Introduce yourself!
A: Aghogho Sowho, currently living in London and I’m a Pre-reg Pharmacist (Pharmacist in training).
What is your style philosophy?
A: Wear what you like, but try to look classy and well put together. I am not a fan of cheap looking clothing and outfits that reveal your body and scream for attention. One’s style is a reflection of their personality in a sense! I believe you can look sexy, but also leave a bit to the imagination. I believe you can show skin and still look sophisticated. It’s all about the entire ensemble and presentation.
How would you describe your sense of style?
A: My style has become more classic, minimal and simple over the years. I like buying timeless pieces then spicing my outfit up with nice shoes and accessories. I do follow trends, but I know all trends aren’t suitable for my body type and don’t compliment my style.
What is the process of deciding what to wear in the morning?
A: I know this may sound weird, but there are days when I spend hours just trying on different combinations of pieces in my wardrobe. So whenever I’m in a hurry, I remember what goes well together and what doesn’t. Whenever I put on an outfit, my shoes have to compliment the outfit, so I start with shoes, and end with shoes. The shoes pull the outfit together!
What are the three favorite things in your closet?
A: My Miu Miu Glitter Sneakers from MiuMiu in London. My Collection of Vintage Czech Necklaces from my Etsy shop: ZFSowho. My Carven Bow Flats from Net-a-Porter.
What are some of your favorite shops/websites for clothes, shoes and accessories?
A: For Clothes: I frequent J.Crew, COS (I love this store!!!), ASOS, H&M, Zara, GAP, Topshop, as well as vintage stores and thrift stores. My African print clothing I make with my Tailor when I visit Nigeria. Shoes: These days a lot of them have been bought from Net-A-Porter, Outnet, and Ebay. Jewelry: Ebay, 34th Street in New York, Outnet, Topshop, thrift stores, and any and everywhere. I’m a Jewelry Hoarder.
How long have you been natural?
A: I have been natural for 9 years this fall.
How and why did you transition into natural hair?
A: I was a sophomore at Howard University and I used to see so many women with beautiful natural hair. I also hated perms since I was a kid, and as a chemistry major I started to question the effects of what chemicals can do to the human body. Thus it was a mixture of stress (heavy course load), curiosity and enlightenment. After a long day of classes I just went to the Hair Cuttery and told the lady to cut it off. She kept asking me if I was sure and I kept telling her yes. My family and parents weren’t having it. Back in 2004 there was no natural hair movement, but I was stubborn and didn’t care. I wore it short for two years then started to grow it out with braids and half braids/weaves.
What is your signature hairstyle?
A: I always say don’t do what I do because I can be very lazy with my hair at times because it’s easy to manage. I wash it twice a month, and co wash about twice a month. I do a protein treatment (mayo, eggs and honey) when I remember to, which is every 1-2 months, and I try to moisturize daily. I use a variety of products however the main product I cannot live without is Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion!!! I am also very scissor happy. I like trimming my hair and having it looking healthy as opposed to long and unhealthy with split ends. I also braid my hair at night or do bantu twist outs to achieve a more defined look.
Other products I use are:
Clarifying Shampoo: KMS California Clarifying Shampoo
Sulfate Free Shampoo: Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
Cholesterol Conditioners for deep conditioning: Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream, Lekair Cholesterol Plus, Proclaim Professional Care Cholesterol
Moisturizers: Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion, Fantasia IC Shea Butter Oil Moisturizer, KeraCare Hair Milk Daily Hair Sustainer
Sealants: Natural Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Peppermint Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Almond Oil, Coconut Oil (also the only oil that also moisturizes)
Deep Oil Treatments: VO5 Moisturizing Hot Oil Treatment, Pink Hot Oil Treatment
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
A: My signature hairstyle is definitely an afro, which I wear after my bantu knot twist out. Everyone says they couldn’t imagine me without it.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
A: Yes I have a blog: http://www.zeldanfestus.blogspot.com.
11 Responses
nice style Aghogho. I kind of have a feeling you were Nigerian. I absolutely LOVE the first picture. I too don’t approve of women showing off way too much and wearing skin tight clothes all in thename of fashion. I like to be comfortable in the way I dress, so anything that requires fixing every 5minutes is a no go for me.
I’ve never heard of someone playing dress up, but it’s definitely a good idea.
themanecaptain.blogspot.ca
Gorgeous
FLYY
http://ammamama.wordpress.com/
I’m a fan of her blog; love her style.
Girl I absolutely feel you on being classy. If only our young girls coming up now just understood the value of less is more and leaving something to the imagination. I also relate on the relaxer thing. I first went natural in 05 as well at an HBCU and I was pretty much the only one in the 4 category. I then went into my PhD program in Bio/Chem 08′ and I learned relaxers have a direct link to fibroids which are much higher in African A. women than any other race. Most black women will get them sometime in their life. It also causes reproductive effects and birth defects, breast cancer, heart disease, cognitive disorders, premature puberty and altered immune function, to name a few, which are ALL (excluding heart & cog) higher in black women than any other race. Not a correlation but a direct effect, it has been proven in many studies. Further effects, more shocking for me…prolonged and heavy menstrual flow, difficulty conceiving a child, and higher instances of pain during menses and intercourse. Ever wonder why in the last 30 years A.A. women have longer and heavier periods, more painful, this has nothing to do with race but a direct effect of relaxers. Lastly, what I found also shocking is the fact that chemical lightening cream (bleaching) & relaxers are both almost equally damaging. So I find it funny when people throw tantrums over skin lightening because if a relaxer were left on the scalp, it would burn down through the skull. This is something that over the counter skin bleaching cannot even do. Its funny once you step back and learn outside of cultural influences how damaging the things we do for beauty really are. Thanks Aghogho, I enjoyed your post!
she has a classy style and nice hair! Yes, thanks for sharing! I knew about relaxers and fibroids…..so sad and true..i have them…very painful…must stay close to the bathroom…wearing depends because of the blood flow…….now it’s just 4 days but the first two are extremely painful and bloody…even with hemp oil….it. Helps to take it!
She has the legs lol,beautiful skin ,love her style.
i’m liking that bottommost rightmost pic! classy indeed!
Yaaaay love her – I’ve been following her for ages!
C+C
Me too..
I love, love, love her style.