These aspirations almost got shattered, as she got bullied in High School for being “too dark” and “ugly.” The incessant negative comments really affected her self-esteem for a while, causing her to want to dump her dreams.

But she persevered, and today, she is a succesful model. Nyakim, now 24 years old, recently spoke with Cosmopolitan about her journey to success. Here are excerpts from the interview:

What was your vision of America like when you arrived at age 14?

Oh, it was going to be like heaven. Living in a refugee camp [in Africa meant] sleeping in tents, not knowing where your dinner is coming from, not drinking clean water. America is education, food, hospitals, not feeling like your child will pass away because there’s no medical care. [But] you come here and realize you have to work hard for everything. Yeah, it’s not as heavenly as it seems, as it was made out to be back home. But at the end of the day, America is a really great country if you make it.

You haven’t always received positive reactions to your skin tone. You mentioned you were bullied by classmates when you moved to Buffalo, New York.

They would say, you know, I’m too black, my skin is too dark. They’d be like, “You don’t take showers. That’s why your skin is dirt.” Or, “Smile so we can see you, Nyakim. We can’t see you.” And then, in class, for example, the teacher would ask a question and say, “Oh, Nyakim, can you answer that?” A kid would say, “Who are you talking to? We can’t see her. She’s not here.” The whole class would start laughing, and I would just cry. The kid who would say that would go to the principal, or [he] would get in trouble. But the whole class was feeling what this kid was saying.

What were you thinking at the time?

I just kept to myself. I was like, “These people don’t accept me.” I was already having trouble with the language barrier and learning English to communicate with my teachers. I had always wanted to be a model, but after that I thought, “These kids think I’m ugly. I don’t see myself on social media, or TV, or in the magazines. I don’t think I’m meant to be a model.” I pushed that thought out of my head.

Did you ever consider bleaching your skin in the past?

At one point, I did consider it. When I came to America from a refugee camp in Africa [at age 14], I lived in Buffalo, New York. I would cry myself to sleep after being bullied [about my skin]. There are so many beautiful dark-skinned Sudanese women who bleach their skin. My own sister did it. But when I told her I wanted to [after living in America for a few months], she told me no. She said, “You would not just be bleaching your skin, you would be bleaching your mind. I did it and I regret it. I’m not going to let my daughter do it, or you — nobody.”

Did the bullying continue when you moved to Minnesota later that year?

I’d walk into the grocery store, and people would stare at me. I could hear people saying under their breath, “Oh my God, she’s so black. Is that even normal?” [To meet friends,] I tried joining sports — track and field. [My teammates would] say, “Are we going to be able to even see her when it’s her turn to pass the relay stick?” I quit track. I just kept to myself.

How do you react to online haters?

The negative reactions or comments don’t affect me as much now — some of them I laugh at. But there are some that go deep and bring me down for a little bit. Some people say I get followers because people feel bad for me, not because I’m actually beautiful. They say I’m the dumbest person ever. But there are millions more people who think I’m beautiful and give me positive feedback.

By sharing her experiences about people’s reactions to her dark skin, Nyakim, who is a part-time school teacher and part-time model, has amassed a huge following on Instagram.  She has more than 300,000 followers, and and has booked professional gigs ranging from local magazine covers to national campaigns for brands like Aldo. 

Read the entire interview here.

Photo Credit: Cosmopolitan/Ruben Chamorro

Queens, I’m sure you can relate.

This is why I’ve put together a list of 10 wardrobe essentials you should have, to ensure that you’ve got everything you need at your fingertips as you go about your morning routine of picking out clothes to wear.

Plain White Tee
Is there anything more versatile? Whether you style that perfect T-shirt with a pair of jeans, or a pencil skirt, no closet is complete without one.

Flats
There’s a reason everyone loves a good pair of flats: They’re chic and comfortable. You can use them to dress up your jeans and button-down combination, then transition that same pair to a dress for night time. Your outfit and legs will thank you.

