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Supermodel/Actress Amanda Annan: Beauty Inside Out

British supermodel Amanda Annan may have entered into modelling by chance but her career so far has been nothing short of amazing. The slinky beauty says she did not choose modelling but modelling chose her. While working part time in a clothing store at age 16, she was head hunted by the world famous Unique […]

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amandaBritish supermodel Amanda Annan may have entered into modelling by chance but her career so far has been nothing short of amazing. The slinky beauty says she did not choose modelling but modelling chose her. While working part time in a clothing store at age 16, she was head hunted by the world famous Unique Model Management agency. Within two weeks Amanda was shooting her first campaign for Vidal Sassoon. With her beauty and grace, it was not before long she started flying round the world for shoots and runway assignments in London, Paris, Milan and New York.

Amanda’s origin is as interesting as her career: her father is from Ghana and his father moved to Ghana as a child from Brazil in search of his roots; while her mother is from Martinique but grew up in Lagos. However Amanda was adopted at a young age and grew up in London. As the niece of Kofi Annan, she picked up plenty ambassadorial traits which she deploys in a number of charitable organizations like the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), as well raising money for the African Film Commission.
After gracing the covers of magazines like Elle Magazine, Women to Women, Photo Magazine and Fashion News, Amanda has also ventured into new territories including acting and broadcasting among others. Jamati Online caught up with Amanda to find out more about her career as a model, her desire to help the least fortunate, her ambitions and many other things that make her tick.

What went through your mind when Unique Model management approached you?

I was actually quite lucky in that, I was discovered by a make up artist, who then went on to introduce me to Unique Model management which at that time was one of the best model agencies to be with. I was a bit nervous going into the agency for the first time, as I used to be a very shy kid, however the nerves soon disappeared and Unique Model Management became a great growing ground for me.

What have been your highlights as a model since then?
Wow! So much has happened in such a short space of time. I have been the face of M-Net Africa; Vodafone Campaign; done a Vogue Cover; Ebel watches of Switzerland; been on the set of a Bond movie, worked with Alexander McQueen, and so much more. But I think the best thing to happen to me in my career was it gave me the opportunity to meet Nelson Mandela.

What have been the challenges?
Where do I start? There is the skin color thing of course – models not getting as much work as they should because they are not of the right ethnicity; but so much has changed since I started and things are getting much better. I know the color thing sounds cliché, but the truth is sometimes hard to hear.

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So how can African models work towards becoming supermodels in spite of these challenges?
First, when it comes to African models I would like to say, they are all beautiful. The biggest challenge for African models or any woman of color thereof is the very color of the skin she is born in. There is a tendency to use fewer black girls and more Caucasian girls in the modeling industry. Sometimes if they do, they will use lighter skinned ones. I think models like Alek Wek have really shown that the beauty of a black woman comes in different types. The way forward for African women becoming supermodels is for us as a people to embrace our own beauty; respect our women; and propel them forward with love and adoration. We have to also develop our own fashion and modeling industries in Africa and show the world out there we do exist. Naomi Campbell so far has been the only real black supermodel. Iman is a great example of an African woman that holds her own.

What is your role in CAMFED?
CAMFED is an organization that supports the education of women in 5 African countries. They basically provide full support to these girls so they can go to school and their parents do not have to worry about fees, clothing or stationary even food. This saves a lot of girls from early marriages and also helps them become more self-sustaining in their society. CAMFED has so far educated about 4 million women with great success stories–some of these women are now doctors, accountants, lawyers and teachers and are going back into their communities to give back and support the younger ones. I am more like an ambassador and I help bring awareness to what they do. I am planning to go to Africa and tour all their schools and make a documentary about the organization and its effect on the Nation.

Are you involved in any other charities?
As far as charities go, I tend to do a lot with children’s charities. I am an Ambassador for One Laptop Per Child, which is a charity that provides laptops for children across the world, I started a small charity called ETC with a friend of mine and we are in the early stages of putting it all together.

What would you want to achieve with your career in the future?
At the moment I am in a transition from modeling to acting and also host my show segment on Brit Celeb TV. I run my own production company that does film and documentaries. I just finished filming a documentary with Sir Richard Branson. I think what I would like to achieve, more than any thing in the future, is to do more documentaries on Africa and its people and also be able to find ways that I can use the media and entertainment to help the underprivileged people there.

Having modeled for such fashion greats as Vidal Sassoon, Vivian Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Calvin Klein, John Paul Gaultier, Emporio Armani, YSL and Galliano. Amanda is already in demand and you will be seeing her striking face in new campaigns across the globe!

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Ameyaw Meets

Oprah Winfrey & Blitz Bazawule answer my questions about ‘The Color Purple’

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Oprah Winfrey & Blitz Bazawule answer my questions about ‘The Color Purple’

In April, I had the opportunity to join a Zoom Q&A session with Oprah Winfrey and Blitz Bazawule, courtesy FilmOne Distribution. The conversation was around the bold remake of ‘The Color Purple’ scheduled for release this Christmas!   (more…)

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Ameyaw Meets

Asari Music highlights new single ‘Like Dat’, balancing college with music and more

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Asari Music

Week-in week-out I get to interview one of the many faces in showbiz and this week on Ameyaw Meets, Asari Music is the one. She’s a young, upcoming and very talented Ghanaian-American singer – who in case you haven’t heard, is out with the hottest song you might hear all week. (more…)

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People & Lifestyle

I single-handedly popularized Shea Butter in the United States – Margaret Andega

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According to Margaret Andega, a Kenyan entrepreneur in Atlanta, she was the driving force behind the commercialization of Shea Butter in the US during the late 90s. (more…)

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People & Lifestyle

He went from cooking on Instagram to owning a food truck in Atlanta and more… the story of Quabena’s Kitchen

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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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Read Also: The chef behind Fufu Pizza is about to open Afro-Fusion Cafe in Atlanta

 

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Ameyaw Meets

The chef behind Fufu Pizza is about to open Afro-Fusion Cafe in Atlanta

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US-based Liberian professional chef, Chauncy Yarngo caught the attention of the world with his amazing creations such as fufu pizza, fufu taco, plantain burgers and more. (more…)

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Fashion

Why Ghanaian-American Jeffrey Ampratwum is the menswear expert to watch in fashion!

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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 Jeffreys 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.

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Jeffrey. 

AD: Jeffrey, Ɛte sɛn?

 

Jeff: Haha, Eye.

 

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AD: I had to test your Twi really quick! You know most Ghanaians who are born in the states dont have a clue about the language unless its 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, Im really decent when it comes to using Twi. Im 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?

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Jeff: When I was younger and in school, particularly in the Bronx – it wasnt 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.

Jeffrey

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 couldnt 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?

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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.

 

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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 connoisseurs 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. Its 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.

 

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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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If I am shooting for a magazine in a studio – its party time. If you are not dancing as a model or grooving as a photographer, you are are in the wrong business, per say! Haha. With me, you are very liable to hear everyone from Bob Marley, James Brown, MJ, and Jay-Z to Queen, Lady Gaga, Biggie, Nas and Beyonce all on the same playlist. I say that to say: I enjoy what I do in fashion, and I will always represent the joys of that. I believe that is what makes me an enigma in this industry. Always professional however, but make it subjective and inject areas of your creativity wherever you can. Particularly in menswear – I keep a very intimate and close pulse on traditional, casual and street styles of these sub genres – and study them gravely like the science they are. That all still comes from sitting deep in thought as I did
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