Face Melanin Wonder Shanice was 14 when she came to the netherlands, she has been living in Zwolle for almost 10 years now.
“You can be beautiful, black and smart at the same time.”
WHO IS SHANICE?
I choose to not have many friends, I am sort of introvert and usually do not let too many people come in my circle. My experience with friends and people in general has made me make this decision.
Friends need to have at least something to lift each other up or have something of value to each other. My health and peace is the most important for me.
Family is very important to me, and I have A LOT of family members. It is so big that they are literally spread out throughout the whole of Netherlands, living in different cities.
PASSION FOR DESIGNING
Designing clothes is my absolute passion. Also, do I want to travel to many African countries. Contributing to the African community is always something I wanted to dp. The company will start out with designing collections and helping out small companies that are in need professional designs. By letting someone design clothes professionally the chance of wrongly manufactured clothes will be smaller.
My Youtube Channel is on hold at the moment, but it will be back and popping. Besides, I want to focus on myself first before I do anything else. Things such as, networking, business and my skincare for example.
“I have bought some weights, dumbbells and a trampoline to keep myself in shape. Also, do I run outside regularly. It is actually not my favorite thing to do. But I forced myself to do it to keep in shape.” *laughs*
IS A MELANIN WONDER PLATFORM NEEDED?
There are enough platforms that only promote non-black people. Why would people question a platform that focuses on only black people? I really do not get that! We really need it! Especially, when you look at our media history. More platforms like Melanin Wonder need to be promoted and be online that promote darker shades.
Dark skinned people have a lot to offer and contribute a lot to the economy. We have so much buying power and are very much a part of the economy. We spend our coins on companies that have few to to no black people. To me it sounds very strange.
DARK SKIN IS BEAUTIFUL
Dark women are the people that buy the most hair products for example. But we are not really in the forefront of it all when you look at where our money goes.
HOW DID YOU GO INTO BUSINESS?
Before I started thinking of creating my own company I really asked people around to advise me. When it comes to administration, it is not a big deal at the moment, because I just started. Designs by Sissi. It is my nickname I got from my grandmother and I simply like it.
“Family is very important to me”
GOING TO AFRICA?
South-Africa sounds like a dream as well. My plan is to become a fabric expert and use my knowledge to be part of sustainable fabrics. I think this is my way giving back to my home country. It is the place to be when it comes to fabric. People around me also said why go to China when you can go to South Africa. It is out of the box and I really want to do an internship there as well. Anyways, I have always felt drawn to the motherland.
Ethiopia and Nigeria. To be honest I would love to visit every country. I feel like I will get to know myself more and I want to get more knowledge. I sometimes notice that Suriname people do look down on Africans and I want to go there and also document what I experience in Africa. The media always portrays Africa differently and I feel the urge to show the real Africa through images, videos and sharing on social media.
BE YOURSELF! LOVE YOURSELF!
@shameless_sissi my instagram profile for example, I use it to be totally my self without any shame. Why can’t you be yourself and I feel like it is like meditation to be yourself and be honest and speak your truth. Of course sometimes things need to be nuanced and respect is number 1 in every conversation.
Sissibeauty – Facial beauty and promoting skincare so that less foundation will be promoted. I occasionally make some home made products. You can always check my tips and see what works for you.
More younger girls who need a platform where they can see themselves. The mainstream media doesn’t do it enough for my liking.
“You can be beautiful, black and smart at the same time.!”