Blazer
A great blazer is a must-have in any wardrobe. Need an extra something to pull together an office look? A great addition to a semi-formal look? Dressing up a slightly casual look? A blazer it is!

Slip-On Sneakers
These babies have solidified their place on my wardrobe-must have list. These shoes are comfortable enough to walk miles in and gives any outfit an extra dose of “cool.”

Black Trousers
Whether you wear them to work or wear them to a hangout, a pair of black pants that you feel great in is a true Monday-through-Sunday essential.

Black Pumps
These pair of shoes are for so essential to keep around. From meetings, to church, to a dinner date, they are super versatile. A huge advantage of these shoes is they can live under your work desk: Reserved for important meetings or an after-work appointment. Can you tell I adore my pumps?

White Shirt
Consider a white shirt a core essential in your wardrobe. There are endless options for how to wear it: Pair it with a simple skirt or pants for a classic look, or layer it under a sweater or dress to give an outfit some added dimension.

Little Black Dress
No item is more ideal for accessorizing and styling, because it serves as a blank canvass upon which you can build your look. The Little Black Dress! It has gotten us through some tough times, and serves as a hit outfit for any wardrobe.

Everyday Sandals
You definitely need these. Perfect for a trip to the grocery store, the beach, casual hangouts, etc.

Denim Jacket
Quick question, what is fashion without a denim jacket? For real, what is fashion without it? It is INCOMPLETE!

Which of these items do you own and which are you adding to your wardrobe ASAP?

Photo Credit: Pinterest

There is a reason why Bonang regularly makes the best dressed list of just about every publication – she has one of one the best wardrobes in the business. The media personality wears trendy designer clothing 24/7, and is even known to fly in stylists from the United States.

There are many things you’d expect to find in a woman’s closet and when it comes to Bonang , she has everything a woman needs.

The boss babe invited Cosmopolitan SA into her Johannesburg home for a rare and exclusive all-access view of her incredible home and closet. From her Balmain blazers to her Gucci handbags, take an exclusive look at everything in Queen B’s dazzling collection.

Fashionistas all over social media are currently in a frenzy over these fist-sized bags designed by Simon Porte Jacquemus from his Spring 2018 collection. It’s a bit astonishing that despite the fact that these bags were released since last year, there has been a sudden rise in their popularity just recently.

The bag, which is just 3 inches tall, has been found on the arm of A-listers like Rihanna, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian amongst others.

The Jacquemus’ Le Chiquito Bag is sold for $500which is equivalent to N180,000.

What are your thoughts about this new trend? Would you splurge on this?

For me, I love carrying big bags, I want to comfortably leave the house with all my accessories for the day intact: My phone chargers, headset, comb, makeup, power bank, etc. If I have to carry this Jacquemus’ Le Chiquito Bag at this price? hmmmmm(*rolls eyes*)… I reserve my comment.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Regina King was white hot in this Oscar de la Renta gown that showed off her sexy legs. Guys, this woman is in her 40s and giving us millennials a run for our money. Chileee!

Amandla Stenberg looked simple-yet-elegant in this Miu Miu dress. Love the braids too!

Jennifer Hudson slooked red hot in this Elie Saab dress. Love the minimal makeup look too!

Angela Bassett stunned in this hot pink Reem Acra mono-strap dress. Aunty Angela is giving us life still slaying in her 60s. Yassss

Danai Gurira‘s braids and golden foil dress by Brock Collection made her look like an African goddess. We stan!

David Oyelowo opted for thus deep green ETRO Tuxedo, and we love it! He definitely stood out from the crowd of usual black and white tuxedos most of the men were rocking.

Media maven, Elaine Welteroth looked extremely gorgeous in Celia Kritharioti.

Serena Williams oozed demure sexiness in this strapless number.

Kiki Layne effortlessly elegant in Versace.

Billy Porter looked amazing in this Christian Siriano tuxedo-dress that made our jaws drop!

