(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC) Captions by Florence S. Fournier. Edited by June Yeow. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2017 (UPBEAT MUSIC) Being 17 means wanting to look good. Every young person is judged by the clothes they wear, and it's sometimes hard for a young African person like me to make decisions on what to wear. I love sewing and fashion, and I've always been in love with the colours and vibrancy of my cultural clothes. But it's so much easier to put on Western clothes and just blend in. My name is Favour Ukah, and I'm 17 years old. I'm a Congolese-Kiwi, and I wish I was more confident to wear my cultural clothes out on the streets of New Zealand. To be honest, most of the traditional African designs look like something my mum would wear. My parents are Christian missionaries, and we left Congo when I was 3 months old. We first headed to Thailand, then to Auckland, so I've been here since I was 7 years old. New Zealand is such a cool and safe place to live, but I feel super disconnected from my cultural heritage. I would love to be able to wear African clothes, but you just can't get anything like that here. Well, nothing fashionable anyway. You have a lovely day. See you guys later. Thanks. But I've made a decision. I'm going to use my sewing skills and create fashionable new looks inspired by my cultural heritage that young people like me would be proud to wear. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) Hey, guys. I'm with my cousin, Danielle. Unfortunately. (CHUCKLES) We're about to go fabric shopping, and hopefully we find something. This is exciting. Let's go in. Hello. Hello. Hey. This one's not bad. UNCONVINCINGLY: Mm. So, like, how do you feel about wearing African-inspired clothing on the streets? Well, firstly, I don't have the clothing, so I can't wear it. And secondly, I've just kind of been exposed to Westernised culture more, and I'm more into that because that's what I'm used to. Yeah. So... Yeah, that makes sense. And being in high school, you definitely worry about what people say, especially when you start high school, you know, making new friends, and, you know, we already stand out by being Africans, so if we just came out with material like this, it's a bit... well, you know? I understand where you're coming from, but I think it's time. It's really time for us to take charge and take control of what 'fitting in' is all about. You know? Fitting in shouldn't have to be 'forget about your past' and just try to, you know, fit in as in let's blend it together and still manage to fit in but still manage to keep our cultural identity. I definitely agree with that, and really feel like you can embrace that more, being a prefect and everything ` you can embrace that, and, being a role model as well, people will look up to you and be like, 'Yo, like what you're wearing. Let's wear it'. (GIGGLES) Look, look. That's exactly what I'm talking about. She's wearing her sari, no one's saying anything, and she's embracing her culture, and she looks great. If it was something African-inspired that, you know, I'd happy step out with if it was Westernised, then yeah, sure. Why not? That sounds good. (BOTH YELL, LAUGH) Well, that was pretty cool. Thanks, Danielle for coming out. Sayonara, mwah! (LAUGHS) Bye, see ya. I can see that I still have a lot of work to do, trying to convince my generation to be interested in wearing African-inspired clothing. I have to push on. I've put together some mock-up designs, and I'm so excited. I'm about to be getting my first ever professional feedback, and hopefully, some guidance. (UPBEAT MUSIC) (KNOCKS ON DOOR) Come through. Show me! Sweet, so, I've got some stuff here. I love what you did with the denim. Sorry, I'm being` I'm being` I'm jumping in. This is actually my favourite thing that I've done so far, like, my favourite. Gorgeous! And then I've made, also, a matching off-shoulder top, cos I thought, 'why not?' This one. Oh, I made this one really recent. Yeah. Oh, look at that. It looks like a mermaid, I love it. Yeah, yeah. Oh, cool shapes. Thank you. I wanted to come and ask you, like, how did you manage to, like, collaborate, like, your Western taste to your African heritage? I see fashion though my eyes, that's the only way I can see it. But my eyes have seen a lot of different cultures, but my eyes also know, deep down, what it is that I am, which is African. So now, how can I assimilate all this? Well, just by being a woman. A modern-day