Flashmag December 2020 www.flashmag.net
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Captivated by the memory of this distant land but buzzing in her DNA, all its interest and inspiration come from Africa.
“Colombia is still a very racist country. You can feel the inequality every where you go. For that reason, it makes you look for your own roots. You have to think for yourself”. She states.
Even if she was born in Colombia, she’s adamant by arguing that she has to question herself. Where her culture is coming from? why does she speak with a different accent? Why does she express herself in a different way? That is when she found herself looking at Africa, with all its different colorful fabrics. And all of the meaning behind the different patterns. She has truly fallen in love with that type of fashion.
Meanwhile it hasn’t been a smooth ride she said she has faced the same issue of racist she faced when attending schools. Being the only black girl in her classroom or among the 3-black student in college rather empowered her. She believes one of the focal points of her career is when she took part in the ColombiaModa 2014 one of the most important fashion event of her country. One of the best events in fashion in Latin America and in the world. Arriving there with her inspiration from Africa and African textile she was able to make a statement. It was very special because even though she always has a very African inspired way to design, everyone from Colombia identified with her collection. Afros, Non-Afros, Mestizos, all felt connected to her creation.
Fashion will not be enough without sounds, also, Lia Samantha has been very active on the music scene she is part of a group Voodoo Souljah that make a fusion music inspired by Reggae, Afro Cuban Rumba, and Hip Hop. The most recent project of the group is an album that was released in 2018.
Interview
lAURENT
Lia Samantha and the member of her group Voodoo Souljah Binghy Fyha and Diego Ibargen