Mama I made it!! I'm featured on a website... a whole website.. me!! Pardon my excitement but this is such a huge milestone for me in the right direction. I will not divulge the details of how it came to be (but bless my friend who made it possible for me). I will however share the details of my experience at the photoshoot and let you in on what this amazing brand is about.
ABOUT THE BRAND: First things first, you may be wondering what Brand this is. This Clothing Line is called ShopVIRE, A Benin African traditional wear line. It is owned by a Trio of a mother and her two daughter, Benoite, Irene, and Ahouefa. They have spent almost three decades in North America but have always kept their culture close to heart through traditional Fon (their tribe) music, food, and clothing. According to their website, VIRE (pronounced vee-ray) is named after their maternal grandparents and is a celebration of their “third culture” experiences.
When asked why they started this brand, their response was "Our desire is to make African fashion accessible to everyone by merging materials sourced from Benin, the artistry of local Beninese craftsman, and the fashion and trends of the west. We also believe in honoring the contributions of each of our partners, therefore we ensure that each partner is recognized for their work by paying them a fair wage. We want you to know that when you buy from ViRe you are getting a one-of-a kind creation that is like you...authentic and unique."
I got to model some pieces from their ANKARA COLLECTION and I love the fit. The material used is not heavy and the quality of their products is impeccable.
ABOUT THE PHOTOSHOOT: I had the pleasure of working with an amazing team of models, the makeup artist and photographer, and most importantly one of the Trio who is based here in Vancouver, Irene Chibota. I was a bit nervous because this was my first time on a professional set but Irene made everyone feel comfortable, was always ready to listen and open to everyone's ideas. It was a refreshing experience to work with an owner who is so warm hearted, humble and clearly passionate about her work. The photographer, Manto Nakamura was bubbly and as you can see in some of the shots, made me smile and enjoy every single shot behind the frame. And can we take a moment to admire the simplicity of the makeup done by Emily Walsh. This was a welcome change from my regular full face beat and I can't get enough of the softness it exudes. To add the icing to the cake, we were all fed throughout the process. Honestly, if this is what set life is like, count me in please! Two of the outfits, the yellow jacket and kimono dress are featured on their website, (LINK HERE) and can be found under the "Women's Apparel" section.
I love every single piece I modeled and can't wait to see what the future holds for them. You can follow them on their Instagram (@shop.vire) for more on their new products and accessories.
Thanks for dropping by,
xoxo
