Cassi Alebique may work for NYC’s hottest boutique, Henrik Vibskov, but the stylista couldn’t care less about NYC’s fashion glitz. Instead, the Brookyn-beauty is focused on the cultural preservation of Africa through photos, videos, art and fashion. We spent a day with the 22-year old Mozambique-native in her apartment to talk style, safaris and Scandanavia. But lucky for us, we also got her thoughts on Kanye, rose-petal champagne, and NYC nightlife too! Get to know a little more about our new favorite chica, Cassi Alebique, below!
What has influenced your style?
Growing up in Africa. We would do Safari a lot, so my attire was very outback but overly feminine. My mom would dress me and my twin sister in Tinga Tinga (Kenyan clothing line), with awesome gold jewelry and pearls [and] we would have different braided hairstyles every other week. I think that plays a big role in what I look for today – quality, longevity (over the American way which often tends to be more bang for the buck) and sensuality.
You have a profound connection to your African roots, how does it play a role in your everyday life?
I recently started work as a curatorial assistant for a professor in Sugar Hill at his private museum (Museum of African Art and Origins). [Working with him has] played a big role on my views and ethics. However, my number one involvement is simple – I am Mozambican, an African ultimately, and my calling is cultural preservation that entails storytelling through many mediums (photography, writing, curating and fashion). I live, eat, breathe it.
What would you never be caught dead wearing?
Not sure, maybe some endangered animal…anything.
So, you work at Henrik Vibskov and we hear you just met Kanye! How did that happen?!
[Laughs] Kanye has been a fan of Vibskov for a minute, and with his residence in the area, it was bound to happen.
OK, well, if we were to find you out in NYC, where would you be?
Crosby Hotel has awesome 5 O’clock tea, Candle Cafe (Vegan) in the Upper East, SubMercer for a good drink vibe. Although, my absolute favorite cocktail is the Coming Up Roses cocktail in Rayuela restaurant: Rose water, rose petals, limes, Barcardi Razz and champagne… What more could a girl want in a cocktail?
Anything else we should be on the lookout for (brands, trends, cultural styles?)
Scandinavia all the way… I love 5th Ave shoe repair, HOPE, Acne, WOOD WOOD, Henrik Vibskov. I am inspired by colors, prints, raw leather and beads and then the New York side of me loves wearing blacks and greys, like over-sized knits…sort of very architectural pieces.
You MUST have heard this before: You’re def Beyonce’s long lost twin. Does Solange know about you?
I get that way too often. [Laughs] I guess its a compliment. I’ve had all kinds of comparisons, but Beyonce has been most.
…And there are two of you! How was growing up as a twin?
It’s great, it is like having a bestie around all the time. I am humbled and blessed to have her in my life. We quarrel and laugh all the time. Unconditional.
Not to rain on your Sister Sister lovefest, but who has better style?
[Laughs] That’s relative, we both have our own style. Nicki left Cabarete, [Dominican Republic] not too long ago, so she has more of a laid back look to her. Her “trademark” are the beads wrapped around her left foot. But, we can be similar. We both have serious love for Isabel Marant.
Your jewelry almost inspired a rapid outbreak of septum piercings at Swagger: New York. Why did you decide to get the septum ring?
The septum ring is something I feel very connected to. It’s a unique and traditional piece for me. I believe it enhances my features. We have tribes in my country that also display similar attributes and beliefs. Although it’s not obviously tribal jewelery – I am a big fan subtle detail.
Corrections
The Washington Post January 29, 2012 30 MONDAY | 6 P.M.John de Graaf, national coordinator of Take Back Your Time (an organization challenging time, poverty and overwork), discusses and signs his new book, “What’s the Economy for, Anyway?: Why It’s Time to Stop Chasing Growth and Start Pursuing Happiness” (written with David K. Batker), at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638. go to site a practical wedding
7 P.M.Adam Johnson, a teacher of creative writing at Stanford University, reads from and discusses his new novel, “The Orphan Master’s Son,” at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919.
