The Luxury Reporter Magazine Issue 32

BOATING TRAVEL ARCHITECTURE ART FASHION

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LUXURY R E P O R T E R

ISSUE-32

HOME Hues We Are?

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Down Memory Lane

WINE 10 Aged Bourbon Whiskey Of The Century

MID-YEAR EDITION

FEMI DAGUNRO VERY DISTINGUISHED

CONTENT Editorial Publisher/Managing Editor Funke Osae-Brown Staff Writers Angel James Amole Johnson Awero Amole Creative Director Brian Uche

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Web Design Dele Odufuye, Tsaboin

Advisory Board Mrs. Mercy Omoyeni Mr. Ogbeni-Tope Awe Mr. Julian Osula Mrs. Bola Balogun Mrs. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo Dr. Phil Osagie Mrs. Florence Olumodimu

Hues We Are?

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Down Memory Lane

Cover Photo Credit distinguished.ng Image Credit keymarketing.com benettiyachts.it asprey.com aquazzura.com bremont.com bonadea.com eu.clickandgrow.com dunhill.com cpaceramics.com blog.tooveys.com cactest.org mudac.ch robbreport.com img.archiexpo.com hospitalitymarketplace.co.za residenzamaritti.com thingstodointenerife.es justluxe.com

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Between Patek Philippe and Rolex, Which Has Better Investment Value

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10 Aged Bourbon Whiskey Of The Century

CONTENT

19. Cover Story

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5 Difference Between Made To Measure, Bespoke Suit

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Tokunbo Chiedu Talks Her New Baby, FLEC

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Editor’s Note

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It’s the Season To Bloom

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elcome to mid-year, it has been an interesting year post-pandemic.

Although the world is yet to get over the effec t of the Corona virus pandemic, yet commerce is picking up gradually across the world.

In the spirit of the gradual return to bustling economic activities in the luxury sector, we feature a very distinguished personality on our cover. He believes good rewards are important in the workplace to drive performance.

Therefore, he started Distinguished.ng, a platform that sells luxurious plaques. These are rare designs that will not go out of vogue.

In the same vein, Tokunbo Chiedu is pushing the boundaries for female entrepreneurs in

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the luxury sector with FLEC. This is a season for men to stand out of the crowd through their dress sense. We highlight the different between Bespoke and made-to-measure suit.

Finally, Hues Are We, talks about the colours of the season including some colours that ruled from 2019 till date.

These and more are for your reading pleasure this June. Have a great mid-year!

- FOB Follow me on: Instagram: @funkeosaebrown Twitter: @funkeadetutu Facebook/LinkedIn: Funke Osae-Brown

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Hues Are We? From yellow to beige, the last decade was a burst of colours writes ADEDOYIN JOHNSON.

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early in the world of interior design, colour plays a prominent role. It is seen as the lifeline of a space. It brings the entirety of the area alive. Since the beginning of the last decade, the taste for colours has moved from monotone to polychrome. Scandinavian chic was the in-thing.

Dark greys, cool monochromes and bleached wood were the favourite colours for interiors. Also, different variations of pink, from powder pink to baby and fuchsia pinks took centre stage.

For living rooms, there was an in ltration of icecream shades, pistachio green, lavender, even peach – as homeowners became more ambitious with colours and are more optimistic about the world. It was a form of rose-tinted escapism from monochromes to more daring brilliant colours.

The years 2016 to 2017 were ones of extremes and the chromatic tide duly turned. The political, economic and ecological events of 2018 would

also de ne people's taste for colours. It heralded the rise of Gen-Z Yellow.

Fashion designers and retailers keyed into the sassy yellow, clocking strong sales of yellow designs as clients fell in love with the naturally joyful, bright colour.

For interior design, sunlight yellow was the real deal. Interior designers used yellow to create an atmosphere that nurtured a sense of freedom and energy. For them, it was an ideal choice for dark hallways and small rooms; yellow expands any space and adds sunshine to a room without natural light.

