Waridi Schrobsdorff on African identities and fashion
The new column! Waridi Schrobsdorff was born in Kenya and has lived in Berlin for many years. She is now writing for VOGUE about African identities, unique features, and the continent’s (fashionable) talents.
This is the first episode of Waridi Schrobsdorff’s new VOGUE column. Being born a Kenyan, my entire family, going back to my grandparents, were all born and raised in Kenya and live there to date. I am one of the rare ones who journeyed overseas to pursue my mission, from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Having a Muslim background, I dressed as an Arab girl, so there was no question of my heritage, even though I am an African. Arriving in London, I was not considered an African. When people would ask me where I was from, my answer would always be that I was Kenyan. English people had more knowledge of Africa, so being Kenyan was understood, but I was not seen as African because of my lighter complexion. My mixture is Arabic from Yemen and African from the Nandi Tribe.
BY