woman. How do you see yourself walking out of the house today? That is the outfit you wanna put on. Yeah. That is the outfit you would create. That's definitely something I want to develop throughout my journey of designing and making clothes. What you've done with this is absolutely beautiful, but think 'this is a start', not the final point. Mm-hm. Create a whole new collection, cos you want your friends, right, to feel comfortable wearing their cultural clothes. How do you do that? By creating something that you're comfortable with, OK? Because this right here... Gorgeous. Mm-hm. I don't see your confidence in there. Bring it out. Mm-hm. Yeah. So, once you've designed your new collection, you have to show it, OK? A good place for you, maybe, to start would be the Auckland International Cultural Festival. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Because that's the perfect market for you. It's young people. You can show them that you can be fly, whatever you wear. You can be even 'fly-er' if you wear the prints, if you wear the right colours. So go for that. Go for it. Yeah. Work on that. Thank you so much. My pleasure. I'm so happy, thank you. You're most welcome, my treasure. (EXCITING MUSIC) That was exciting. She was so encouraging. And the idea to have my own show at the Auckland International Cultural Festival was absolutely amazing. But the thing is, I don't really know a lot about my Congolese culture. If I did show my clothes in such a public place, I worry that it would be a bit too modern for traditional Africans, so it's time to talk to my mum. So, Ma... Yes? I really feel like if I knew more about you know, the Congolese culture, it would really help with how, um... I want my clothing to tell a story. Like, I wish I was taught about the Congolese ways more. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like I was questioning my mum's parenting skills, but that's just not the case. She's such a great mum, and she's done her best to teach me about our culture, but she's right. I need to go and seek advice from other people. If feels like I need to learn more about the Congolese traditional clothes before I try and change it, and I just really want to show my mum that I'm willing to learn more about my culture. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) I've got great news ` I've been accepted to showcase my new collection of African-inspired clothing at the Auckland International Cultural Festival. This'll probably be the biggest audience I've ever had to show my fashion designs in front of, so I've got two months to start sewing, find fabric and find some models to walk in the cat-walk. I've got a lot to do. Hey, guys. Hi. Hi. How are you? Good. Is your mum inside, Francis? Yes. OK, sweet. So, I'm here to see some of my aunties to get some guidance and inspiration, and just to understand the way Congolese women actually dress, and why we dress that way. I'm pretty nervous. I'm not sure what the outcome is gonna be like and, hopefully they have answers to my questions. (SPEAKS TSHILUBA) Betwabu, Favour. Auntie, I don't know how to respond to that. (CHUCKLES) Just say 'betwabu' too. What does that mean? That means hello and welcome. OK. OK, so betwabu. Betwabu. Betwabu. So, one thing I also wanna know is, how does it make you feel when you wear what you're wearing now? Special. Happy. (LAUGHS) Take me back home, take me to the happy place. Get again energy or force to help me keep on going. Because living in a different country, you face a lot of challenge of course. Yeah. I've got a few stuff here I can show you and you can see from yourself what I'm talking about. Would you like to try something? Yeah, sure. (LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) You try it on. Yeah. This one? And see if it can work or not. Ooh, look at you! Ta-da. (LAUGHS) You look nice, see? It fits you. What do you think? It's really comfortable. I can see why you guys would wear this on a daily basis, I guess, cos it's very comfortable. But...? This is not something... I personally would wear out. What about if you try the other one? Ta-da. Oh, Favour, you've got it wrong! You see? You don't know how to wear a liputa. This one needs to be with longer, and this side be a bit shorter, and then you can tie it up. Like this? Yeah, you've got it right now. I really like the colours and the pattern, I think it looks really cool. I can see something being created out of this, and just becoming something really trendy, something I would definitely wear. Well, that's a challenge for you, then. That's the test ` your first test. That was so awesome seeing my aunties and trying on those fantastic clothes. I'm super lucky to have my aunties' support, and it's actually given me the confidence to take the next steps and start creating. