Foluke Daramola-Salako, popular Yoruba actress, tells Ademola Olonilua about her fashion and style
What have you been doing lately?
I have been working on Cobweb which is my latest movie and it is due to be in the cinemas in some months. Apart from that, my reality show, Irawo, which I have been working on for the past five years is in the making. It is aimed at discovering young talents for the yoruba movie industry.
Why are artistes now taking their movies to cinema houses?
It is because of the problem of piracy and to make more money from the movie. For a movie to be accepted in the cinema, it means it is above average. We invest so much money in movie production, so we take it to the cinema to recoup some money. Some of us also do it to give the movie more publicity.
What influences your style?
I would say it is my mood and my comfort. For anything I wear, I have to be comfortable. I am not the type of person that goes for clothes that are in vogue because I am a plus-size woman. I have to wear dresses that are nice on me. I cannot wear leggings because it is in vogue, it would not look nice on me and if I have to wear one, I would have to wear a big shirt on it. So to me, style is what I feel comfortable in and when I feel comfortable in a dress, I would be confident in it. Style has to do with confidence; if you lack confidence, you would not be able to pull off whatever you are wearing.
Why were you fond of exposing your cleavage in the early stage of your career?
I was a teenager when I started acting. It started even before I got into the university. I had youthful exuberance and I was ready to explore life. At the end of the day, I guess I am more mature now and I believe that beauty is not in what you expose but in how you look. Beauty is about carrying oneself with poise.
At what point did you decide to change your style of dressing?
I wouldn’t say it happened at a particular time. It was when I was growing older, I just told myself that I was getting older and there was no need for me to expose my body. Also, when I started having kids, especially my daughter since I am her biggest role model; I stopped because. I have to carry myself in a way that I would want her to present herself in future.
As a busty lady, was there a time in your life you wished you did not have big boobs?
Of course, when I was much younger in secondary school, I used to wear both singlet and bra just to compress my boobs but later when people started admiring me, I grew to appreciate my bust and I began to see it as an asset rather than a burden. But when I was in secondary school, I used to be so conscious of it and I tried all I could to hide it. When I finished secondary school, I became aware of myself and I began to wear skimpy clothes till I got into the university and people told me that if I continued to wear skimpy clothes, lecturers would ask me out and I would make myself vulnerable, so I started wearing big shirts. Over time I grew to appreciate myself and love myself the way I am.
Was there any time you wished you were taller?
Yes especially when I look at tall ladies, I feel they look so nice. When they dress, clothes look very good on tall ladies. Occasionally, I wish I were taller but for anything I do, my watchword in life is contentment. I am always contented with anything I have. Despite the fact that I am not so tall, I still carry myself very well and I love myself.
Many people believe that those who are short are usually proud and stubborn in nature, how true is this?
Sometimes it is true, it can be out of inferiority complex but I am not like that. As far as I am concerned, a woman does not necessarily have to be tall and that is why I couldn’t date or marry anybody that is short because I am short. Personally, I think it happens out of defence because they do not want people to take advantage of them.
As a light-complexioned lady, how have you been able to maintain your skin despite the harsh weather?
There was a time bloggers were ‘yabbing’ me that I bleached my skin. When I went into my first marriage, I had a lot of challenges and because of that, I was not able to take care of my skin. I have never been a dark-complexioned person, neither have I been extremely fair. One thing about me is that I don’t like using harsh substance on my skin. Since I was about 10 years old, I would always have my bath in the morning and in the evening, I don’t miss it. I also use natural substances on my body like honey which I use to steam my face, ‘ori’ (shea butter) for my hair and whatever cream I use; baby oil has to be included. I like to look as natural as possible, I don’t like looking too artificial and that is why you can never find a tattoo on me. Whenever I use a cream and see that it is making my skin too fair, I stop using it and allow my skin to rest. I don’t like make-up so I allow my skin to breathe. When I was younger, I hardly used harsh substance on my skin. I have always been a tomboy.
Back when you were a tomboy, did men usually woo you regardless of your adopted nature?
Yes, they used to and I abused them. There was hardly anytime I would come back from lesson that I would not fight especially with the opposite sex. I loved it because it was my nature; I lost my father at a very young age so, there was no male tutelage, it was only my mother, so I basically grew up by myself and that is why I was a tomboy.
What is your fashion weakness?
It is perfume and wristwatches. I am a sucker for any great fragrance. I am not too particular about brand names although I love them and I love body mist. For my wristwatch, I have a weakness for Michael Korrs. I have about 15 of them even though I have other brands too. One thing you would always find on me is my wristwatch and perfume.
How many wristwatches do you have?
Right now because I buy and give out, I think I have about 40 wristwatches while I have lost count of my perfume but it cannot be less than 60.
Some people believe that the more expensive the product, the more fashionable it is. Do you agree with that?
I think it is a Nigerian factor; it does not have to be expensive for it to be good. The Nigerian factor is what makes it look classy. For instance, are you saying that if I wear a wristwatch that is not about N150,000, it is not classy? I do not believe so. I believe in what suits me. Apart from my wristwatches and jewellery that I know I could get financial value from at the end of the day, I do not believe that you have to wear something very expensive for you to be classy. Although I am a celebrity, I do not make money like those in the oil sector so everything has to be in moderation. You can wear classy things but their prices have to be moderate.
What is your opinion on Nigerian designers?
I believe so much in Nigerian designers, I feel African prints fit me more because the designers understand my physique better and make things that fit me. I am not a suit person neither am I an ‘English dress person.’ Dresses that suit my stature have to be made by African designers and they are creative. Ironically, their outfits are more expensive than the ones we import. We have so many lovely designers in the country but it is sad that we do not appreciate our own.
What would you never be seen wearing?
You will never see me wear a short skirt or a micro mini skirt; even though my husband really loves my legs. Because of my rape experience, I have phobia for mini skirts. I was wearing a mini-skirt then.
What is the fashion item you always admire on your husband?
A short sleeved native attire with a Michael Korrs suede blue wristwatch and his chain. He has this cap he wears that turns me on and his cologne drives me wild. When he is in that outfit, I smile to myself saying, ‘that is my man.’
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