The Creative Cookie

the clash

photos : © Lesley Williams, 2010

meet Zephorah, pt. 2

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about how Zephorah Nuré and I met. Now I'm sharing our interview, full of happiness, and more photos from our zany shoot. 

CC: What was your big break into modeling?

ZN: Seventeen Magazine discovered me when I was attending The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). They chose me because of my "big hair" (although they straightened it for that shoot), which became my trademark. It was a fashion spread for Marshal Fields department store.  

CC: What was that experience like for you, how did it motivate you to move forward?

ZN: It was a great experience, since that was my first time modeling and a major job, it motivated me to want to do even more modeling and inspire other aspiring models.

CC: Tell us about your magazine (zephorahmagazine.com).

ZN: I had the idea to start a fashion magazine when I was attending FIT.  While taking Advertising and Marketing Communications, I took a class on advertising layouts, which created an even bigger interest in the media world. That's how I decided that I wanted to be involved with magazines. I decided to create my own publication because a lot of the magazines that I've read were too generalized and boring;  my magazine has a more personal touch. With technology changing it's easier to reach out to a more diverse crowd than just a general crowd. It's an online fashion publication that focuses on a lot of designers and the business of fashion. I named it after myself because it's more personal instead hiding behind a huge corporation. My job is to bring the latest and greatest of the fashion industry to your computer screen. I also love to inspire women. 

CC: What about fashion makes you want to write about it? 

ZN: I love meeting new people in the industry because everyone has a special piece to bring to the puzzle. But one of my favorite subjects in fashion that I love the most are women who are fashion entrepreneurs... this is so inspiring.

CC: What are you up to when you are not working on the magazine or modeling?

ZN: Probably somewhere doing yoga, meditating or reading a book. I also love traveling and studying architecture.

CC: I noticed you love cupcakes too! What’s your favorite destination for cupcakes in NYC?

ZN: My favorite place to get cupcakes is Whole Foods on 23rd St. in Chelsea. They make Vegan too (yummy). So moist and fresh, the best cupcakes in the City.  I love them so much, I even did a photo shoot with them!

CC: What type of music do you like?

ZN: I grew up on a lot of old school, 50's, 60's and 70's because of my parent's influence.  Zen music for meditation and yoga. Movie theme music, especially from the 30's and 40's; and classical music. These genres produce sounds that are beautiful, rich and flowy.

CC: What causes are you supporting these days?

ZN: I am supporting the "going green" cause. We could save so much of the earth's resources by being careful how we dispose of them. I believe the earth is thrown off because of how humans are treating it. We're using  way too many of the earth's resources and are not replenishing them.  Along with "saving the earth", my next goal is to support battered women. It's another cause that needs to be highlighted more.

CC: Any immediate plans for the future?

ZN: Working on taking the fashion publication global.  As I am very interested in healthy eating and have been for a number of years, I am also working on an online lifestyle publication which is about teaching women to be more health conscious. 

model: zephorah photo: lesley w. set design: Lau Z.  dress and specs: 16 Stone vintage cat: Mz. Nina Bean

Touched

The first single from Madonna's second studio album, Like a Virgin, was responsible for one of my longest punishments. My parents were not impressed by my knowledge of the song's lyrics. So, I was super psyched when kamau brought it for me as a gift. It's been ages since I last gave it a listen; I feel so naughty.