Ameyaw Meets
The rise and rise of Nigerian Top Model, Ibukun Jegede
UK-based Nigerian Supermodel, Ibukunoluwapo Jegede could at best be described as a modern day Superman joggling modeling, politics and studies. After being persuaded by a photographer to try out modeling, Ibukun has risen within a short period to become one of the most sought after and accomplished male model of colour in the UK. The […]
UK-based Nigerian Supermodel, Ibukunoluwapo Jegede could at best be described as a modern day Superman joggling modeling, politics and studies. After being persuaded by a photographer to try out modeling, Ibukun has risen within a short period to become one of the most sought after and accomplished male model of colour in the UK.
The 6.2 ft tall international model who is currently studying Information and Technology at the Nottingham Trent University won Britain’s Next Top Model of Colour in 2008 after competing with 4500 models at the Chelsea Stadium. In 2007, he was awarded Standout Model of the year by Modelsat and again in 2008, he was awarded most fashionable male model in East Midlands UK. Another award came for him in 2009, when he won the nod for Best Male Model of the Year at the BEFFTA Awards (Black Entertainment Fashion Film Television and art Awards) in London.
Ibukun’s rise has also been highlighted by working with several African and European designers. He has hit the runway for shows like the London Fashion Week, London Alternative Fashion Week, Wimbledon Fasion Week, Croydon Fashion Week, Mahogany Bridal Show, Fashion Africa, and House of Fraser Fashion Show. As an ambassador for Podium International in the UK, he has showcased outfit for worldwide designers like Paul Smith, Fred Perry, Timberland, Hugo Boss, DKNY and Aaron Dowie.
The Nigerian top model is signed to Mahogany Models and Standout Model Management and he serves as an ambassador to aspiring Nigerian models based in the UK. However, his passion goes beyond modeling. He has worked in different charity projects to help the motherless babies home in Africa. Ibukun joined British politics in 2008 with the Labour Party and serve as a member of Nottingham East Constituency.
I caught up with Ibukun to find out more about his journey, career, aspirations and plans for the future.
Ameyaw Debrah: What is your origin?
I am originally from Nigeria. My father is from Osun but I spent part of my lifetime in Lagos and Nottingham. I am currently located in Nottingham East Midlands UK.
Ameyaw Debrah: what inspired you to get into modeling?
I started in Lagos Nigeria but wasn’t serious about it. I later relocated to the UK and found myself in the industry. I was somewhere at Selfridges and a photographer saw me and told me I had what it takes to model. I took it up from there. I was inspired by Tyson Beckford, and generally I love fashion and looking good, which is part of my job.
Ameyaw Debrah: Do you have a role model in the profession?
Tyra Banks. She’s beautiful and I love her for her hard work. I think she’s unique and most of all I love the fact she is helping aspiring models through ‘America’s Next top Model’.
Ameyaw Debrah: What type of modeling do you do?
I do any thing as long as I am comfortable. I work on the runway, commercial, Editorial jobs and so on. I am hoping to explore artistic nude as well.
Ameyaw Debrah: What else do you do aside modeling?
Aside modeling I am a student pursuing a career in Information and Communication Technology which will be over soon. I am also a British politician and a member of Nottingham East Constituency Labour party.
Ameyaw Debrah: Do you have any other ambitions, say acting?
I might say presenting maybe in the nearest future.
Ameyaw Debrah: What’s the fiercest or wildest photo shoot or job you ever did?
I actually did an editorial shoot and was almost naked. That’s all I’m going to say for now.
Ameyaw Debrah: Who is your favourite photographer?
Maybe, I would choose Ian Dew and Jonathan Bailey.
Ameyaw Debrah: How did you feel winning the Britain’s Next Top Model of Colour, and how has it affected your modeling career?
I didn’t expect to win but it has been a great opportunity for me especially being the first African male model to win the title. It has affected my life in so many positive ways. Now, I am proud to say with that title I have traveled to some countries I never dreamt to be in, to work. But I hate the celebrity status because it’s too demanding.
Ameyaw Debrah: Do you think African models have the opportunity to succeed internationally while back home?
Actually I just got back from Nigeria recently. It’s difficult on the international scene especially for Africans in the UK. Nothing good comes easy. Personally, I advise models to work in Africa or the US where they can sell.
Ameyaw Debrah: What have been some of the challenges for you?
Trust me, people see me and think everything that comes my way is easy but life is all about facing challenges. For example, to get a job isn’t that easy especially combining lot of things together like my university work and political work.
Ameyaw Debrah: What’s your role in the Labour Party?
I joined to represent international students in Nottingham. I am guessing I am the only international student in NEC Labour party but I try to bring out problems we face to the board for consideration.
Ameyaw Debrah: What is your routine day like?