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) So, I've finally got some fabric, and I'm just so excited to start sewing. Yay! I'm figuring out my designs, and it's actually taking longer than I thought it would. But it feels like my confidence and vision is actually starting to shine through. But what I need right now are models, and I'm gonna start my search at school. I'm gonna ask around and see if anyone knows anyone that can help me out. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) So, I've got to say that it's all been pretty disappointing. I'm failing to find anyone that would actually like to be in my fashion show, and it's just really stressing me out. (SEWING MACHINE WHIRRS) (RELAXED MUSIC) Hi, Favour. Hi. How are you? It's going OK. I'm just trying to sort out` I'm not sure if I want to use this fabric for this style, especially, like, I'm just not sure it will, like, look the way I need it to. And I still don't even have models; I've only got two. And the show is literally around the corner. Why you have only two? You have contacted all your friends? Mum, two of the models are my friends, but the thing is, like, most of my friends don't feel comfortable modelling and stuff like that. Like, they would much rather support me by watching, coming to my show, but like, them having to walk, in front of, like, a bunch of people they've never met in their life could be a bit, you know, nerve-wracking for them. Maybe I'll try to talk to some of my friends and see if their daughters are willing to... to help... Yeah. ...on the day. Yeah, cos I need them, like, as soon as possible, because I still have to do a fitting... Yeah. ...with them to make sure that the stuff actually fits them... Mm. ...and looks good. If you get stuck, Zoe and I can model for you. Oh my` (CHUCKLES) You've sewn clothes for me. You don't need to make another one. I just use the one you have sewn for me and walk! Who cares? Everybody will cheer for me. They'll say, 'Oh, her mum is doing it for her. That's good.' Yeah! (CHUCKLES) (LAUGHS) Go away! No! Oh yeah! OK. Mum, stop it. You're not funny. (LAUGHS) I am. I'd prefer you guys to watch... but, if I really need it, I got you guys. But, um, thank you for the idea. You're welcome. Yeah, but please definitely, like, talk to your friends, but thank you for the offer, wanting to help me. Thank you. Thank you. Any time. I'm here to help you. Aww, thank you. You're welcome. My main problem right now is I've only got two willing models who are, like, ready to help me out, but I actually need about 10. I just have no clue how it's gonna pan out, but it's just gonna have to keep going, I guess. I'm going to be doing my first ever big proper fashion show in front of my community, and it's coming up this weekend. But I still only have nine models in the show, and I need one more. And it's just stressing me out. (CELL PHONE CHIMES) (SIGHS) Good. Got one more model, so that means I've got everyone there. I'm really excited about the fitting and seeing my clothes come to life. Hopefully they look really good on the models, and I don't have to make a lot of adjustments. (UPBEAT MUSIC) Hi! How are you? OK, guys, so, my main goal is basically just to inspire us to be just embracing our culture through fashion, cos I think that's the most easiest way to embrace your culture. Like, do you guys actually wear these kind of clothing out on the street? ALL: No. I would wear it if it was` ...more contemporary? Yeah. Yeah. If it was modern and up to date? ALL: Yeah. So basically we're just going to try on this stuff, and hopefully we just have so much fun tonight. Yay! Cool. We'll just see this on you. OK, I'll have to shorten this part on you, cos it's a bit too long. Oh! Y'all are looking cute. I don't` The dress looks like that. Yep. Cos I wanna see it on you. Where did you, like, get the idea for this dress? So I was talking to my mum about, like, traditional Kasai clothing, which is my mum's tribe in Congo. And then I thought, 'What if I made that into an evening gown, even though it's really different?' It's usually just the skirt and then top and then` Oh, they usually just` Sometimes they don't dance with the top, but... Oh. Yeah, just