#APRILISSUE STYLE ISSUE WITH CHRISKATA

It’s pretty clear that the phenomenon of street style is here to stay. Just one quick pass in front of any given show during fashion week or scrolling through your Instagram pages and you’ll witness loads of preening style-setters parading in jaw dropping fashion ingenuity. She is best known for her sophisticated looks on the red carpet and behind the cameras. Très chic and she’s the SELF MADE KINDA LADY! Born to a Togolese and Nigerian background, she shares with us her amazing journey in the fashion-biz and how she navigates through it as a young African “Shepreneur.” She brought life and energy on set during the making of this issue hence none can forget her bedazzling smile which will grace covers of our April issue. Very sophisticated and modernly chic in every way and as a result of this, she qualify to be named as part of the new breed of fashion celebrities known as street style stars. For this particular one, she has more layers than an onion. You may not know her but she’s the queen of style. And she is Chriskata.

Debonair Afrik had a chat with and here is how it went…

Who is Chriskata?

My name is Christy Ukata a.k.a Chriskata. I am an 80’s born and a multilingual West African, with a blend of Nigerian, Togolese and Ghanaian origins. I’m a TV producer/content creator, actress and a fashion writer. Growing up I was totally a tomboy (which still affects my style). I loved playing basketball and earned myself a spot on the national team of Togo for 3 years. Now I want to inspire young African women to venture into working areas that are traditionally thought to be for only men. I’m a mother of a wonderful boy and hence in trying to set a good example to my son of what a leader should be like, I try not to follow trends. I create my own style to suit me. I love to experiment when dressing up, mixing up menswear together with women clothes. That sort of sums up my entiety in a nutshell.

How do you balance your life as TV presenter, producer, actress and a fashion writer?

It’s really tough multi-tasking all these at once. Sometimes I plan my week but end up not even following my schedule due to the amount of work on my desk. When it comes to writing, I really make use of my phone note. Sometimes walking through town you get awesome and you don’t wanna lose it. I try to scribble down anything that comes to mind no matter where I go in order to help me not to forget. Acting gigs on the other hand don’t come always, but when they come, I channel my efforts to get the job done to perfection, while juggling between my other duties. I might be late in even posting stuff on my blog or vlog, because of this but I kill myself if i have to stick to schedule. So due to this behaviour pattern, I barely have 8 hours of sleep every night making me miss my bed but every bit of the experience is rewarding so I can’t complain.

Let’s get personal, shall we? What does your room look like?

I like my space, so I make sure i don’t share my room with my clothes and shoes. Just my bed and my work-space in case I decide to work at night. *wink wink*

Describe your favorite breakfast.

I can’t say I have a favorite breakfast but I’d go with a big cup of smoothies (veggies or fruits).

On a Saturday morning what would be the first thing you’d rather do when you wake up?

Say “thank you Jesus”.

What do you consider when you are choosing or picking out clothes?

First of all I will consider what kind of event I will be wearing it to. This helps me decide what type of clothes of I’m opting for whether casual, formal or a blend of both. You want to stand out, yet not be the center of the wrong type of attention. You don’t want to be the one wearing high heels and a dress if everyone else is wearing sweatpants and t-shirts. Then next my body type and lastly my mood to help me decide on the colour.

Do you have a signature style?

I like playing a lot with vintage, androgyny, and laid-back style. The cut, the shape, and the character of the garment is the crucial thing to my style as I try to blur the boundaries of what is supposed to definitive gender biased mode of dressing. It is evident in many of the things I wear.

What are your must have fashion items?

A good pair of shoes, head gears (scarves and hats) and jeans. I’ll feel at peace dying in them.

What’s your biggest fashion disaster?

I can’t recall any. I slay like that.

What constitutes your comfy clothing collection?

My pick will be shorts/jeans and a top, especially chiffon tops and tank tops paired with a pair of sneakers or sandals.

What is your fashion fantasy?

For Anna Wintour to wear African fashion brands at a fashion week. I am 1000% sure she will slay in it and bring hope in humanity. Lol

If you could have a celebrity entourage of three, who would they be?

Beyoncé (my mother in my head), Rihanna (my home girl in my head) and Genevieve Nnaji. I don’t think I need to explain why.

Apart from Ghana, where would you like to work and why?

Nigeria!!! Nigeria because you can feel the hustling spirit, healthy competition!!! The kind of competition that inspires you to work harder. You wake up in the morning and know that hard work pays off just by breathing in Nigeria air!

“She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water. She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs. ‘Time’ for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.”

DEBONAIR AFRIK HOT SEAT

If you could eliminate one thing you do each day in the bathroom what would it be?

Washing the tiles.

What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?

The two “Ss” (smile and sense of humor).

What are your daily must have kits you always have with you?

Sunscreen, makeup and my phone.

What’s the worst lie you’ve ever told?

Yes i’m 24 years old.

Share with us your 3 top fashion tips.

First tip, wear black. It’s flattering and goes with every other color.

Secondly I’d say know your body type before you choose clothes. This aids you in knowing the type of clothes to focus on while choosing or buying clothes.

Lastly, I’d tip that make a list before you shop. This helps you save a ton of money and always keeps you in track of what you need and not just want.

For more updates on Chriskata’s lifestyle click here.

By Mclean.

It is time to effect a revolution in female manners – time to restore to them their lost dignity – and make them, as a part of the human species, labour by reforming themselves to reform the world. It is time to separate unchangeable morals from local manners.”