The sneaker fiends over at Freshness have a thorough view of the upcoming Converse (RED) Fall 2007 collection. Converse has really used the RED opportunity as a new platform for their design and collaborative efforts which now include photographer Ricky Powell, and the Ramones. But one thing which really bothers me is that in her post on this collection, retrogurl writes a caption saying, “Many of the patterns and designs are inspired by African art work, the country PRODUCT (RED) benefits.” I don’t know whether the fact that retrogurl refers to Africa as a country reflects her own ignorance or Converse’s failure to properly communicate the theme behind the collection beyond the exciting designs. You would think that with all the effort that Converse is putting into the charity-based collection, the issue of whether the recipients of the charity reside in a country or on a continent would be clearly defined. I hope the AIDS issue is being pushed as hard as the search for new designs. Head over to Freshness for more images.
Bill Clinton talks Rwandan healthcare at TED 2007
The good folks at TED have released this video of former US President Bill Clinton’s acceptance speech as a winner of the 2007 TED prize. In his speech Clinton speaks about his Clinton Foundation‘s pilot health care system in Rwanda which is based on the work of Dr. Paul Farmer in Haiti. In 18 months the Clinton Foundation’s efforts, in partnership with the Rwandan Government, has shown potential as a model for the entire developing world. Clinton’s TED wish was to help him “build this system in Rwanda, to bring world-class health care to a people who have overcome deadly hatred to rebuild their nation”. In a previous interview by the BBC when asked about the one incident that he wishes he could have rewritten or handled differently during his time in office, Clinton responded, “I wish I had moved in Rwanda quickly. I wish I had gone in there quicker, not just waited ’til the camps were set up. We, we might have been able to save, probably not even half those who were lost but still a large number of people. I really regret that. I care a lot about Africa and I don’t think that these … wars are inevitable and these kinds of murders are inevitable. And I’ve spent a good deal of time in the last ten years trying to make it up to Africa in general and the Rwandans in particular – so I regret that deeply.” I guess his current efforts are part of his do over. Watch the video below.
Fast Company on Product RED’s business of charity
John N. Pasmore, one of FastCompany.com’s expert bloggers, has an interesting piece on the building controversy around Project RED. He makes a good point about RED’s approach to corporate giving saying,
“And yes, we as individuals should give to those less fortunate and not rely exclusively on corporate-sponsored giving to substitute for our personal efforts. Granted, that’s an important point. But, I would not expect retailers like GAP to simply give money away. I’m sure their shareholders believe that getting a financial return on their investment is most important. Corporations are entities that people create for the purpose of making money.”
Read the rest of the “Get RED” article and look out for a quote from yours truly.
The business of a modeling career, Noella’s African style
A few weeks ago I was delighted to finally meet Noella Coursaris, a model who I had heard so much about. Noella really impressed me with the combination of her background (she was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a Congolese mother and Cypriot father and went to business school in Switzerland), her young age, and her work in launching the Georges Malaika Foundation, a foundation through which she will assist African girls in attending primary and secondary school. I have interacted with many models – and model wannabes – in the past but talking to Noella was a breath of fresh air. One thing that struck me about Noella was her determination and focus. While many models say they want to do more with their career, very few are able to organize themselves and make things happen. Though she was recently signed to the popular ID Model Management in NY, from looking at her body of work (Agent Provocateur, Chris Rock’s “I love My Wife”, Vibe Vixen, Cosmopolitan, Essence, GQ, and most recently the cover of Jambo and Harlem World magazines), you can tell that Noella is not one to sit around and wait for opportunities to fall in her lap. Speaking to Noella and Frederic about life, fashion and Africa, I got the same feeling I get when I speak to former model turned business woman extraordinaire Audrey Smaltz, another trailblazer in the fashion industry. Like Audrey, Noella seems to possess the ability to evaluate a situation, come up with a plan, and use her business acumen to make things happen; and it doesn’t hurt that Noella has a warm personality also. The September 2006 Model Inc. issue of Black Enterprise magazine profiled models like Tyra Banks, Iman, and Audrey Smaltz, who have used their focus, determination, talent, and keen business sense to turn the opportunities of an otherwise short career in a superficial industry into a successful business. And speaking to Noella you get the sense that she is taking a page out of their playbook to success. 
What makes it hard to succeed in the modeling industry is that ultimately you are being hired for your looks and unfortunately with that comes the assumption that all a model has to offer is her/his beauty. But if we look at the trait many of the most memorable models have, it’s being able to understand what each designer’s theme is and use your personality to sell that ideal to the world. And that takes a self-confidence and ability to empathize, that many models lack. I can see that Noella has what it takes to continue to have a long successful career. And by distinguishing herself as an African, though she does not have fashion’s stereotypical ultra dark skin, and extreme features, she, like Liya Kebede, introduces another image of an Africa to the fashion world. About her background Noella says “I am proud to be African, and proud to know where I come from. Africans have so much culture and values !!!”. Iman needs to get this girl on her “I Am African” campaign.
