Welcome to our very first Guest Book, where we speak to inspiring friends and fellow creatives who are making noise in their space, be it art, interiors, fashion, food, music, literature or something else.
Earlier this year, we were thrilled and delighted to welcome a new member to the Bam family, Venus Ashu. A writer, photographer and all-round creative genius hailing from Central Saint Martins, Venus is the founder and editor of Mirth Magazine for underrepresented creatives in the UK, and now, excitingly, social creative at Bam Bam Madame. Who better to begin with?
So, without further ado, let's meet Venus and ask her some very pressing questions about her life, work, and what sets her soul alight.
So first of all Venus, can you tell us in a few words what you do?
I'm a creative in Luton/London. I work as a freelance social media creative at Bam Bam Madame and I'm an independent creative director and fashion and portraiture photographer, which I've been doing for 3 years and counting.
What's your favourite thing about your work, and what do you find difficult?
My favourite thing about what I do is being able to connect with strangers based on how my work makes them feel. Someone once reached out to me and said they cried at one of my series because they've never seen their body type be represented in such a beautiful way and that is honestly the best feeling. I think the most difficult part of this industry is networking. At times it can be a "who you know" game and often getting yourself out there and being in the right spaces is harder than it seems as it can be quite exclusive.
What brand(s) do you think is making waves right now and why?
A brand that I currently admire is Corteiz. They're a London streetwear brand but they cater their clothes specifically to their audience and represent London youth culture perfectly. One of my favourite things about them is how they market the brand. Their most successful strategy was when they sold their cargo pants through a brixton market stall for 99p and had thousands of people literally shut down the streets trying to get a pair. They are notorious for this new wave of exclusive streetwear that makes people from working class backgrounds proud to be a part of "the ends" or London communities, which I think is amazing.
What does La Dolce Vita mean to you?
La Dolce Vita to me is finding happiness in the little things. Whenever I'm in more intimate moments like watching the waves at a beach, or eating the most amazing food, or laughing with the people I love, that is when my soul feels the most at peace.
Tell us one song you just can't help but move to.
'Premier Gaou' by Magic System is an african classic and it's almost illegal not to get up and dance to it!
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