Name: Chiamaka Abanofor

Major: Criminology

Minor: Mass Communications

Year: Senior

 

The Tide detergent theme claims “Style is an option, Clean is not”, but for international student and senior criminology major Chiamaka Abanofor, style is definitely not an option.

“Style is an expression of oneself; it is as original as we get,” Abanofor said. “It is conveyed in everything we do.”

For her, style has been the one constant she has had all her life.

“Growing up in Nigeria meant not having the kind of fashion that is readily available here in the U.S, so we had to put our own spin on whatever we had, be it our school uniforms or everyday clothes. Style was a requirement for us.”

She believes that style is not something that should be reserved for occasions and special events, but every day and at any time.

“It is little things that make an outfit stylish: a slash of lipstick, a scarf styled as an ascot, a pair of heels. As a matter of fact, everything we wear or do infers style, be it a simple tank top and jeans or a full length evening gown, so why not go the extra mile,” she said.

The 5 feet 10 inch Nigerian also believes that style is not strictly about fashion, but about many other aspects of everyday life as well.

“Style can be abstract too. It encompasses more than clothes, shoes and makeup, it is also about being the best person one can be. Through daily acts that we often take for granted, we are exhibiting a different kind of style. No matter how fashionably dressed one is, if one’s character is not up to par then it makes whatever you are wearing on the outside practically worthless,” she said.

It is because of this fact that she actively volunteers with charities and NGOs in the Carrollton and Atlanta regions, such as Boys and Girls Club and various soup kitchens. However, her ultimate style truth is how one feels about oneself.

“I once heard a quote that I try to abide by daily; it roughly goes ‘when you wear a pair of trousers, you feel different from when you wear a red dress. But what matters is how you feel with no clothes on.’ Self-confidence is the ultimate style accessory. Even if you are wearing a trash bag, with enough confidence, you can turn work it like it is haute couture.”

Abanofor is the reigning Miss West Africa USA and works under the platform of education for young Africans.

“They really are the future of our continent and as someone who has been blessed with great education, I know the benefits of getting one.”

She collects books and clothing for the less-privileged in Africa and hopes to collect enough books on various subjects to launch a library in her hometown in Nigeria. She hopes to go to law school upon graduation to study to be a defense attorney and eventually become the first female president of Nigeria.

One thing is for certain, Nigeria would have one stylish leader.