FAB Magazine: Fabulous, African , Black
Come spring there is a new magazine in town: FAB. Fabulous, African, Black. The sophisticated quarterly will celebrate Africa's successes, highlight its problems and offer solutions while offering hard-hitting editorials, cutting edge imagery and inspirational design delivered with quality and consistence.
What makes the publication unique is that it is for both the young, aspirational urban proessional man and woman. The FAB Team comprises of Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo (Editor-in-Chief), Suby Onabanjo (Creative Director), Yoanna Pepper Okwesa (Fashion Editor), Lola Maja (Beauty Editor), Tayo Sonekan (Resident Stylist) and Familusi Akin Babajide (Publisher). inCOLOR speaks to FAB magazine’s Editor-in-chief Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo about the publication.
inCOLOR: What were the reasons behind the launch of FAB magazine?
Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo: FAB magazine will be launching March 21st. FAB stands for Fabulous, African, Black. We are of the opinion that Nigeria and Nigerian readers in the UK deserve to have a fashion and lifestyle magazine in the true sense of the word, made by Africans for Africans; a magazine showcasing the best of what Africa and Nigeria have to offer with top-notch photography, innovative graphic design and thought-provoking editorials.
inCOLOR: The first issue celebrates the fusion between music and fashion. What can readers hope to see in this edition?
Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo: With this issue, we intend to showcase some of the leading Nigerian musicians in a different light. We took risks that we hope our readers will appreciate. Aside from photo shoots and rich trend pages, we have exclusive interviews and interesting editorials.
inCOLOR: How would you describe FAB’s ethos?
Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo: Fabulous African Black with style, swagger, sophistication. We aim to set the trends, not follow them, celebrate our continent’s successes, highlight its problems, offer solutions, continue to bring hard-hitting editorials, cutting-edge imagery and inspirational design delivered with quality and consistence.
inCOLOR: Many publications for the African audience tend to be published outside the continent, why do you think this?
Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo: FAB will most certainly be published in Nigeria – most of the editorial is provided by Nigerian writers in Nigeria or abroad, as well as Kenyan and South African writers, photography is rendered by leading African photographers; while the printing will be done in the UK, the rest is African by design, African by spirit.
inCOLOR: Will the content of the magazine also reflect other African prospective or focus solely on Nigerian talent?
Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo: Our content will celebrate fashion, culture, life style choices all across Africa.
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inCOLOR: What are you opinions on the current fashion scene in Nigeria?
Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo: [The] fashion industry is fast growing in Nigeria and on the whole, the Western world has come to recognize the creative power of not just Nigerian, but also African designers. The thought behind our maiden issue launching fashion and music was also to prove the point that if music, within the last 10 years, could become such big business in Nigeria with huge investment potential, why shouldn’t it be the same for fashion? We have brilliant talents, but we must continue supporting and celebrating them.
inCOLOR: What are your opinions on the contemporary publications geared towards African women?
Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo: I do not believe there are any publications that solely cater for the new generation of stylish, sophisticated African women. Our magazine will be the first of its kind to have a male and a female cover and target both audiences.
inCOLOR: Where can readers purchase copies of FAB?
Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo: FAB will be published quarterly; closer to the launch date, you can find further info on distribution on our website
For more information please visit FAB Magazine online.
