Dark-skinned singer and actress, Evaezi Ogoro,tells Ademola Olonilua about her fashion sense

Why is it that most times when you go for events you apply light make-up?

Actually I like make-up. I think make-up in itself is an art and it takes a highly creative person to achieve a good make-up job. I appreciate the creativity of a great make-up artist. I don’t see myself as a great make-up artist but I try my best. I make up according to where I am going. If I am not going anywhere or I just want to hang out with friends, I don’t really think I need to make up but if I am going on the red carpet, I use make-up creatively. I try to use some colours just to set me apart. I make up according to the situation.

Your ear holes do not seem to be even, how come?

I perced two holes on each ear and one hole is bigger than the other. At some point in my career when I was still trying to define my style, I loved wearing a long dangling earring  and leaving the other ear free. I think that made one hole bigger than the other.

As a dark-skinned person, have you ever wished you were fair in complexion?

Yes, there was a point in my life when I wished I was fair skinned but that was when I was younger and naïve. I think it was after my secondary school or when I was going into the university. I had a crush on a guy and he liked this particular fair girl. I assumed that maybe he liked the girl because she was fair. When I asked around, especially some of my ‘unfriendly’ friends at the time told me to try a particular cream that toned the skin. Instead of saying the cream bleached, they told me it toned the skin. They said it would bring the skin colour out more and I believed them. As God would have it, I have a very sensitive skin so I cannot use just anything. When I used the cream, I had a serious skin reaction and it was a terrible reaction that gave me a burning sensation. After that, I felt content with my natural skin colour.

Now that there are better products in the market, would you still want to be fair skinned?

Never. Would I say God made a mistake? There are some creams that nourish the skin with some vitamins to make it healthier. When you have a healthy skin, it glows but does not change colour. When you start using harsh chemically-enhanced creams because you are trying to be fair, you are stripping your skin of nutrients and its protective cover. Should such the person need surgery, it would affect the person because by the time the doctors would need to stitch the person, the skin would not be hard enough to hold the stitches. This would definitely cause complication. There are a lot of down sides to bleaching. I love myself the way I am and I doubt if I would want to change my skin colour.

If you were to either enlarge or reduce any part of your body, what would it be?

If I was asked this question about eight years ago, I would shout yes. I was a late bloomer and at some point, I was really crazy about breast enhancement. It was the time when there was the craze about Modupe Ozolua. I actually went to how to enquire how much it would cost me to have breast enlargement. Also the girls in secondary school then used to make jest of me because I did not have bust but big buttocks. I always wondered why I was flat in front and big behind. Then I was thinking of getting breast enlargement. As I grew older, I began to realise that my being big behind is actually an asset. I thank God the boobs being came out. Right now, there is nothing I would want to increase or reduce.

When it comes to fashion, what does your boyfriend like you wearing?

He likes me wearing body hugging clothes. He likes stretch material on me as well. He likes short gowns that are sassy and sexy.

How did you meet him?

We had been very good friends for a long time. He always made me laugh but I never saw him as being my lover. I had already put him in ‘friend zone.’ Unknown to me, he was loving me from afar and always respected me. He was there when I dated some guys and it did not work out. He was always my support and one day, he seized the opportunity of a collapsed relationship I had to pour out his mind. It still took me a long while to see him as a lover. As God would have it, I eventually saw him in that light and the rest is history.

What is your fashion weakness?

I am a perfume freak. I love gold and jewellery accessories. I love mixing my perfumes because they give an explosive aroma. I have about six different bottles of perfume right now and I think I still need to get more. I love fragrance and later in life I would still have my own perfume line.

You say you love accessories, what is the highest amount you can spend on them?

I am a very prudent spender but I think I can spend as much as N100,000 on just an item.

How easy is it for a plus sized lady to get clothes to buy in Nigeria?

It is a lot better now. There are some boutiques that are dedicated to just plus sized ladies and people with big feet. There are actually some boutiques that I know that offer such services. Now even normal boutiques stock their shops with sizes 16 and 18. I am a size 14/16 and it is a lot easier to get what I want unlike before. The truth is that we are in Africa and African women are normally plus sized.

You are known as a musician but recently you delved into the movie industry; why?

Acting has always been a passion. While growing up, it was always music and movies for me. I could be in front of the television for a whole day. It has always been on my mind to be an actress and a singer. Music started first and I have always been begging my uncle, Kingsley Ogoro, to allow me act but he never agreed probably because of my late father. I got the opportunity when Charles Novia called me and said he needed a singer to play a part in his movie.  From that movie, Emem Isong called and I later went on to act in Shuga.

If your father were alive, do you think he would have allowed you to explore your talent?

My father was a strict person. I was quite stubborn and it has not left me till today. Initially, he was not happy with me delving into music. I stood my ground and eventually, his friends started telling him they loved my songs when they watched me on television. He was okay with my career before he died and if he was alive, I know he would not have had a problem.

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Singer Cynthia Morgan is signed to the Okoyes’ Square records. She tells Ademola Olonilua about her fashion sense and nude pictures online

You have a gun tattooed on your hand. What does it mean?

Basically, guns symbolise violence but my tattoo represents violence in terms of my music. It does not symbolise violence in terms of my personality but in terms of music. It means that when you hear Cynthia Morgan, you hear trouble because when you hear a gunshot, you take cover. It means there is trouble somewhere. I am different. Some girls do tattoos of rose or butterflies, but when I was doing mine, I decided to be different. I decided to put a picture of a gun.

How about piercings; do you have any?

I used to have one but I covered it because I got tired of it. It used to be on my lips.

Being a fair-skinned lady with an accent, do people often ask about where you come from?

Yes, people ask me that question a lot. Different people have different thoughts about my origin. Most people say I look Arabian but I am a Nigerian. I am from Benin City in Edo State.

Are you actually light-skinned or you are bleaching?

I am light-skinned.

You were born this way?

No, I was not this fair. I became light-skinned when I was growing up. As I grew up, I had to take care of my skin. I am not using anything and as a matter of fact, I am using cocoa-butter cream.

When it comes to your body, what part do you consider as an asset?

I think that would either be my height or my boobs. I am about 6 feet tall.

How come you have nude pictures online?

I think it is a creative picture. In the picture, I only had my tattoos showing and I was wearing sneakers. It was an idea that I came up with and I said I wanted to wear only sneakers in the picture because all the previous shots we had taken were very girly. I was unable to express the fact that I still had a little part of me that was still a tomboy.

That is why you wore only sneakers in the picture?

Yes. Then I had the tattoo; so it takes you back to the fact that I still have that tomboy in me. I was not born wearing clothes.

Seems that you are really crazy about sneakers?

Yes I am. I really love shoes, especially sneakers. I cannot count how many pairs I have. If not for my manager, I probably would have a room full of sneakers. She tells me that I have to wear heels. Although I am tall, I still wear high-heeled shoes. I know people taller than me that wear high-heeled shoes. I got used to wearing heels so I reduced the way I wear sneakers. If not, I would have had a room full of sneakers by now.

How long does it take you to shop?

It could take a whole day because whenever I shop, I want to buy everything. Most times, I need someone like a guardian to advise me against some items. If not, I would buy everything; I am that crazy about fashion. When I am going out, I have a picture of what I want to look like. I get excited when I get something new and when I wear it, I dump it. Left to me, I want to buy everything.

How much do you spend on shopping?

I don’t know but what I know is that I can use my last dime to buy a cloth.

 What defines your fashion sense?

For me, it is all about being comfortable. It is all about being able to pull off anything I am wearing. When you wear something, you have to put your presence in it. You have to be charismatic in anything you wear to make it come alive. I think fashion is personal and you have to be charismatic and comfortable.  You have to be bold to make a fashion statement because fashion is about creating a trend and making people follow such trends. For you to create something that people would follow, you have to be bold and have a presence for people to be able to follow your trend and what you are doing.

 What trend are you trying to create?

I am trying to create the Cynthia Morgan trend which is all about being different. From my music, you can see that I am different because it is distinct. I am not trying to be a Nicki Minaj, Rihanna or Lady Gaga; I am Cynthia Morgan. I am trying to be sexy and at the same time be like the girl next door, a brand that people can relate with.

How long does it take you to do your make-up?

It depends. If my manager is doing my make-up for me, it could take up to 45 minutes but if it is professional, then it could take about two hours. If I am on set or having a photo shoot, it could take as long as two hours. It depends. I am really fast at wearing clothes. I don’t have a problem with wearing clothes.

You keep saying your music is different. How do you mean?

My music is distinct because I have fusions of different genres; I do reggae dancehall, hip-hop, afro-beat. I bring all these genres together and create something different. I use my music to make a statement; I use it to be different from every other person. For example, Drake does virtually everything, except reggae and dancehall songs. My manager says that I am like the female Drake but the difference is that he does not do dancehall songs. I can do everything. My music does not have a genre, so I tell people that I do good music.

Don’t you wish you were more rounded to increase your sex appeal?

I have boobs and my ‘behind’ is okay for me. What I have is enough for me. I don’t wish they were bigger.

You were a tomboy while growing up, but looking at you now, it is hard to believe. What led to your change of orientation?

I used to be a tomboy while growing up until some years back when I changed and stopped being a tomboy and had to wear female clothes. I think staying with my cousins changed me. They were very feminine. I did not change till I got signed to my first record label, before I got signed to Jude Okoye. The owner of the record label used to tell me that I have everything as a girl; the height and good looks and I should consider dressing like a girl. I tried it out, started looking like a girl and I must confess I really like being a girl. I cannot consider being a tomboy again. I could look like one while going to the studio because I would like to be free and be in my element. I could wear bathroom slippers to the studio because being free helps my creative process.

How did you meet Jude Okoye?

First time I met him was in Atlanta, USA in 2012. Basically, I met P-Square although Peter was not there. It was like meeting family members because they had been my fans since 2009. I remember they went on air to announce that they were looking for Cynthia and they would love to do a song with me. They said I was very talented and they had been supporting my career without even meeting or knowing me. They loved my kind of music and were interested in what I could bring to the table. Finally I got to meet them in 2012 and it was great. When we met, Paul found it hard to believe I was Cynthia Morgan and we were both star struck. I was shocked that they were star struck when they met me. Paul had to ask me to remove my glasses so he could see my face. They have been my mentors because I grew up listening to them. That was how I met Jude and from there we became both friends and family. Before I knew it, he said he was interested in signing me and that is how we started a working relationship.

How has it been working with the Okoyes?

It has been great. They are family and Jude is like a father. He is a very loving man and he has been really great to me. Knowing that I have the biggest brand in Africa behind me has helped my growth. Looking up to them and knowing how far they have gone in their career has really helped me.

Did the whole ruckus in their family affect your work? 

Everything is fine with P-Square, so nothing is affecting my career.

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Wura Falade-Adepoju is a fashion designer and the Chief Executive Officer of popular Vigold Creations. She tells Ademola Olonilua about her fashion sense

Who inspired your fashion sense in life?

That would be my mother. She has always been a seamstress and she inspired me because I used to watch her while she worked and created designs. I am sure that is how I developed my interest in fashion.

As a fashion designer, how would you describe the fashion industry in Nigeria?

I call Nigeria the centre of fashion in Africa because fashion in Nigeria is so different from what obtains in any other part of Africa. A lot of people look up to Nigerians for fashion trend in Africa and even in the world.

Do you think fashion is only about the way you dress?

No, it encompasses everything; your style, carriage and poise. It is all about who you are and not just about the clothe alone.

Would you say you are a fashionable person?

Yes, I am very fashionable. I have always been fashionable.

Are you saying this because you are a fashion designer?

Naturally, I am a fashionable person. Before I became a fashion designer, I had always been very fashionable. I worked for five years before I became a fashion designer. At my place of work, I was always the best dressed and it was like that everywhere I worked. I have always been a fashion oriented person and a lover of fashion even before I delved into the fashion world.

Where did you work?

I worked at Almaco (Aluminum Manufacturing Company of Nigeria). I also served with a construction company during my National Youth Service Corps programme. I worked with Almaco for about five years and back to back and I was the best dressed there during the period. I have always been a lover of fashion.

Is fashion all about dressing well?

It is not about dressing alone but every other thing including carriage. I was a trained secretary and being the first person you would see before seeing my boss, I had to look presentable. Everything about me is usually very different. For me, fashion is not just about my dressing but everything about me.

How often do you have time to make clothes for yourself?

It depends, sometimes when we are very busy, I don’t have time to make clothes for myself but when we are less busy, I could make as many as five clothes in a week for myself. Sometimes for about three months, I might not have time to make any clothes for myself except the occasion is very necessary like a family gathering and the cloth is an aso-ebi. I don’t really attend parties except they are very important.

It means that you have so many clothes…

Yes I do. I have a lot of clothes. I give out clothes to church as charity. Most of the time when I make clothes for myself and I wear them, clients would tell me that they like them and that I should make a replica for them. Most of the time when I wear my clothes, clients wish to have them, so I just sell to them.

Asides from clothes, are you a shoe freak?

I am a lover of shoes but I would not say I am a shoe freak. I love everything fashion. I have a lot of shoes as well. I buy what I need and what is necessary.

As a designer, would you agree that Nigerians love buying designer labels abroad than getting made in Nigeria products?