Who was your best dressed celeb?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

These photos serve as a reminder that we are all beautiful, and the idea that we all should conform to one standard of beauty is simply erroneous.

According to stylist, Fayosola Aina, the aim of the editorial is to raise awareness about albinism and redefine perceptions about beauty.

We love it!

In this edition, the mortgage industry worker-turned lifestyle blogger who is based in Atlanta, takes us on her style journey as she gives us a rare peek into her wardrobe and her life.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Titilola Sogunro. I am from Lagos, Nigeria. I spent my childhood and a greater part of my teen years in Lagos. As a kid you would always find me in my mom’s closet playing dress up. I was particularly drawn to her shoes and accessories. My mom had/has quite an amazing collection. My love for fashion started right there in her closet.

My formal education consists of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Finance. I held a corporate job in the Mortgage industry for years, but eventually decided to follow my passion, the things that truly make me happy: Fashion and Baking! I run a baking business from my home in addition to the blog.

I started Titi’s Passion as an outlet to connect with other women and share my experience, knowledge of fashion, and things that I love. I fully committed to this journey in April 2015.

Fashion, to me, has always been personal and I explore that with my audience. My goal is to help them define their personal style.

I decided to go natural with my hair a few years ago and along the way, I have acquired a solid base knowledge that will be resourceful to anyone on this journey; or someone considering going natural.

Travel has always been an integral part of who I am. And so on my blog, I also share my experiences from my travels and ways I save on my vacations.

In a nutshell, how would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as a no fuss, minimalist approach to fashion but I’m very versatile in my fashion choices. Also, I love my style because it’s an easy approach to fashion that can easily be replicated by anyone who is looking for style inspiration or someone who needs a style change.

What is your style mantra?

Wear whatever makes you happy but most importantly ensure it’s a perfect fit.

Where are your favourite places to shop?

My favorite online stores are Ladyee.com, Asos.com, Nastygal.com, Netaporter.com and Amazon.com. My favorite shops are TopShop, Bloomingdales, Zara, ClubMonaco, Forever21, Neiman Marcus & GAP.

How is your style a reflection of your lifestyle?

I am a mom of two kids who are both under the age of 7, so I am always on the go and constantly picking up after them, so on a week day I live in basics, tees, shorts, boyfriend jeans and leggings. The weekend is when I unwind and spend time with my husband and my girlfriends. This is the time you will see me in my 4-inch heels, cocktails dresses and in makeup. I typically dress based on the destination for the day or night.

We love your hair! What’s your routine for keeping it healthy and manageable?

I went natural a few years ago and that has changed my hair routine drastically. I started off being afraid to manage my hair, so it was easier to get it straightened at the salon every few weeks but I decided to change that this year. I reduced my salon visits and I started styling my hair myself. I wash it every two weeks and style it according to my mood. You might see me in a high bun (my typical everyday go to style) or flat twist outs and every now and then I like to give my hair a break and wear protective styles like weaves and braids. I almost never go to bed without my silk scarf and my favorite hair routine is an overnight coconut oil treatment the day before I wash my hair with sulphur free products.

The changes with my hair over the last few years from using relaxers for over 12 years to my transition to natural hair that I self-maintain, is in itself a journey of my life’s story. As I have matured and become more comfortable in my skin, I am able to do whatever pleases me and that is reflected in my hair style choices.

Tell us about your makeup routine
I am not an everyday makeup gal. I do not enjoy applying makeup except it’s the weekend and/or I have a fun event planned, lol. When I do wear makeup, I favor a simple natural look and a bright matte lipstick. Bright lipstick changes everything!  It takes the attention away from minor skin issues.
I don’t wear makeup everyday but my go-to no fuss look consists of concealer, my BB cream and bright colored matte lipstick.

What are some of your favourite accessories?

A fashionable pair of sunglasses  (any one) and my Christian Louboutin Pigalle black patent pumps.

What are some items you believe every woman should have in her wardrobe?

