Talent

One of the most recognisable faces on British TV, June Sarpong has strong Ghanaian heritage and was delighted to be the public lead for Superdrug’s Shades of Beauty campaign. If you regularly shop at Superdrug, you may have already noticed a wider choice of products, all due to their new campaign, which aims …

Afro Archives episode 10 asks “Why Go Natural With Your Hair?”  – “It’s important to go natural because it’s who we are…let loose…let ourselves out…just be you” – says actress Alice Fofana. I wanted to ask this question “ Why Go Natural With Your Hair?” for our October release because …

What Do You Do After You’ve Washed Your Hair? Shrinking hair, flexible hair, shiny, soft, fresh, bouncy – leave-in conditioner, no conditioner, blow-dry or shake it and go. Such variety among the actors in Afro Archives episode 9 as they describe what they do after they wash their hair. Washing …

AFROPUNK’S UK debut arrived on a warm September Saturday afternoon at Alexandra Palace in North London. From the initial announcement of the event it had everyone talking in the music industry and beyond. From the original headline act M.I.A being dropped, [following the outrage caused by her comments on the Black Lives Matter …

At 14, Shantel MamMaw got her first sewing machine and began making outfits for her friends to wear at Carnival. Shantel’s brand, MAM-MAW, now offers a range of stylish and unique designs with a strong African theme – including Ankara, Kente and other traditional fabrics. Everything she sells is envisioned …

Originally produced by Dutch explorers to try and counter vitamin deficiencies like scurvy, the South African wine market has developed tremendously over the past 355 years. In 1659, the first batch of just 15 litres was produced too early in the season from whatever French and Muscadel grapes they were able to grow. Without doubt, …

Millennial Mozambican Entrepreneur, Celmira Amade, is launching a vegan beauty ‘wonder product’ in the UK, that aims to revolutionise skincare for melanin-rich skin. When Celmira arrived to study International Business at Royal  Holloway College, London in 2010, she wasn’t quite ready for the full impact of England’s climate. As a result, her …

How Do You Take Your Hair To Work? A reveal into the world of extensions and wigs. The fixable practice of hair for beauty and health reasons. I think of this part of the hair experience as being a secret world. You have to know where to go, what to buy, …

Camila Camilo got into modelling by accident when she was just 13. In a country which still has significant challenges for citizens of African decent, she has not let it hold her back at all. Now, this Brazilian model is travelling the world – working with a diverse range of …

With over 900 stores in countries across the globe, LUSH Cosmetics has expanded rapidly in recent years and has lots of plans to continue with that growth. When a company is that successful, it is easy for them to focus on revenue and forget their roots. Not so with LUSH. The …

On 20th August, the 4th Passion For Motherland Showcase event will take place in London. Alongside internationally acclaimed musicians like Gasandji Rever and Mulele Matondo Afrika, there will be powerful poetry from Mell Nyoko and Christina Fonthes. The event itself will be hosted by BBC Africa’s Nora Fakim and the money raised …

Does Your Hair Affect Preparing Character Parts for Auditions? Until now, the women have dominated Afro Archives, we have a lot to say! This topic of preparing character parts was no exception: “You don’t have an office worker with afro hair” is a theme running throughout. In Afro Archives episode …

What Do You Do With Your Hair For TV/Film Work? Hair Continuity… The way films are made can involve scenes being shot out of sequence, re-takes over a period of time and a key part of the filming process becomes the issue of continuity. Hair is therefore very important because …

At just 11 years old, Lisette Mibo was forced to flee her family home in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The journey she began at 2am that night, took Lisette to her grandmother’s home where she broke down, explaining her fears. Her granny took her in and helped …

What Do You Do With Your Hair For Theatre Rehearsals? In the acting world, few hair and make-up professionals know what to do with afro-textured hair. Natural afro hair shrinks. Lighting and even sweat affects afro-textured hair. We wash afro hair less often, in order to protect it because of …

MaXhosa is the luxury knitwear brand which exudes chic, bold and beautiful patterns from traditional Xhosa beadwork symbolism and colours. The man responsible for this captivating brand is Laduma Ngxokolo and  his wearable art is inspired by his wish to recapture a nostalgic element of Xhosa culture that celebrates traditional aesthetics in a modern and stylish way. …