JANEL WIAH: Fashion as Art, Identity, and African Pride

Fashion can be many things to many people. For some, it’s simply clothing — something practical, something to wear. For others, it becomes a deeper form of communication: an expression of identity, heritage, purpose, and creativity. In the Spring 2019 issue of Voices Magazine, Janel Wiah’s feature captures this deeper meaning. She doesn’t describe fashion as a trend. She describes it as art — and not just art that looks good, but art that carries identity and life.

Janel introduces herself clearly through her brand and her roles. She states that her brand is called JANEL FASHION/DESIGN, and she describes herself as a fashion designer, seamstress, model, actress, and a mother. That list immediately shows that her work isn’t limited to one lane. Her creative world touches multiple spaces — design, performance, presentation, and family. And that combination helps explain why she speaks about fashion not only as a product, but as a lived expression of who she is.

Her belief about fashion is direct: fashion is an art that expresses who I am. This line matters because it moves fashion away from being “just appearance” and places it in the category of personal meaning. She goes further by saying fashion makes a statement and breathes life into a form. In her framing, clothing isn’t only fabric stitched together. It’s something that carries energy. Something that communicates. Something that brings a feeling to the viewer and to the person wearing it.

Janel’s words about creativity are striking: “My creativity and design are like giving life.” That is not a casual description. It shows that she sees her work as something that creates, not merely something that decorates. It’s creative work that produces emotion, confidence, and identity. It also suggests that her designs are meant to be experienced — not only worn, but felt.

She shares a clear vision for where she wants her work to be seen. Her goal is to put her design on the red carpet and make a statement that “exuberates life” with a wow factor. This matters because it shows ambition and direction. Red carpet fashion is often associated with high visibility, bold identity, and unforgettable moments. Janel isn’t aiming for quiet invisibility. She’s aiming for presence — for designs that create a moment and stand out with confidence.

She also describes the emotional experience that comes from a powerful visual presentation. She explains that the view carries an unforgettable feeling — something that leaves contentment behind. In other words, she isn’t chasing attention for attention’s sake. She’s chasing an impact — a moment where the design communicates something meaningful, something memorable.

One of the most important parts of Janel’s feature is how she connects fashion to heritage. She says she designs both European and African clothes. This balance shows versatility, but she places special meaning on African prints. She explains that African prints (lappas) represent where she came from — her African heritage and ethnicity. This is where fashion becomes more than a creative outlet; it becomes cultural expression.

Janel also speaks directly to what she wants people to feel when they wear her work. She says that every time someone wears her African prints, they will feel proud of their African heritage. That statement shows her intention. Her designs aren’t only about looking stylish. They are designed to awaken pride — a confident connection to identity. It’s a reminder that fashion can represent more than an individual; it can represent a culture, a story, and a history.

Her feature also includes something deeply personal: her faith. Janel states that her designs are inspired by God, and that she is a devoted Christian. She speaks about Jesus as the reason why she does what she does, saying that without him she is nothing. That faith-based foundation matters because it gives insight into where she draws strength and inspiration. It explains why her creativity is not described as random or accidental — it is described as guided, purposeful, and grounded.

She also describes herself in a confident way: she considers herself a brazenly beautiful role model. That phrase carries boldness. It suggests she wants her life and work to represent something uplifting to others — not only through her designs, but through her example.

When you put all these elements together — her artistic view of fashion, her red-carpet ambition, her heritage-centered prints, and her faith-driven inspiration — the story becomes clear. Janel Wiah’s feature in Voices Magazine is not simply about clothing. It’s about fashion as a living statement: a way of expressing who she is, where she comes from, what she believes, and the pride she wants others to carry when they wear her designs.

In a world where fashion is often treated as disposable, Janel’s message stands out: fashion can be identity. It can be purpose. And it can be a proud celebration of African heritage — designed not only to be worn, but to be remembered.