I will be lying if I said that I never felt peer pressure to fit in, just like many other young girls. My mother taught me the reason why I should be proud of wearing my hair natural. She made me feel like it was such a beautiful and strong statement I was making. As for the individuals that talked negative of my hairstyle I realized at a young age that they lacked knowledge and had a different mind set.
2. I can tell just by looking at your pictures, that you have an amazing energy and confidence that a lot of young women, should have, but don't. What did your parents/family do or tell you, to help you to be proud of who you are?
My mother always taught me to love myself first. She taught me to be very proud of my culture and heritage. My mother always told me that I was beautiful and that I can accomplish anything in this world with hard work and I think that means a lot to a little girl to hear when she is growing up from her parent(s).My mother taught me at a young age to always do what makes me happy, not what makes the world happy and that being different isn't necessarily a bad thing.
3. What do you love the most about being natural?
I love the fact that I give people that are unfamiliar with locs another reason why they should go natural. Usually when people see woman of color with natural hair, they automatically assume that they have to be very eccentric but women that wear their hair natural are very diverse. I love showing people that you can be natural and be beautiful, sexy, smart, sophisticated, fabulous and diverse all at the same time. Plus, it's my texture, it's my hair, why should I over process it and risk damaging it, when it's already beautiful from the start.
4. What are some of your favorite hair products?
I would have to say that I love all of Jane Carter’s Natural hair care solutions. It is all natural and it strengthens and softens your hair. She has a product for everyone.
5. Has having loc’s helped or limited your modeling and TV career?
I can say that it is 50/50. Yes I may not get a certain job because of my hair, but when I do get a job, I don’t blend in. There are so many models that look the same. I give a different perspective of an image that’s not seen that often in the media. So those few jobs I do get, I am noticed. If a certain director does not want to work with me due to my natural hair, I can’t allow that to stop me from progressing in this industry. Not everyone is going to like my look but there are people that love my look and those are the individuals I work with.
6. You are a role model to young girls and women, what advice would you give them if they are struggling with a decision to have natural hair?
I would say go for it! Just think about it, it’s your natural hair. First you will stand out and be unique. Change the game, show the world that your natural hair texture is just as fabulous as a person’s hair that is relaxed! Especially for women of color, our hair has so much strength, it is a symbol of who we are. It has been taboo for African American women to wear and love their natural hair texture. I say it is the 21st century and it's time for us to change that.
7. I love the thickness of your loc’s? Are they hard to maintain or style?
Thank you! Not at all. I usually only twist and curl my locs, but just like any other hair style that is complicated sometimes you have to go to a professional. My hair stylist Thando Kafele can create any mainstream style with locs and he does an outstanding job ;)
8. You have been very active with helping the community, modeling and your new TV gig. What keeps you inspired to continue to grow as a person and to continue help others?
I am very active because I feel like us as humans need to help one another. We as a whole is bringing down and destroying our species and our world. We need to make it our priority to look out and pave a better future for future generations. As for me being in the entertainment industry, I definitely want to make my mark. I want to grow and have longevity. I am definitely trying to pick every job that I am apart of wisely because I don’t want to sell myself short. I am planning on getting into acting and more hosting/presenting.
9. Please let us know where we can find you on the web?
You can check me out on:
www.Myspace.com/BlackDiamondsInc
My personal site is going to be up soon"
http://www.WahidahFowler.com
and follow me on
http://twitter.com/WahidahFowler
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Franchesca Ramsey
*What inspired you to loc?
I was in the 8th grade when Lauryn Hill's album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" was released. I just loved her overall look and style and she became my hair idol. But at the time I didn't know anyone with natural hair, or locs so I had no clue how to go about starting them. Nor did I have the maturity or self esteem to let go of my perm and rock my natural texture. So I didn't actually go natural until the summer after I graduated high school after dealing with years of breakage from perming and dying my hair. I think the final straw for me was when a large amount of my hair fell out after a bad at home dye job. I got so fed up with the expense of maintaining my chemically processed hair along with the fact that I wasn't happy with how it looked. So I cut it all off and decided to embrace my natural hair texture and eventually got locs.
*What about being natural do you love the most?
I love that my hair is completely unique to me and it doesn't look like anyone else's. I don't have to run in fear when it starts raining and driving with the top down is no longer a hair nightmare.
*You are very creative with styling your loc's. How do you think of the different styles that you come up with?
I find style inspiration all over the place! Most people don't realize how versatile locs are, but over the years I've found that almost any style is possible. So if I see a style that I like, weather it be on loose hair, permed hair, natural hair or locs I give it a try and see if I can make it work! I also browse youtube, magazines, and style blogs for hairstyle ideas. And if I see someone on the street with a style that I like, I approach them and ask for a closer look! You'd be surprised how many people are willing to offer the name of their stylist or give you tips on the style they're rocking. It's very flattering.
*You have a huge following on your tube chanel - for your loc styling video's. There are so many awesome styles posted. How do you have time for the so many parts of you life (Comedian, full time job, artist, and more)?
Good Question!! Well, I've always been overly ambitious with my time. But the way I see it, if I wasn't so busy I'd be bored. I just make sure to only take on projects that interest me and I cut out anything that isn't fun or enjoyable for me. I find the time to make youtube videos, do stand up, work 40 hours a week, exercise, spend time with my amazing boyfriend and our 2 dogs, keep a blog, run my website and do freelance graphic design work because those are things that are all very important to me. It's all about prioritizing and staying organized. I'm not sure where I'd be if I didn't have my iphone to help me keep track of all my obligations, but I've found a way to manage and have a great time doing it all.
*Any advice for others?
The best advice I can give is to love what you do and do what you love.
*Where can we find you to learn more about you and your cool styles?
I'm all over the web! You can find me on:
http://blog.franchesca.net
http://twitter.com/chescaleigh
http://youtube.com/chescaleigh
I also have a facebook fan page. Just search for Chescaleigh on facebook.
Franchesca Ramsey
designer. singer. comedian.
but not necessarily in that order.
http://www.franchesca.net
Thank you Franchesca for this great interview. I wanted to spread the word on how people can find you. You are very talented, and I always look forward to hearing or seeing something new from you.
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Omar Mornan
Omar Mornan caught my eye with his creativity, passion for fashion and because of his amazing hair. He is also a triple threat - Fashion Designer, Poet & Model all rolled up into one. Here’s a little bit about why Omar’s decided to loc his hair and what keeps him inspired:
I loc’d because:
-I initially was tired of braiding (corn rows)
-Wanted a more sophisticated and cleaner image
-When I started loc’ing, I'd just graduated from high school, and I was kinda finding myself, my own style
-The people that I'd met (who had loc’s) seemed to be so happy, eat healthy, and they expressed so much of their life to. It was so encouraging.
-Lastly, it just seemed right. Like it fit almost.
Hair Care:
It’s hard; I've yet to find products that work well with my hair type. I normally just use oil, and Loc Hold Spray. Top Brass is the perfect solution for me. I would suffer from dry scalp, and residue. Not with Top Brass...
Thank you Omar for giving us a little insight into what why you chose to loc your hair and why it works for you. I have to say that what ever you doing so far, its working. It’s all a learning process though. I think we continued to learn more and more about what works for us every day.
To learn more about Omar, visit him on Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/tahjb
Or visit him on his blog that is dedicated to Fashion & Lifestyle: http://www.runwaywonderland.blogspot.com/