insert cross face emoji* I've heard it didn't go down very well at first lol and I have a few memories myself. But fast forward some good years and life experiences later, and we can't get enough of each other. Safe to say we are best friends *insert cheesy grin emoji*

Hence, whilst I show you what I thought up for the 50s , I'll also be sharing 25 awesome things you ought to know about my sister Doyin! It was quite easy to style her up in 50s clothing for Sayo's vintage 30th (peep last post) because it was fun and playful era. So here is goes:

1. She is selfless
2. She is caring
3. She is a go getter
4. She is smart
5. She is so disciplined. A bit extreme at times.

6. She is a brilliant hair stylist. The only one that I confidently let touch my hair for donkey years now, not all my life of course lol. I wasn't going to be the guinea pig in the early years. And there was that one experience that meant me cutting all my hair off #SuperGlue Started from the bottom now we have 'Jadoy Hair' @jadoy on Insta.
7. She is an excellent baker - cakes, brownies, apple pies, shortbread cookies, you name it.
8. She is a foodie - researching food is probably her favourite thing to do on instagram and of course that comes with some good cooking skills.
9. She has body goals lol so working out and eating right is a must. (I think she has a great bod already).
10. She has a very pretty smile with dimples too. (I got bumped right here with the dimples genes because both my siblings have them and I don't. oh well)

11. She has a fear of dogs, actually probably all animals. Can be quite annoying when you're walking together and she jumps out of no where, because she "thought it was a dog" ugh!
12. She has a thing for Indians lol *wink wink* to the fit Indians out there.
13. She loves children and they know to behave when aunty Doyin is around lol.
14. She loves Jesus. This goes without saying but I have 11 more to go.
15. She is very good with numbers. I often use her as my human calculator.
16. She is also very good with money - making it, saving it, I'm better at spending! ha!
17. She is a giver.
18. She loves yellow - mustard yellow to be precise.

19. She has moves for days, dancing is 2nd nature. Mummy said she met our dad on a dance floor. So yea let the spirit lead you lool
20. She is a gemini. Not sure what comes in this package.
21. She gives good advice.
22. She often thinks she knows best so you better come correct when you're talking to her
23. She can't stand stingy people, oily food, salty food, laziness.
24. She is Khloe K in our little Kardashian trio, although we let that go when some of their realities started playing out in ours hahaha cc: Gifty xoxo
25. She is loved by many!

That's all folks!

Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as you like the outfit!

Have a fantastic day Doyin!

Till Next Post
God is love!

WF xo

Vintage Diaries - Chapter 1 - 1930s

How do you say, 'Hi, welcome back to my blog, sorry I've been MIA AGAIN' without sounding like a broken record?! I'm all out of ideas but it feels so good to be sharing with you again :)

I hope you lovely readers are well and having a great 2016 so far (Rockstar tragedies and all :( RIP Prince, God rest his soul). I've had a few exciting changes myself but top of that list is probably securing a studio in the vibrant 'Biscuit Factory' in SE16 :D It's so refreshing and creatively challenging working alongside other artists - painters, sculptors, jewellery makers etc who are all so brilliant at what they do. Hands up if you notice the new blog design :), hands down if you don't like it :( lol I hope you do!

As many of you might have figured out already, I'm deeply inspired by vintage fashion - hard to pick a favourite era but anything pre 1970s has my heart. So imagine the excitement when a couple of friends decide to have themed parties for their 30th birthdays - one 'Touch of Vintage' and the other '80s'. Sayo, who is featured in my '12 under 30' post (check out March 2015), put together a fun, classy 30th do with her twin brother. I was delighted to commission a unique vintage style piece for the birthday girl. She wasn't fussed about the era and pretty much trusted me to design something she would look superb and feel comfortable in.

According to The Complete Fashion Sourcebook by John Peacock, here is a description of the 1930s - The fashionable clothes of the previous period, which had been drawn with bold outlines, no waist, abbreviated hemlines and a denial of feminine curves, gave way to a longer, leaner and more figure-hugging silhouette which defined the waist, accentuated the shoulders and narrowed the hips. The fashionable thirties woman emerged mature, understated, cautious and, above all, sophisticated.

