The VOGUE CHALLENGE- Create Your Own Table (Quarantine Diaries)

#VogueChallenge | #africanwriter | #QuarantineDiaries

Better late than never.

Did you know Vogue survived two world wars? I can’t even survive one heartbreak-😆😆

We’ve all seen our social media walls and wondered in amusement at the varying

categories of high (and low fashion) covers posted by millions of users as part of the

 "Vogue Challenge", which went viral on social media. It’s seen black fashion

photographers, models, designers, stylists and make-up artists showcase their talent

on the cover of the iconic magazine.

Rarely do I partake in social media trends; some of them are too much of a “fad” for me.

This one is different! The damn magazine witnessed two world wars and survived.

Jokes aside, one must observe the rationale as to why this challenge was created

while examining the underlining thematic conversations surrounding it. 

Simply put, the current VOGUE Campaign sparks intense but timeless discussions

around INCLUSION and DIVERSITY, the uncomfortable conversations that have been

ignored for far too long.  

In my humble opinion, It’s key to place equal focus on addressing the

“create your own table” conversation, especially for creative entrepreneurs.

The Ava Duverney’s, Chimamanda Adichie’s, Tyler Perry’s, Oprah’s and Beyonce’s

of the world have shown us the importance EQUITY plays in any conversation. 

Beyond the “slay queenage” conversation in the contemporary world, EQUITY

is an important lesson worth instilling in today’s generation.

This is my take on this situation, while at the same time, commending Vogue for

taking a stand on why it’s important for every young person, irrespective of their

race to see themselves represented on the cover of such an iconic magazine,

also consistently named as a must-read among PR professionals according to

PR Week.

As an African woman, a Bantu woman, the most relatable justification for me to join

this Campaign stems from my understanding and reverence for lineage and my attachment

to My paternal grandmother Yefon; Mama Yefon J. Fondufe; the reason I am here today.

She is the inspiration behind my character YEFON.


People have always asked me the reason why I wrote Yefon, and particularly

why the story was set in 1930 as opposed to the present time.

The reason is simple- INCLUSION. 

You must be wondering about the connection. 

Let me explain by throwing the question back to you. 

“How often have we seen the narrative in pre-colonial times, told from the point

of view of a woman?” 

Let alone, a black woman? A Woman of Color in all her glory.

Not the “single-storied” narrative (in Chimamanda’s words), but In their complete voice,

representing their journey as complex, beautiful, good, bad and ugly. 

So back to the Vogue conversation, YES, Inclusion is important.

You see, there’s something “jaded” about constantly reading about the way roses smell as
told by one by one type of RACE, or GENDER or SEXUAL AFFILIATION. 

So go ahead, upload your own picture, and lend a voice to this important conversation.
Let’s see how fabulous yours turns out to to be! Don’t forget to Create your own table,
while you’re at it. 

Happy Voguing! From Victoria Island Lagos, with Lots of love, and xoxo- 💋💋💋💋