Nigerians buy a lot of imported things but basically we design bespoke clothes. What we do is customised to suit our clients. We design them, so it is not something you would see on other people. We do not mass-produce and the pieces we make are things people would come and tell us they want. Some people would tell me that they want something exclusive. It is possible for me to make 20 different aso-ebi and they would be different styles. People cannot do without the kind of fashion I do. Imported things have their place in your wardrobe and these kinds of customised clothes also have their own place. I don’t think it affects what we do. The type of fashion we do is different from what they do abroad.

Would you subscribe to Nigerians dressing in African attire to work?

It is possible but then the fabric has to be light. However, you would find out that our Ankara fabric is now being produced into lighter fabrics. With light fabrics, it is possible. Nigerians can dress African to work. It is just that most of our fabrics are really heavy. If they can be produced into lighter cotton-like materials, then we can.

When it comes to your hair, do you prefer braids or anything goes for you?

Because of the nature of what I do, I like braiding my hair.

What are the challenges you face as a designer?

Electricity is the major challenge. Fashion for me is passion. I love fashion, I have tried so many other things but I still find myself doing fashion. Fashion is the sole of my business; I am so passionate about fashion. It is difficult for me to do any other thing. Power has been frustrating.

What would you not want to be seen wearing?

I like clothes that suit my body. I don’t wear clothes that would expose my private parts. I don’t wear mini-skirts at all.

Didn’t you wear them even when you were single?

I didn’t. I don’t know why. I just don’t like them.

Can you design such clothes?

Why not? It is my job to do so. I can design for people but I cannot wear them. I wear short skirts but mini and micro-mini skirts are the ones I cannot wear. You can never find me wearing them.

But you can make clothes that reveal the cleavage?

I can for my clients. All I can do is advise the client and I am very diplomatic about it because when you advise some clients, they question why you should dictate what they must wear for them. I can design anything for anybody.

Can you wear cleavage revealing dresses?

I can. I think I have worn cleavage revealing clothes before. But if I must wear them, then I would have a veil with me.

Are you daring when it comes to fashion?

Yes I am. I am very daring when it comes to fashion but not when it comes to exposing my private parts. I am very daring but I have to be modest because I am a Christian. I dress very modestly but I am also very fashionable with it.

How do you apply your make-up?

I am not a make-up person. It is either no make-up at all or light make-up. I use light make-up when I am going out but when I am at work, I do not use make-up at all because I don’t have time and I am very busy. I am not just a make-up person; it is usually extremely light if I have to wear make-up.

What do you think about casual dressing?

I like wearing casual clothing. I love jeans and I wear them often because it is comfortable.

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Victor Olaotan is a veteran actor and lead character of the popular soap opera, Tinsel. He tells ADEMOLA OLONILUA about his fashion side

At your age, you have often been seen stepping out in trendy fashion styles like colour blocking. How do you stay in touch with current fashion trends?

I grew up with a mother who is a fashionista. She used to sell perfumes, clothes and shoes. She loved to dress fashionably. So I believe I got my fashion sense from her. Even my children are fashionistas; they pick their clothes and know exactly what to wear. The television is also helping a lot to really cultivate their minds as to what is happening around the world. And for me, I try to keep the mind young as there is nothing I cannot wear. The only thing I have not done and a lot of people thought I would do – being a radical fashion-conscious person – is that I should be wearing earrings, but I don’t think I would wear that. Apart from that, there is nothing else I don’t wear. I wear pencil jeans, I colour block with socks; sometimes my tie is what I want to flaunt. Basically, one should keep in touch with what is out there. Age should not be a barrier to looking good.

Your hairstyle looks like that of Wole Soyinka. Is it a fashion identity for your clique while you were a youth?

I actually studied in the Theater Arts Department in the University of Ibadan with Wole Soyinka. We both attended the same school, but I think our hairstyles are different. I don’t think anybody planned it. If you notice, all the guys that were into entertainment then kept their hairs I believe God gave us hair for a reason. I am surprised when I see young people that choose to go bald. The hair is serving a purpose on our heads and that is my philosophy. I believe in keeping everything natural and I have always grown an afro, I used to be a footballer and the afro style used to help me head the ball very well when it was turning grey, I never did anything to it; I think it is my mother’s side of the family. They always go grey quickly and even at my age now, my grey is growing quickly. It is all natural.

Can you dye your hair or go bald?

When I was in the US, I was a Muslim for 10 years and I used to go bald and leave the beards, but when the 9/11 incident occurred, I had to revert to my old style because I was getting being harassed. While driving, the police would pull me over because they saw me with the beards and I was bald and wore kufi, the small round cap worn by Muslims. Automatically they thought I was a ‘Bin Laden.’ When I returned home, I was not encouraged by the Muslim community that I met, so I decided to go back to Christianity because I had a background in both religions. My grandparents were Muslims; my father was a staunch Catholic, while my mother was a Methodist. I believe you can rock any kind of look you like. For me, I can look anyhow; I can shave my beards tomorrow, I can bald my head and leave the beards. I did all these things before. At a time, I even wore dreadlocks but I did not like it and I don’t think I would do it. I used to braid my hair and leave my beards. I have done all those looks but for now, I think this is the look that suits me.

What made you switch religion?

My grandparents were Muslims and I was curious about Islam; it is the same principle, doctrine and philosophy, so I ventured into it. I believe you can be part of any of the religions; I am surprised that we have this issue of Boko Haram people become fundamentalists. The Prophet himself does not believe in fundamentalism out of ignorance

What defines your fashion sense?

I look at the trend that goes on in the US because I lived there for many years. When it comes to real fashion, you are looking at two countries and these are France and Italy. If you want quality in fashion, then you can think about England but France and Italy are the fashion countries. America picks from everybody, so I try to look at their fashion. Then I use Nigerian and British senses to judge their fashion and I pick what I feel will suit me from what they have. I don’t wear everything Americans wear because sometimes their fashion can be bogus. When you see Nigerians in America, you would know because there is a difference between the way they dress and the way we dress.

What do you like wearing?

Recently, I have been in a ‘kaftan wearing mood,’ so most times when you see me, I am wearing that outfit. They are lovely but basically I love my pencil pants, pencil jeans and even my suits are pencil pants.

But men have been advised against wearing pencil pants because it tightens the crouch area and this could be detrimental to one’s health…

No, I try not to mess with that area. My pants are all comfortable. My crouch is always very comfortable. Some of my clothes are made by designers so I let them know that I need to be very comfortable in that area. I don’t sag my pants, so I make sure they are proper.

During your days, the style in vogue was bell bottom, how come you prefer pencil pants?

We had pencil pants too; it came before the bell bottom. We were wearing them with boots and they looked very nice. We were wearing the pencil pants even with the suit. The same thing they were wearing now is what we had back then. I actually have some clothes of 20 years that I brought from the US and they match the fashion now, they are double breasted suits. Basically, I make sure my clothes are comfortable.

The process that goes into the clothes you wear makes them seem expensive. How much do you spend on your clothes?

Because of my status as a celebrity, three-quarters of what I wear, I get free. A lot of the designers sow their clothes for me to wear so that they can see how they look on me. They think when people see an older guy wearing the same fashion, they want to know who made the clothes; so some of those clothes are free.

Most Nigerian celebrities would rather opt for foreign designer brands instead of made in Nigeria products. What do you have to say to that?

If you are a fashion-minded person, you can get a carpenter to make a suit for you as long as you know what you want. You make him design it to meet your taste. A lot of Nigerian celebrities that say they cannot wear made in Nigeria clothes are just shallow minded. Some of the guys you see on the red carpet, some of those clothes are made by Nigerian designers. Our boys in the fashion industry have stepped up like their colleagues in the music industry. We need to wear Nigerian clothes so that when foreigners see them, they ask who made them. They could even be persuaded to come to the country and be a part of developing our entertainment industry.

What is your fashion weakness?

I love shoes and wristwatches. Something I used to love back in the days was jewellery but now, I don’t use them anymore. I used to have very nice jewellery but I lost them to friends and I decided that I didn’t want to spend that type of money on jewellery. I used to have very expensive jewellery. What really thrills me are fantastic, expensive watches and shoes. They get me anytime. I also love good perfumes and as we speak, I have about fifty bottles of colognes in my closet.

What is the most expensive item one would find in your closet?

Probably watches. My most expensive watch is about $10,000.

What is the fashion item your wife admires on you?

My wife is a designer; so anytime I dress, she is there to make a critique. She tells me what to wear and what not to wear and I listen to her. She is very good with colours.

What are some fashion eyesores you spot that irk you?

I see some fat Nigerian women wear jeans that do not look good on them because they don’t have the shape to complement the jeans, especially if they have knock-knees and they are wearing tight leotards. Sometimes, our women wear transparent leotards that show their underwear and some of them wear g-strings. I think that is ridiculous. Also, some people exaggerate their dressing and at the end of the day, they wear cheap and fake things. Some get their clothes from China. Although China makes some quality stuffs, they prefer to get theirs from below the line clothing. All these girls buy them and wear them to some of the best occasions and people who know quality materials and the right fashion can tell the fake from the real thing. Unfortunately, there is no more shame in the Nigerian fashion industry.

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Popular radio personality, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, talks about her fashion sense with Ademola Olonilua

Too you, is there a difference between fashion and style?

Yes there is. I believe fashion means trends while style is how you put the trends together. Style is personal.

While growing up, what did you want to become?

There were a lot of things I wanted to become while growing up. At a time, I wanted to be an actress, a beauty queen, a newscaster, a lawyer and an air hostess among many other occupations.

Were you fashionable as a kid?

I honestly have never thought of that. All I can remember is that I started insisting on picking out my clothes at age 10. I would say I was very trendy as a kid and I eagerly followed all the trends.

Whose fashion taste did you take after between your father and mother?

I took a bit from both of them. My parents are stylish, yet conservative people.

How did you become an OAP?

I studied Communication at Oakland University, Michiga. Then I moved back to Nigeria after graduation for my youth service. I served with the Nigerian Television Authority, Victoria Island where I was a junior reporter covering stories for the nationwide news and Newsline. I applied for a part time job at Cool FM as I still continued with my full time job at NTA. I got a position in the news department at CoolFM editing the news bulletin. One day, I walked into the studio to drop off the news and I engaged Dan Foster in a conversation. He thought I was smart and interesting and he gave me a pair of headphones and said ‘Let’s go on air.’ We had a great time on air and I thought it was a one-time thing but the following day, he came to get me from the news department and that’s how I became his co-host on The Good Morning Nigeria Show till I got my own show.

What challenges have you faced building your brand?

It has been quite a journey. In March 2015, I would mark 10 years anniversary on air. I have seen artistes and OAS that have come and gone. Trends in the entertainment industry come and go. It has been a pleasant journey for me. What I constantly do is challenge myself to be better, to build my brand and continue to do things others have not done. The industry has changed. I have remained myself but I keep evolving and getting better at my craft.

Would you say your career has influenced your fashion sense?

A few years ago, radio OAPs were rarely seen but these days, you have to be seen. Being seen means paying more attention to your clothes, hair, make-up and accessories. I now have a team of stylists responsible for my make-up, hair, and wardrobe to take care of my general appearance.

You have a flare for fashion. How did that come about?

I would say it is because I like colours and nice fabrics. I love beautiful shapes and silhouettes.

Being a dark skinned lady, what is your take on ladies that bleach their skin?

I am totally against bleaching. Unfortunately, some of these ladies claim bleaching makes them more attractive which is not necessarily so.

If given the opportunity to alter any part of your body, making it bigger or smaller, which part would it be?

I would like a smaller waist and I’m already working on it by exercising regularly.

When it comes to your body, which do you see as assets?

My entire body is an asset to me.

What are the fashion items you admire on a man?

Nothing in particular, as long as he looks nice and the clothes he wears fit well. I always notice nice shoes.

What’s your favourite hairstyle?

Any hairstyle I don’t have to spend a lot of time on in the morning. I’m not one of those ladies who like spending hours in front of the mirror with a curling iron in hand. Low maintenance hair works for me.

So how long does it take to make your hair?

It all depends on the style. The average salon visit takes about three hours, much to my annoyance and I visit the salon every two to three weeks.

What is your take on ladies who cut their hair?

I believe it is their hair and their preference. Some ladies look better with shorter hair though.

How much can you be offered to go bald?

Go bald? For how long? Hair will always grow back. A nice sum will do, maybe N20 million.

Do you prefer looking natural or feel incomplete without make-up?

It totally depends on my mood actually. There are some days I put nothing on my face and some days I have a full face of makeup on.

What is your take on tattoos?

I believe it is your body and your preference. I have seen some beautiful tattoos and some terrible ones as well.

Do you have any?

Can you get one?

Yes, if I want to.

To you, is fashion about dressing alone or much more?

Fashion encompasses all, clothes, shoes, makeup, fabric. Style is how you put it together.

Do you patronise Nigerian designers and how often?

I do that almost all the time. I have worn clothes from April by Kunbi, Toju Foyeh, CLAN, Grey etc. They are all talented designers.

Some believe it is not classy wearing made in Nigeria brands. Do you subscribe to such thoughts?

That’s ridiculous because we have many Nigerian brands producing international standard garments.

Which Nigerian male celebrity are you crazy about his fashion sense?

Honestly, none.

Do you prefer labels or bespoke wears?

I go for whatever fits well.

What influences your fashion statement?

My mood; it depends on my mood and the dress code for the event.

