The feminist who likes lipstick

pout with pride

Perhaps the most unexpected fashion icon of the year has just added another glossy credit to her name.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the Nigerian-born novelist and feminist known for novels like Americanah and Purple Hibiscus; recipient of a MacArthur “genius” grant, the O Henry Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award (among others); and author of a viral TED Talk, We Should All Be Feminists, which has been viewed over 3 million times since its delivery in 2012 as well as sampled by Beyoncé, is now the face of No7, the make-up brand owned by the pharmacy chain Boots.

This follows her front-row appearance at Dior’s spring runway show, where she was both guest of honour and inspiration  as well as her inclusion on Vanity Fair’s International Best-Dressed List.

Though her feminism may seem at odds with this embrace of the fashion world, Adichie has argued that diminishing things that are considered feminine, such as make-up and fashion, is part of a culture of sexism. Excerpts from an interview:

How have your feelings on makeup evolved?

In general, the cultures that I know — Nigeria, the US, the UK, Western Europe — all largely judge women quite harshly for appearances. But in Nigeria, there’s a slight difference. There isn’t much of a judgment if you’re an accomplished woman and seem to care about your appearance.

But I do remember that when I moved to the US — and I think maybe there are different standards for people who are supposed to be particularly intellectual or particularly creative — I very quickly realised that if you want to seem as a serious writer, you can’t possibly look like a person who looks in the mirror.

Why do you think things that are associated with femininity, like fashion and beauty, are not taken seriously?

It’s about a culture that diminishes women. The things we traditionally think of as masculine are not things our culture dismisses as frivolous. Sports, for example, we think of as masculine. It’s something our culture takes seriously.

Why did you finally decide to wear make-up, no matter what people thought?

As you grow older, you realise there’s very little time for rubbish. You realise life is short, and it’s so much better to be who you are. When I was younger, I didn’t have the sense of self to do that.

But it’s interesting because even when I didn’t wear make-up in the US, I wore make-up in Nigeria because I wanted to look my age and not too young.

In Nigeria, in particular, it was easy for men to dismiss what I said because they thought I looked like a small girl. I remember seeing a man at the airport after my first novel was published, and he looked at me, quite quizzical, and said, “You look like the writer.” And I said, “Well, I am her.” His face fell. And he said, “I didn’t think the writer would be such a small girl.”

At some point, I wanted to be who I am. And who I am is a person who enjoys, from time to time, putting a bright colour on my lips.

What are your thoughts on the #nomakeup movement?

Women have choices to make. When you’re not feeling good, you don’t have the energy to do your face the way you usually do. I really respect Alicia Keys’ choice not to wear make-up because she felt it was a mask. And she feels now that she’s more truly herself. I think, “Amen to that.” If make-up feels that way for you, then don’t do it. We have to allow women a multiplicity.

Why do you think we don’t?

I think people will judge appearance. Humans are visual beings. What I would love to see changed is the baggage we bring to those judgments. When we see a man who’s well dressed, we don’t assume that he must be shallow or he must not be a serious person.

A lot of this is especially important to teenagers and women in their 20s. What would you say to this group?

There’s no such thing as perfection. Originality is a beautiful thing. I think it’s much harder now than when I was younger because we didn’t have the internet. I’d say don’t watch too many of those YouTube make-up videos. They use way too much product. It’s important to have a much wider range of what’s considered beautiful.

Will you continue to be a presence in the fashion world?

If you were raised by Grace Adichie, my mother, you had better be interested in fashion. From the time I was a little girl, she would dress me up. I’m a bit of a shoe fiend. I make no apologies for it. There’s a part of me that likes shoes, and likes dresses, and likes make-up, and likes books, and likes to write. I think that’s the case for many women. But our culture makes us think we have to choose slices of ourselves that we’re comfortable showing the world.