People to watch
out for in 2010
The upcoming talents to look
out for this year
Article written by: Libani Mahas
SAMATA ANGEL - ENTREPRENEUR
Samata Angel (born Samata Elizabeth Catherine Abudulai) is a British-born Ghanaian award-winning fashion entrepreneur, author, and designer. Samata's Muse clothing label specialises in women’s wear with clients including the likes of Dawn Angelique Richard and Jennifer Lopez with press to date including VOGUE.com, Fashion United, Look Magazine (UK), ITN, Fashion Africa and Fashion Capital. She first came under the public eye when she made history and became the first British female to show during the Nolcha Fashion Week in New York. Samata, an ambassador for national campaign Make Your Mark, recently published a guide book series assisting fashion designers in business start-up with contributions from the likes of Nigel Barker and Terry Mansfield.
SELAM YOHANS – SHOE DESIGNER
Selam D Yohans' bespoke handmade collection was inspired by her unique cultural background and heritage. As a British-Eritrean woman, there was a strong impetus to explore the beautification practices within her culture, particularly the pain and mindset at its core. Yohans pays particular attention to the self-inflicted pain and psychology that lies at the heart of beautification, as well as the materials, colours and symbolism it encapsulates. Her A/W 2010 collection 'A Rough Story Sweetly Told', probes into the complexity of beautification through the construction and silhouette of her shoe designs. She wants to produce luxury shoes for the fashion conscious, modern woman. Christian Louboutin better watch out!
BOLA AGBAJE – PLAYWRIGHT
Bola Agbaje is an award-winning British playwright of Nigerian origin. Her first play Gone Too Far! Premièred at the Royal Court Theatre in London in February 2007 and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliated theatre (2008). Due to its success it was revived at a number of theatres including Royal Court theatre, Albany theatre and Hackney Empire in 2008. Her second play for the Royal Court Theatre - Off the Endz which opened on February 2010 received great reviews. Lizzie Loveridge a theatre critic said “what elevates Bola Agbaje's writing is the compassion with which she draws even morally questionable characters, as well as the fresh, dynamic energy of the dialogue. With nuanced insight, she depicts the influence of a past they want to leave behind but are also drawn to: the nostalgia and friendship, not to mention the potential profit.” Watch out for her upcoming play in April part of the Tricycle season called Women, Power and Politics.
