Show 10: How Much are you willing to pay to get rich.
Fri, 27 Dec 2009- 01:05:53 minutes - 60.3 MB

Notes:
Rare Jewels of the world 1; Albinos in the fashion industry
Albinos are often viewed with an air of negativity. In eastern Africa especially in Tanzania and Burundi albinos are being killed because some witch doctors claim that their body parts could bring great fortune when used in magic potions, as reported in the news of recent. It has been said that the case of albino murderers is at a rise.
Even in more developed parts of the world albinos still face certain stigma because of their appearances. Albinism is a genetic condition whereby the individual lacks pigmentation in the eyes, hair and skin. Albinos are often very light in complexion with very light blonde hair, almost white, while some have hair close to yellowish red in colour. In some cases albinism only affects the eyes and hair so the individual is not so lightly complexioned. Their lack of pigmentation makes them more sensitive to sun light as they do not have melanin. In a normal person melanin absorbs the sun and causes a reaction that results in tanning in Caucasians and in black people it makes them darker, but this effect fades over time. However albinos do not tan in the sun they simply burn and turn a rather painful pink colour when overexposed to the sun.
So on a brighter note; it is therefore no surprise that the new model that has recently been introduced into the fashion industry has caused something of a storm.
Diandra Forrest, a 19 year old from Bronx in New York, towering 5 foot 11 in height, a US size two, the typical shape of a runway model was born an albino. She has one of her other siblings that is also an albino. According to her living with albinism was not easy and she went through bullying at school for that reason. She had to leave her regular school and was moved to a school for children with learning difficulties since being an albino, she was also visually impaired. As she grew older she started becoming more confident and her beauty began to show more according to report by abc news.
She was discovered by a photographer Shameer Khan who helped her to get into the fashion industry. She is now signed by Elite model Agency in the UK and Ford Models Europe in Paris, she has appeared on the runway at New York fashion week and a few magazine shoots.
Although Diandra is said to have taken the fashion industry by storm, we look forward to see her more frequently on the runway and wish her best of luck in her chosen career. She has definitely added to the definition of beauty and has an influence in the fashion industry. Albeit her still being the same required tall and skinny build, I guess that is one issue the fashion industry will not budge on. Well at least for now, fingers crossed.
There has also been a male model in the business before Diandra; Shawn Ross, in fact they have both been reported to do a shoot together. Shawn Ross was the first male albino model who started at the age of 17. He has been at a few fashion shoots however he is reported to have said that he has not found it easy getting bookings for work. On the runway it appears designers always need to have a “blend”, the models have to blend in with each other and they can’t have one model with pale white skin and the rest of the models might be rather tanned, so until pale white skin becomes more fashionable this might still prove difficult. Good Luck Ross.
Another albino model is Connie Chiu who was discovered before Diandra. Represented by FM agency she has modelled for Jean Paul Gaultier. She is of Chinese origin, about 40 years old, 5ft 6inches and a US size 4. Most run way models are usually a minimum of 5ft 8inches.
This also brings the question of why Diandra Ross has caused a bit more talk than Shawn Ross or Connie Chiu, is it because she is female, black or she is just that bit more attractive, or the fashion industry only recently became ready for an albino, I leave you to judge. Whatever it is, I am yet to find anyone disagreeing with the fact that she does have a supermodel quality about her. An agent at Elite model said “I just couldn’t get my eyes off the pictures” in response to an interview question on why he signed her on. He also mentioned that the fact that she was an albino played little or no part in him signing her on. He further agreed that there might be some difficulty in finding her jobs regularly (as is with many models) because she has such a unique look.
Whatever the story is, these three models definitely have made an impact in bringing a positive light on albinism as Sawn Ross said of an interview with the Times, “Showed people that being an albino isn’t weird”. One other view that has been expressed by the public is that, it will be even more commendable if these models despite being albinos could make a good career out of modelling rather than being mare tokens, like rare jewels.
Here some pictures of Diandra forrest, Shawn Ross and Connie Chiu. Enjoy!

Credits : Beewon

Click here : to see the video interview

 

 

Show 9: Nigerian Hip-Hop
Fri, 08 Dec 2009- 11:16 minutes - 10.3mb

Notes:

Ola reviews Nigerian Hip-Hop. Spotlight on a new vibrant artist -Blaise- and Zackie.
The gist of both interviews could be summarized as follows.
Zackie = Name dropping,don't expect to dace to this, will open a store to sell touchlights,Wack
Blaise = This is is what we want to hear, Intelligent.

click here to see the video interview

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Show 8: Politically Correct
Fri, 04 Dec 2009 - 44:12 minutes - 31.87mb

Notes:

Ola and Labelle dishes out another steamy podcast touching on the
Abercrombie Lawsuit and other current issues.
Elauf, who had experience working in retail, interviewed for a position at a
Tulsa Abercrombie Kids store in June 2008.
During the interview, she wore a black hijab, or headscarf,
in line with Muslim religious tradition. According to the EEOC,
Elauf got word through a friend, who worked in the store, that the headscarf cost her the job.

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