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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