7 P.M. Meg Keene, creator of APracticalWedding.com, discusses and signs her new book, “A Practical Wedding: Creative Ideas for Planning a Beautiful, Affordable, and Meaningful Celebration,” at One More Page Books, 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington, Va., 703- 300-9746.
31 TUESDAY | 7 P.M.Ayad Akhtar, a first-generation Pakistani American with an extensive theater background, reads from and discusses his first novel, “American Dervish,” at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.
1 WEDNESDAY | Noon. The Poetry and Literature Center at the Library of Congress is celebrating the 110th birthday of Langston Hughes, the famed Harlem Renaissance poet, social activist, novelist, playwright and columnist, with a reading of his work by Dolores Kendrick, the District’s poet laureate, and Evie Schockley, a poet and assistant professor of English at Rutgers University, in the Thomas Jefferson Bldg., Whittall Pavilion, 10 First St. SE. They will also discuss the influence Hughes’s poetry has had on their work. For details, call 202-707-5394.
Noon. Thomas S. Kidd, an associate professor of history at Baylor University, discusses and signs his new book, “Patrick Henry: First Among Patriots,” at the National Archives, William G. McGowan Theater, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-357-5000. this web site a practical wedding
7 P.M. Simon Doonan, creative director and window display creator at Barney’s New York, chats about his new book, “Gay Men Don’t Get Fat,” at the Altitude Ballroom at W, 515 15th St. NW. A book sale and signing follow; RSVP at whappenings@brandlinkdcrsvp.com.
7 P.M. Alec Wilkinson, a writer for the New Yorker, reads from and discusses his new book, “The Ice Balloon: S. A. Andree and the Heroic Age of Arctic Exploration,” at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.
7 P.M.Dylan Ratigan, host of MSNBC’s “The Dylan Ratigan Show” and a former global managing editor for corporate finance at Bloomberg News, reads from and discusses his new book, “Greedy Bastards: How We Can Stop Corporate Communists, Banksters, and Other Vampires From Sucking America Dry,” at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 “Eye” St. NW. Tickets are $10 each or two free with purchase of the book. For details, call 202-408-3100; to RSVP, visit www.sixthandi.org.
2 THURSDAY | 11:30 A.M.Zbigniew Brzezinski, formerly President Jimmy Carter’s national security adviser and currently a professor of foreign policy at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, discusses his new book, “Strategic Vision: America and the Crisis of Global Power,” at a luncheon at the Woman’s National Democratic Club, 1526 New Hampshire Ave. NW. The event begins with a cash bar followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. and the lecture at 1 p.m. Admission is $30 for nonmembers, $25 for members and $10 for those attending the lecture only. Visit www.democraticwoman.org to RSVP.
6 P.M. Educator Ilchi Lee, founder of the Sedona Mago Retreat (a place for spiritual awakening) and originator of the Brain Education System Training, discusses his new book, “The Call of Sedona: Journey of the Heart,” at Barnes & Noble-Metro Center, 555 12th St. NW, 202-347-076. A book signing follows. Wristbands for the signing will be distributed beginning at 8:30 a.m. He will also speak on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 3 p.m. at One More Page Books, 703-300-9746.
5 SUNDAY | 2 P.M.Diane Ackerman, an award-winning essayist, poet and naturalist, reads from and discusses her most recent book, “One Hundred Names for Love: A Stroke, a Marriage, and the Language of Healing,” at the Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick, Md. A book signing follows; call 301-600-2828 or visit www.fcpl.org for details.
For more literary events, go to washingtonpost.com/gog/ and search “book event.”
Lovin this girl, wish I could meet someone like her.
#FFIIRREE
Extreme beauty
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what a beautiful girl with an exact focus! can you find out her hair color?
thanks a million!
malaika~ angel in swahili
I LOVEEEEEEEE!!!!
Love Cassi, she’s as sweet as she is beautiful and that septum
ring speaks loud softly suits her & her style
you are gorgeous…love your style!!!