A pair of black patent leather pumps 3.5 inch or higher, a crisp white shirt, a pair of jeans that fit perfectly, a pair of fashionable sunglasses, a black blazer, a bright colored envelope clutch and an LBD (Little Black Dress.)

If you could raid an African celeb’s closet, who would it be?

Lisa Folawiyo

What is your advice for people who need help with defining their style?

My advice to anyone who is trying to define their style is this; find a muse and draw inspiration from their style, but make it your own. Let that be your roadmap to finding what works for you. Don’t limit your muse to someone with your body type. I find style inspiration from every woman.

Also, don’t be afraid to try something new. People get stuck in the same old routine even though they secretly crave for something new, they never take that chance or risk. Get a new haircut. Do a wardrobe haul. Try stilettos. It never hurts.

Photo Credit: Titilola Sogunro | Titi’s Passion

Online fashion store, Missguided, just launched a brilliant campaign tagged #InYourOwnSkin featuring women with various skin imperfections, and so many people are applauding them for this.

The campaign aims to celebrate the perceived ‘flaws’ and ‘imperfections’ that actually make us who we are, ELLE reports.

Millenial women who patronize Missguided are elated that the brand opted to use models that weren’t just of various body shapes and sizes, but also had imperfections e.g vitiligo, dark birth marks, burns, psoriasis etc.

Here are some of the women featured in the campaign, and what they had to say about their involvement:

Joanne

As a plus-size model with albinism, Joanne is dedicated to raising awareness and breaking boundaries in the fashion and beauty industries. She says, “My role in life is not to be accepted by society. I live fearlessly and I am unapologetically me.”

Mariana

She is a Brazilian model and fashion designer who was born with a birthmark on her face. She hopes to empower others to love the way they look.

Polly

Poly is a full-time model and wants everyone to embrace the concept of women supporting other women. “Body positivity means being 100% comfortable in yourself, it’s not just the outside but also the inside.”

See more here

Photo Credit: Missguided/ELLE

Derin, who is a popular fashion blogger, recently took to her Instagram page, to share her experience about being a victim of body shaming. The petite beauty noted that despite all the evil comments people make about her size, they will never destroy her self-esteem.

She shared the photo below, along with caption:

Few days ago I posted a picture of myself in this outfit… Such a gorgeous outfit from @imadeduso_ and @sb_artistry also taught me how to highlight my face and I had my @hikkyshair on so believe me that you couldn’t tell me nothing on this day or on any day for that matter . Guess I wasn’t the only one that thought the outfit was cute because a lot of pages reposted which brings me to this story. Asides from everyone loving it, there were so many people who had comments regarding my size, from how skinny I am, to my head being the size of a football pitch LOL, to me being anorexic, having suicide tendencies and maybe not knowing how to carry out the suicide, it was so awful that @bellanaijaweddings had to turn of their comments.. Same day I read all this I had to go to the hospital to run some tests I had been avoiding but I didn’t have a choice as I knew something was wrong with me lately.

Found out that something is wrong and I have a growth inside me, but while waiting for the results to get printed I started thinking that what if I wasnt such a confident person or what if I actually wanted to gain weight but was having issues putting some on, what if I was depressed and as I got bullied, and all these notifications of comments came in and I read all the hateful body shaming comments and also found out about the growth within few hours of each other how would I have handled it all?

But if you actually know me you would know I am totally in love with my body, I cringe when it is even suggested that I am putting on weight, if you don’t know me personally I know you can tell from my pictures and stories how much of a happy person I am and thankfully none of those comments got or will ever get to me, but imagine I was fragile?

Bottom line is let’s all do better, I know I am also guilty sometimes of my thoughts and thinking how different someone would look if they just lost x amount of weight, well except you are my friend and I have opened my mouth to tease you that you are fat or your tummy is big ( I get to do that cause you are my friend sorry Bolanle LOL)

OH yeah this is another picture of my big head in my cute outfit with my ‘Anorexic’ body

***

We totally agree with her. We all definitely need to do better! Not just in the way we talk about other people, but in the ways we talk to ourselves. Negative self-talk is just as bad, if not more worse than making depreciating comments about others.

