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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: NIGERIA AI ELDERS FASHION SHOW
HEADLINE: Nigerian Artist Creates AI Fashion Show for Elderly
TEASER: AI-generated pictures challenged the typical depictions of elderly Africans, showcasing them in an empowering way
PUBLISHED AT:
BYLINE: Karina Choudhury
DATELINE: LAGOS, NIGERIA/WASHINGTON
VIDEOGRAPHER: Samuel Okocha (in Lagos)
VIDEO EDITOR: Karina Choudhury (in D.C.)
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Betty Ayoub
SCRIPT EDITORS: Salem Solomon, KEnochs; Page
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA original, AI images courtesy of Malik Afegbua
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO X
TRT: 2:43
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG/RADIO
EDITOR NOTES: All SOTs have been introduced so they work for radio.))
((INTRO)) [Images of African senior citizens walking the runway created a buzz on social media, eventually going viral. These AI-generated pictures challenged the typical depictions of elderly Africans, showcasing them in an empowering way. Karina Choudhury has the story.]
((Picture - Mandatory Courtesy: Malik Afegbua))
((NARRATOR))
Malik Afegbua’s series of images showing African senior citizens walking the runway in fashionable clothing went viral on social media late last year. The Lagos, Nigeria based filmmaker and visual artist calls this work “Fashion Show for the Elders” and it was created with the help of artificial intelligence. Afegbua says he aspires to portray African senior citizens in a way that is rarely seen.
((Malik Afegbua, Visual Artist)) ((Male, in English))
“The Elders’ Series is about showing the elder society in a place that is not marginalized in a place that is spoken for in pop culture, fashion and other industries that we don't normally see them.”
((Video - Mandatory Courtesy: Malik Afegbua/Virtual Fashion Show))
((NARRATOR))
The Elders’ Series was in part inspired by his mother’s medical troubles. The art the ordeal unlocked also opened new doors for Afegbua.
((Picture - Mandatory Courtesy: AP))
Now he is collaborating with designers at Marvel studios.
((Picture - Mandatory Courtesy: Instagram/Slickcityceo))
Ruth E. Carter, the Oscar-winning costume designer for the movie “Black Panther,” was one of the many people who reached out to Afegbua.
((Malik Afegbua, Visual Artist)) ((Male, in English))
“We have worked on something already. Where we created the art direction of some sort and the costume for the main actor, which is for Blade.”
((Video - Mandatory Courtesy: Malik Afegbua))
((NARRATOR))
The rise of artificial intelligence has raised ethical questions with some arguing that it undermines human-created art. However, Afegbua sees value in using AI as a tool.
((Malik Afegbua, Visual Artist)) ((Male, in English))
“You cannot create what I created with AI because you didn’t even know how I did it that’s because I created it with my own data sets as a tool. And that wasn’t the only tool I used.”
((AI-Generated Video- Mandatory Courtesy: Malik Afegbua))
“In the heart of Amsterdam, a celebration is brewing…
((NARRATOR))
During Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam 2023, Afegbua brought his digital fashion show to life.
((Video Nat Sound From Fashion Show- Mandatory Courtesy: Malik Afegbua))
((NARRATOR))
Linda Fashakin, owner of the clothing company Cokaigne, or CKG, was one of the designers Afegbua invited to collaborate with on the fashion show. She said his designs are empowering.
((Linda Fashakin, Cokaigne Fashion Designer)) ((Female, in English))
“When we think runway fashion, we imagine 20-somethings and teenagers
but we have to remember something that the elderly, they still want to feel sexy, they want to be vibrant.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Picture- Mandatory Courtesy: Malik Afegbua))
Afegbua plans to bring his “Fashion Show for the Elders” to a runway in Nigeria in early 2024. This time, not with professional models, but with everyday mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents — creating fashion to celebrate them.
((Karina Choudhury, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