I wake up in the morning; have a short prayer before I have my shower. I go to the university for lectures, hangout with friends, have a drink up, go to the gym, go to meetings if I have any, travel if I got any modeling jobs and end up ‘Facebooking’.
Ameyaw Debrah: Do you have a training or exercising regiment?
I try to go to the gym at least 3 times a week, I try to avoid junk foods and drink lot of liquid. I run on the treadmill for 20 minutes, lift weight and do lot of sit ups.
Ameyaw Debrah: Any special diets or habits to stay in shape?
Drink a lot of water, fruits, vegetables and stay off fatty food.
Ameyaw Debrah: What’s your favourite African food?
Actually I am thinking of having pounded yam and Egusi soup after this interview.
Ameyaw Debrah: What do you hope to achieve with your career?
I want to represent Africa and create a positive impact on the lives of people.
Ameyaw Debrah: Are you going to have a related profession to your university studies or will you model fulltime?
I will definitely have a company in IT and model along the side.
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I single-handedly popularized Shea Butter in the United States – Margaret Andega
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He went from cooking on Instagram to owning a food truck in Atlanta and more… the story of Quabena’s Kitchen
The COVID-19 pandemic birthed many opportunities for people all over the globe. For one Ghanaian living in the US, the pandemic reconnected him with his passion which has now become a full-time job.
Quabena’s Kitchen shared with me his story about how he went from cooking for family and friends, to sharing content of his cooking on Instagram page at the height of the pandemic, which has now transformed into a thriving catering business in Atlanta, Georgia.
Quabena’s Kitchen services now include a food truck providing Ghanaian and West African delicacies to Africans and non-Africans alike, with ambitions of a restaurant on the cards!
Watch this exciting story on Ameyaw TV below:
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Fashion
Why Ghanaian-American Jeffrey Ampratwum is the menswear expert to watch in fashion!
At the start of the Victoria era, early 19th century – the English began to tone down the royal style dressing of the French army, namely those adorned in prestigious regalia and heavy embroidery. It was a sign of English nationalism and sparked a new wave of appearance in men. A few decades later, the suit was born and heavily influenced those in Italy and America. The British and the Americans have a rich revolutionary history, of course, and coincidentally the British colonized the African country – Gold Coast – until 1957 when they declared their independence and changed their name to Ghana.
As part of an independent Ghana, a host of individuals began to exercise new freedoms and venture out of the country into new territories. Many Ghanaians set their eyes on American travel and a wave of trail blazers left the country and settled in the infamous New York City. For most, it was an opportunity to plant new seeds in the hopes that their children would be afforded even more opportunities for a prosperous life.
One of these children of the diaspora is Bronx-born Jeffrey Ampratwum. The only child to Kate Bampoe and Eugene Asante-Ampratwum Mpere, who met in the Bronx after immigrating from Ghana. The dynamics of having African parents and being raised in a heavily eclectic environment gave rise to Jeffrey’s style and prose. More importantly, we can honestly say that there are only a handful of Ghanaian-Americans living in the states that can exhibit a special presentation that reflects both their African heritage married with the esthetic of their nationality. We recently caught up with Jeffrey to discuss how his early influences provided him with a framework to now become such a strong force in the menswear industry in fashion.
AD: Jeffrey, Ɛte sɛn?
Jeff: Haha, Eye.
AD: I had to test your Twi really quick! You know most Ghanaians who are born in the states don’t have a clue about the language unless it’s spoken fiercely in the home.
Jeff: You are 100% correct with that. Ha. But for me, I was lucky in that my mother took me to Ghana before I even knew how to use words. So, in actuality, Twi was the first language and vocabulary I learned, and in essence, English is my second language. So, I’m really decent when it comes to using Twi. I’m a cheat code! But keep that quiet. Ha.
AD: How much of the remnants of the Ghanaian culture factored into your approach to your style and presentation?
Jeff: When I was younger and in school, particularly in the Bronx – it wasn’t always your proudest moment to be from Africa or to say your family was African. Part of the silly embarrassment was perhaps from the narratives that were spinning on television. Americans were being indoctrinated with visuals of “feed the children” which only highlighted the extreme poverty in a few Africans countries. The images and broadcasts were all the same, for decades. So called philanthropist and humanitarians took camera crews into ravaged areas and televised starving children for us to see here in the states. I believe that had a profound effect on young boys and girls born from African parents.
However, as for me – I always looked at being dark skinned and being deeply rooted into my African culture as a super power. I liked the idea of being different, even though all the kids in all my classes were also children of immigrants. They just couldn’t grasp the concept of it at that time. So, from there, it was showtime. My Uncle, Joseph Ken Mintah – was the pioneer as the first in the family to travel to the states – he had extreme style. My mother also is very detailed with her sense of jewelry and fragrances. I adsorbed it all.