This to me was the perfect fit for Sayo. Opting for a rich blue tone velvet and an opulent beaded lace trim, here's what I came up with:

And there, my slight interpretation of the 30s, I think I did it some justice :) Comments are welcome!

Till Next Post

God is love

WuraF xo

12 Women under 30... #WomenWhoInspire #IWD

Happy New Year to all my lovely readers. It's hard to believe that we are over 2 months in!

It's International Womens' Day today and I'm super excited to be sharing this post with you. This is a day set aside to show respect, appreciation & love towards women, and also to celebrate our economic, political & social achievements. The theme this year is "Make it Happen".

Earlier in the year, I gathered 11 women who inspire and I admire; for a calendar girl photoshoot wearing some of our WF scarfs. These are young (under 30) godly women, striving to be the best at what they do, and 'leaning in' to life in general - taking advantage of the professional & personal opportunities that come along.

Amongst these women are first class lawyers, hospital pharmacists, business owners, journalists, chemical engineers and more; and that's just their job titles. Multidimensional as they come, January's girl is a wife gunning to be Secretary General of the United Nations and I'm absolutely rooting for her. February's told me when we were 17 that she would buy a property by the age of 25, pleased to say that she moved into her own apartment last month! (few months short of her 25th). Then there's November's who started up what is easily the best read for black and mixed race women right now (http://www.blackballad.co.uk), May's who runs a dynamic Afro Caribbean hair salon(Jadoy), June's whose eclectic lipstick brand(MDMFlow) has been featured in the Stylist and other glossy pages, and April's who is getting set to launch her body care range. It's not hard to see that these women are Making it Happen, doing what they love! I for one, am most inspired and proud to have them in my network.

I make the 12th, for the sheer purpose of not being left out lol and also assuming that what I do, inspires someone to discover their gifts and develop it.

Here we are, answering 5 little questions and giving our best shot at being supermodels!

JANUARY - Ola Owojori, 28 - @something_borrowed1

Describe yourself in 3 words: Passionate, Loyal, Weird

What do you do: Policy and Projects Officer - work on the Mayor of London's Health strategy/policy. I'm also studying part time for a Masters in Conflict, Security and Development.

What's your dream job: Ultimately a conflict resolution and civil war specialist/expert. Insurgencies such as Boko Haram and ISIS as well as African civil wars and the war on terror are all areas that I am extremely passionate about.

Favourite thing to do when not working: Watch web series!

Favourite place to hang out in London: I don't have one, I'm an explorer :)

FEBRUARY - Chrystel Kayibi, 24 - @kayibiz

Describe yourself in 3 words: Resilient, Motivated, Fun-loving.

What do you do: I am a corporate finance lawyer.

What's your dream job: Being a lawyer for a luxury good company or a company in Africa.

Favourite thing to do when not working: Travelling.

Favourite place to hang out in London: A good shisha spot.

MARCH - Jasmine Boadi, 23 - @afiaandjay

Describe yourself in 3 words: Dreamer, Composed, Funny.

What do you do: I am currently studying at a law school with plans to start training as a commercial solicitor. I also work as a freelance writer in my spare time, and I run my own website on fashion and the Millenial experience at www.afiaandjay.com

What's your dream job: I've always loved having lots to do, so my dream would be to work as a lawyer but also contribute written pieces to noted publications, build up my website, do some fashion styling/designing, and write a book.

Favourite thing to do when not working: I love to trawl through fashion and style blogs for inspiration and ideas.

Favourite place to hang out in London: Islington's my home, so I love either walking around Angel/Upper street or being wrapped up indoors with snacks and Netflix!

APRIL - Sayo, 28 - @sayoodu

Describe yourself in 3 words: Christian, Foodie, Resilient.

What do you do: I am a process Engineer, currently working in the O&G industry, and an aspiring entrepreneur making & selling natural hair & beauty products.

What's your dream job: The CEO & founder of various companies (including a cosmetic company).

Favourite thing to do when not working: I love travelling, visiting beautiful places, spending meaningful time with friends, and just staying at home when I can!