kinda like real traditional. Yeah, real traditional. So, yeah. OK, sweet. Yay! Thank you, Favour. Thank you girls for coming along. The outfits look amazing on you guys. ALL: Thank you! Can't wait for Sunday. We're gonna slay! Yay! So clearly I've still got a lot of work to do. I've got a few adjustments that I need to make to the garments, but I'm glad it's not as much as I thought I would have to. Um, the walk is so important, and I'd really hate for the girls to get so nervous on the day and start to walk really fast. I would hate to have an empty stage. I really want to impress people with this, and I've only got one shot to do this. I really don't think I'm going to get enough sleep. (UPBEAT MUSIC) (SEWING MACHINE WHIRRS) So, it's midnight, and I'm still going. (SIGHS) I really want this to work out. It's my first big fashion show, and it just means so much to me. I just really wanna make my culture proud. (PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) So, we're moments away from the show starting. I'm so nervous. I really need to impress people. I need to create an impact on the audience, especially my generation. I'm not sure if they'll want to wear these clothes, but I'm hoping it's modern enough for them to feel like they can wear this out on the streets. So just wish me luck. ANNOUNCER: Our next event here on the main stage is a completely unique and new fashion line made by one Favour Ukah. So if you guys could join me in giving a huge, warm welcome for Favour! (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) Hi guys. So, my name is Favour Ukah, I'm 17 years old, and I'm the founder of F-Goma fashion label. So today is just an inspiration of wanting African youths to embrace their culture through fashion. So I'm just really hoping you guys will inspire them. Thank you. (UPBEAT CONGOLESE MUSIC PLAYS) # Oh, baby. # Oh, baby. (MAN SINGS IN CONGOLESE) # I love you, love you, love you, love you so much. # I love you, love you, love you, love you so much. # I can never live without you, baby. # I can never live without you, baby. # I love you, love you, love you, love you so much. # I love you, love you, love you, love you so much. # I can never live without you, baby. # I can never live without you, baby. # You are my angel, baby. # Na, na, na, na, na. WOMAN: # You are my sugar, baby. BOTH: # Na, na, na, na, na. # Really proud of you, Favour! (WHOOPS) I could hear you the whole time. I was, like, 'Yep. I know who that is. (LAUGHS) I want to say, 'Oh, I'm the mum!' 'That's my baby! Ehhhh!' Hey, that's my baby! I feel so good. Everyone was looking, taking pictures, videos, Snapchat. (LAUGHS) Do you think I did justice to the African culture of, like, clothing? Yeah, I think you did, just in terms of all the African material there. But, you know, the backless one,... Yeah. ...that was so free, so... (BOTH LAUGH) It's good in some way, because it's kind of stepping up for young people living here. It shows that you are more confident, maybe? But if it was back home, it'll be too much! (LAUGHS) Thank you for actually teaching me some stuff about` Especially, like, Congolese fashion and style and how it actually works. Cos I didn't know about that, so I thank you so much. Oh, I love you. I love you. Thank you! Thank you for coming. Give me five. I'm from Ghana, so it's really nice to see, yeah. Would you guys, like, wear it out on the streets? ALL: Yeah, definitely. I'll get it. Yep. Yes! That's a tick. I like how there's different styles. It wasn't, like... Yeah. Yeah. I get sick of the Westernised fashion all the time. Yeah. So it's nice to see something different. Yay! To hear young Africans actually agree to wearing clothing like this on the streets is absolutely a dream come true for me. I feel like I've learnt so much about African fashions and my own new craft. We can be proud of who we are and wear what feels right in our unique style. We want to fit in in New Zealand, but at the same time, be proud of who we are and where we come from, especially when we look good doing it. When I walked out wearing the second piece, I was a bit nervous at first, but I felt really glamorous, cos no one else was wearing the dress. I'm the only one. I'm unique, so thanks, Favour. Aw, yay! (LAUGHS) The show brought some real African colours, style and fun to the festival. All my fears are gone, and I'm actually so proud of myself. Captions by Florence S. Fournier. Edited by June Yeow. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2017