Is there any fashion item you can’t leave home without?

Nice shoes. I have always loved shoes. I would spend money on nice shoes before I buy a nice dress.

What’s the most expensive item you own and how much did it cost?

Shoes are the most expensive items I own but I won’t say how much.

What is your fashion weakness?

It has to be shoes. I really love good and beautiful shoes.

How many pairs of shoes do you have?

I recently bought more. I have to count again.

What is your take on ladies exposing their cleavage and wearing skimpy and tight dresses?

Anyone is free to dress how they like. If a lady likes skimpy outfits, let her be. It is her style and her body.

When stepping out for an event, what are the things you consider?

What sort of event it is, what time of the day, average duration and the parking situation. If it’s a place where I have to park my car far away and walk for a long time before I get to the venue, I will think twice about the sort of shoes I will wear.

Describe your typical day.

Busy. I’m usually up by 5am and my day starts almost immediately. I don’t go to bed till late at night about 1am or 2 am. There is normally so much to be done and so little time! Meetings, proposals, emails to be sent or replied and my radio show.

Have you considered venturing into other aspects of entertainment like being a singer or an actress?

I have considered acting. I have been offered a few acting roles but I just haven’t accepted any yet.

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Singer, Alariwo of Africa tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo why he wears only African fabrics

We know you as one artiste who must always dress African, has that concept changed?

It can never change. I wear only African fabrics.

Why has it always been like that?

The reason is simple. I am so proud to be African. I am a proud Nigerian. When you dress African and travel abroad, people look at you in admiration. They always turn to give you a second glance. I went for London Fashion Week and so many people wanted to take pictures with me because they loved what I was putting on. It is good for a white man to appreciate what you have that he doesn’t have.

So, you don’t wear suits?

I make suits and shirts with the African fabrics. It makes me stand out each time I am at an event. I love African fabrics. This is something I have been wearing for more than 25 years. I have so many suits and they are made with Ankara fabrics.

Are you saying we can’t catch you wearing a chinos pants or jeans?

I do wear chinos and jeans. But I have to wear a top that is African. The thing is that I can never be western all through. If I wear a T-shirt, my trousers will definitely be sewn in Ankara. My name is Alariwo of Africa. Even if I am wearing jeans, the T-shirt must be African. I have so many tie and dye T-shirts that are really nice. I can never be seen wearing English designs all through.

So you don’t patronise foreign designer labels?

I don’t have anything to do with them. I have respect for Nigerian designers. My elder brother is a fashion designer and he designs my clothes. I also have an uncle, Vivid Imaginations, who is also good. Mudi is my friend and he makes my suits. I have a local tailor who also makes clothes for me and he is very good. If I run into beautiful designs, I buy them. I went to Ghana recently and I entered a shop that had lovely stuffs, so I had to buy fabrics that were worth over N200, 000.

How come you don’t wear dreadlocks?

I have never worn dreadlocks in my life and I don’t intend to. I am not against those who wear dreadlocks. But I weave my hair if I want to shoot a video. I weave my hair because I am African. I started it long time ago. I love weaving my hair. It makes my hair stronger. It makes it more African and it makes my skull stronger.

What of tattoo and body piercing?

No way! I was created by God and I appreciate the way He created me. Tatoo is never my portion. I reject piercing and I will never do it. The people who indulge in such know why they do it. But I will never be a part of it.

Do you have other passion craze?

If you give me a pair of sandals, wristwatch or perfume, I will never forget you. I spend so much money on these items. I am a wristwatch freak. I have so many of them. I love perfumes like craze. I use 1881 and so many others. Even if my clothe is okirika, I must wear a good perfume and I must wear a beautiful pair of sandals. I wear shoes only when I have an event to anchor.

Do you follow trend?

I don’t do anything that is in vogue. The only thing that I ever did that was trending was to buy a Blackberry phone and it was out of pressure that I bought it. Following trend is very funny to me. I have always been me. I don’t like what is reigning. If you are driving a N10m car and I am driving a N1m car, they are the same; car is car. I always do my thing without looking at anybody.

But you are in show business?

The show in the business is becoming too fake. It is better for you to be real. It is out of shame that most people follow the trend even when they cannot afford it. The phones that members of my staff are using are more expensive than mine. I am a very casual person. If I am in a taxi and I am late for an appointment, I will hop down and take an okada. It is when you are not driving that people see you the most. When you are in your car, nobody notices you. If I am hungry, I go to any buka and eat, I don’t have to pretend.

But all this is called ‘packaging.’

What am I packaging? You have to remain simple and down to earth all the time. We should all try and stop pretending. Over ‘packaging’ is what is actually killing us in the entertainment industry. A lot of us are very fake. I am not ready to borrow a car and claim it is my own. What I don’t have, I don’t claim it is my own.

Nobody is hearing about you again, what is happening to your music career?

I just finished shooting my music video featuring Pasuma and Lord of Ajasa. I took my time. I have been doing stuff basically outside the country. The kind of music I do is basically appreciated over there than here. I run a consulting firm and I have an entertainment firm.

We learnt you just got an endorsement deal, how true is that?

It is true. There is this company that is into importation of Spanish wine. I am the brand ambassador. It is not always good to be noisy. Musically, I am coming slowly and surely. My album is coming out soon. I will shoot another video in August. The last album I released was in 2010.

Are you now in the movies as well?

Oh yes. I just shot a movie with my mentor, Femi Lasode. I have been getting offers to feature in so many movies but I keep turning them down because most of the movies we do in Nigeria are stereotyped. But when my boss invited me to do his movie, I had to do it. His movies are always epic. I was in the movie alongside Clarion Chukwurah, Jide Kosoko, Eddie Ugbomah and some others.

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Singer, Muma Gee, tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo about her fashion and style

Your hair is always full; you must have invested so much in it?

I agree. I invest a lot in my hair. A lot of cash, energy and time go into my hair. It takes like eight hours to get my hair done. Basically, it is a special and patient person that can do my hair. Not everybody has the patience or can be meticulous enough to do my hair.

On the average, how much goes into your hair?

The hair piece alone costs a lot of money, especially in these days of human hair. I normally use 11 packs of human hair and each piece is not less than N60, 000. At the end of the day, I end up spending about N500, 000 to do my hair at once.

Do you have to wear such a hair-do because you are an artiste?

It is my style. I like to have that kind of personality. I just want a particular kind of look. At times, my hair might look scanty but a lot would have gone into it.

How long does each hair do last?

It usually lasts three weeks to one month or even less. If I have to do a photo shoot or something that would require my wearing a different look, then I make another hair.

You make hair for N500, 000 and loosen it after one month?

Don’t get me wrong. It is actually the hair pieces that can go for that amount and those hair pieces can last for years. I have had hair extensions that have lasted for over 10 years. Each time I remove the weaves, I take it to hair companies and they treat the hair and they are as good as new.

Have you or will you ever wear low cut hair?

I have never worn low cut, even as a child. A woman’s hair is her grace and glory. Even though I am an artiste, I am a born-again Christian and my Bible tells me a woman’s hair is very precious. I have never cut my hair. Even now my hair is as long as 20 inches and it is very black. But I don’t carry my natural hair at all.

Even apart from your hair, your dressing is outrageous…

I influence the production of what I wear. I don’t even buy clothes because I make them. I buy more of shoes and bags.

How many pairs of shoes do you have?

I have about 500 pairs and still counting. There are some I have not worn for over two years and they are still trendy, I love heels.

How daring can you get when it comes to your fashion?

I used to be very daring but with my current status as a wife and mother, I am not that daring any longer. Gone are the days when I had to dress crazily because I am an artiste. Now, I am crazy but with a touch of class. Then, nobody cared about class, you just wanted to be crazy and be an artiste and dress like one. Now, I am a CEO and I have to dress responsibly. Even as I wear full hair, I still have to pack my hair. As a housewife, I wrap it up somehow. But when I am on stage, I can go wild. It depends on the kind of show anyway. If it is a corporate show, I have to look responsible and wear a classy dress. At a time in my career, I couldn’t care if the event was classy or corporate; I just came out as Muma Gee. Now, I have to depict the mood of the event.

Even in your ‘craziness,’ are there things you cannot be caught dead wearing?

I don’t think I can wear micro mini. I don’t think I should expose the contours I should protect as a woman. I don’t expose my boobs and other sensitive parts of my body. No way! I don’t believe in that school of thought. But then, I remember there was this Christmas carol event organised by Ovation Magazine when I wore an extremely micro mini skirt.

Why?

I think we were all given uniforms. Everybody was going to wear the same thing and I wanted to be different. With my level of understanding now, I could have been different in a different way. But I had bow legs and I wanted to flaunt my bow legs for the first time so I even wore black tights under the skirt and the fashion police snapped me. Some said I exposed my private parts but that is not true. I wore black tights and that was what was in the picture.

Apart from that, have you made other fashion mistakes?

I have committed fashion blunders several times. Looking back at some pictures I took, there were some I looked like a lion with the hair style especially in that era where there were no human hair extensions. I wore beads over and over that I would have turned to beads. I think I have made many fashion mistakes. But I know that I have never worn the wrong thing to an event before but I could be overbearing.

What of now?

Now, I am a typical lady. I don’t make such mistakes.

Do you indulge in perfumes?

Yes but I could wear one perfume for five years. I am a very committed person. When I do something, I try to do it well. I am dedicated when it comes to perfumes; I don’t jump from one to another. I am not the experimental type either. Probably that is why it is reflecting in my marriage. When I am with you, I am with you and if I am not with you, I am gone for good. I don’t share. I am only adventurous with clothes and colours.

Why don’t you wear tattoos?

I am sorry to say this but I believe tattoos are evil. I might be naive and I am not trying to be hypocritical. You leave your skin in the hands of another person and you don’t know what the person is hiding under that inscription on your body. You don’t know when you are given a mark that God wouldn’t want you to have. I don’t wear it and I don’t intend to. If I must wear tattoo, it must be temporary and just for the show of it.

That means you don’t subscribe to cosmetic surgery.

If it is corrective surgery, I don’t think it is bad. But I don’t believe in unnatural things. I don’t like fake things. I don’t believe in fake boobs and butts. The little you have, God has complemented you with what you have, so you should be contented with those ones.

But people say you are a fake person…

It is quite unfortunate. I don’t know why people see me as a fake person but I don’t believe in such. People think I faked my age and lied that I was younger than my real age. Everybody in the industry claims they are ‘20’ and because people have been hearing about me for a long time, they think I should be 70. I am unfortunate in things like that. During the celebrity Gulder Ultimate Search, some of the contestants said I was fake because I came to the forest with my make-up kit.

Do you love make-up so much to go to the jungle with it?

I like to be real, I am myself. Sincerely, I sleep and wake up with my make-up on.

Why do you sleep with make-up?

I say to people that I make-up and go to bed in case I die in my sleep, I want to still look beautiful. As a nursing mother, I could leave the house without make-up but not completely. I must have my powder. When you see my face look bare, I am wearing make-up. I cannot sleep and wake up and take my bath without wearing make-up. Even before I come out of the bathroom, I would have had my first make-up on.

How long does it take you to dress up?

It takes me an average of three hours to dress up. If it is a red carpet event, it takes me all day to dress up. I would need to fix up myself. I would need to give myself a treat and pamper myself. But if I have a meeting to attend, I have to start dressing up at least three hours to the time I leave for the meeting.

What is happening to your lingerie business?

After a while, I decided to go on a higher level of that business. I travelled abroad to investigate how I could produce the wear abroad. We now have locally made ones and the ones done in Bangkok. But I also realised I have been so much a musician that I needed to be educated on how to market the products. I decided to take a break and I have gone back to school to study Marketing at Rivers State Polytechnic.

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Nollywood actress, Benita Nzeribe, tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo about her style and fashion

How would you describe your style and fashion?

My style is me and my fashion goes beyond that. A lot of things come to play when I consider my fashion. I look at the weather of the country I am in. If it is hot or cold, it changes my fashion. But my style is anything I am comfortable in. That something is in vogue doesn’t mean it must gel with me. I must consider Benita before I wear anything. My fashion is determined by occasion, the country and comfort.

So, you don’t always follow the trend since you said what is in vogue may not necessarily gel with you?

I am trendy and I am not against people who follow trends. But my trendiness must flow with what I am comfortable with and my style. If what is trending doesn’t suit my style, then it is not for me. What flatters Miss A mustn’t flatter Benita and what flatters Benita mustn’t flatter Miss A. I always have this at the back of my mind. Each time I have to follow the trend, it must bring out the best in me.

Would you have given attention to your fashion and style if you weren’t an actress?

If I weren’t an actress, I would just be me. I don’t really go out of my way to look good. Being an actress doesn’t change who I am. I don’t try to impress or live above my means. I always go with what I am comfortable with. Even if I weren’t an actress, I still would have been trendy. Trendiness is in me.

As much as comfort is paramount to your fashion and style, are you daring in your style as well?

I should think so. But I always have it at the back of my mind that I am an African woman. There is a limit to what I can wear. I can be crazy but I can’t look stupid. There is a way you want to dress crazy but you will just end up looking stupid. Instead of people admiring you, they will see your looks as being off-putting. So there is a limit I must go if I want to dress crazy.

Do you have a fashion craze?

Yes and no. I am just in-between. I am neither here nor there. I can admire certain things on people but I might not go out of my way to get that thing.

