A true powerhouse, Gifty is a choreographer and dancer. Her energy is contagious and inspiring, and I can’t wait for you all to hear about her!
It’s Friday again, meaning that this weeks ‘Woman We Love’ is waiting for you! Last week we talked about Hayley Hasselhoff and her new cover of PLAYBOY magazine. This week we’ve prepared a little interview with the Hamburg boss woman known as Gifty.
Who is Gifty Lartey?
Gifty Lartey or Gifty M.I.K is 27-year-old woman from Hamburg, Germany. The young artist identifies herself as Afro-German with Ghanaian roots and feels particularly at home with the Hip Hop style. In Hamburg she teaches House as well as Hip Hop and is part of the Vogueing community. Furthermore, Gifty organizes events in the form of workshops, Hip Hop Battles and Vogueing Balls. And not to mention she is also active as a curvy model and has already posed and danced in front of the camera for brands like Sheego, Nike, Zalando and Buffalo.
In the long run, Gifty wants to give the younger generation the opportunity to be educated artistically and dance-wise. Gifty hopes to enable the younger generation to learn from the best artists around the world and build a community where they can feel free to express themselves. The goal is to build a self-organized safe space for black people to feel community care, education and healing can take place.
We think Gifty is an incredibly beautiful and inspiring woman. That’s why we asked her a few questions:
TCM: What does body positivity mean to you?
Gifty: Self Love !!!! And having a positive attitude towards your body. Of course, everybody is different so you can’t always talk about positivity. The first step is body neutrality.
TCM: What impact does social media have on your body image?
Gifty: I think that I don’t compare myself to other bodies through social media, but that I perceive a lot of different bodies, which I find really beautiful and empowering. That also helps me accept my body and rock awesome clothes.
TCM: What meaning does dance have for you in terms of self-love?
Gifty: Dance has a great meaning for me, it is fitness and meditation in one. Through dance I have been able to give myself a bit of therapy, which has strengthened my sense of security in my body. Taking time for myself and feeling my body and feeling free is my own way of loving myself.
TCM: How did your modeling career start?
Gifty: As a child I always played model, I think that’s when it started.
TCM: How important is community?
Gifty: My community is very important to me — the unity and exchanges I share with my fellow human beings makes me the person that I am!
TCM: What influence do you think you have on young women and girls? What is your message to them?
Gifty: Good question! I think that to some extent I am a great sister for young girls out there. I share my experiences with them but I also teach them, that my path does not have to be followed step by step. It’s important to me that each person finds their individuality and discover their own unique path.
Edited and translated by April Verite.
