Bead-maker, Oluwabukola Ogunmokun, tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwo about her style and why she loves wearing beads
Would you consider yourself as a fashionable person?
I can proudly say I am a fashionable person and this has been an in-born thing, I loved to wear mini skirt and look so sexy even from cradle. I know for sure that I am a fashionable person. I don’t just buy any clothes; I go all the way to buy the best things.
What fashion item do you love most?
I can say I love costumes and beads because they make me look trendy and gorgeous. Besides, they make me feel so smart and they are not heavy at all. So I would tell you costume accessories are my best fashion items. I love them with so much passion. It is not that I can’t afford heavy gold but costumes make me feel so good about myself.
Was that why you went into bead making?
I went into bead making because I love to look good and because looking good is good business.
I don’t joke with my looks at all.
But is bead making a full time profession?
Bead making is going to be a fulltime profession for me. As a fashionista, it helps me make my choice of beads without going through stress. Besides, I won’t have to wake so early rushing for work and coming in late at night. I cannot do an 8 am to 5 pm job. I have an ample time for myself. Bead business has to do with a lot of passion. You must first have a passion for it. Secondly, you must be very creative. I love fashion a lot and bead making is not out of place at all.
But most ladies still prefer chains to beads…
Yes, some ladies prefer chains simply because everyone has a choice and we can’t impose our choice on people. So everyone has a right to whatever accessories they want to go for.
So many people make beads now; do you think you stand a chance in this profession?
I am aware a lot of people make beads but as I usually say, the sky is big and wide enough for people to excel and make waves and even prosper without struggle. So there won’t be any need to visit a fetish priest or run up and down before you can make it. It is the favour and mercy of God that make way and not even your connection. If God blesses one, then the sky is the starting point.
Can you count the number of beads you own?
I can’t count them, seriously. But I don’t actually have my beads to myself. I use them as samples them and I sell them out. So I can’t really say I have any beads for keeps. The moment I find a buyer, then off the beads go and I go back to my costumes.
When can a lady wear beads?
A lady can wear beads anytime. There is no specific time frame to wear beads. You can wear beads to the office and you can wear it to church, you can wear beads for dinner dress down. So there are no limitations to when to wear beads. Bead is a never ending accessory.
Do you think men love beads?
Yes, nowadays men like beads too, In fact they also ask for wrist beads. Men are in competition with the ladies over the wearing of beads.
Do you love perfumes?
I pick my friends from their looks and the way they smell. If you don’t smell good, I can’t have a relationship with you. Because your looks matter to me before we can get along. So I love perfumes so much and I can go all the way to get the best perfumes. I love designer perfumes especially.
Do you wear weaves?
Yes I do wear hair extension. But I am not so much of a freak. However, I am not against those who love such. But then, I prefer braids. I don’t like hair dangling on my neck. I feel more comfortable with braids.
Ladies love shoes, do you love them as well?
That is another fashion item I love so much. I buy shoes anyhow that sometimes I don’t have need for them. As I speak now, I have lost count of how many shoes I have got. I love good shoes. Precisely I love wedge shoes that sit well on the leg. Then I love peep toe shoes because I am conscious of my nails. I wouldn’t want my nails to break.
What can’t we see you wear?
I am conscious of how people feel about my appearance, so I won’t want to appear very uncomfortable. I can’t show off my boobs or wear skimpy clothes at all except maybe I get drunk. It is certainly not my lifestyle. I have this mentality that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Regardless how much you show your cleavage, men see you as a ‘point and kill.’ So showing your cleavage isn’t sexy at all.
Do you think fashion is vain?
Fashion is not vain. The way you are dressed is the way you will be addressed. If you don’t look good, you attract the kind of people who would only love the way you dress. So looking good does not deprive righteousness or even stop holiness.
Have you been embarrassed because of what you wore at any time?
I have been embarrassed by my dressing several times. When I move around, I hear things like pretty damsel or even angel. I get so many compliments that make me want to blush. Actually I enjoy it a lot.
Who clothes you?
My clothes are either Polo by Ralph, or sometimes I do Atmosphere; it depends. I also like Tommy products. I am actually a designer freak. I shop at Wrangler. Sometimes I go to Dubai to shop. So long as the clothes are reputable designers, I won’t mind having them because I have taste for good clothes.