Do you prefer pants or skirts?

Anybody who knows me should know that I love dresses. I wear them a lot. I wear jeans when I have to be causal. I am a dress person. My wardrobe is filled with so many dresses.

Have you done anything crazy to your hair before?

I don’t think I have done anything really crazy to my hair. I have not tinted my hair green or red. The colours I use are usually calm. I wouldn’t call them crazy. I have not done anything wild to my hair. I have not considered cropping my hair before. If the need arises, I will know what to do. And even if I must shave off my hair, it has to be for professional reasons. I am a professional to the core but with ‘proper arrangement,’ I will consider shaving off my hair.

Do you prefer wearing hair extensions to braids?

I do both. At times, I wear weaves and at times, I wear braids. At the moment, I am wearing braids. It just depends on what I feel like wearing. I mustn’t stick to one.

Does so much money go into your hair?

It is moderate, nothing much. I am not exorbitant. I give my hair the nourishment it deserves but I don’t overdo it. When you do so much stuff on your hair, I think it kills your hair. At times, I wear my natural hair and allow my hair to breathe for a while.

How long do you carry a particular hair-do?

If I am wearing hair extension, I can carry it for slightly more than a week. This country is hot. I can’t wear a particular weaves for more than 10 days, it would be a miracle.

Do you wear tattoos?

I just have one tattoo somewhere. You will not see it unless I show you. But if I want it to show, I know the kind of dress I will put on. I am not into body piercing; that is not my style.

Have you been a victim of the fashion police on the red carpet before?

I think it should be in my earlier days or when I was a teenager. I really can’t pinpoint the event. I wore something thinking it was cool, but it was very bad.

Can we see you outside with a make-up free face?

Oh yes. Naturally, I don’t even love make-up that much. If I am going to location, I go bare, I don’t wear any make-up until I am about to go on set and the make-up artiste does her job. When I don’t have an important place to go, I don’t wear heavy make-up. I just put on powder slightly. I have an oily face so the powder helps to dry it. Heavy-make up is cumbersome, so you don’t bother with it.

What do you think nobody will catch you wearing dead or alive?

You can never catch me wearing a winter jacket in Nigeria or ankle boots in this country. It must be a dream if you see me wearing such or it must be a comedy film. It amazes me when I see people wear such in this hot weather in Nigeria.

Do you dress African?

I do. I love wearing African designs. I am African and I am proud of it. I love wearing my Ankara.

Who makes your clothes?

I do my shopping in and outside Nigeria. I am not one of those who must travel out of this country to shop. But if it is native attire, I have a designer who is very good. He is not known but he makes what I like.

Must your shoes be the same colour as your bag? Do you mix and match?

I colour-block but it has to be sensible colour blocking, it mustn’t be way off. I must not wear red on red but something close to it. Sometimes, they might look like same colour but when you really look at it, you will find out that it is not same at all.

Are there times you feel like dressing down?

If I must attend an event, I must be comfortable. I must look good and my personality must be impressive. It mustn’t be about wearing one bogus dress. My dress is part of me. I don’t have to be clumsy.

Do you love jewellery like most ladies?

I am not so much into it. I have my earrings and my bangles. I have my necklace. I used to do ankle chain but I stopped wearing it for a long time. I used to wear waist chain as well. I have stopped it.

Do you consider Nigerians as fashionable people?

We try a lot. But considering our weather, there are things we wear that we shouldn’t wear, especially since our climate is hot. There are other ways to look corporate than wearing suit and tie in the scorching sun.

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Yoruba movie actress, Biodun Okeowo, tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo about her fashion and style

Did you become so fashionable because of your line of duty?

No. Naturally, I love to look good all the time. I make sure I dress well no matter the event. But then, as an actress, I am a role model. A lot of people look up to me. My job only enhances my style.

Is your style ‘anything goes?’

I can say that I am not a designer freak. I wear what suits me. It mustn’t be a designer as long as that thing is fine. Even designers started from somewhere. As Africans we need to be proud of our designs and our local designers. We need to make them grow. But then, when I see a label that I really like, I go for it. There is no hard and fast rule about it. I don’t know if I should call myself a ‘serial’ buyer. I buy anything I see. If I see something I like and the money I have with me is for something else, I wouldn’t mind using it to buy that thing. I buy every day.

You are always seen in afro hair style, why?

My best hair style is braids. I do ‘Ghana weaving’ but I don’t do it often because it cuts the front line of my hair. I had to reduce the number of times I do it. But I wear afro because I have a small frame. I use the afro hair to bring out my small frame so that I could look slightly bigger. But these days, I am more mature. I don’t think I need an afro hair to look big. I carry afro just once in a while now.

Have you ever thought of cropping your hair?

Oh yes. I have even done it twice. I just wanted to change my looks. I think it was in 2012 and I carried the hair style for a while.

Have you thought of doing crazier things to your hair?

The only crazy thing I did was when I tinted my hair to gold. That was when I was wearing cropped hair. There was also a time I was rocking red wig.

How often do you make your hair?

I make my hair twice in a month. It depends on whether I am going on set. But if I am so busy, I wear wig.

Does so much money go into your hair?

Oh yes but I am trying to cut it down. There are more important things to do with money. I have had enough. I don’t intend to say how much goes into the hair.

Why do you like wearing skimpy clothes?

Well, it depends on where I am going. I can’t be going to a serious function and I wear skimpy clothes. I can only wear mini gown. But I have to be covered to an extent. It won’t be revealing but it would be short. Basically, I love wearing short clothes.

Do you mean all kinds of short attires including knickers and gowns?

I wear short dresses to functions but I can’t wear knickers.

Do you wear short attires because you want to show off your legs?

Do I have straight legs? I don’t think I have straight legs unless you are telling me. I just love wearing short clothes.

Is there anything you don’t like wearing?

I hate ‘three quarter’ dresses. If my cloth has to be long, then let it be long and if it has to be short, let it be short. There shouldn’t be any in between. So you can’t see me wearing three quarter dresses, I hate them.

Do you invest so much in foot wears?

I have so many foot wears. I mustn’t tell you how many I have. In fact, I hate revealing that. All I know is that I have so many.

Are they all high heels?

No. when I am on set, I wear high heels if the script requires me to wear one. If I am going for a function, I must wear high heel shoes. I only wear lower heels and flats when I go for children’s birthday or other petty functions.

How come you don’t have a tattoo?

I don’t like it at all. I have never thought of having tattoos on my body and I don’t think I will ever do it. I can’t even pierce my body unnecessarily. I call such hard fashion and I cannot be a party to that. I can’t even wear contact lenses. I don’t do extreme things.

Do you wear things in vogue?

I don’t follow trends. I am a trend setter. Some people will tell you this and that are fashion rules. I don’t always follow such. I am an entertainer. Anything I wear should be a trend for people. Anything I do is ‘wonder.’ People try to copy me all the time. Knot wrapper is in vogue now, I was among the first set of people to rock that style. If they say this is how something should be worn, I would wear it the other way and I don’t care if people abuse me. I know my fans will love me and copy my style such. It is people who set trends. Trends just don’t grow on trees. It didn’t come from heaven. So what stops me from setting trends so that others can follow?

Does it mean you have not made fashion mistake since you say you are a trend-setter?

I have made mistakes and I think I have done that countless times. Nobody is perfect. We were not born with fashion. We tend to make mistakes. But at times, even if the mistake is pointed out, you can stylishly say you purposely wear it that way as your style.

You seem to love make-up a lot…

I love it but at times, I don’t wear it at all. I only wear make-up when I am going for an event or when I am going on set. I love wearing natural looks. Outside location and parties, I rarely wear a make-up.

Is there any special way you dress that makes you stand out at an event?

I don’t think it is the dress that makes one to stand out. For me, I think it is my shape that makes me stand out. I and my friends could be rocking the same attire but people would appreciate me. So I think it is one’s personality, shape and carriage that make somebody to stand out. If I wear simple stuff, it would still wow some people. How you dress matters though. There are some dresses that are so loud and you will not fail to be noticed.

Do you think Nigerians dress well?

We dress well. You don’t expect me to say the contrary. Nigerian ladies love fashion.

How would you want your ideal man to dress?

Let him wear anything that suits him, anything that makes him comfortable. I don’t have a particular dress code for my man but I love men who wear African print shirts.

Would you encourage your man to sag his pants?

No way! I am not a fan of sagging. I don’t like it, especially for elderly men.

Do you wear African designs?

I wear them a lot. I make them into fashionable designs and not the traditional iro and buba.

Can you put a cost on what you wear from head to toe?

I know I don’t joke with my shoes and my handbags. They are always expensive. I don’t like to say how much I wear but on the average, it cannot be less than N200, 000.

What kind of jewellery do you like?

I don’t like wearing gold but that doesn’t mean I don’t have one or two. I prefer costume jewellery. I also wear beads but they must have good quality.

What do you really like wearing?

I wear casuals a lot. I wear shorts, boubou, flowing dresses.

What is predominant in your closet?

My shoes are more than my bags. My shoes are not as expensive as my bags. My dresses are more than my shoes as well.

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Fashion designer, Mai Atafo, tells Ademola Olonilua why he left the corporate industry to become a fashion designer

Why are you always clean shaven?

When I shaved my hair a long time ago, my girlfriend at the time decided to marry me. So in order to keep her, I thought that I should maintain the hair style. I like it because I think it is easier to maintain. I think that as you grow older, you tend to do things that you are more comfortable with. I am not that comfortable with my beard but my wife likes it. I am growing it for her but at the end of the year, I am taking it off. I have kept it for two years and that was our deal.

You are always wearing three piece suits. How many of them do you have in your wardrobe?

If I tell you I do not know, that would be the truth. Apart from my wardrobe in the house, I have another one in the office. As I make suits for clients, I make for myself which I keep in my personal wardrobe in the office. So I don’t know the number of suits that I have but, I don’t think I have less than 30 suits.

How come you hardly wear African attire?

I do wear natives and I make them too. Funny enough, the time I wear them are not the times I make public appearances. Most times I wear them when I go to church and these days, I wear them on Fridays.

What was your recent fashion show, Savilrow, about?

I would take you back to history; the English man makes the suits. There is a street in Mayfair, London, called Savilrow. It is a street known for producing the best suits in the world, literally. That craftsmanship has been going on for over 200 years. What they have done is, as time goes by, they try to modify the way the suits are made to suit recent trends and comfort. It is supposed to be a master-school for suits making. What I did recently is that I brought to Nigeria a master tailor, who has over thirty years of experience in making suits on Savilrow to train me and my guys for two weeks on how to make perfect Savilrow English bespoke suits. He came here with all the tricks of the trade and he trained us on exactly how to cut a suit. If you can cut a suit to international standard, then you are making a suit for the world. I try to be the best there is in the world. I don’t see Nigeria as my boundary, I see the world as my village and I want the whole village to know about me. The man I brought has made clothes for everyone in the royal family apart from the queen, top actors like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, among others. Right now, we are Savilrow Academy certified, the only one in Africa. It means that the suits we make are better, lighter and more comfortable. We spend 80 hours making a suit but the end result justifies the means.

How did you get into fashion designing?

I was not one of those that had an interesting story. I just loved nice clothes as a young person but I did not go into fashion designing like that. I studied Agricultural Economy and Extension for my first degree at Edo State University and my second degree was at City University, London, where I studied Information System Technology. I got back into the country in 2002 and I worked with the British American Tobacco for about four years. Then I moved to Guinness Nigeria Plc where I worked for about four years. I left there in 2010 as senior brand manager before I went into fashion full time. I started the fashion business when I was in Guinness but when I could no longer combine the two, I decided to go for fashion full time.

How did you cope with the change, leaving a reputable job to becoming a fashion designer?

There were times I was down and asked myself if I made the right decision. I came in from a very mediocre point whereby I loved what I was doing and I went to do it. But fashion is not just a passion; it is a business. As long as you are not on top of your game business-wise, you are just making a fool of yourself. The most important thing in fashion is that you design things and people buy, give you money so that you can do more. Without that exchange of money, nothing is going to happen to you. People look at it as making clothes but they are wrong. You are making money, you are a trader who trades in clothing. I call myself a trader, I make clothes to sell. The most important thing is that you are a businessman. When I left Guinness to pursue this, I did not go to pursue only business but a passion. The only thing that kills passion is poverty.

How come you make clothes mostly for celebrities?

It is because they like what I do. They come to me, I don’t go to them. Everybody likes beautiful things, when they see beautiful things, they want them, when they want a beautiful thing, they come to me and that is the true story. There is nobody that I have clothed right now that I have actually gone to knock at their door asking them to wear my stuff. I don’t think that there is anybody that has a name that I have not clothed in the industry.

When it comes to fashion, what is your weakness?

It changes. At a point in time, it was my glasses but I think now it is my shoes.

What is the highest amount you have paid for a pair of shoes?

I am not very lavish when it comes to things like that, the most expensive pair of shoes I have bought cost about £300 and that is about N75,000. I am very prudent when it comes to spending

Your line of work makes you deal with a lot of women, doesn’t your wife feel threatened?

Think about it this way, if your job entails you work with a lot of men, would your wife think you are a gay? I think everything boils down to the individual. If you are put in a situation whereby there could be compromise, it would have to depend on you. If you work in a brewery, it does not make you a drunk, neither are you a chain smoker because you work in a tobacco factory. That you work with a lot of women does not mean you should be frivolous. It depends on you at the end of the day. Anybody can exercise an element of fear sometimes but I think it largely depends on the individual.

