What Lies Beneath.... Deborah Ababio 

If you’ve ever stepped into a space curated by Deborah Ababio, you’ll know it’s never just an event. It’s the mood. A memory in motion. Each experience is a masterclass in cultural storytelling. Layered with elegance, intention, and emotion.

With a career spanning two decades at the heart of the fashion and entertainment world, Deborah has shaped the global stage from behind the scenes, most notably as Global Entertainment Director at British Vogue  and right hand to the iconic Edward Enninful. Her quiet influence has helped bring to life some of the industry’s most unforgettable moments, working with names like Cartier, Versace, Tiffany, Beyoncé, and Victoria Beckham.

Now, with the launch of her own venture, AD Curated Agency, Deborah is writing a new chapter on her own terms. Through her agency, she partners with brands, talent, and visionary companies to create luxury experiences that are as meaningful as they are visually striking. From intimate dinners and elegant charity galas to bespoke activations and consulting, each project is rooted in authenticity, cultural awareness, and a sharp eye for detail. Her growing client list, featuring the likes of MAC, Law Roach, Self-Portrait, and Johnnie Walker Blue Label speaks volumes about the trust she inspires.

But beyond the polished aesthetic and legendary collaborations lies a woman deeply rooted in heritage and heart. Deborah is a cultural connector, a storyteller, and someone who believes that how we show up in the world is one of our most powerful creative acts. In this edition of What Lies Beneath, we go beyond the surface to explore the layers. Both seen and unseen, that shape her story. From navigating shifting identities to redefining beauty and self-expression, this is a conversation about self actualisation,  intuition, and the quiet power of presence.

TSB - Your work beautifully blends luxury, culture, and storytelling. How has your Ghanaian heritage shaped your creative lens and the experiences you curate?

Deborah - Thank you, that truly means a lot. My Ghanaian heritage plays a big part in who I am. It’s where I draw a deep sense of pride, work ethic, rhythm, and richness. There’s a storytelling tradition in Ghanaian culture that’s vibrant, layered, and soulful—it’s not just about what’s being said, but how it’s told, and how it makes people feel. That’s how I approach the experiences I curate. Whether it’s an event, a brand narrative, an intimate dinner, or a partner collaboration, I want people to feel held, inspired, and genuinely seen. There’s always this thread of warmth, beauty, and authenticity running through anything I curate or am involved in.

TSB - When do you feel most seen or authentically yourself. Be it inn your professional world or in your private life?

Deborah - I feel most myself when I’m creating something that genuinely resonates with people—when there’s meaning woven into the moment. Whether it’s curating an experience that makes someone feel celebrated, or sharing a quiet, heartfelt conversation after an event, those are the times I feel aligned and purposeful.

But equally, I feel deeply “me” in the quiet, personal spaces—laughing with my family in the kitchen, taking solo trips to explore somewhere new, dancing freely to my favourite music (sometimes at a concert, sometimes just in my kitchen with a cocktail in hand). I’m learning that I don’t need to separate my professional and private self—they’re both reflections of who I am. One is about holding space for others, and the other is about holding space for myself. And I think that balance is where my truest self lives.

TSB - Beauty is often defined for us before we define it for ourselves. How has your relationship with beauty evolved over the years?

Deborah - It’s evolved so much. Growing up, I was definitely aware of the world’s definitions of beauty—what we were told to aspire to, what we were taught to change or hide. And for a long time, I tried to measure up to those ideals. But over the years, I’ve unlearned a lot of that.

For me now, beauty is about presence—it’s how someone shows up in the world, the energy they carry, the joy, resilience, and even the softness we exude and are entitled to express. I’ve stopped chasing a fixed aesthetic and started embracing what makes me feel whole and rooted. Confidence, vulnerability, heritage—those are the things I now find beautiful.

That shift has shown up in really personal ways, especially through my hair. From shaving it all off and dyeing it purple, to wearing long braids that cascade past my ankles, to switching up wigs or weaves—it’s all part of how I express myself and celebrate every version of me. My relationship with beauty now feels a lot more like freedom.

TSB - Your podcast Cocktails and Conversations is about meaningful dialogue. What’s one conversation that deeply shifted your own perspective on identity or self-expression?

Deborah - One of the most powerful moments on the podcast was with a guest who spoke so openly about unlearning the pressure to “have it all” and “do it all.” She reminded me of something so simple yet radical—the right to rest, the right to just be, and the right to sit in stillness and truly ask ourselves: Is this the life I want? We spoke about how chasing accolades and external validation can slowly chip away at our wellbeing, and how reclaiming space for ourselves—without apology—is an act of self-expression in its own right.

That conversation stayed with me, and I look forward to sharing it with the world when it’s released. It reminded me that self-expression isn't about performing; it's about honouring your truth, however it shows up—loud, soft, evolving, or still.

