YES, WE DID! AN OPEN LETTER TO THE DREAM TEAM

SINEM (AFROYINBO) IN THE HOUSE! 

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford

Thursday 27 January 2011 was yet another milestone FAB's journey from a mere dream to astounding reality - hopefully one of many more to come on the way to world domination. 

Thursday 27 January marked FAB's entry to the UK retail market, gracing the shelves of WH Smith's and independent retailers. (If you are in the UK and want to win a little something to shout out 'I am FAB' to the world, go get yourself a copy, snap a pic in your local agent's and e-mail/tweet/pigeon post the pic to us by 12 am on 3 February 2011. The best pic wins!) Full list of locations to follow next week right here on this blog!

WH SMITH'S MILTON KEYNES

WH SMITH'S BRENT CROSS

Without further ado, I want to get on with my post - tissues at the ready, peeps, this is going to be a soppy one - and dedicate it to the Dream Team. 

Suby, homey, lover, friend - If it weren't for your faith in me, I would still be working at my 9 to 5 (No, correction 9 to 9) lamenting my lack of time for honing my writing. I still remember that car journey in 2006 where I was in tears about not having the time to write, let alone publish, anything and you were telling me to "suck it up and make the time or accept the fact that you will never get anything published. 

It wasn't easy. There were many a tearful car journey, many a sleepless night where little old me would be wrecked with self-doubt and you would have endless patience to tell me I was just so amazing, talented, strong... There was so much juggling with a full-time, full-speed, full-on job with first freelance writing, then editing, and then FAB. But look at where we are now... And it is all because of you. Thank you for having faith in me when I didn't in myself and building me up to be the person that I am today, and still giving me a pep talk - or a kick up the back side - when I need one. You are my hero!

SUBY & SINEM

Fab (To me you're always Babs) - As one of my aunties recently said, our meeting "wasn't coincidence but God's work at play". Otherwise how could I have ever met my twin from another set of parents who shared the same dream with me? And to think, had circumstances back in April 2009 been different, we might have never met... 

Thank you for your drive to see our dreams through, for giving me the courage when I lack it, for cheering me up when I am down, for being your determined, energetic, fiery self. Keep on keeping on, Kehinde, the journey is still long but an amazing one with you as my partner in crime!

KEHINDE & TAIWO

Nicola - And to think you only came down back in 2005 for a test shoot... Over the years, you have grown from a little insecure fresh-faced model to a FABulous, sexilious model who was (and still is) our gorgeous muse to even sexier, driven, super-efficient General Manager. 

I cannot begin to tell you just how much I appreciate you. You are one of the most genuine, pure, uncomplicated people I know. You are an absolute perfectionist and you don't settle for second best. You walk into a room and charm people in under a minute. And you know what? You are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. You are my shining star and my adopted little sister. 

SINEM & NICOLA

NICOLA THE MUSE

Pepper - Where shall I start? The rotten e-mail from Suby some four years ago? The chance meeting again at Chika & Ugochi's wedding? The vintage shoot where we expected to spend four hours at the venue and almost got kicked out after two? The late-night shoot at Covent Garden in freezing temperatures when I fell off a stall, bruised my knees and you wouldn't let me walk around because I had turned "really red"? 

Pepper, there are so many memories, so much laughter, so many tears... You are one of those people that make FAB FAB. And at 23, you have accomplished so much, you put me to shame. I absolutely admire you - your talent, your vision, your brutal honesty, your drive, and I feel privileged to have you on Team FAB.

FIRST ISSUE MALE COVER SHOOT WITH ELDEE

PEPPER & SINEM WITH SHINGAI SHONIWA

Lara - Well... It wouldn't be a lie if I said you're family, right? I remember pestering you one Christmas at Uncle Femi's for your underg blog address. Neither of us could have thought at the time that we'd one day be working side by side. Your discerning sense of style and eagle eye for all crimes against the English Language make you one fine contributor editor to work with. And I can't complain about your relaxed demeanour whic provides me an oasis of calm amongst the more obsessive compulsive members of the team (including myself!).

Skee - I admit I'd be the first one to want to commit GBH on your during those  few deathly weeks of design, yet compared to the humongous amount of respect I have for the Master, it is only a speck of frustration. Skee, your talent is fierce! Thank you for making FAB look way more amazing than I could ever imagine. 