What were the challenges you faced starting your business?

To start with, there was no platform to be mentored or mentor people about fashion. Apart from that, there is no support from the government and power supply is my biggest problem. All my machines are industrial machines and they need to keep working so I pay at least N200, 000 every month to make sure I have power.

When stepping out for an occasion, what do you bear in mind?

I dress for the occasion. Whatever the function is, I know what it is and make sure my dressing suits that.

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MTN Project Fame host, Adora Oleh, tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo about her fashion and style.

Would you consider yourself a fashionable person?

Yes I’d say so, I love clothes and accessories, but I prefer to create my own style. I’d say I am fashionable but I don’t like to be a slave to fashion, I wear clothes that complement my body and I try not to follow too many trends.

Do you dress up because of the job or you are naturally a stylish person?

I like dressing up, or as I like to call it, making an effort. I’m definitely at an advantage because of my jobs, I’m able to access and work with different stylists to create great looks for TV. When I’m not working, I’ll always make an effort.

Would you know the number of shoes you have?

I have a lot, but I’ve never counted how many exact pairs of shoes I have as I think it’s just a weird thing to do. I’d never allocate time to counting shoes.

Do you prefer pants or skirts?

It depends on the occasion.

How daring can you go when it comes to dressing up?

It still depends on the occasion. I might not necessarily.

Are you a perfume freak?

I absolutely love perfume; I actually don’t feel dressed if I haven’t sprayed myself with it. It completes every outfit, it’s invisible, yet powerful; and it’s with you anywhere you go. If I’m stressed, relaxed, or on the run, it’s my constant sweet smelling companion.

What has been the craziest stuff you have ever done to your hair?

I experiment more during photo-shoots. I’m not really a crazy hairstyle kind of girl. At times I’m in the mood to experiment, but then I think it best to leave it to Rihanna.

Have you ever considered shaving off your hair?

No, never. I’ve been told that I have a nice shaped head that could probably carry off the look, but I would never have the guts to see if it was true.

Do you subscribe to body piercing and tattoos?

My attitude to a question like this is to leave those who do that to have their choice; live and let live. I do think tattoos can look great on a particular type of body.

Would you love to indulge in cosmetic surgery?

At this moment in time, I can honestly say no, but ask me again in 15 years, the answers might be yes. I’m very happy with my looks; I’ve always looked after my skin and I work hard in working out daily to try and achieve optimum health but if I had to, I’d probably opt for a number of skin care products or a non-surgical cosmetic procedure.

Have you made fashion mistake before?

(Laughing) Yes. But at the time, you don’t consider it a mistake, it only becomes a mistake for me when I look back at old pictures and I say to myself, “what on earth was I thinking;” “Did I really go out of my house like that?”

What can’t we ever catch you wearing?

You’d never catch me wearing corcs sandals or a denim jacket.

Do you love dressing African?

Absolutely. I love to experiment with different Ankara styles. The vibrancy of the colours and designs is what makes African fashion unique and irreplaceable; it always makes you feel good too.

Do you think Nigerian ladies are fashionable?

Sure, as a Nigerian lady myself, I can say that we definitely like to indulge in fashion and whatever trend suits us.

Do you always follow trends?

Not all the time, I do follow some trends but overall, I think trends are getting shorter and quicker, fashion moves so quickly you’ve got to be careful not to get lost in the sea of trends nowadays. I remember when I was younger, a fashion style or trend lasted much longer. Now a certain style can be ‘in’ and ‘out’ in a few weeks.

Can we see you stepping out without make-up?

I’m always stepping out without makeup, when I work out or have errands to run. I will not be a slave to my studio fix.

What do you do at the moment?

I’ll be co-hosting MTN Project Fame West Africa six years on which I’m looking forward to very much. I continue to work on my talk show The Adora Oleh Show that will be coming to a new channel very soon which I’m also very excited about. Also working on some TV projects in America.

We learnt you featured in a soon-to-be released movie?

(Smiling) Ok, so I have to set the record straight, when I posted that Instagram picture saying that I’m making my acting debut, it was actually for Dr. Sid’s new music video, Baby Tornado Remix featuring Alexandra Burke. There were quite a few celebrity cameos in that video and as my brother, Uzo Oleh, directed the video, he thought it would be a good idea if I was in it too. I play Dr. Sid’s mum at the beginning of the video. (Laughing) It was a lot of fun.

What part of your job do you love most?

Presenting and interviewing; the talking and engaging; the investigating, asking questions, meeting people and getting to know someone through the progression of the interview is always so much fun. I love it and I always will.

Are you fulfilled?

Yes. I wake up each morning ready to face the world and thankful for being given another day, I’m happy with most things I do and I believe that I’m living my life to the fullest.

What more do you hope to achieve

I’m working on a few TV projects in America so as I work on them I pray that, that dream comes true.

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Actress and singer, Anita Joseph, shares her style secrets with ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

Do you see yourself as a fashionable person?

Oh yes. I love fashion. I have six elder sisters, so I grew up knowing fashion because my sisters are so stylish. And then, I got into the entertainment industry and it expanded. I love looking good all the time.

What fashion item do you love the most?

I am crazy about shoes, shoes and shoes. I just love shoes. I can’t count the number of shoes I have because I keep buying and buying.

What do you love wearing all the time?

It depends on the occasion. However, I love wearing trousers all the time. I love bum shorts as well. But I no longer wear bum shorts as often as I used to wear them. My butt is getting bigger so I don’t wear them all the time. sometimes, I don’t even get my size in bum shorts these days. But when I get my size, I grab them fast.

So you actually feel comfortable wearing bum shorts?

Why not? I love wearing bum shorts. But it depends on where I am going. I can’t wear bum shorts to go to a corporate place; am I crazy? But if I am around the house or if I am going shopping, then I can wear my bum shorts. It must not always be short anyway. But if I am doing a gangster movie, I wear bum shorts.

You are known as one of the actresses that have ‘killer’ figure, do you always wear things that would accentuate your figure?

I know I have a great body. But I don’t even go out of my way to show it off. Whatever I wear suits me. Even when I wear a loose big gown, you would still see the figure. There is nothing I can do about it.

How do you feel knowing that a lot of people admire your figure?

I feel very good about it. I bless God for the shape. I thank God. I admire people who are beautiful. When I see somebody who has a beautiful body, I admire the person also.

What do you think is your best asset?

I think it is everything. I love my hips, my butt and my boobs. My boyfriend loves my lips. It is not as if he doesn’t love the other parts but he is crazy about my lips.

You also reveal your cleavage a lot…

It is not my fault most times. It depends on the clothe I am wearing. Some of my clothes just show off cleavage. I can’t wear cleavage revealing dress to church. It depends on where I am going. If the dress doesn’t fit into where I am going, I will not wear it.

You look like somebody who is very daring when it comes to fashion…

The much I can do is to wear bum shorts, if you call that daring. However, I also consider where I am going.

What of your hair?

I wear afro hairstyle and other hairstyles. There was a time I shaved off my hair. It was actually for a movie.

How much were you paid for that?

I was paid well. It was worth it. It was part of my job. The movie was ‘Azonto Classic.’

How long do you carry your hairdo?

My hairdo lasts for four days or one week. If I don’t like the style, I take it off that same day. But if I like the style so much, I carry it for two weeks but nothing more. If I have a job I am doing in between, I take it off. I can’t carry my hairdo for long. If it stays more than a week, I feel I need a change.

Do you wear wigs?

Oh yes. I love wigs. At times, I don’t make my hair, I just wear wigs. I have not less than 30 wigs in my room. I can wear any colour of wig on my hair.

Do you fix artificial nails?

I do that all the time but it has to do with the nature of my job. When I don’t have to be on location, I leave my natural nails and I don’t fix my eye lashes. I am a very natural person because I cook and I wash.

You wear tattoos as well…

I no longer like tattoos. I have tattoos but I just don’t like them again.

Are you saying you don’t indulge in them any longer?

No, I don’t. I don’t even advise people to go for tattoos again. I have fans who tell me they want to be like me. I tell them to go ahead and be like me but that they don’t tattoo their skin. Tattoo is addictive. When you do one, you would want to do two or three and it goes on and on. Before I stopped, I wanted to do around my ribs. But something just touched me and I hated tattoo. I have found out that most people try to follow what I do. I don’t want them to follow the tattoo path. I am preaching it now so that they can stop.

But what of the ones you have already?

I wish I can clean them off. I tried cleaning the one on my arms but I scratched it and it didn’t heal well. It is now scorched. Tattoo is not a good thing.

Do you always wear designers?

I wear designers a lot. But I wear other stuff but it has to be of good quality.

What can’t we see you wear?

I can’t wear a transparent dress. Any attire that would show my undergarment, I will not wear it.

But that is what is trending now, is it not surprising that you can’t wear such?

No way. You can’t see me wear it. People think Anita is crazy but I am not that crazy. I just have the crazy look. I don’t wear things in vogue. When people are rushing for trending stuff, I don’t follow them. I can only wear that when it is no longer in vogue, if I have to do it anyway.

Do you love make-up?

I love make-up only when I have to shoot a movie or when I have to attend an event. But if I am home, I don’t wear any make-up.

Do you wear waist chain/beads?

No. I used to wear waist chain but I stopped. It was sexy but I wasn’t used to it so I stopped. I don’t wear ankle chain. I have a tattoo on my leg that looks like ankle chain.

If you were to change any part of your body, which part would you change?

I love every part of my body. By His grace, I think I am okay. I don’t want to say I am perfect but I know I am not bad.

Do you always buy expensive stuffs?

I don’t go out of my way to buy expensive things. My guy always buys stuff for me whenever he travels. I buy what I can afford. I don’t do things to impress people.

Do you wear native attires?

I wear native clothes. I have tied wrapper once in my life. People started clapping for me when I stepped out.

Have you made fashion mistake before?

I don’t think I have ever made any blunder. I take my time when I dress. I don’t have a stylist. I take my time to plan what to wear any time I have to go for an event even two or three days before the event.

How long does it take you to dress up if you are going for an event?

It takes me two hours. I use one hour to make-up and another hour to wear my clothes.

How is your movie career doing now?

It has been very good. I bless God. I have so many movies that just came out and I am working on so many others. I want to be a director in the future but not now. I would rather be a director than a producer. I am focused on acting now.

What is happening to your music career?

I had to slow down on it. I have lots of job. I had to stop one career to move up with the other. It is really tedious to do the two careers together. My album will be released no matter how long it will take.

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Toyin Lawani, celebrity stylist, tells Ademola Olonilua about her fashion and style

How did you discover your passion for fashion?

I won’t say that I discovered a passion for fashion. I have always been a fashionable person since I was young, so fashion to me comes naturally. But it got to a point where I realised that I don’t want to be miserable doing what I don’t love doing for a living, so logically, the first option for me was to find solace in what I loved doing, and fashion was there for me. That is why there is no aspect of fashion I have not dived into, from retailing to styling to beauty and even wellbeing. I have always wanted to be a fashion entrepreneur.

Why did you choose to go into fashion designing?

I did not want to become one of those miserable people doing what they don’t love doing for a living, hence I opted for what I loved doing. More so, I didn’t want my talent to waste. I wanted people to benefit from my ideas and expertise. That is one of the reasons I set up my fashion academy. I have plans to do more with the talent God has given me. I went fully professional when I felt I was ready to start making money.

How often do you wear your own creations?

I wear them from time to time. This is my career and I am supposed to make money from it. How will I get clients if I don’t wear what I create? People have to see that you believe in the dream before they start to believe in you or start patronising you. I also love my creations. I only wear what I love. Right now, that is what I am wearing.

Would you say there is a clear-cut difference between being a fashion designer and a tailor?

It is a tricky question. To me, a designer is someone who creates while a tailor is someone who helps them bring their vision to life. One person can also be both. Not all designers know how to sew, but some tailors have grown to become designers.

What makes you different from any other fashion designer?

I design all my pieces from scratch to go in line with whatever the client wants, be it video or red carpet appearances, weddings, etc

How much did you sell the first cloth you made?

That was when I was 16 and it was N5000. I sold the cloth to a fellow student.

What is the most expensive item you have sold and how much did it cost?

I sold an item for N1m and it was a celebrity that bought it. My business is very lucrative, I must say.

Do you think Nigerians prefer to patronise foreign designers or Nigerian designers?

Nigerians prefer foreign designers, I noticed this very early and because my designs have the foreign feel, they love it. I don’t patronise Nigerian designers often because I even wear my own designs.

Do you have a fashion weakness?

I just love everything about fashion. I love the shoes, the bags, the clothes and even the accessories. I just love fashion. I love wearing dresses that I would feel free and I also love wearing trainers.

What is that fashion item you cannot leave home without?

I must go out with my glasses, no matter what. I don’t think I can leave home without it.

What is the most memorable fashion gift you have been given?

A fashion card and diamonds.

What are the common fashion errors Nigerians make?

Nigerians don’t pay attention to details. That is just the major fashion error we make here.

What’s your favourite hairstyle?

I don’t have a favourite in particular. I wear anything that fits me. My schedule might be tight but since I have my own salon, I do my hair every week.

What is your take on ladies exposing their cleavage and wearing skimpy dresses?