But the most transformative conversation may have been the one I had with myself as I turned 40. I realised how often I’d been shrinking to fit, to be palatable, to not be “too much.” That quiet self-check made me confront the silent conditioning we often carry as women, especially Black women—this need to play small so others feel comfortable.

That year, I changed the narrative. I started to bet on myself. To stand tall in my light, my joy, and my power. That shift wasn’t just about identity—it was a deeper return to self. A reminder that we are allowed to take up space, and to do it beautifully.

TSB - We appreciate the way you openly speak about modern singlehood. What are the best parts of solo living for you?

Deborah - Thank you so much for this question—there’s truly so much I could say. Solo living, for me, has become one of the most sacred and enriching experiences. It’s about sovereignty—the gift of truly knowing yourself without the noise. My professional life is so people-oriented, always on, always creating and connecting. So when I get a weekend to myself, sitting on my couch with no plans, no demands, just me—it feels like a quiet kind of luxury. A sacred pause.

There’s a unique freedom in moving through the world on your own terms—travelling solo, building a business from your own vision, deciding who gets to access your energy and your heart. It’s empowering.

Of course, it’s not without its challenges. There are moments of loneliness, the reality that the cost of living is often higher for singles, and yes, sometimes there’s no one to help carry the weight. But what I’ve found is that solo living builds a beautiful kind of self-trust. You learn to be your own anchor, your own biggest advocate, your own soft place to land.

The best part? You get to write your own story, in your own time. And that’s a kind of intimacy with self that I’ll always treasure

TSB - Can you share a moment, be it personal or professional, when you had to challenge someone else's perception of you? How did you handle it?

Deborah - Definitely—there have been many moments where I’ve been underestimated or placed in a box. Sometimes it’s been as subtle as being mistaken for “just the assistant” in a room I curated, or assumptions about what I could contribute based on how I showed up, especially as a Black woman in luxury and creative spaces.

Early in my career, I would internalise those moments and question myself—but with time, I’ve learnt to see them differently.

Now, I view them as opportunities to lead with quiet confidence. I don’t need to announce my credentials; I let my presence, intention, and execution do the talking.

There’s a quiet power in grace—holding your head high, standing in your truth, and letting your work, values, and energy shift the room. I’ve found that you don’t always have to challenge someone with confrontation; sometimes the most powerful response is to simply show up fully as yourself and let your light speak louder than their limits.

TSB - What does self-expression look like for you today, and how has it changed from, say, five years ago?

Deborah - Today, self-expression feels rooted and intentional. I’m less concerned with being liked and more focused on being aligned. I’m no longer trying to tick boxes or fit neatly into what others expect of me. I’ve stopped seeking permission to be seen or celebrated. Now, I express myself through the little things: how I dress, how I speak my truth, the spaces I create, the boundaries I honour, and the joy I choose daily.

Five years ago, I think I was still performing a version of myself—seeking validation, saying yes when I meant no, dimming my light to make others more comfortable. But now, it’s about alignment. I move in ways that reflect who I truly am, not who I think I need to be. And that shift? It’s been the most freeing, affirming part of this journey.

TSB - Is there a cultural or personal ritual, big or small, that keeps you grounded in who you are?

Deborah - Absolutely—music, morning prayer, meditation, and mindset work are my anchors. Every day, I have to actively choose to believe that things are working out, especially on this entrepreneurial journey. It’s not always easy. As someone who’s single, living alone, building a business alone, and navigating life independently, there are days when the weight feels heavy—when the idea of being positive feels out of reach.

For so long, I was in service of others, constantly living ten steps ahead, anticipating problems before they even existed, being in environments that were negative and sometimes toxic. That way of thinking became my default, and I’ve had to gently reprogramme my mind to welcome ease, trust, and grace. Some days are easier than others. But music helps—Afrobeats, gospel, highlife—they’re like medicine. They reconnect me to joy, heritage, and my inner peace.

And then there’s the quiet—my morning ritual of gratitude and stillness. Even just five minutes to breathe, pray, or speak affirmations reminds me that I’m held, even when things feel uncertain. That little pocket of peace each morning—it’s sacred. It reminds me of who I am, where I come from, and the light I’m meant to carry.

TSB - If your story were distilled into a single motif or object. Something symbolic. What would it be, and why?

Deborah - What a beautiful question—thank you for asking. Choosing just one motif or object is tough because I’m so multi-layered and love expressing myself in many different ways. But if I had to pick, it would be Kente cloth.

It’s vibrant, bold, and intricately woven with layers of meaning—each thread telling its own unique story. To me, Kente perfectly captures the blend of tradition and modernity, strength and grace, heritage and self-expression.

Like Kente, my story is about weaving together the past and present with resilience, creativity, and pride. It’s a reminder of where I come from and the legacy I carry forward—something regal and deeply rooted, yet always evolving. That spirit of connection and honouring my roots inspires everything I do.