Favourite place to hang out in London: My house!

MAY - Doyin Afolabi, 23 - @jadoy, @dee_sola

Describe yourself in 3 words: Creative, Bubbly, Calculative.

What do you do: I'm a self employed hairstylist.

What's your dream job: To run a very efficient salon - Jadoy Hair and overall be the best entrepreneur that I can be.

Favourite thing to do when not working: I enjoy cooking/baking. Also looking up a variety of foods to get inspiration for my next meal.

Favourite place to hang out in London: I generally enjoy eating out. Any cuisine is good for me as long as it's good food.

JUNE - Florence Adepoju, 24 - @mdmflow

Describe yourself in 3 words: Passionate, Inquisitive, Determined

What do you do: I run the coolest lipstick company around, according to Sunday Times Style. I'm the founder of MDMflow, a beauty brand that is very current.

What's your dream job: Creative Director of Tom Ford beauty as well as running MDMflow.

Favourite thing to do when not working: Reading/having brunch with good friends

Favourite place to hang out in London: Shoreditch

JULY - Tracy Olla - 24

Describe yourself in 3 words: Interesting, Funny, Lover-of-People

What do you do: I'm a Hospital Pharmacist.

What's your dream job: Successful property developer.

Favourite thing to do when not working: Cook - stress reliever!

Favourite place to hang out in London: Anywhere with good food and a good vibe. Love brixton market, southbank and shoreditch areas.

AUGUST - Lula Ajani, 22

Describe yourself in 3 words: Inquisitive, Stubborn, Reserved-ish.

What do you do: Currently in my final year training to be a pharmacist, hoping to be fully qualified this summer.

What's your dream job: Food critic.

Favourite thing to do when not working: Read and catch up on as many series as possible.

Favourite place to hang out in London: I haven't spent much time in london over the last few years but my favourite place by far is Ronnie Scotts.

 

SEPTEMBER - Ayomide, 22

Describe yourself in 3 words: Adventurous, Inquisitive, Attentive

What do you do: Currently doing my legal practice course.

What's your dream job: Fashion Designer

Favourite thing to do when not working: Sewing

Favourite place to hang out in London: Anywhere there is good food.

 

OCTOBER - Dami Akinmarin, 24 - @lolamarine

Describe yourself in 3 words: Ambitious, God-fearing, Kind

What do you do: I work as a system support engineer for IBM contracted to Ogilvy and Mather.

What's your dream job: Chief Information Officer (CIO) for a company or Minister of ICT in Nigeria, Amen!

Favourite thing to do when not working: Staying on my bed and watching series.

Favourite place to hang out in London: Wura's house! lol I'm a home buddy and I love to hang out with friends at home.

NOVEMBER - Tobi Oredein, 25 - @blackballaduk, @iamtobioredein

Describe yourself in 3 words: Passionate, thoughtful, loyal

What do you do: I am a journalist who recently founded a glossy lifestyle website for black British women called Black Ballad - www.blackballad.co.uk

What's your dream job: Being the editor of Black Ballad

Favourite thing to do when not working: Visit a museum preferably in another country, but London has some great museums.

Favourite place to hang out in London: The Victoria & Albert museum or Portobello Market.

DECEMBER - Wura Afolabi, 25 - @wf_ldn, @wuraf

Describe yourself in 3 words: Dynamic, Optimistic, Stylish

What do you do: I'm a womenswear fashion designer, building up my own brand - WuraFola

What's your dream job: To be the founder and creative director of Africa's heritage luxury fashion brand. Italy has Gucci, England has Burberry, France has Chanel and America has Ralph Lauren, it's time we have something of our own :)

Favourite thing to do when not working: Chilling with my girls or catching up on tv shows - currently obsessed with Mad Men (thanks to sky box sets!)

Favourite place to hang out in London: Sky Bar at the Aspers Casino, Stratford Westfield. It's a great atmosphere, I love the live music and I meet the coolest people there.

Thank you to all the lovely ladies who took time out to be part of this. Like fine wine, may we all get better with time! :)

Till Next Post

WuraF

xo