One at a time. You can’t expose both. In any case, just go for what suits you.

When stepping out for an event, what are the things you consider?

I always consider the kind of event and I consider if the dress is appropriate for the event, then I am good to go.

How much of make-up do you like?

I hate heavy makeup so I go all day without make-up except when I have to attend events.

What fashion item do you admire on a man?

I love men who wear white sneakers and expensive wrist watches

What are some fashion mistakes Nigerians make especially celebrities that irk you?

I won’t call it a fashion mistake, but I hate to see lace wig. It is nothing personal.

What are the basic fashion rules people should be aware of especially while stepping out for an event?

They should just stand out. That is all that matters.

How do you come up with your design ideas?

I am a deep thinker, I also like to think outside the box. If you have seen my designs, there is something you go back home with, it is unique.

How has it been combining work with being a mother?

It has not been easy being a mum and combining all my businesses but when you have the support of the family, it’s all good.

Would you allow your child do the kind of business you are doing?

Oh yes. I would like to keep the legacy. All parents want the best for their kids, and if this is what makes any of them happy, why not?

How would you describe the Nigerian fashion industry, has it reached its full potential?

Not yet but we are growing gradually. We will get there one day.

In your line of business, you must have been well travelled, how would you rate Nigerians in terms of fashion, how fashionable are Nigerians?

We are actually very fashionable; the good thing is that we are fearless.

You are engaged to a younger man, is there any reason you agreed to be with a younger person?

It is the will of God.

There has been criticism about your relationship with a younger man. Do such talks bother you?

No, it doesn’t really bother me.

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Popular Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson, tells Ademola Olonilua about her fashion and style

How did you get into acting?

It is a funny story actually. Sometime ago, I went to buy food somewhere close to where a movie audition was taking place. I had placed my order earlier but the food was taking so long, so I decided to wait in the car. When I was going back to take my order, a guy named Abdul stopped me and asked if I had written down my name. I didn’t know what he was talking about, so he explained it was a movie audition. I told him I came for something else. Van Vicker was also there for the audition and when the guy saw me talking to Van, he later got my number from him and called me. When I met him, he was on set, then, he gave me a script and that was how I started acting.

What was your life ambition when you were much younger?

I was into music when I was young and I listened to a lot of songs daily. I actually thought I would go into music. So, for me, entertaining people started at an early age. In school, I was always on stage whenever there was an event and everybody knew me as a musician right from my primary school to secondary. When people saw me at Miss Ghana pageant, they were surprised especially because I was dressed like a girl. I was always on stage acting like a tomboy.

At what point did you stop being a tomboy and began acting like a girl?

I would say it was when I went for Miss Ghana pageant. I won the Best Talent category with my rap when I was asked to showcase my talent. I had to stop being a tomboy because we were always wearing shoes with high heels and dresses; there was no choice for me because I had to wear them. The grooming during the competition changed me.

What was your experience during the beauty pageant?

I was very young and still a teenager as of that time. I was still writing exams to get into the university and it was very challenging for me. I was the youngest among the contestants and it changed a lot of things about me.

Who influenced you to go for the pageant?

My best friend, Karen Okata, convinced me. Somehow, people always convince me to do some things. She told me she saw a competition on the television about Miss Ghana audition and that I should go for it instead of wasting my height. I declined initially because I was a little chubby and slightly curvy. Eventually I went for it and I was told to work on my shape, and that if I was lucky, they would audition me during the zonal stage and if I passed, I would be among the final 20 girls for the main event. I decided to give it a try and I began working on my diet, grooming myself by walking in shoes with high heels.

How tall are you?

I am precisely 6 feet.

Does your height intimidate men around you?

A lot of people get intimidated even when I am shooting on set. Some of my colleagues complain a lot about my height. Anytime I wear high heeled shoes, it is like a problem because if I am being paired with people I am taller than and I wear shoes with high heels, it makes them uncomfortable. A lot of people get intimidated, guys get intimidated.

What influences your style?

Nothing influences my style; I just wake up and wear anything. I have a shop as well. My fans inspired me to open a shop. I have a lot of clothes and I just pick any of them when going out. I know what looks good on me, what complements my body and how to play around with what I wear. I don’t really follow trends. If I like the clothe and my stomach does not look too big in it, why wouldn’t I wear it? As far as you are happy with how you look, that is the most important thing. The way you look actually boosts your confidence level.

How come you do not have any tattoos or extra piercings on your body?

I don’t even like wearing earrings. I haven’t worn any earrings for about five years. I can wear them in a movie but I’m not a fan. I don’t think it adds any extra beauty to a girl. I just don’t like it, it makes me feel uncomfortable and as if I’m overdressed. It makes my face look busy and I don’t like it. I like jewellery; I love wrist watches and rings too. I do not have any tattoo mainly because of the pain. I believe I have a beautiful skin, imagine how I always brag about my legs and I put a tattoo on it, why would I do that? I would not mind getting a tattoo, writing my mother’s first name somewhere on my body but it is just not my style. It is not something I think about. I see it on people and some of them are really nice because it is artistic.

Would you say your legs are your best asset when it comes to your body?

No. I don’t think it is my best asset although it is one of my favourites. I don’t think I have a best asset. I like everything about my body. I believe everybody should say that their eyes are their best asset because without your eyes you cannot see the world. I would say my eyes are my best asset; it is actually a big deal.

How come most of your pictures online are bikini shots?

I have not heard of anybody who would go to the beach wearing jeans and a jacket. I love going to the beach and anytime I go there, I love wearing a bikini to swim. Recently, my friend had an event and the after party was at a club. In the club, I was telling my friends that I don’t know how people do it, coming to club to have fun. To start with, you cannot make a conversation with someone because you are screaming on top of your voice. I was there drinking water, I don’t smoke and everybody was looking at me as if I was a boring person. In essence, the night life is not for me becasue it does not make me happy. I don’t think you have to go to club to have a nice time. I believe having a nice time depends on the quality of people around you.

What is your favourite colour?

Pink is among my favourite colours but I love black. I don’t know but there is something about black.

How often do you go shopping?

I shop a lot; I am very guilty of shopping a lot. I may not go for bags and shoes but I love clothes. I have some that are still in my closet since last year and I have not worn them. It is not because I am keeping them for anything but because I have not got there yet. It is like there is a queue and I think it is also because of my shop. Most of the things I have in my shop, I actually handpick them. It is a business for me and that is why I have a lot of them. When I am buying goods for my shop, I could end up buying three and keep one for myself.

What is your most expensive fashion accessory?

It would be my bag. It is my Hermes bag, I am not going to say how much it cost me but it is a lot of money. You know when you buy something and then sit to ask yourself, ‘what have I done?’ It cost me that much. I am sure everybody has felt that way before.

Some months ago, people attacked you for bleaching. Did you bleach your skin?

I can’t blame anyone, ignorance sets in because people don’t get to see us one on one so they rely on what we put out for them to see. For example, anytime I post a picture online, I edit it and it tends to make me look lighter. On my Instagram account, there are pictures where I am quite dark; they are for magazine covers and I don’t do anything to them, but anytime I am posting a picture, I always use filter on Instagram and they make me look lighter. In my new movie, I look very dark and that is my real complexion. I have come to realise that people love stories like that. I guess I am the cause of the rumours but I would still keep editing my pictures before putting them online.

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Popular Nollywood actress and television personality, Ireti Doyle, tells Ademola Olonilua about her style and career

Is your style the same as your fashion?

No. Fashion is something that is transient. It is here today and gone tomorrow. Style on the other hand is innate. It is an integral part of who a person is and goes beyond what the person wears but it is captured in every facet of one’s life.

What influences your style?

The number one influence on my style is comfort. I am comfortable in my own skin and usually not in need of the added protection of ‘body armour.’ Then of course, propriety is part of it. I believe that there is an appropriate outfit for every occasion.

Were you fashionable as a kid?

I think I was although my mum would probably disagree. I remember having strong and distinct ideas about the kind of clothes I wanted to wear and how I wanted my hair done. This made my mum and I to disagree many times.

Did you take after her style?

I certainly developed my own personal style that evolved from many years of trial and error before finally understanding and coming to terms with what works and what doesn’t work for me.

How did you get into acting?

The first time I acted, I was headhunted by a very forward thinking and ambitious young lady at the time, Evelyn Obahor. I can’t remember the name of the project and I’m not sure it saw the light of the day. Subsequently, I auditioned for a role in the late Matt Dadzie’s Riddles and Hopes, in 1995 and got the role. The rest, as they say, is history.

Would you say your career has influenced your style?

Most certainly. All those red carpet events, constantly being in the public eye and scrutiny force you to up the ante. As casual as I am, when it’s time to pull out all the stops, I clean up nicely even if I say so myself.

You have a flare for fashion. How did that come about?

I think what I have is style and once that’s in place, it will invariably show through every other facet. My flair for fashion is just my intrinsic style, speaking to you through the medium of clothing and accessories.

Being a dark skinned lady, what is your take on ladies that bleach their skin?

I have no take. It is a personal choice taken by hopefully informed people. But as it is with any kind of choice comes consequences and you will be responsible for the consequences of the choices you make.

Can you bleach your skin?

I did my share of ‘toning’ when I was much younger but my skin let me know very quickly that it would not tolerate such nonsense.

Have you ever wished you were born with a fair skin?

I must have indulged in such foolishness. Thank God for ridding me of such ignorant stupidity.

If given the opportunity to alter any part of your body, which part would it be?

Maybe as I grow older, I may consider a face lift but to enlarge or decrease any part of my anatomy, I’m good the way I am.

When it comes to your body, which do you see as your best asset?

I am an actor, my body is my tool and therefore I consider every single part of my body as an asset.

What is your favourite hairstyle?

I personally prefer my hair in braids or Ghana weaving because such styles require very low maintenance.

How much does it cost you to make your hair?

My hair can cost a little or a lot depending on how elaborate the style. I rarely go to salons; I have a young lady on retainer who provides home service.

How much can you be offered to shave off your hair?

Frankly speaking, the way everything is monetised in this part of the world bemuses me. I don’t see why anyone should be paid extra for cutting their hair. If you are committing to a role, be committed. If the portrayal of that character demands that I cut my hair in order to be believable; I cut it. All inconvenience should be considered and factored into the initial fee. Asking for a separate fee just because you are asked to cut your hair for a character you have undertaken to portray is plain silliness to me.

Do you prefer looking natural or you feel incomplete without make-up on?

When I am not working or on ‘display,’ I prefer to go completely natural. It gives my face the opportunity to rest and breath.

What is your take on tattoos?

I love tattoos. I think they can be a thing of beauty. I’m sure I’ll get a discreet one sooner than later.

Do you patronise Nigerian designers?

For any major occasion, Nigerian designers would be my first choice. I love their work and I have different outfits from different indigenous designers and I have the privilege of calling several of them friends.

Some believe it is not classy wearing made in Nigeria brands. Do you subscribe to such school of thought?

Really? That’s taking low self esteem and an inferiority complex to a whole new level. I think it says more about the person who thinks that way than it does about the creativity and ability of Nigerian designers.

Do you prefer labels or bespoke wears?

I prefer interesting, well fitting clothes, whether they are labels or bespoke, expensive or not is beside the point.

Is there any fashion item you can’t leave home without?

None at all; I have conditioned myself over the years not to form unhealthy attachments to any material thing. And I am most certainly passing that on to my daughters.

What’s the most expensive item you own and how much did it cost?

I can’t tell how much it costs but it would have to be one of those ridiculously priced bags that you buy, then get home and begin to wonder to yourself ‘what was I thinking.’

What is your fashion weakness?

It would be between perfumes, shoes and bags. Also I love jeans that look like they were created just for me.

What is your take on ladies exposing their cleavage and wearing skimpy and tight dresses?

I try not to have an opinion or be judgmental about an individual’s choices as it is theirs to make. By all means, wear what you like. It would be great if it sits well, suits your body type and is appropriate for the occasion; and even if it’s not, that’s nobody’s business but yours. There is only one caveat, remember, you bear the responsibility of the consequences of the choices you make.

What are the things you consider when you step out for an event?

The type of event, time, and most importantly what is expected of me. For instance if I am expected to be high up on stage, I would wear a dress that would make me confident, one that nobody can see up my skirt. If it is on an open field, then it would be an outfit that the wind can’t blow up. If I am expected to frolic with children, then it would probably be a pair of jeans. Comfort is key, the nature of my work demands that I put functionality first.

Have you considered venturing into other aspect of entertainment like being a singer?

No. At this stage I have ventured, and to the glory of God, dominated the various aspects of media or show business that I am interested in; what’s left now is for the Lord to consolidate and expand the many things He has blessed me with.

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Rave of the moment artiste, Seyi Shay, tells ADEMOLA OLONILUA why she loves Nigerian designers. She also talks about the death of her mother and recent endorsement with Bacardi Breezer

Did you expect your recent song, Murda, to be such a commercial success?

No, I did not know it would be this big. I was surprised that it became a success and everybody loves it.

How has the public reception being towards you since you released the song?

It has been great. I love it; everywhere I go people sing it to me and sometimes when I am performing at shows, people stand up screaming. Even when I am on the road, some fans will wind down their car windows and start screaming and singing the song.

How did the song come about?