Photo Credit: @derinfromisaleeko

Any entrepreneur in Nigeria will tell you that doing business in the country is quite challenging (many would say this is the understatement of the century). So how is it possible to create a high-end luxury product that meets international standards despite these challenges? 

Zainab discusses this and more, as she chats with us about her entrepreneurship journey, her passion for design, and her lifestyle. 

You’ve dabbled in architecture, fashion styling, and acting. What made you decide to go the designer-entrepreneur route?

I’ve always followed my passions till my interest in the subject is exhausted. Creating aesthetically pleasing, functional handcrafted bags, is the one interest that has increased the further I delved into it. And that’s funny because I resisted working in fashion for a very long time. In fact, I prefer to think of myself as working in Design, as opposed to fashion. I like the idea of creating thoughtful, functional, classic pieces that are also beautiful looking.

How did the idea of the Zashadu business come about?

I’m fortunate to be one of those rare people who is creative as well as business-minded. Zashadu began as an exploration of my passion, and as it grew I realised I was also running a business. It took me a while to realise that what I was doing is what is known as entrepreneurship because it comes very naturally to me.

What were some challenges you faced in the startup phase of your business and how were you able to overcome them?

If I’m being honest, the challenges we face are what help to keep my interest in growing the brand; because at heart, I am a problem solver, otherwise I get bored. Manufacturing in Nigeria comes with its well-known wide and varied challenges, but it is truly a joy, and a source of pride to overcome them. The most important trait to have to be successful in working around challenges, is to have a firm, deep-rooted belief in yourself and in what you’re doing. Filter out the noise, and avoid being too democratic.

Has the recent economic downturn in Nigeria affected your business in any way. If so, how? And in what ways are you able to tackle this?

As a business owner, being sensitive to your environment is integral to your success. Although the luxury sector is one that performs well despite economic downturns, it is important to understand how to continue to communicate the ethos of your brand with your clients in a way that is sensitive, respectful and smart. Being adaptable will guarantee your success.

What has been the highest point in your business so far?
The high points occur regularly; when collectors express their joy at their pieces and at the service we provide. I will never tire of seeing the positive reactions that we bring to complete strangers just by being ourselves.

Would you say sales of Zashadu products are better in Africa or abroad?
They’re pretty even at home and abroad.

What are your favourite fashion brands? (Apart from Zashadu of course lol) 
That’s a bit of a difficult question for me to answer, because I’m not a typical consumer. I’m more of a collector. I appreciate pieces that are handcrafted, uniquely designed, classic and quirky at the same time. It often means I seek out sole artisans, or shop vintage pieces. Having said that, I’m a fan of the work of Maki Oh, Duro Olowu, vintage Judith Leiber, vintage Christian Lacroix and vintage Oscar De La Renta.

What do you like to do for leisure when you are not working? 
I read, swim, travel, go vintage shopping, cook, and get deep tissue massages.

What kind of influence does running a brand like Zashadu have on your lifestyle?
In order to function at optimum level, and give the best to my brand, I must be at my best. I run a tight ship in order to maintain a work-life balance. I work very hard, but play just as hard. Life is for living and I am grateful to be alive, living a fulfilled life.

What’s next for Zashadu?
Expanding our training program. At present we have a small team of trainees working alongside masters; this model takes a lot of time, 3 years, full time, 5 days a week, 8 hours a day to train and qualify as a Zashadu Artisan. Expansion is necessary to develop and grow the industry.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs who would like to delve into the same industry as you?
Start where you are, don’t wait for everything to be ‘perfect’ before you begin. Allow the demands of your business to drive the growth of your business; organic growth is always best, it gives you better control and is more fulfilling. Be interesting by developing interests in wide and varied subjects, feed your curiosity, know your strengths, don’t be too serious and above all have fun.