Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, this week's subjects: The Intersection of Fashion, Netflix, Anemia, and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

The Intersection of Fashion: European Influence and African Resilience Part 1. In the vibrant tapestry of global fashion, Africa stands as a continent rich with cultural diversity, creativity, and untapped potential. However, the relationship between European fashion and African style has been complex, marked by historical influences, economic challenges, and a quest for authenticity. Let's delve into the fascinating narrative of how European fashion has both shaped and impacted the African fashion landscape. Colonial Legacy: A Double-Edged Sword: European Clothing as a Symbol of Civilization During the colonial era, European clothing was perceived as a hallmark of modernity and progress. Africans who adopted European attire were often seen as forward-thinking and cosmopolitan. Blay- Miezah Traditional African clothing, on the other hand, was sometimes dismissed as primitive or outdated. This perception led to a gradual decline in the popularity of indigenous African fashion. The Rise of African Fashion: Despite the colonial legacy, African fashion has always thrived. From the intricate kente fabrics of Ghana to the colorful wax prints of West Africa, the continent boasts a kaleidoscope of styles. Talented designers and artisans have woven their heritage into contemporary designs, celebrating cultural motifs, vibrant colors, and innovative silhouettes.

Who makes fashion? Netflix. They have a series with actors representing rich English upper-class people, (called “The Gentlemen”) and sales of heritage check dresses, tweed jackets, flat caps, sharp tailoring, and expensive watches are up. If the next film is about people who dress up like real clowns, who knows what will happen? But for now, it's an environmentally positive development. These so-called upper-class dresses were worn again and again and often passed from generation to generation, which is a far shot from our today 'see, like, order, wear, discard. (SLOWD)

Anemia, commonly described as “I'm short of blood” affects about 40 % of women of reproductive age. It is a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen from the lungs to all other organs in the body. It can cause tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath. About 70 % of these cases originate from iron deficiency, but careful, an iron supplement (blood tonic) on top of sufficient iron can give iron poisoning. There is also Vitamin B12 deficiency-related anemia. And the cause of all this? Partly your menstruation (but that is only about 2 soup spoons of your blood (20 ml) out of your total 5 ltrs (5000 ml), though it could just be the last drop that makes the cup run over. A decent diet is more important, not only for anemia but for general well-being. Sufficient fresh vegetables (not the overcooked stew we like best), fruits, read up about it. You are what you eat, and funny enough, most of us are more peculiar about the type of petrol we put into our car than about what we eat. Someone replied that she had never eaten depression and anxiety so how come, but that one too is partly related to an unbalanced diet. Anemia can be caused by lack of iron (take in nuts and seeds, legumes-such as beans), lack of vit B12 (take in liver, beef, sardines, dairy products), lack of Folate (vitamin B9) (take in dark green leafy vegetables, peanuts, sunflower seeds, fresh fruits, fruit juice, whole grains, liver, aquatic foods, eggs).

