Summer Leaves
It is officially Summer! My favorite time of the year. For me Summer rimes with brunches, lounging by the pool, after-work with friends, taking a stroll by the beach and travelling.
Well I plan to do all that and more this Summer (God willing). I have decided that it was necessary for my sanity to go out and have some fun. But recently I have realized that I can do that and learn something at the same time.
After months of letting my laziness get the best of me, I finally attended a free event at the French Institute in Dakar. The French Institute is a cultural hub in the city, where interesting events are frequently being held such as concerts and seminars. I really like the place because it is spacious and has beautifully decorated grounds. I can see myself spending an entire day there. Growing up, I would go there every other Saturday, to borrow books because they have a huge library.
But back at the story. I saw on Twitter that a free talk on Entrepreneurship in the creative field was to be held at the French Institute. I was even more interested when I found out who were some of the guest speakers. I decided to stop being lazy and go attend the event. Needless to say that it was highly inspiring to listen to people in their field talking about what they are doing, how they got started, what was the pivotal moment, and how are they working things out between getting financing, or managing both the creative and the financial aspect of their business. At the end of each talk, the public could also react or ask questions. And this exchange made the talk even more riveting.
After the talk, the guests were invited to a small cocktail outside. Instead of mingling, I stayed with my friends and discuss silly things. But I also got to ask questions. You see, one of the guest talk was the CEO of a music label who does great music. I have known him and his colleagues through another friend of mine. They are young and determined. I have always been fascinated about how they run their business. Therefore, it was an occasion for me to ask all the questions I had bottled inside me.
Growing up, I always wanted to be a singer like Whitney Houston. Now I am old enough and wise enough to know that I do not have what it takes. Yet the music industry always fascinated me. I always wanted to know how music was created? How the videos are being made? How the marketing is done? You can find out all that through the Internet nowadays. But there is a difference between reading about it and seeing it with your own eyes.
I am fascinated not only by the music industry, but by anything creative, be it fashion, art, TV. It is a field I think I could have excelled in if I had the opportunity 20 years ago. But 20 years ago, we were told that artists could not make a living in this country of mine. Back when I was 18, if I had told my parents that I wanted to be a singer, they would have laughed at me. And although things have not changed that much since then, young people now are following their dreams and managing to make a living out if it. And when I see them, I am both proud and envious.
Anyway, the event was educational and fun at the same time. I think I will attend more events like that in the future. They are like the fuel that will light my creative fire.
I actually wore this printed dress at work a few weeks back. I had an important meeting and I wanted to look good. I purchased this rare fabric from a friend who got it in Ghana. Although we do have many African printed fabrics in my city, I find the ones coming from other African countries pretty compelling. I purchased two fabrics from my friend actually, and both of them have leaves. I had to have a simple dress made out of this one because I wanted it to be a go to dress instead of all the fancy dresses I have stashed in my closet waiting for a grand occasion. What I like the most about the dress is the full skirt and the pockets. I may need two more dresses like that in my closet.
Well I plan to do all that and more this Summer (God willing). I have decided that it was necessary for my sanity to go out and have some fun. But recently I have realized that I can do that and learn something at the same time.
After months of letting my laziness get the best of me, I finally attended a free event at the French Institute in Dakar. The French Institute is a cultural hub in the city, where interesting events are frequently being held such as concerts and seminars. I really like the place because it is spacious and has beautifully decorated grounds. I can see myself spending an entire day there. Growing up, I would go there every other Saturday, to borrow books because they have a huge library.
But back at the story. I saw on Twitter that a free talk on Entrepreneurship in the creative field was to be held at the French Institute. I was even more interested when I found out who were some of the guest speakers. I decided to stop being lazy and go attend the event. Needless to say that it was highly inspiring to listen to people in their field talking about what they are doing, how they got started, what was the pivotal moment, and how are they working things out between getting financing, or managing both the creative and the financial aspect of their business. At the end of each talk, the public could also react or ask questions. And this exchange made the talk even more riveting.
Dress - tailored made
Fabric - from Ghana, bought from a friend
Platform Pumps - thrift, Wednesday market
After the talk, the guests were invited to a small cocktail outside. Instead of mingling, I stayed with my friends and discuss silly things. But I also got to ask questions. You see, one of the guest talk was the CEO of a music label who does great music. I have known him and his colleagues through another friend of mine. They are young and determined. I have always been fascinated about how they run their business. Therefore, it was an occasion for me to ask all the questions I had bottled inside me.
Growing up, I always wanted to be a singer like Whitney Houston. Now I am old enough and wise enough to know that I do not have what it takes. Yet the music industry always fascinated me. I always wanted to know how music was created? How the videos are being made? How the marketing is done? You can find out all that through the Internet nowadays. But there is a difference between reading about it and seeing it with your own eyes.
I am fascinated not only by the music industry, but by anything creative, be it fashion, art, TV. It is a field I think I could have excelled in if I had the opportunity 20 years ago. But 20 years ago, we were told that artists could not make a living in this country of mine. Back when I was 18, if I had told my parents that I wanted to be a singer, they would have laughed at me. And although things have not changed that much since then, young people now are following their dreams and managing to make a living out if it. And when I see them, I am both proud and envious.
I did not wear this dress for the event. I had on a white eyelet dress with a pastel pink lace cardigan. I wanted to take pictures because I was feeling myself all day. Yet when you are too busy having fun you rarely take pictures.
I actually wore this printed dress at work a few weeks back. I had an important meeting and I wanted to look good. I purchased this rare fabric from a friend who got it in Ghana. Although we do have many African printed fabrics in my city, I find the ones coming from other African countries pretty compelling. I purchased two fabrics from my friend actually, and both of them have leaves. I had to have a simple dress made out of this one because I wanted it to be a go to dress instead of all the fancy dresses I have stashed in my closet waiting for a grand occasion. What I like the most about the dress is the full skirt and the pockets. I may need two more dresses like that in my closet.
What are you plans this Summer?
Comments
motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading at this time.