10 Questions: Setornam Abla Nyendu

Setornam Abla Nyendu, from Tefle & Sokpe in the Volta Region of Ghana, works as an IT Security Analyst, a Model, an Entrepreneur and is also the founder of an organization called Creatives Anonymous Ghana. 7 years ago, she moved to the United States for family and academics. Unorthodox Reviews had a chit chat to get to know more about her journey thus far. Enjoy!

 1. What’s your philosophy in life that influences your creative work?

I have so many, but the most important one is to follow your bliss, everything else will fall in place. As a creative, we are influenced by so many things and get distracted sometimes. It’s okay to want what others have but it’s also okay to trust the process. You might not know what the person did behind the scenes to get where they are. Be consistent, persistent and hardworking, there is nothing you cannot achieve, you just need to have the passion for it.

2. Who was your first style icon and how would you describe your own personal style?

Rihanna!!! There is just something about her and I would love to work with FentyXPuma in the nearest future. For me, I see my style as more of high fashion.

 3. What is your initiative, Creatives Anonymous, all about?

Creatives Anonymous was born to support Creatives. When I started modeling, it was difficult to find someone who was willing to share information about the industry with me. People are very stingy with information and feel you might do better if they share whatever they are doing with you. Even though I’m still trying to navigate my way in this industry, people reach out to me with a lot of questions. So, I decided to create this organization in collaboration with my cousin, Akpene Hoggar (Miss Universe Ghana) to support and share ideas with other creatives. We are currently working on a Mental Health Project that will be held in Ghana this December and are open to collaborating with any creative interested in being a part of this project.

 4. Do you have any fashion rules when putting an outfit together?

I don’t think so but, I don’t just buy clothes, I buy the look. I put together an outfit in my head and then shop for it.

 5. Do shops and advertisers send you samples of their products to feature?

Yes!! I love to collaborate with brands. I only work with brands that suit my style, unless I am getting paid. Even at that, I try to be specific and not just do everything. It’s very important to know your style, that way, you don’t just do anything.

 6. Can you describe to us your fashion sense?

My style is more Sophisticated, but I love to incorporate some chic, artsy, sexy, and a little casual style sometimes. A girl must diversify sometimes haha!

 7. What do you feel is the most pertinent issue in our society and What in your opinion is a creative’s role in being a force for societal change?

Mental Health!!!!, especially Depression. As a creative, we go through some type of depression at some point in our career. Social media plays a huge role in this because you look at all these people doing amazing things and feel you aren’t doing enough or just not good enough. Therefore, I am working with Creatives Anonymous Ghana to create awareness of this issue and advice people to get help. Also, society is influenced by creativity. Social change is about changing the perception and reality people currently have about society. For me, it’s mainly about the MINDSET. We must work on changing our mindset about so many things. That’s the only way change can happen!!

 8. Who takes the majority of your photos?

The majority of my pictures are taken by Akan Essien. A Nigerian but US-based photographer. But I am currently working with some amazing people and hoping to collaborate with more photographers. Some of the other photographers I’ve worked with are Gilbert Asante (Ghana), Ben Bond (Ghana), Iamtberry (US), Sethnocentric (US) and Kwame Agyei (US).

 9. Who are you inspired by?

I am inspired by a lot of people from different works of life. Some of them are Rihanna, Michelle Obama, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, Samira Bawumia, and many others.

 10. What’s next for Setornam?

Wow, that’s a tough question. There’s so much I am currently working on (which I can’t talk about for now), but my goal is to keep working on my craft and grow my business. Creatives Anonymous is a huge part of my life and I am working on making it bigger and better for all creatives.

XoXo,

Setornam.