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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