Style Focus: Odo Abena ~ a garden 4tam22

Beautiful Odo, is a teacher and of course a very creative fashionista based in Brisbane Australia. She exclusively shares her style rules and love for fashion with us at African Sweetheart.
Enjoy!

My name is Love Kyei, and I'm a Ghanaian living in Brisbane, Australia. I came to Australia at the age of 5, but I've always stayed connected to my Ghanaian culture, because I am so proud to be a Ghanaian!

I graduated from university with a double degree in Bachelor of Education with majors in Music and English.

I am currently a primary music teacher at a private school, but before I started teaching, I was working in retail. I was manager at a clothing store and also the Steve Madden concession store in the Myer department store in Brisbane.

I've always had a love for fashion! From an early age, I remember loving going to parties and events with my parents because I was excited about getting dressed up!!

For me, I believe that you don't need a reason to dress up and look fabulous, so whether I'm going to church, going to an event, going to the mall, going for lunch, I always make sure that I look neat, polished and presentable!

Also, living here in Australia, where people have a very limited view on Africa and Africans, I think it's so important that every time I step out, I not only represent Ghanaians but Africans in a positive light, because I may be the only encounter someone may have with a person of African decent, and I always ensure that their experience is positive!

In the last 2 years, since I started exploring fabulous fashion blogs online, and making youtube videos, my passion for fashion has really grown!!

I am constantly being inspired by what I see and as a result of this, my style has evolved! I love getting dressed up, doing my hair and makeup each week when I record my outfit of the day videos.

It keeps my mind active because I'm constantly thinking about ways to style pieces, that will enhance the best parts of me. Also I enjoy the process and the transformation that takes places!

I would describe my style as simple yet chic, but sophisticated, feminine, and classy. I like clean, streamlined looks with structure. I don't necessarily follow trends, instead I like to wear pieces that flatter my curvy figure.

If those pieces are put together correctly, it creates an illusion of perfection! You cover up what you don't like and accentuate what you do! Your clothing does not always have to be body hugging, or showing too much skin...

sometimes something loose and flowy can look just as sexy as something skin tight! So you can definitely look hot while still being modest!

And as black women, I think its so important that we remember that just because your favourite hollywood celebrity is wearing it or your favourite fashion magazine is saying that this is what is in right now, it does not mean you must be wearing it!!

Because not all style is meant for every body type! This is one of the reasons I enjoy doing my styling videos on youtube, because it allows me to show my viewers how one can dress to flatter a curvy figure!

My favourite pieces of clothing are skater dresses because I they are so feminine! I love Ankara prints, and its very exciting to see all the fabulous African designers that are using these prints in their collections, in a way that is modern and sophisticated.

And finally the rest of the world is taking notice! For example Duaba Serwa's Spring/Summer 2013 Preciosa Collection is like nothing I've seen yet!! Its absolutely to die for!! And I will be definitely be making a stop at their boutique on my upcoming trip to Ghana.

I'm also loving the peplum trend that has re-imerged because you cannot go wrong with the silhouette it creates! I incorporate alot of color into my style because color looks so beautiful our brown skin!

And just as important as clothing is the accessories! It completes the look! I always incorporate some kind of statement piece..a necklace or a cuff bangle or some arm candy, and my signature watch!!

Although I love shopping, I don't believe you need to spend a ridiculous amount of money to look good! I'm all about looking fly but at a reasonable price and this has become another important part of my outfit videos on youtube!

All the looks I put together are very affordable! I purchase the majority of my items on sale and often people cannot believe how little I spent on certain items. I love to share this information with my viewers, so can have access to the same items also.

I don't have a favourite cosmetic brand, but I use anything from MAC to drug store brands such as LA Colors.

I purchase my make-up palletes from ebay and my lipsticks from my local discount cosmetics store and I love them! I've learned so much from watching tutorials on youtube!

My favourite look to create is a smoky eye and bold lip when I'm going out.

But when I'm chilling, I just pop on my favourite lashes (they are a must), some mascara, my NYX lip gloss (in miami babe), and I'm good to go!

Once again, as with fashion, I feel u can create amazing looks without breaking the bank on products.

Looking ahead into the near future, I would love to do something along the lines of a stylist or an image consultant, that incorporates hair, makeup and of course styling, in order to assist the everyday woman (or even celebrities), to bring out their best assets and enhance their individual uniqueness!