Breakfast at Tiffany's Is the title of a 1961 classic film with Audrey Hepburn. Tiffany being the company selling luxury jewelry, was meanwhile swallowed up by LVMH for 13.5 Billion USD (not sure if that included the film rights), and Audrey is a nothing girl throwing her charms at rich men in return for dinners and gifts from, say Tiffany. The added word, breakfast made the film a bit of a scandalous issue, hence lots of publicity. Compare Audrey with Miss “Dubai and an iPhone please”. But this is about breakfast only. No iPhones involved, and no Dubai but just our own Koforidua. Nice if the boss pays for the best hotel, the Eastern Premier, a beautiful place and a beautiful bedroom, and had it not been for the all-night power cuts, it would have been a luxury stay indeed. The nice thing about these luxury hotels is the breakfast, which typically includes the full English breakfast with fresh coffee or tea, baked beans, bacon, marmalade, toast, freshly fried, scrambled, poached, or boiled eggs, and a cook-to-do all that in front of you, yogurt, cheeses, and charcuteries, various fresh fruits and fruit juices, different kind of bread pastries, and then, of course, our own “Hausa Koko” with Koose, “Koko with Bofroat”, Rice Water and Tom Brown. But that did not work out. They had Koose, which I like, but no fresh coffee, but Nescafe which offlate has a bad press, no fresh fruit juices, no marmalade, all in all, it was like breakfast in the Tamale guesthouse in the 80's, (the hunger years). And the eggs? That put me off most. The girl was there all right to cook them, but all she could do was the 2 side fried eggs, and when I wanted sunny side up she gave a blank, so I explained and finally she got it, and, as a bonus, turned them and fried the sunny side as well. A chef in a grand hotel indeed. I think one of the issues is that, in Ghana, we don't complain. People happily give five stars for poor service, no salt and pepper and napkins on the tables, leaking hamburgers, fatty and under-or overcooked pizzas, old fish, dry steaks, over-fried eggs, and juice in imported cartons. The dining hall was nice, and all wooden furniture, after a closer look made in Turkey which has only 14 % of its land covered by forest, in Ghana that is 35 %.

Lydia...

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The Weekly Lifestyle Blog by Lydia, every Friday at 1700 hrs. Nr 93 29th March 2024

Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, this week's subjects: A Tale of Creativity and Appropriation, The Call for Authentic Collaboration and Empowering African Designers, Neckties, Photographers, and Kata Garden Bistro Restaurant.

A Tale of Creativity and Appropriation The Dark Side of Cultural Appropriation Borrowing vs. Appropriation: While cross-cultural inspiration is essential for artistic growth, there's a fine line between appreciation and appropriation. Western fashion brands have often borrowed elements from African aesthetics without proper acknowledgment or respect. From runway shows to high-end boutiques, we've witnessed African-inspired prints, beadwork, and silhouettes being co-opted without involving African designers or communities. The Luxury Fashion Landscape: Luxury brands have been particularly guilty of appropriating African designs. Whether it's using Maasai beadwork in accessories or incorporating Ankara prints into high-end collections, these actions raise questions about ethics, representation, and economic justice. The lack of credit and financial compensation for African creators perpetuates a cycle of exploitation.

The Call for Authentic Collaboration and Empowering African Designers: It's time for a shift. Instead of mere inspiration, Western fashion should actively collaborate with African designers. By partnering with local artisans, supporting sustainable practices, and giving credit where it's due, the industry can foster genuine exchange. Initiatives like Fashion Revolution advocate for transparency, fair wages, and ethical production across the globe. Celebrating Diversity: African fashion is not a monolith. It encompasses 54 countries, each with many unique styles, textiles, and craftsmanship. By celebrating this diversity, Western fashion can move beyond stereotypes and engage in meaningful dialogue. Let's amplify African voices, learn from their creativity, and appreciate the beauty of cultural exchange. African fashion is more than a trend: it's a living legacy. As Western fashion continues to draw inspiration from Africa, let's honor the roots, acknowledge the creators, and celebrate the beauty of collaboration. By weaving together our stories, we can create a global tapestry that reflects the richness of our shared humanity.