(photo courtesy: Luis Fernandez)
Chosan performs Blood Diamond from Bling is Dead
A few months ago some New York-based artists and arts organizations organized a concert to benefit Nah We Yone, a grassroots nonprofit organization that helps rebuild the shattered lives of refugees, asylees and asylum seekers from the African diaspora who have fled to the New York Metropolitan area due to ongoing political instability throughout the African continent. The title of the concert, “Bling & Blood”, set the tone for various African artists to voice their opinions about the effects of the blood diamond trade on the African continent. Here’s a video of Sierra Leonean hip-hop artist Chosan performing his song “Blood Diamond”, a song he penned as part of the Bling is Dead project. Thanks to director Dante Kaba for the footage.
Designers for Darfur event on Fashion Television
Here’s the Fashion Television feature of the Designers for Darfur event from the Fall 2007 New York Fashion Week. Designer Malcolm Harris (Mal Sirrah) and model Lydia Hearst did a great job of pulling the event together.
Maasai herdsman/model talks Gisele Bundchen, American Express, and maintaining maasai culture
<img id=”image289″ src=”http://annansi.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/amex_red_ad.jpg” alt=”Amex RED ad” align=center”/>
In the news this week were features on the previously unknown Maasai herdsman who appeared with Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen in this ad for American Express’ new card for the much-criticized RED campaign. Having seen the ad quite a few times in fashion magazines such as Vogue, I often wondered what the effect on the Maasai man had been. Here now, the Maasai herdsman is making news in multiple media outlets telling his story about his experience. What makes the story worth noting is that the herdsman, though having been paid $5000 for his efforts – an amount five times the annual wages in Kenya – has chosen to return to his life in his Maasai village. “To be honest all I was thinking about when I was with this woman was my cattle and goats,” Keseme Ole Parsapaet told The Associated Press, confessing to sleepless nights worrying about who was looking after his herd. Now that’s love for life and culture. How many of us would have taken the money and abandoned our simple lives.
“It is a good experience to work and make some money, but I believe people should be proud of their country… one should always return,”
– Keseme Ole Parsapaet
This week in African Style 3/17 – 3/23/07
• Virgin Atlantic opens East Africa route and competes with British Airways.
• Innovation and investment at Oprah’s African schools.
• Tragedy of 5 lost in Bronx fire lead American media to Mali’s red earth.
• Russia looks to sign energy, metals deals in Africa.
• Americans milk Africa to death.
• Queen Latifah competes against Botswana’s Health Minister for detective role.
• The cost of a free Zambian education.
• Google bets on Africa.
• Innovation happens in unexpected places: mobile banking in Kenya, and mobile tv boost in North Africa.
• Governmental inaction and decay of public infrastructure in Africa.
• Pan-African businesses: Do they exist?
• Zimbabwe under fire, pleads for African solidarity.
• Sing the African alphabet.
• Rise of West African tourism.
• “Hip-Hop Colony,†African hip-hop explosion film available on dvd.
This week in African Style 3/1 – 3/16/07
• BBC launches new Africa Beyond website.
• CNN, Niger Delta and Western Media Portrayals of Africa Part III.
• Ghana: Independence? Try ‘aid-dependence’.
• Chinese Minister: African people will never welcome colonialists to plunder their resources.
• Africa and Europe set for tunnel link.
• MySpace and The New York Times sends readers on African reporting trip.
• Fighting the elusive beast: corruption in Africa.
• Will a Tough Government Save or Sink Rwanda?.
• West Africa Emerges as Drug Conduit to Europe.
• Oprah opens second S. African School through Angel Network.
Minding my business
I know, I know I haven’t posted anything since Friday and surely there are new developments in the world of African fashion, entertainment, business, politics. But I’ve been running around trying to organize things for the re-launch of my clothing line, Annansi Clothing. Even-though I haven’t gotten the chance to express my views on Oprah’s problems with her new school and Anglina Jolie’s tears for Africa here as yet, I’ve been keeping up with the developments as best I can. I’m feeling organizational these days and the 65-degree weather in NY is getting me focused on getting my business ready. In the last few days I attended an apparel convention in Atlantic City, consulted with my friend, mentor, and fellow designer Arlinda (Sofistafunk Skirt Co.), and tried to track down my company’s features in The Source Magazine, T-World Journal, and my interview on WorldSpace’s Flava hip-hop show. I tell you, running your own clothing company is not as easy as it seems, and doing it all myself is definitely not the best way to proceed, that’s why I’ve resolved to get a team of interns. Over the years I’ve seen many designers get eaten up by the grind of running a clothing label by themselves, and I certainly don’t want to be a statistic. I think more than creating designs, and connecting with the many people who “get” the direction I’m trying to go in, many creative people neglect the business aspect. We are usually drawn to the fashion industry because of the “lights, camera, action” image of it, but the industry is highly complex and it takes a lot more than talent to grow in it. So while I love reading and writing about the goings on in the progressive African community, I think it is equally important to play an active role, and to do so my business must be intact. I never want to be that person who complains and criticizes others’ decisions without going through the process myself. And nothing shapes your perception more than walking in someone’s shoe’s to understand the reason they make certain decisions. Of course this speaks directly to outsiders’ criticism of Africans and African business as well. On that note take a look my new website and check out the March 2007 issue of The Source Magazine on newsstands for some information about my clothing line. Your comments, good or bad, will be greatly appreciated.