Actually, Dokta Frabz, Shaydee and I were in the studio early this year and we decided to do a song together. There was a beat and Shaydee just started singing the chorus and I started replying him. Eventually, we decided to leave the song exactly the way it was. We called Patoranking to feature on the song because we felt that it had a dancehall vibe. That was how the song was made and if you ask me what inspired the song, the question would have to be directed to Shaydee because he conceptualised it. I wanted my verse to be quite fresh and have some feeling of nostalgia and that was why I put the Joni Michelle lyric and melody in the beginning and I also wanted to remind people of what it meant to have someone to love and falling in love generally.

You recently got endorsed by Bacardi Breezer, as a young lady what do you do with your money?

I pay my tithe; I put some people in my family through school. I also save because I want to get married soon and that is it.

Some people think when a lady is too rich, it is difficult to find true love. Do you subscribe to that school of thought?

Yes I feel so. I don’t feel like I have so much money; I feel like for my age, I am on my way there. I am just praying and hoping that the person I marry is somebody that is just as successful as I am but if not, is able to support me in my career.

Are you currently in a relationship?

I am working on a relationship right now.

What do you mean by that?

It is because it is a grey area. We have known ourselves for about two years but because of our work, we keep falling in and out of the relationship. It is work in progress, so I can say that I already have a love interest.

Artistes normally nurse the fear that once they are married, their value drops. Is that true?

I am not married yet and I am not planning to get married this year. I don’t think so; I think it depends on the person the artiste is married to. If the artiste’s spouse is somebody that likes staying in the background and you don’t have to flaunt it around that you are married and both parties have an understanding, then they are fine. I think it depends on how you handle it and sell yourself basically.

Are you the only musician in your family?

Professionally, yes I am. I started singing with my mother in the choir when I was about five years old. When I got older, I started singing in the choir in school; from there, I went on tour to Japan with my school choir. When I came back, I decided that I wanted to be a singer for the rest of my life because the experience was so exhilarating. I was amazed at the number of people that were letting out cheers for a gospel choir. I imagined the whole crowd giving only me. I took the G.C.S.E, and from college I studied music business management. So, everything about me has been music.

And your parents allowed you to choose music as a career?

My mother did not have a problem with it but my father did not really know what I was up to because my parents divorced while I was growing up. My father has always been based in Nigeria although he often travelled abroad to see us. He has re-married with children now while my mother died in 2006. Her last words to me were: ‘You would end up in Nigeria.’ I felt it was not going to happen because I did not have any reason to come back to Nigeria. Look at me now, I am here in Nigeria and I am doing well.

How did you feel when your mother died especially now that you have attained a level of stardom without her witnessing it?

I went through a lot of counselling after she died because I felt really guilty that she had passed on at such a young age. I felt that maybe my rebellious nature caused it or that we, the kids, were giving her too much problem. I also felt very cheated because I felt she should not have passed on at a time when I was about to embark on a huge journey in life. After she died, I signed up with Mathew Knowles, Beyonce’s father and I was with him for approximately four years. I went on tour with Beyonce in 2010 supporting her and I started a reality television show on MTV also with Mathew Knowles and the crew. I just felt that she should have been alive to see all the things I have achieved. Then coming down to Nigeria, our hometown and she not being there, after she had said that this was where I would end up was more heartbreaking. But I feel that she is still watching and her essence is everywhere. Every time I look into the mirror, it is as if I see her.

What is your favourite colour?

People say red suits me a lot because I have worn red on several occasions in the past and they said red suits me a lot. So, when the Bacardi Breezer crew chose me to represent red and their watermelon brand, I felt it was great. I wear red very often.

What is your opinion about Nigerian designers?

I love Nigerian designers more than any other designers in the world and I say that truthfully because we are more experimental. Although sometimes the fashion does not look great but sometimes it looks really beautiful. The designers I have been working with when I got here have been so experimental and innovative. I love the print material most especially and if you look at America and Europe now, everybody is wearing Ankara but we do it better.

One would have thought that being based in London for so long you would prefer foreign brands and designer clothes…

I patronise Nigerian designers because I have worn virtually all the big foreign brands, but I feel I can be myself in clothes made by Nigerian designers and my stylist is really awesome; we are going with the ‘rude boy’ look from the 70s. It is like a reggae tradition that started in the 70s in London where you wear socks with cut jeans and cap. I like that because it mixes well with where I am from and where I am now. Nigerian designers have more innovation, they are more creative and playful and I would always patronise Nigerian designers anywhere I go in the world.

What is your fashion weakness?

Caps; I love them because I am a bit lazy when it comes to my hair. I wear caps everywhere I go and I have a lot of them in different shades, shapes and sizes. The more I realised I had to do my hair because I am a lady the more I had to buy caps.

How many caps do you own?

I have about 60 hats and my favourite is my snapback that has Shay in front of it. I just got that one. It is new and I got it in Houston.

Then how do you cope with high heels?

I hate them but I always have to wear them. I have high heels in my car for back-up because being Seyi Shay you might never know someone might just call all of a sudden requesting my presence at a particular event and if I have to go, no matter what I am wearing, a pair of high heels always complements a lady. Although I hate them, they are my must-have always.

What accessories do you like wearing?

Apart from my hat that would be rings.

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Former Big Brother Nigeria winner, Katung Aduwak, tells Ademola Olonilua about how marriage has changed his fashion style

You got married recently, how has it been?

It is all what people say it is. But mine has been greater and better than that. It has been fantastic and good. Marriage is treating me right and I am very happy.

Has marriage changed your fashion style?

A little bit because there are some clothes that I would wear back then when I was a bachelor and go out and feel free but I can’t wear such clothes now. My wife would tell me to go and change it. For instance, there was an event I attended with my wife and I had to give her something before she could allow me dress the way I wanted.

Marriage has a way of making men add weight, how have you been able to maintain your slim figure?

I would never add any unnecessary weight. I am on a mission to make sure that the things that got us attracted to each other do not change. We looked good when we met each other so we want to make sure that we keep things that way. I don’t want to have a wife that I would look at later in life and refer to her as ‘Mama somebody’. She is still going to be my sweetheart that I saw in the beginning. We do something called T-25, it is a workout schedule and we make sure we do it about six times a week. We try to work out together every morning so that we still stay healthy and our day goes smoothly. I am not trying to have six packs; I just want to look lean and besides, I feel better this way.

Your hair is receding, how are you coping with the change?

It has receded about three times. The first time it happened, I started using Re-gain, a hair growth cream and it grew back. I stopped using it and it receded again so I continued to use the cream. It grew back and I even did a Mohawk with locks. This is the third time it is receding. Lagos is just too tough, I don’t even have time because I have to apply it on my hair every 12 hours and I am not doing it religiously. The moment I start using it, it grows back.

You sound as if you don’t want to go bald?

I love my hair a lot but in the last five months I have not given it so much time and thought. I do not want to go bald. Although I think I have embraced it and that is why I shaved off all my hair recently. When I get tired of that, I would start applying the cream again. I do not want to ever go bald. I want to hold on to a few things that still make me feel young so you cannot blame me for trying.

What influences your fashion style?

Honestly, it is actually anything that fits and is comfortable. I don’t have a particular fashion statement I go for. I just wear anything that fits and my wife actually helps me pick my clothes because she has figured the kind of man I am.

What is your fashion weakness?

I don’t mess around with my shoes. I have to get it right with my shoes. I am a ‘shoe’ person.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Modestly I think I can count at least 70 pairs of shoes right now.

Have you worn them all?

Yes, I have but there are some that I wear more than others, there are some I wear only on special occasions. There are some I just have for keep sake.

What else do you have a weakness for?

I love my colognes. We live in a hot environment where the heat can turn you into a smelly person. You make sure you spray cologne on your pores and avoid applying them on the clothes because they ruin them. If you spray them on your pores it stays there the whole day.

What would you never be seen wearing?

I doubt if you would ever see me wear a babariga. It is not possible, I can wear the tunics and the kaftan but not babariga. You would never see me wear anything baggy. I have a small stature so everything has to be slim fit; it is not flattering to wear anything that is too big.

So what is your take on traditional attires?

I love them but not agbada. It is stressful and requires a lot of work.

What is your favourite colour?

I like black, occasionally I go for white and I also like grey.

I noticed you have a piercing…

I have two actually on both ears but my wife would never allow me wear earrings or studs again. She thinks I have passed that kind of fashion. I have had the piercing for about 16 years. All through that time, I used to wear earrings and studs but not anymore.

What fashion errors irk you?

First of all, I do not like sagging. I feel it is very tacky. I think it is a culture many do not understand but because they see people do it they think it is cool, they imitate them. It is a no for me, I detest it. Also, if you have a big body as a man you should not be seen wearing very tight things, it is not flattering. I know that slim fit is in fashion but for big guys, there are ways you could go about it without looking ridiculous. Personally, I would advise against it. You should wear things that are not too tight.

Did your wife know you were into entertainment when you met her?

I met her in New York and about half of America is into entertainment so it was not strange. I did not even approach her as someone who was into entertainment but as an everyday guy. I appeared as the guy that fancied her and wanted to have dinner with her and that took about two months to happen. I am the guy behind the scenes so it makes things easier for me, I produce and direct. I push people forward now; I have had my time in front of the camera. Now I make something out of nothing before pushing it out.

Have you ever wished you were tall?

I am finally coming to terms with my height. It is not strange anymore, I have three younger brothers. I was taller than them but they are all taller than me right now. My immediate younger brother is about 6feet 4inches tall and the other two are taller than him. It is not strange because I am now the short one; they call me their little big brother. The fantasy of being tall has long gone. I am very happy as I am. I am not short and I am not tall, I would say I am okay.

Were you fashionable as a kid?

I think I was because my father is a fashionable man even though he is subtle about it. He likes the good things of life and he passed that down to us. He would not buy things that were not the nicest so I grew up emulating him.

Do you have a limit when it comes to shopping?

I don’t have a limit when it comes to shopping. When I see something I like, I buy it although my wife does most of the shopping now because she travels often. When I am online, I see something and get it. I normally opt for the watches and shoes while my wife does the rest.

So how many wristwatches do you own?

I really do not want to say but if I must, it is between 25-35 watches.

If you were given the power to change anything in your body what would it be?

My hair, I would make sure I don’t go bald.

What are you currently working on?

My film Heaven’s Hell would be out in some months’ time. I have been working on it since last year. I am Head of Programmes and handling production for Cool TV and Wazobia TV.

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Chocolate City boss, Audu Maikori, tells Ademola Olonilua about his fashion and style

You always wear suits, is it because you are a lawyer?

It may be. But I don’t wear suits only; it is just that for most public engagements and meetings, I prefer wearing suits. Sometimes I wear ‘kaftan’ especially on Fridays. I also love wearing t-shirts and jeans. Most times, for official occasions, the suit just works.

What type of attire do you feel most comfortable in?

Everything. I am one of those people that wear anything. To me, the most important thing about fashion is how a clothe fits the person who wears it. I am not really into what is ‘hot’ instead I prefer what is comfortable. For me, comfort is key and not what is in vogue.

Who are the people that influenced your style?

I would say my father because he is very particular about the way he looks and what he wears. I remember when I was in Form 5, my father called me when I passed my exams and gave me a black blazer and he told me, ‘this blazer cost £1,500, guard it with your life.’ It was not really about the price of the jacket but I knew what it meant for him to give me that jacket. Also, my father always dresses well and looks sharp. I grew upon this kind of environment but over a period of time, I had to form my own style. I began to know what fits me and what does not.

Do you still have the jacket your father gave you?

No, I lost that. The worst part was that I actually went for an event in school and I forgot it at the venue. By the time I went back to look for it, someone had stolen it. My father never knew I lost the blazer.

How did you get the cut on your upper lip?

It happened when I was nine. I was climbing something to get something that was high up and I slipped. I fell and cut my face on the edge of the table.

Why do you always shave off all your hair and leave your beards?

Primarily, I felt I needed to keep refreshing my looks, trying new things and finding what suits me. Also, most people think I look younger than I am so I wanted to look older. People think I am younger than my age; so growing a beard makes me look older and more mature.

Does shaving off your hair has anything to do with the fact that you are going bald?

It is part of the reasons. I don’t mind being bald, I am confident enough in myself to know that I look good with or without the hair.

And your wife likes the way you keep your beard?

She doesn’t like it, she loves it.

How did a lawyer get to become a record label boss?

The music industry is driven by a set of copyright laws and administration so it is natural for me to be there. When artistes write songs, somebody needs to protect them. Someone has to look out for them so they do not get exploited. So it is natural for me to be in that space. Why people see it as a big deal is probably because lawyers are traditionally looked upon as people who always go to court. If you look at the industry, there are quite a few lawyers in it.

What has been your motivating factor?

I like the fact that it has been able to empower and enrich people. I also love the fact that I have been able to explore new territories.

Have you ever thought of going into music?

I used to be a singer. I started playing the keyboard at the age of seven. I produced my first record at the age of 16 and I used to fool around with auxiliary cables. I was musically inclined but I have always wanted to be a lawyer. It has always been my number one priority and because of that, my music aspiration was put on standby.

What is your favourite colour?

I like green and red but not for clothes, I just like those shades of colour. I love green because it is fresh. When it comes to clothes, I have found out that I have something for pink shirts. I love pink.

People often say that pink is a lady’s colour…

If you are man enough to wear it, you can get away with it. It does not fit everybody but when I wear it, people say it looks good on me.

