Exclusively for L'OFFICIEL, comedian and social media star Elsa Majimbo reveals the background of her collaboration with Valentino, a one-of-a-kind book dedicated to adults and children.

Perhaps one of the things we miss the most and need during these pandemic times is to laugh. During the lockdown, 19-year-old comedian and social media star Elsa Majimbo must have thought this when she began to entertain her followers with sketches and clips posted on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/majimb.o/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> and TikTok, becoming much more than just an influencer. Whether it's her "Bedtime with Elsa" interview series, or her many hilarious projects, such as the first ASMR song, a trap song about chocolate snacks, Majimbo has continued to converse with the world at a time when lightness and lightheartedness seemed to have been forgotten.
For her latest project, Majimbo got in touch with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/valentino-celebrates-collezione-milano-writers-campaign-fatima-farheen-mirza" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Valentino</a> to create what is the first in a series of cultural projects of the maison with an educational and inclusive focus. The result of this special meeting is the book The Alphabet for Kids and Adults, a volume that harmoniously combines depth of content and an inevitable comic streak. In it, each letter of the alphabet has two definitions, sayings, or lines, dedicated on one side to an audience of adults and on the other to the little ones. The book unites generations and builds a tool for reflection for the years to come. This collaboration marks Majimbo's debut in the fashion world. Here, L'OFFICIEL&nbsp;speaks to the young talent-turned-author about the background on the new book and working with Valentino.

L'OFFICIEL: How did your career start?
Elsa Majimbo: I started making videos of myself, my reflections, my sketches, and they made me laugh so I decided to post them on Instagram and later on TikTok. From there, a following was created that spurred me to create podcasts, songs, and my bedtime interview series called "Bedtime with Elsa." I currently have around 619,000 followers on TikTok and nearly 2.2 million on Instagram.
 L'O: How did you get the idea for the book?
EM: I liked the fact that different generations can be connected. At a time when we are all at home and especially families. I wrote it with my publicist Mohamed Kheir, also a successful author and comedian in America. The fairy-tale-themed 3D illustrations are by Pepijn Temming, a Dutch digital artist who worked hard to create small, letter-by-letter graphic worlds. It will initially be honored to the Maison's "friends" and my limited edition fans.
 L'O: The book is for adults and children. What is the message you want to communicate to those audiences?
EM: There are many things I want to say. There are jokes designed for children and that's it, as well as sentences designed for adults, who can also have fun reading those designed for children. I liked the fact that different generations can be connected. The idea is that this book accompanies the growth of the little ones, there will come a time when they will be able to grasp all the references also designed for their parents.
 L'O: What was the most difficult letter?
EM: The X, because drugs or negative words are associated with this letter! It was really difficult. There was a moment when I got stuck on a certain letter that made me think of former President Trump, and Mo said to me, "Elsa let's leave it alone!"
 L'O: Education means respecting others, a fundamental value. What do you think about it?&nbsp;
EM: As a child I was intrigued by the fact that so many things happen in the adult world that are dealt with normally, when often for children they are shocks. This book shows that there are many events, beliefs, diversities in the world and that one day as an adult you will understand them, and we must not hide the reality from children. Furthermore, making people laugh is the best way to teach. Posing serious arguments in a light way helps people to understand them and above all accept them. It's scientifically proven, there's research about it.
 L'O: Are there any causes that you support and that you care about?
EM: The LGBTQ + community, definitely. But also the Black Lives Matter movement. It is absurd that nowadays it is still necessary to explain to people that the color of the skin does not have to be a criterion of discrimination. These are causes in which I believe very much and of which I speak, in my own way, through all my channels. I use platforms to educate. I think it is essential that people get informed and open their eyes.
 L'O: It can also be dangerous to make your voice heard?
EM: Yes, unfortunately sometimes it is. But I don't stop.
 L'O: What is your relationship with fashion and how can fashion positively influence people?
EM: I believe that as a woman, fashion also has to do with the definition of one's body. Fashion is unfortunately very defined by weight. It is not fair to be told what to wear based on our build. I just try to dress to have fun, I always wear what makes me feel good and I am very aware of my choices. Every day, depending on my mood, I choose the garments that accompany my days. Fashion must be a means of expressing ourselves.
 L'O: What values do you share with Valentino?
EM: Valentino embraces my own values and has given me the freedom to feel comfortable, elegant, and myself. I especially appreciate its open-mindedness, the fact that there are often no divisions between men's and women's clothing. I love that the brand supports inclusiveness and that it takes care of people's wellbeing through clothes. When I saw that Valentino chose <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/zendaya-instagram-style-valentino-fashion-euphoria" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zendaya as an ambassador</a> I was happy: a complete artist. 
L'O: How do you imagine yourself in the future?
EM: Rich! And successful, but above all happy, because what I do makes me happy.
 L'O: What inspires you as an artist?
EM: I want to show that people like me can be successful, that life can change if you believe in yourself and what you do, unlike what people commonly think.
 L'O: What projects are you involved in at the moment?
EM: We are working on a couple of projects for a script. We always try to pursue quality, not quantity. With Mo Kheir, I have embarked on a path aimed at being much more than a simple influencer, my talent in stimulating a laugh, a conversation, an idea, can go towards more significant projects.
 L'O: In your opinion, how has this collaboration with Valentino strengthened the links between the world of art, culture, and literature?
EM: This is the first time I've seen such a collaboration in my life, a fully-fledged cross-cultural project. It's unique because it brings together apparently different worlds, which can contribute to cultural growth. I also like to point out that no one has ever done a book launch campaign with a fashion house that doesn't talk about fashion!
 L'O: Do you think the way we communicate has changed a lot due to the pandemic over the past year?
EM: I think there is more awareness. People think about health, the pandemic has overturned our priorities, it has opened our eyes even to very difficult issues. A lot of opinions, interests, purposes have changed. Let's think about <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/how-clubhouse-works-the-new-social-audio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clubhouse</a>, I don't think that in another historical moment it would have had the same success it had in this period.
 L'O: What do you think about Clubhouse?
EM: I haven't taken part in any Clubhouse talks yet, but I like the fact that it's a safe and comfortable space to express your opinion. From more serious to frivolous arguments. I plan to try very soon.
 L'O: If you could change something in your life or in the world, what would you change?
EM: I would like a world without COVID, it's terrible. I can't wait to be free again!

Behind Elsa Majimbo's Debut Book with Valentino, 'The Alphabet for Kids and Adults'

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Behind Elsa Majimbo's Debut Book with Valentino, 'The Alphabet for Kids and Adults'

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