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By Christy Anyanwu
Leah Johnson was a standout visitor at the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria show on December 21. From her dressing, comportment and carriage, you would assume she was Nigerian, if not for her skin colour. Her outfit, which was more of a style statement, was an Aso Oke gown and (gele) turban head wrap style that immediately made her attractive to all and sundry. For many attendees, the beautiful white woman stole the show.
Sunday Sun approached her for a talk and heard what she had to say.
Where are you from?
I’m from Texas, in the United States.
What do you do in the US?
I’m in real estate in Texas.
How long have you been in the business of real estate?
Since 2018. It’s been a little while. I was a nurse before that.
So why the switch from nursing to real estate?
Just a career change.
But practising nurses in the United States are well paid. So why the switch?
Just for more flexibility, scheduling. Health care is very difficult, also. But I would like to go back to nursing so that I can teach and still do my real estate business.
How is the real estate business in the US?
It is good. Of course, it’s shifting right now, the mortgage is changing. The housing market has changed in the last couple of years.
When did you arrive in Nigeria?
We have been here for about 10 days. We went to Akure for a wedding. I came with my friend Toyoshe, my husband and my three kids. My three kids have already gone home but my husband and I are here having a nice time.
Is your husband here at this event right now?
No, because he has to work. He is working remotely here in Nigeria. I came with my friend, Toyoshe.
So what’s your perception about Nigeria?
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Oh, wow! It’s been very interesting, very eye-opening, of course. Different lifestyles than in the U.S. We went to Akure. We went to a very remote, small town, with a more rural lifestyle. So we got to see some of the other countryside, which was beautiful. It’s very interesting, the different levels between poverty and luxury living. It’s been interesting to see that diversity here.
Your first day in Nigeria, the very first day you stepped into a Nigerian airport, how did you feel?
It was just chaos (laughs). But it was such energy and everybody was so welcoming and excited for us to come visit their country and show us their culture and that’s been much appreciated. We also did visit an orphanage in Yaba and that was very intense. It was difficult to see the kids there and there’s a lot of need for that orphanage, and that’s something that I’d like to help facilitate, giving back and trying to find some resources to improve those conditions.
A group of us went to visit and they were having a holiday party and so we got to participate in that and, yeah, it was nice. But I would like to visit again and maybe make some improvements, if I can find some volunteers to help.
So you like Nigeria?
Yes.
Have you tasted any Nigerian food?
Yes. Well, we’ve had an interesting experience with that, good and bad, unfortunately, but, yeah, we’ve eaten Nigerian food in the US so we were kind of prepared for Jollof rice and moinmoin, puff-puff. All of it is very enjoyable.
I like your fashion. I like what you’re wearing. How did this come about?
We came yesterday and I decided I needed to find the right outfit for today; so we shopped at, I think it’s called Fashion Luxury in Lekki. And so the ladies there helped me pick out this outfit. It’s a hand-woven material.
Your jewellery is also cute, you got it from the same shop?
Thank you, I appreciate that. Yes, this is from the wedding, so I got to re-wear it. Courtesy of Toyoshe; thanks for finding jewellery for us for the wedding.
Who is Toyoshe?
Our friend who brought us here and he’s wearing a custom- made outfit here tonight, too, from a tailor in Lagos.
What kind of fashion do you like?
All different kinds. I love formal wear and cocktail wear, specifically. But I also love, you know, yoga pants, leisure wear and being comfortable. And this is actually surprisingly comfortable to wear.
Where did you grow up?
In the United States, in Minnesota. I moved to Missouri for late teenage years and early adult years and now I’m in Texas.
How was life growing up in Minnesota?
It’s very different than here. Of course, one major difference that was a bit of a culture shock was that education is required in the United States to go to what we call elementary school, primary school, and so coming here and seeing that people have a different lifestyle and different idea on that requirement has been really interesting. Seeing kids in different areas of the city and also the countryside that we visited, working and participating in the family in a different way than what we’re used to in the U.S.