SKEE & SIN

26 JANUARY 2011 BEHIND THE SCENES

Cindy - Just imagine: If you had even considered Suby a freak when he came up to you to ask if you'd model for him five years ago, you wouldn't have had to spend sleepless nights fine-tooth-combing FAB hours before print? Just imagine how much relaxed life would have been? 

Joking aside, I am glad to have you on Team FAB. Your perfectionism and attention keep us all in check while your razor-sharp humour keeps me entertained - especially dealing with some dodgy characters! Thank you for making my life easier and for having faith in FAB. 

CINDY

Tayo - I remember it like yesterday, the day we came over to yours and 'sold' you the vision that is FAB. Thank you for seeing the vision, believing it and helping turning it into reality. Not only are you one of the best in your field, but you do what you do with such quiet, calm confidence that you are an inspiration for many.

Terence- I only met you in 2010 and was amazed by your passion for fashion and for FAB; don't ever lose it - that would be a shame.

Elaine - Thank you for coming on board and gracefully surviving the pressure which I know is totally new to you, but I am confident your passion for make up and beauty will see you through and some of the trying bits of the job will soon become second nature. 

Wale - From Fashion Intern to Fashion Assistant... from the days you were just another face in the crowd at TBAB. From day 1, you have shown such commitment to FAB and such drive to excel in all that you have taken on, it was only a matter of time you rose up in the ranks. Trust me, it doesn't end here; you will continue growing with FAB onwards and upwards.

Bori - Super Bori! Fun, easy-going, efficient. Having finally met your charming self in person, I am so so glad to have you on this team. Your drive, your dedication to FAB as well as your great personality make you an integral part of Team FAB. After all, you are Super Bori! 

Sherie - Sweetie, in so few days, you have done so much despite our latest recruit fashion intern. Fashion-forward and trendy, I assure you you are in the right place and as you know, with Suby and me, you're in good hands. Keep doing what you are doing and continue to dazzle us. 

SHERIE AT BRIXTON WH SMITH'S

And of course, there are those who are not nominally but spiritually Team FAB. 

Lola Maja-Okojevoh - My girl Kehinde - a day late - we've been through crazy shoots, stroppy clients (Who can forget that night we worked through my birthday into yours and didn't enjoy a minute of it or that sullen somebody we had to work with for a feature editorial?), tears and tantrums. You have helped with issue 1 and although no longer on the team, you still continue to promote FAB endlessly. Thank you for your crazysexycool self (Hey that's not an adjective I bestow on others lightly - rock it well!)

KEHINDE 1 & TAIWO

Mrs Fab - Thank you, sweetie, for many a sleepless night you have had in supporting us with our FAB dream! You're the kindest, sweetest, prettiest wife my brother could have had the good fortune to call his own. He's a lucky man! ;)

MR & MRS FAB

Tamara Ramsey-Crockett - Multi-talented lady, you're FAB's unsung heroine - the hands behind our first ever media kit to hit Nigeria. And also the very hands that carried 40 mags to Nigeria. And the hands that still continue making our FAB models even more FAB! 

TAMARA AT WORK

Paula Okunzuwa - The face of our first ever media kit! Girl, you were the face of FAB for the longest time and the FAB model we know will always deliver. We're so proud of you!

PAULA ON FAB MEDIA KIT

PAULA CAPTURED BY ADE OKELARIN
FOR ISSUE 2

Toni Tones - Once upon a 'tutee' photographer who made her mentors proud by her FABtastic contributions to FAB from the very first issue. Toni, you are FAB!

TONI WITH MO CHEDDAH & WAJE ISSUE 1 SHOOT 

MO CHEDDAH CAPTURED BY TONI ISSUE 1

Asiko aka Ade Okelarin - Thank you for giving up your time and time again to create and shoot fantastic stories for us. Here at FAB we totally LURRVEE your work. 

ADE AT A RECENT PHOTO SHOOT FOR FAB

THE ELEMENTALS SHOOT BY ADE
ISSUE 3

Mummy & Mummy - For all your support, encouragement and love in helping us see this dream through. Love you loads!

SUBY&SINEM WITH MUMMY&MUMMY

And finally, all our FAB readers, fans, friends, supporters, sponsors who have been with us from the very first day. We thank you. Keep the faith in us; the best is yet to come.