On February 2017 we had the pleasure collaborating with blogger Leah Vernon who was on a short visit to UK from the US. Leah is not your average cookie cutter blogger who posts selfies to gain followers, she is a fierce 20-something style/fashion blogger/author/plus size model who is the mind and soul behind blogs like : Beauty and the Muse and LeahVDaily. Leah has a business degree as well as an M.A./MFA in creative writing from Wilkes University. She is also has written a fiction book Impure.
When she is not writing book or blog post, she is modeling or enjoying great food with friends.
Leah started blogging back in 2013 due to lack of diversity representation of black muslim women in the main stream media. She decided to take matters into her own hands and started documenting her journey as a black/muslim curvy woman.
The first time I came across Leah was a year ago through an Instagram post , and what drew my attention most was her unapologetic pose and her fierce personality. But at the same time she was sharing with us her raw feelings and struggles without being ashamed . It is a breath of fresh air to witness such a genuine post, while everyone one on social media tries to paint a picture perfect life. I felt very connected to her instantly and could relate to her struggle as black Muslim woman. She has given many of us a voice and spread awareness to body image struggles and how to over come barriers.
As much as I hate to admit that the non-Black Muslim Community both in the West and Middle East have a great deal of racism prejudice towards their fellow Black Muslim brothers and sisters. As Muslim Community we have along way to go to eradicate these prejudice and just unite as one Ummah.
Leah has shared many of her personal struggles in finding her own identity as large Black Muslimah growing up in Detroit, Michigan. She said she was not accepted by the Arab speaking Muslimah and she couldn’t relate to her Black fellows because she was too Muslim. It was a no-no winning situation.
We can all relate to Leah’s struggles growing up as young Black Muslim women. The Mainstream Media has never showed women that looked and dressed like us both on TV or glossy Magazines. I love this say by Leah in one of her blog posts “ I’m Muslim. I’m Black. I’m fat. I’m a female living in America.”. It is never easy to be all three and stay positive.
I have been dreaming for a whole year to meet and work with this amazing lady and when I saw her post that she was traveling to UK for a short visit , I jumped for a joy and instantly sent her message on Instagram and boom she has replied and agreed to collaborate a photo shoot with us. I was so excited yet nervous . Leah was arriving UK within few days and we wanted to make her special garment fit for a queen . Here is the hitch though, I live in Canada, our business (BUNO DESIGN) is based in UK where our CEO/Designer Amnna (who is also my business partner and younger sister) lives in UK too. Amnna has managed to design and make a bespoke reversible Kimono jacket for Leah in less than two days.
We were recommended by a dear friend a London based Photographer Chaima, we loved her work and wanted to work with her on this shoot. So the crazy planning began and after instagram messaging and emails back on forward from me to Leah, Chaima and Amnna , we managed to book a day and place for the shoot. I must admit it was not easy trying to get three people from dieffernt places who never met to all meet and work together. The day did not start smooth and both Leah and Amnna were not feeling well but they both soldiered and decided to go ahead with the shoot anyway. After a rough start to the day and bit a of delay , they all managed to meet up and Chaima took some amazing pictures that were worth all the struggle.
We are so thankful to the lord who put us all on the same path and for bringing beautiful sisters to our lives. We have gained long time friendship and sisterhood and we are going to keep following Leah’s journey and praying that we will together in many projects in the future.
We also wanted to thank Chaima for her hard work and professionalism, she is talented to photographer who has bright future a head of her.
On this photo shoot we collaborated with a dear friend and talented textiles designer Craig Fellow who makes hand printed silk scarves and purses. We love his intricate drawings and flamboyant colours. We always love working with local artisans and creative fellows and support each other in every way we can.
Blog: http://www.beautyandthemuse.net/
Instagram: Lvernon2000
Photography by Chaima ,abbasi.chaima@gmail.com
Scarf & Bag by The textile print designer :
Craig Fellows
www.craigfellows.co.uk
Insta : @craig_fellows