Unapologetically Melanated Visuals: 'Beads & Braids'

When Nneka Ibeabuchi, who is Nigerian-born, visited Ghana, she fell absolutely in love with the intricate braiding styles the women wore there. She enthusiastically adopted the styles as her own during her stay. Not content to replay Memorex (as mom dukes likes to say) from her travels, Nneka created this dope series “Beads & Braids.”

Here’s what she had to say about it:

As a Nigerian born visiting Ghana for the very first time last December was an amazing experience for me. The series ‘beads and braids’ was something I fell in love with while in Ghana. Every chance I had I was wearing different styles of traditional cornrow braids and I wanted the whole world to experience the beauty through me. The beads added a classic and traditional look and I want everybody to know beads are still in style and always will be. I personally picked the hairstyle and brought back beads for each model. This series was to give new face models a platform because I just knew the world would love it. Before I returned back to the U.S. I already made sure I had my team ready for this project. I contacted Ferdinand Nyarko our photographer, Christiana Osawe our hairstylist, Nneoma Nwaka Our makeup artist and also 5 different models, everybody was excited about the project, 2 weeks later Magic was created. ”

We love everything about this project! #melaninpoppin

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Models: Ijeoma Nawka (@ije0ma)
Arnell Banahene (@boojiea)
Tanayah Flores (@Say__nay)
Leah Reynolds (@slimsgoodies)
Alisara Tesyajantorn (@_alisara)
Makeup artist: Nneoma Nwaka (@sk1nnyy)
Hairstylist: Christiana Osawe (@touchedbytianaa)
Photographer: Ferdinand Nyarko (@nyarko_photography )
Creative director: Nneka Ibeabuchi (@africanjawn)