AD: Did you start dressing in traditional African attire? What do you mean exactly?
Jeff: Not exactly! But, being an only child really allowed for me to sit deep in thought for long periods of time. Being left-handed allowed for me to be extremely dexterous and detailed. And being raised solely by my mother further allowed me to pay attention to the importance of clothing and accessories – as she dressed herself each morning. It was the ultimate cocktail and I was already drunk with creativity. I started customizing all the clothes I had. By no means were we wealthy, so I had to manage just a few outfits for school.
My styling began when I would turn 5 outfits into 15 – so essentially, a 5-day school week became New York Fashion Week for me. I would airbrush my sneakers, turn Old Navy sweaters inside out for a fleece appeal, and cuff my jeans in 4 different ways depending on my footwear. This soon became a bad habit and made me late for school many mornings.
AD: You see, if you are late to school in Ghana back then – you might as well have sat by the road to hide from both your mother and headmaster! What was college like for you then?
Jeff: Right! Ha. It grew legs during my undergrad. Now all the pretty girls were around, I had more freedom to come and go, and more importantly – I had a stage to showcase my style. I joined a student club in the SEEK Program, and soon became the President and started hosting a string of events based around fashion. 4 years and a bachelors degree later, there were 6 fashion shows and 3 beauty pageants under my belt. Huge successes. I started to doubt my real educational reason for attending college, which was to become a dentist. Fashion was dancing on one shoulder and dentistry on the other. But somehow, I figured out how to still involve the two. My best buddy, Kenny – whom I met at the college on the road to become dentists – made it through. So, I live vicariously through him. And now, coincidentally – together we’ve developed a brand – a service of bespoke mens luxury shoes and women’s handbags, and ready to wear womenswear shoes as well. Named, Kenjeffreys. It is serendipitous because all of the products are sourced and handcrafted in Haiti and infused with Ghanaian culture. As Kenny is from Haiti, we properly employ artisans within the community and focus heavily on our social impact.
Following undergrad, I then began at FIT as student, really just trying to test my styling hand – and to learn more about the industry. While there, I came across extremely talented and knowledgeable fashion professionals that have really guided me. Namely, Sadia Seymour and Joseph DeAcetis. Both wildly experienced, patient and embedded with a wealth of information. Respectfully in womenswear and menswear. You cannot beat that, and I am grateful for it.
AD: That is strangely unique and admirable. Talk to us about how all those experiences and inspirations give rise to the Jeffrey or Che we see today and ultimately, where that places you in your field of fashion and menswear.
Jeff: Sure. Great point. I have been indoctrinated by the basic principles of creativity as an adolescent – with respect to clothing. That is extremely hard to shake. Innately, styling was my ultimate form of communication, seeing that I was a shy introvert. So now, I still revert back to those same feelings…. the feeling of home, warmth, memories, great food and innocent fun. My approach now is exactly the same in the sense that when I am dressing, styling or designing for someone – I am taking into account their entire repertoire and holding a mirror in front of them which reflects the items that they love most. It is a skill that perhaps only empaths are only able to exhibit.
Having the ability to read into thoughts and connecting with the motivating spirits that drives people – is a gift. I ran the New York City marathon three times, and the 2nd time I ran it in a tuxedo! It was my ultimate homage and pledging of allegiance to fashion. Ha.
I also believe my extensive traveling experience has aided to the arsenal. Recent trips to Ghana always resets a creative instinct with me, as I look around and arrive back to a place of self-awareness. It feels right. My cousin Harry knows where to be to capture the real essence of the land. And, coincidentally enough, I am often back and forth to the UK as well. Savile row in London, England -as you know – is a menswear connoisseur’s Disney Land. It is the traditional hub for the world’s best tailored-bespoke suits. Naples and Florence are a close second. However, sartorially, the British have etched their names in the fine-art making of the suit. I do though spend most of my time in Brighton, UK. It’s where my love is and also like a second home for me. The culture there is infused with various styles and the community is inviting. The Duchess of Brighton-Hove, Lady Donna and her amazing friends will assure that you have a great time!
AB: Finally, talk to us about your styling approach with respect to specific talent that you work with.
Jeff: Definitely. This is perhaps an area you cannot teach. It is learned with years of experience and even reading the room wrong most times. I tell my fashion students often that they have to continue shooting airballs at the basket. Get out the miss shots, now – and properly learn your subjects. For example, if I am styling a celebrity for the red carpet – several nuances are to be considered before arriving at a dress or a tuxedo. Such as, what stages in life is your talent currently in, how body conscious are they and what are they most nostalgic about. These (and some of my other secrets that I cannot give away) are the pillars to nailing great style, image and presentation.
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