Neckties, and “the times they are a changing”. (title of a song by Bob Dylan, 1964). Neckties date back to around 1630 when the French king hired Croatian soldiers (these days we would call them mercenaries) and as part of their uniform, they wore a piece of cloth around their neck. The king liked this neckpiece and made these ties mandatory for royal gatherings. As the elite French monarchy was now wearing them, the custom quickly spread across Europe. Over the years, the style and the design of ties have changed, and in 1923, a tie maker from New York named Jesse Langsdorf patented a new way of cutting fabric on an angle, and then sewing it in three segments to create the Langsdorf Necktie.
Even though the width and length have expanded and shrunken over the years, the Langsdorf original design has remained till today. In the 1930s, the Windsor knot was created by the Duke of Windsor. In the 80s, tie makers created a myriad of different neck-wear styles, and additional lining and interlining to the interior of the tie ensured that the tie lays flatter and neater against the chest, and these ties are easier to knot. But our modern tie has remained almost untouched for 100 years. But then, these days, who wears a tie? I recently came across a René Chagal Myung Ju silk tie, about the most expensive silk commonly available. I have searched René Chagal without result, his ties are widely available, both new and 2nd hand, but it seems René went out of business before the internet was invented, and my search engines give no information on the man. A closer look at the tie shows it cost 15,400 Yen at that time, about 65 US Dollars. But ties are mostly outmoded now, mine was used to bind a roll of foam I bought. RENE CHAGAL MYUNG JU SILK TIE WITH WINDSOR KNOT

Photographers: For a bit of family gathering, we used to hire a photographer and then eagerly wait for the pictures to be brought back, and then ask for copies to be printed for all. The Smartphone has changed all that, but to make sure we are all in the picture, someone else has to take that picture. So either you ask the neighbour to step in (he may demand his part of the food) or you go to a restaurant where you get very experienced photographers, the waiters. A tip is welcome but often not asked for.

Kata Gardens Bistro Restaurant: Tunemete Street, Dzorwulu, Accra. Having heard about this and seen the beautiful pictures of freshly cooked lobsters, we decided to look in on a Monday night. We called to reserve a table and this should have warned us, the lady mentioned that we should make a deposit. This is not unusual at the top restaurants in Europe, after all not showing up may mean an empty table and less income, so often you make a deposit to be taken against your final bill. But this being Ghana and a Monday night, we didn't accept that but drove straight there. We were asked if we had made a reservation (the place was almost empty), and they confirmed that there was no reservation because we had not made a deposit. Then we were asked if we wanted to sit in the open or an airconditioned part, behind glass, we chose that but then again they wanted a deposit. We replied that we did not even know if we wanted to eat there, could they show us the menu or explain the types of food they were selling? Lady Love pointed at a QR code on the table (wonder how much business they did when the internet was off), and we asked for a hard copy, which they did not have, neither was Lady Love ready to talk about the food. So we left it at that and left. Wonder how they will survive, this is Ghana and new restaurants are springing up every day. Maybe a non-Ghanaian setting up a place with rules from a faraway place, or plain whitewashing.

Lydia...

do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our post.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution, for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.

Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, this week's subjects: Black and Proud, The Influence of African Fashion, The Rise of African Aesthetics, Credit Cards, and Pâte à choux Restaurant.

Black and proud, the Olympic games in Paris and sad things happening. French President Macron approached singer Aya Nakamura (955 million views!) to possibly perform at the opening ceremony of the Olympic games in Paris in July this year. Aya is Mali born and black but since an early age a French citizen, and this has provoked shockingly racist reactions, according to the organizing committee of the Paris games, and the Paris prosecutor last Friday launched an official racism investigation. Nakamura has managed the impossible by making songs in French “sound danceable”, yet for a large section of the French population seeing a Black woman embody the nation remains “unthinkable”. Nakamura has achieved remarkable global success and is the most listened-to French artist in the world. How long will we all remain racists? At least 4-5 generations is my guess.

The Influence of African Fashion: A Tale of Creativity and Appropriation: African fashion is a vibrant tapestry woven from centuries of rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions, and artistic expressions. From the intricate beadwork of the Maasai tribes to the bold prints of Ankara fabric, African designers have long been at the forefront of creativity and innovation. However, this creative legacy has not always been celebrated without controversy. In recent years, Western fashion has increasingly drawn inspiration from African designs, leading to a complex interplay of influence, appropriation, and cultural exchange.

