The fashion sense of some of our celebrities is fodder for critics
around the country. Some say because they are too cheap, they prefer to
create their own style, instead of hiring professionals. The result:
Disaster on the red carpet!
The article below (which has been edited for space), from entertainment publication The NET, is republished for your reading and comprehension. You can make your own inferences:
“I was watching Nike Oshinowo’s new television show and in the first episode she said something that made me chuckle. It was something like ‘it takes a village to get me to look like this’. I smiled. Thank God someone is telling the truth! I often shake my head when I read the comments sections of Nigerian blogs where men and women criticise celebrities’ fashion sense and fling the words ‘Get a stylist! She needs a stylist!’ Do you think it’s easy? As someone in the public eye, I try to look good. Sometimes, I look good and, sometimes, I don’t. And I really do try! First off, there are not up to 10 good stylists in Nigeria – I don’t know why.
The fashion industry is growing rapidly but the number of good stylists [have refused to grow]. The average good stylist charges as much as N50, 000 per look! Some stylists like Veronica Odeka ask you to put them on a monthly retainer – the last time I asked how much she charges was 2012. The rate at that time was N200, 000 per month. The good thing was it would cover all events, photo-shoots and even a wardrobe overhaul. Again, this depends on how many events you attend. Note that this was back in 2012. I heard her star client Genevieve Nnaji pays her more.
Speaking of Genny, how many movies has she been in recently? How does she afford all her designer this and that and all her fabulous trips abroad? I’m asking! Biko, show us the way! Her new fashion line seems to be doing well – but she just started! Please, let’s not get into how some female celebs flaunt designer stuff online all the time. Half the time, their money isn’t from their craft (I won’t get into that today). The likes of Chika Ike who actually go on vacation every three months and buy all these designer things – what exactly do they do for a living apart from being celebrities? We also know the ones who flaunt very good imitations. I see you, Mercy Aigbe. The pretty actress has been seen rocking six different Hermes Birkin bags! Those bags cost roughly $14,000 each! So she bought them all? *Blank stare* Mercy Aigbe.
Unfortunately, the red carpet is important. It helps with image, [creates] awareness for your brand and, generally, reminds your fans, foes, colleagues and brand managers that you are around. Appearing on the red carpet has helped a lot of careers. Look at Toke Makinwa, Uti Nwachukwu and Zainab Balogun. They appear often on the red carpet and they look good. They also have endorsement deals. Speaking of angles, you do know that stars in Hollywood actually have been taught how to pose on the red carpet by expert’s right?! We have no such experts here! So, sometimes, celebs get creative. You dress yourself from your closet or get a designer to make or lend you an outfit. Sometimes, you just have to make do with what you are given. That’s just getting ready for an event. If you are not naturally slender like me, you have to work out constantly or resort to body magic or both. You have to eat healthy – this is not easy all the time and it’s not cheap in Nigeria.
Abroad, there are a plethora of nutritionists, aestheticians, plastic surgeons and personal trainers to ensure that the stars look their best. Uzi (celebrity trainer) charges over N100, 000 per month. Ponle (another trainer) charges over $100 per workout session. We all know with N500, if you buy rice and meat from a buka – you will eat well. But N500 cannot buy you a salad! It might buy you some miserable looking carrots and cucumbers. That’s it! A facial at a good spa costs at least N12, 000. I made enquiries at a dentist’s office; I wanted to whiten my teeth. I was told it costs N80, 000. Just to whiten – not to get a new set of teeth! I’m not making excuses. I just want you to think about these things and know that it is not easy! So, think twice before you type ‘get a stylist’. It is a lot of hard work and dedication!
The article below (which has been edited for space), from entertainment publication The NET, is republished for your reading and comprehension. You can make your own inferences:
“I was watching Nike Oshinowo’s new television show and in the first episode she said something that made me chuckle. It was something like ‘it takes a village to get me to look like this’. I smiled. Thank God someone is telling the truth! I often shake my head when I read the comments sections of Nigerian blogs where men and women criticise celebrities’ fashion sense and fling the words ‘Get a stylist! She needs a stylist!’ Do you think it’s easy? As someone in the public eye, I try to look good. Sometimes, I look good and, sometimes, I don’t. And I really do try! First off, there are not up to 10 good stylists in Nigeria – I don’t know why.
The fashion industry is growing rapidly but the number of good stylists [have refused to grow]. The average good stylist charges as much as N50, 000 per look! Some stylists like Veronica Odeka ask you to put them on a monthly retainer – the last time I asked how much she charges was 2012. The rate at that time was N200, 000 per month. The good thing was it would cover all events, photo-shoots and even a wardrobe overhaul. Again, this depends on how many events you attend. Note that this was back in 2012. I heard her star client Genevieve Nnaji pays her more.
Speaking of Genny, how many movies has she been in recently? How does she afford all her designer this and that and all her fabulous trips abroad? I’m asking! Biko, show us the way! Her new fashion line seems to be doing well – but she just started! Please, let’s not get into how some female celebs flaunt designer stuff online all the time. Half the time, their money isn’t from their craft (I won’t get into that today). The likes of Chika Ike who actually go on vacation every three months and buy all these designer things – what exactly do they do for a living apart from being celebrities? We also know the ones who flaunt very good imitations. I see you, Mercy Aigbe. The pretty actress has been seen rocking six different Hermes Birkin bags! Those bags cost roughly $14,000 each! So she bought them all? *Blank stare* Mercy Aigbe.
Unfortunately, the red carpet is important. It helps with image, [creates] awareness for your brand and, generally, reminds your fans, foes, colleagues and brand managers that you are around. Appearing on the red carpet has helped a lot of careers. Look at Toke Makinwa, Uti Nwachukwu and Zainab Balogun. They appear often on the red carpet and they look good. They also have endorsement deals. Speaking of angles, you do know that stars in Hollywood actually have been taught how to pose on the red carpet by expert’s right?! We have no such experts here! So, sometimes, celebs get creative. You dress yourself from your closet or get a designer to make or lend you an outfit. Sometimes, you just have to make do with what you are given. That’s just getting ready for an event. If you are not naturally slender like me, you have to work out constantly or resort to body magic or both. You have to eat healthy – this is not easy all the time and it’s not cheap in Nigeria.
Abroad, there are a plethora of nutritionists, aestheticians, plastic surgeons and personal trainers to ensure that the stars look their best. Uzi (celebrity trainer) charges over N100, 000 per month. Ponle (another trainer) charges over $100 per workout session. We all know with N500, if you buy rice and meat from a buka – you will eat well. But N500 cannot buy you a salad! It might buy you some miserable looking carrots and cucumbers. That’s it! A facial at a good spa costs at least N12, 000. I made enquiries at a dentist’s office; I wanted to whiten my teeth. I was told it costs N80, 000. Just to whiten – not to get a new set of teeth! I’m not making excuses. I just want you to think about these things and know that it is not easy! So, think twice before you type ‘get a stylist’. It is a lot of hard work and dedication!
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