Having a famous name isn’t everything – Amal Fashanu
Weekend Magazine: You come from a family of successful footballers; did you by any chance inherit any of the football genes?Amal Fashanu: Unfortunately, although I do come from a footballing background I have not inherited any of their genes. I am very sporty I must say, but I wouldn’t say football is my forte.WM: You […]
Weekend Magazine: You come from a family of successful footballers; did you by any chance inherit any of the football genes?
Amal Fashanu: Unfortunately, although I do come from a footballing background I have not inherited any of their genes. I am very sporty I must say, but I wouldn’t say football is my forte.
WM: You are multi-talented, ranging from journalism, presenting, modelling, and music and presently owning a fashion line. Which of these do you prefer and would you eventually settle down for?
Fashanu: I could never choose between any of the careers I have chosen to pursue, as each one means a lot to me individually. Being a designer and having my own brand has made me grow up and be a fighter in the business world, which in turn has helped me build a life, so I would say I will be doing it until I die.
WM: You once said you have a hidden passion for music, can you tell us a little more about this?
Fashanu: Music has always been ‘my thing’ if you could say, from being the lead in school plays to performing in musicals. I will one day follow this dream for sure!
WM: Who are your music influences?
Fashanu: My musical influences are Sade, Lauren Hill, Whitney and many more of the inspirational women of that era.
WM: So do we hope to see a musical video or audio from you soon?
Fashanu: I recently recorded a little something with Afro beats star and good friend, May7ven, in aid of the girls kidnapped a few months back sadly. I plan to fly to LA (Los Angeles) and begin to take music to a further level this coming year.
WM: What are the memorable moments you have of your dad?
Fashanu: I think the moments I most cherish with my dad are those in which we can be father-daughter. Where we can be silly, laugh like no tomorrow and obtain great advice.
WM: You have had your hands full with activities right from your university days. What would you say is your greatest achievement so far?
Fashanu: I would say my greatest achievement so far would be to be able to help others. From the bottom of my heart that makes me very happy.
WM: You are a ‘fashionista,’ how would you describe your fashion style and who influences you when it comes to fashion?
Fashanu: Fashion is an amazing, exciting world full of art, colour and adventure. Fashion allows one to re-invent themselves or even make themselves who they vision to be. My style is very simple and chic, I would say. I like subtle colours, and my fashion influence would be Elle McPherson or Kate Moss.
WM: Tell us a little about your fashion line? What inspired you to go in to it?
Fashanu: My fashion line is like my baby. I take care and pride in every single thing I do when it comes to it. Having made my documentary for BBC and modelling at the same time, I decided to combine both aspects of what I loved doing and decided to start a T-shirt range, which would be cool, original and affordable for everyone. I’m a firm believer of equality, and I’m a human rights campaigner, who loves fashion, it was logical to make them into one movement.
WM: What message do you hope to leave the world through your work?
Fashanu: I hope to leave the world with the message of equality. Being fair and equal to me means a lot. If we all were more equal, we would all be happier, not just a select few.
WM: Describe in few words Amal Fashanu?
Fashanu: Amal Fashanu is a bubbly, intelligent and strong woman with a pumping heart on her sleeve.
WM: Has the name Fashanu opened doors for you in any way?
Fashanu: Having a famous surname isn’t everything or anything to effect. One needs to work hard and prove your worth regardless of your surname. It can open doors at times yes….but these doors can always be shut if you’re not good enough.
WM: What is the biggest hurdle you’ve faced?
Fashanu: The biggest hurdle I’ve faced is losing a loved one without a shadow of a doubt.
WM: You seem to be open about talking of your late uncle Justin unlike your dad? Years have passed since his death, what do you have to say of him and what footballers face?
Fashanu: My uncle was a truly amazing man and regardless of who he was or what he was, he was a very talented footballer. The first million black player in England.
WM: What would you love him to be remembered for?
Fashanu: I would love Justin to be remembered for who he was; a brave and free individual with the courage to be true to himself always.
WM: How easy is modelling in the UK?
Fashanu: Modelling in the UK like in many other competitive countries in Europe is demanding and one really needs to work hard.
WM: What is the hardest thing about being a model?
Fashanu: One of the hardest things about being a model is having to always watch what you eat and to make sure you keep fit all the time.
WM: What is your biggest fashion disaster ever?
Fashanu: My biggest fashion disaster happened when I went to a big premiere in London and the wind made my dress blow in many different directions and I was photographed.
WM: As a Nigerian, do we see you investing in Nigeria soon?
Fashanu: I will be coming to Nigeria this year for sure. Not just to invest but to create an exclusive range for us independent ladies.
WM: What price have you had to pay for being AmalFashanu?
Fashanu: To be honest, I never see it as me giving something up. God made me who I am. I must respect that. Make the most out of it and be as happy as I can with who I am and what I have.
WM: What is next for you?
Fashanu: I will be filming a few more BBC documentaries and will be doing a few very exciting musical projects with some big Afro beat stars as well as some US rappers.
WM: What advice would you give to young ladies like you in Nigeria who are finding it difficult to break through in their chosen professions?
Fashanu: All I have to say to young ladies in Nigeria who are finding it difficult to break through in their chosen profession is that in order to be celebrated in what you do, you need to work hard to become the best at it. This takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but only those who truly want it make it!