The Rise of African Aesthetics Celebrating Heritage: African fashion celebrates diversity, storytelling, and identity. It is deeply rooted in history, spirituality, and community. Traditional garments often carry symbolic meanings, reflecting social status, rituals, and life events. From the flowing kente cloth of Ghana to the geometric patterns of mud cloth from Mali, each piece tells a unique story.

Modern African Designers: In contemporary times, African fashion has become a fusion of traditional African styles and modern Western fashion. African designers blend heritage fabrics, bold colours, and innovative silhouettes to create garments that resonate globally. Brands like LemLem, Maxhosa, and Maki Oh have gained international acclaim for their unique designs that celebrate African culture while pushing boundaries.

Honesty between partners and incest. Unfortunately, some of us were mishandled by brothers, nephews, or uncles, sometimes even by fathers, at a very young age, some as young as only 6-7, some of us for many years. We were told not to report and intimidated into silence, so we kept quiet and carried it with us like it was dirt. If you are one of these, take the opportunity to tell your future husband, talk as much about it as you want, and get rid of this idea that you have a dirty secret. And if he starts to look at you differently? Wrong guy, drop him. You were a vulnerable kid, you are not responsible, not then, never.

Credit Cards, Again: One of the dangers of a credit card is that often you don't immediately get notified that your account is to be debited at the end of the month by so and so much and that your balance will then only be so much, so at the end of the month you may be surprised at what you spent and that you are now overdrawn and are paying interest. You are surprised, and the bank is happy. And one more thing. Assuming you had an authorized overdraft of say 5000 GHS, and paid an interest of 36% per annum on that, (so 150 GHS/month), if you overshoot that credit limit you now pay say 55 % per annum on the overshoot. So if you overshot by 1000 GHC you pay about an extra 46 % per annum on that overshoot, so a total of 150+46=196 GHS. Starts to add up eh? Per year that would be 2352GHS, oeps? Now a little example. Say you earn 10,000 GHS per month. The bank gives you a credit card and an authorized overdraft of 8000 GHS. You dig into that overdraft by 6000 GHS, big spender just pulls out her card and smiles whilst paying. Next month the bank takes the 6000 from your salary, plus the interest, about 180 GHS, and leaves you with only 3820 to spend in the new month. So again you dive into the overdraft, this time it shoots up to 8000 GHS. Next month you end up with only having 10,000 income minus 8000 overdraft minus 240 interest =1760 GHS to spend. You say stop, no more, and bit by bit you get rid of that overdraft, say by paying off 800 GHC per month for 12 months. That would more or less clear it (eh you borrowed 8000 and have to pay back 12 x 800 = 9600? Yes, 1600 interest). Maybe you now understand when they say that someone is working for the bank... And in case you are not good at math and all this sounds a bit too complicated? Then stay away from debt. The bank knows that most of us are not too smart in math, and happily guides you into being an ever-bleeding milk cow. Paid for by who?

Pâte à choux: There's a new restaurant by that name, (Dade Street, Cantonments, Accra), that opened in a few months. Beautiful place and they sell bread and pastries as well and after buying your bread you could have a cup of coffee. Or a milkshake, a bit difficult to get in Accra. We came in the evening and had dinner. I am a bit wary of all these new upscale restaurants, often the quality does not match the price at all. But here we had a pleasant surprise. We had truffle fries which indeed tasted the umami truffle taste and a very interesting goat cheese salad. Goat Cheese Salad Then lemon chicken and jumbo prawns, fresh. Jumbo Prawns The funny thing was that to have a bit of bread with the meal, which is a standard French habit, no dinner without accompanying bread, in this case, we had to purchase a whole bread with which the balance we did “take-away” and which lasted for a week. The service was of level and the prices were of level as well, but not outrageous for what we got. The painful part is the taxes, 24%, and that included a 1% Covid Levy, but then, being obedient citizens we didn’t mind contributing to the construction of whatever our democratically elected Government has in mind to construct for us. Amen.

Lydia...

do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our post.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with the major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution, for the time being, you can mail me on wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.