How often do you go shopping?

Not very often.

When it comes to fashion, what do you spend money on mostly?

I spend money mostly on white shirts and suits.

So how many suits do you own?

I have about 40 suits as we speak and I would love to still buy more. I give them out after a while so I can get space in my closet. There are some that I don’t feel like wearing anymore not because they are bad but I feel I am tired of them.

What attire does your wife like seeing you wear?

She likes seeing me in a kaftan, t-shirt, and anything that fits. She likes me looking sharp.

What is the most memorable gift you have received?

My elder brother bought a pair of shoes for me about five years ago and they were worth about N60,000. He just said I should go to the shop and pick them up. When I saw the price I was shocked and that was quite memorable. I still have the shoes but I haven’t worn it that much. I also have a blazer that I bought for myself about three years ago; it is the most expensive piece of clothing I have bought for myself.

How much did the blazer cost you?

I cannot say the price but it cost between $2,000 and $4,000.

What dresses do you like seeing your wife wear?

I love seeing her in a pair of jeans, nice dresses that show her figure, something that complements her natural body shape.

What would you never be caught wearing?

I don’t think anyone would ever see me wearing a pair of red jeans. I hate tight fitting pants that men wear , which hug their groins. I would never wear that.

Are there other fashion trends that put you off?

I simply don’t like men who sag their jeans. Then again, I don’t like women wearing jeans that are too tight and show more than they ought to show. Also, there are some shoes that are being worn but I feel they should be on the stage of a runway but people say they are expensive.

Does the cost of an item determine the quality?

I don’t think so. I totally do not agree with that. I think that if it fits and looks good then it is good for you. It is not always about money. There is this shoe called ‘Mauri,’ they are very expensive but I do not like them.

Shredded jeans are trending right now. What do you think about the trend?

I think it is very cool. Jeans are very flexible and you can do anything with them. When I was younger, we used to have slashed jeans where you cut off some parts and it looked cool. As long as they fit, it is clean and you can pull the look off, then it is fine by me.

What fashion fad did you partake in while growing up but feel silly when you see the pictures now?

The belle bottom, shoes with big thick soles, I really find them funny. I also used to have a pair of yellow, green and red jeans and I used to wear them. That was in my first year in school and it was really cool then. It was all about bright colours back then.

Were you a fashionable young boy while growing up?

Yes, I was fashionable but I think I had more of style than fashion. I was always particular about what I wore. Fashion changes but style never does.

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Bayero Agabi, an Information and Communication Technology presenter in Nigeria tells Ademola Olonilua about his fashion and style

Why do you always wear native attire to present your programme on TV?

I wanted to create a unique identity. The computer is not an African concept; it is from the western world. Many people believe that computing and the industry are associated with anyone in suits. I needed to create something that would bridge the gap between the western wears and the African attire. Most of the time when I travel across the world, I attend very big international events and the way I am picked out is through what I wear. CeBit is the biggest ICT conference in the world and it holds in Germany. The press gallery is very big but when I am in the midst of the people, I stand out. In fact, a lot of celebrities take photographs with me because of what I wear. Aside from creating a unique identity, it helps me to sell my culture, style and fashion.

Don’t you feel like the odd man out at such conferences?

On the contrary, they always see me as being unique. Immediately they see me, they ask if I am from Africa. Some even go to the extent of asking me to help them get the fabric. I have had cause to buy local materials and send to my friends in China and Germany. It was only in Tunis that I was looked at as the odd man and it was the Africans there that looked at me in such a manner because they were all dressed in western attire while I stuck to the African attire. But beyond that, attention is drawn to me because of what I wear. I have won an award at an international conference because of the way I dress.

What influenced your style?

I picked this mode of dressing when I joined Channels TV. John Mommoh and I are cousins and we grew up in the same home. When he was a newscaster at NTA, it was a way of life for them to always dress in African attire. About 90 per cent of his clothes were traditional attire. He would always pass some of his clothes to me. That was how I got fond of wearing traditional clothes. When I left Channels, I redesigned my style to make it body-fitted.

How often do you go to the gym?

Going to the gym is something I like to do. It makes me healthier and strong. At a point, I was almost obsessed with going to the gym and carrying heavy things. Whenever I travel for a conference, no matter how early the programme would start, I would have to go to the gym first. One thing I have come to understand is that we do not know how to relax as Africans especially Nigerians. When we attend such international conferences, most Nigerians just remain in their rooms and when you go to the gym, about 98 per cent of the people there would be white people and the blacks there would either be Americans or those from other parts of the world. I go to the gym regularly.

What are your fashion weaknesses?

I am so obsessed with dressing in African attire. I was at the School of Media Communication, Pan-African University and it was part of the culture of the school that you must wear suit. So when I started the programme, I had to buy suits. At a point, I disagreed with the dean of the school concerning that culture of wearing suits. I asked him the name of the school and he said Pan-African University and I asked what was African in the university if we could not be allowed to dress in native attire. He just asked me to drop the topic. I am actually obsessed with native attire and it rubs off on the people around me.

What fashion error have you made that you would never forget?

The first day I attended the Pan-Atlantic University then it was Pan African University, there was a course on business management and wearing suit was something very strange to me. I was forced to buy a suit and that day, I left home very early and did not check the colour combination. When I got to school, I realised that my socks were of different colours and my suit and the trousers too were of different colours. I had to leave the class. I love to be who I am so that from a distance, you would know that it is Bayero Agabi.

Being one of the foremost Information and Communication technology presenters in Nigeria, what made you get into this genre?

I started my career in Channels Television and I was exposed to the challenges of the knowledge economy. They needed to create certain things in terms of skills development and how to use the computer to create certain animations and other appealing visuals. I was in the creative department. When I left Channels for Africa Independent Television, I was still in the creative department and I noticed that a lot of people marveled at the little things I did. I worked with the Yoruba home video industry where a lot of animations were required. I helped them with effects like putting a human being inside a bottle or turning a human being into an animal. Although they were easy for me to do, people marvelled at them and this made me realise that a lot of people did not understand what a computer could do.

But how did the programme start?

While I was at AIT, people were allowed to showcase and develop their talents. Thanks to Felix Okugbe, a veteran sports journalist, he was the person that told me that since I understood the computer very well, I should air it on television so that people could learn about the computer and that was how it started. The drive was to make people know what impact the computer could make in their lives; not just for financial transaction but how it could enhance one’s creativity especially in the entertainment industry.

When you started your show, Computerlink, on AIT what was the acceptance level?

Honestly, nobody has ever asked me this question. I said if I write my book, I would ask myself this question. Trying to promote the information technology usage across the continent was one of the sore moments in my life. When I started in AIT, it was seen as something new so everybody left me because there was no competition. It was a rough road for me to tread. As a reporter, I would come in with my report and my editors would not understand what I had written and sometimes they would throw it away. The worst of it was the first time I went on air with the computer to teach people the various components that make up a computer and how the computer processes information before it comes out on the screen. After the show, a general manager in the office asked me, ‘Now that you have shown computer today what will you show tomorrow?’ His understanding of the computer was just the box that he saw. A day that I would never forget was a particular year that Michael Jackson’s birthday was celebrated and they were looking for a programme to yank off the air just to play Michael Jackson’s songs. I overheard when they said, ‘this computer programme what is it about? Let’s remove it and play good music.’ Sometimes I would have an assignment to interview somebody but they would tell me that there was no camera in the office.

Nigeria is now ICT compliant. Looking at how far you have gone to enlighten the public, how do you feel about the development?

Back then in the newsroom, someone asked me what I hoped to gain with all I was doing because there was no money in it. Each time I went out to cover an event, they told me that they did not invite me or they didn’t want television coverage because the ICT sector was seen as an elitist one. I would beg to go in but they would not allow me. This made my colleagues ask me what I hoped to achieve and I said I want to sit down one day and when the story of ICT penetration in Nigeria and West Africa is being told, I would be mentioned; not even me but AIT would be mationed as a pioneer and I would be mentioned as one of those who helped drive the information technology revolution. So today, I am very satisfied and elated that the industry has become what it is today.

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Popular musician, GT the Guitar man, tells Ademola Olonilua about his style

When you started your career, you were fond of wearing hats, why did you stop?

Well back then, I was signed to a label and that was the image the label wanted to sell to the world and it worked. But change is the only constant thing in life. Now I am with a different team and we are constantly evolving the brand.

What informed your new look, wearing dreadlock?

The dreadlock was not planned. I have been spending a lot of time in the studio lately and hardly have the time to have a haircut. I would say that the hairdo came as a result of adjusting to my new lifestyle. Again, I find dreadlocks easy to maintain. Besides, people think it looks good on me, so I am still considering the look.

As a short person, how easy do you get clothes that are your size?

Well, I have a stylist who does my shopping for me. But then, I don’t find it difficult getting my stuffs as I know exactly what to go for.

Do you think there is a difference between style and fashion?

Yes there is; I think fashion is what is trending at the moment while style is individualistic. When you make a fashion error, you can give an excuse that it is your style but that doesn’t make it fashionable till the world agrees. So simply put, everyone has style but fashion is the generally accepted style.

What influences your style?

Well, I am generally a simple person, I just opt for something that’s colourful and fits. I am not a fan of too many accessories that shine and dangle on one’s body at all.

What is your fashion weakness?

Definitely colognes. When someone smells good, there is a way it draws you into any gathering. A good smell has an effect that makes you fall in love with someone you haven’t met.

What is that fashion item you cannot leave home without?

I never leave home without my guitar pendant. It was a gift from someone very dear; I don’t think it has left my neck for 24hrs in over four years. It is almost turning into my good luck charm.

What is the most expensive fashion item you own and how much did it cost?

I generally see things as a waste when they get too expensive especially when there are cheaper ones that can achieve the same purpose. I can’t buy a N2m wristwatch even if I have a ‘diamond well’ at the back of my house. But then, I bought a Patex Philippe wristwatch at a very ridiculous price and the funniest part is that I hardly wear it.

Are you a fan of bright colours?

Yes, I am a huge fan of bright colours. There is something about them that when you step into the room and you don’t just blend in, you are the main focus. I think it creates some subliminal response that makes heads turn.

What fashion item do you admire on a lady?

When it comes to ladies, there are a lot of things I love and admire. But I have a thing for ladies on high heels. Also, waist beads do some things that I can’t explain to me.

When shopping, what do you look out for?

A friend always comes along with me while shopping. He would be the one to suggest most items I should get. Aside that, I buy whatever catches my attention from jeans, shirts, sneakers, jackets. I also like African hand chains and beads.

What is your opinion on made in Nigeria brands?

I think Nigerian brands are doing great but the government needs to support the industry more. I think they have all it takes to compete internationally. There are a couple of them that I love, Rhobes is one of them, and they make all my jackets.

How often do you patronise made in Nigeria brands?

As often as I can, I am not particular about brands. If it looks good or serves the purpose and it is affordable, then I get it.

Has your acting career influenced your style?

Well somehow, there are times when you are made to play a character that is totally different from you and in the course of doing that, you are introduced to a lot of new traits that you can decide to imbibe or drop once the director says cut. But for me, my acting career actually takes a little of my attention compared to music.

What’s your take on tattoos?

I think it is cool if it is in the right places. I find a little tattoo on a lady’s inner thighs sexy and maybe someday I will like to have one on my neck. But I don’t have any yet. It is just not a priority at the moment but I have nothing against tattoos. When they are so many, it could be irritating and you begin to wonder if the person is a leopard with two legs.

What is the best fashion item gift you have got from a friend?

Well for me, I have received a lot of gifts from different people and they all are special. All gifts convey a simple message of ‘I care.’ But when someone gives something they don’t have in abundance, it can qualify as ‘best.’ Take for instance someone who has 10 cars and give you one, and someone who sacrificed his meal for you, the former is more expensive but I will appreciate the latter. That said, I don’t have a best gift.

When stepping out for an event, what do you bear in mind?

It depends on the event. Sometimes I dress to suit the event and other times, I can be a radical. I just try to look like an incredible handsome version of myself.

Share some common errors you see men make.

Well, there are quite a few. I find wearing socks in sandals laughable although I did it in secondary school. Another one is wearing oversized clothes.

What is the most embarrassing fashion error you have committed and would never forget about?

There was a day I was in a hurry and I didn’t realise I wore my shirt inside out. I found out on the red carpet.

While growing up, would you consider yourself as a fashionable kid?

No I wasn’t, even till now I don’t consider myself fashionable but my job requires me to always look good at all times. But when no one is watching, I am not.

Who would you say you took after, your father or your mother, in terms of fashion?

Both my parents were very fashionable.

Being a fashionable person, how often have you been hit on by women?

A lot; but I think that has more to do with my line of work than the fashion, because even when I am not looking my best fashion-wise, ladies still gush at my personality.

What are some hilarious pick-up lines you have heard from a lady?

I have heard a lot but the moment I hear ‘can you please teach me how to play the guitar.’ I know it is not going to end well. I run or if it is too tempting to resist, I call Jesus and ask for forgiveness.

How do you cope with lady fans?

Well, I love women a lot, so I don’t have difficulties coping with the attention. I try to draw the line but when I fall, be sure it is something worth falling for. Just imagine somebody like Halley Berry hitting on me. It must be a crime to say no and you know that’s the moment you call Jesus.

Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com