“Naturally, yellow attracts our attention like no other colour,” says interior designer, Remi Fagbohun. “Cheerful, energetic yellow adds instant warmth to any room, particularly soft, pale shades that are easy on the eyes. Muted yellows like buttercup, vanilla, saffron or sand could help brighten a space with limited natural light, or

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make a space with high ceilings feel cosier.”

A dealer at Dulux paints believes that chartreuse, a warm hue halfway between lemon yellow and lime green, is also a right colour for an interior that has made a strong impression on clients for many years. It is called chartreuse because it resembled the colour of the sweet French liqueur called yellow chartreuse, introduced in 1838. A vivid colour that demands attention, chartreuse can range from a pale citrus yellow to a bright neon lime. In its lightest form, chartreuse makes a great wall colour for creating earthy, natureinspired rooms; in its boldest, most brilliant form, it makes a striking impact as an accent hue.

“A splash of chartreuse will work wonders to help break up the neutrals in any room, especially when used in unexpected spaces, like window trim, door frames and inside shelves and bookcases. When used as an accent, chartreuse is the perfect foil for charcoal grey and looks crisp and fresh when paired with bright white. It also looks fabulous when paired with lots of white and warm wood tones, like oak and timber,” he explains.

From yellow, people's taste moved to superbly sophisticated jewel hues like a topaz to terracotta, citrine, amethyst, aquamarine, teal and turquoise.

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The second-hardest gemstone after diamond, sapphire is also known as the 'stone of wisdom' and is believed by some to have powerful healing qualities. In ancient Persia, sapphires were ground up and used as an all-purpose medicine, while Ivan the Terrible of Russia once declared that they strengthened the heart and endowed a person with courage.

Blue sapphire gemstones come in many shades, from pale and ethereal blue to vibrant violet.

However today, the colour sapphire generally refers to a velvety corn ower blue that looks fabulous in almost every interior space. Interior designers have tried combining accents of sapphire with crisp white to evoke the cool blue of the Mediterranean sea. They have paired it with other jewel-like colours, such as emerald, turquoise or topaz for a more daring decorative scheme.

Amazingly, this sultry new maximalism translated directly into the home. Velvet was the upholstery best fabric, from high-end to the high street, and richly patterned wallpapers and exotic marbles nally supplanted Scandi style.

But the swing of the trend-pendulum is nothing if not rhythmic, so counter to all this vivacity, by early 2019 beige appeared on the radar.

At the time, neutral hues are the perfect starting

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point for any interior style, providing the exibility to personalise the home with layers of other neutral shades or by adding a splash of a favourite colour.

“Cosy and warm neutral hues can create an inviting interior space that clients love to live.

Cool neutrals work well with most interior styles.

A cool neutral creates a simple classic backdrop for you to add to yours. Personal style. Move away from smooth, cold surfaces and surround yourself with warm colours, esh tones and vegetal hues,” says Tolani Olaoye, an interior designer who loves to work with Dulux paint.

Neutrals, like beige, help to craft a classic look when it is paired in tonal combinations or contrast with soft whites. Creamy neutrals can add depth and mood to traditional spaces, and lighter neutrals can create a comforting, warm, friendly home full of character.

Also, from soft milky beige to taupe and tan, neutral colours work beautifully with timber, leadlight details and traditional architectural features. Highlight trims with lighter or darker harmonious colour to create a timeless exterior look.

Neutrals mirrored the emerging use in interiors of previously termed humble materials: cork, plywood, sisal, hemp and wicker – nishes that were affordable, sustainable, profoundly textural and, colourwise, decisively neutral.

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In 2019 the colour of the year was deep ochre mustard: a colour trope of hope to tread a conciliatory line between full bright colours and any hint of greige neutrality.

Mustard has been eaten as a tangy condiment since the earliest recorded times. It was even used as a medicine by ancient physicians.

Mustard's typically pungent taste is the result of a chemical reaction that takes place when the seeds are ground and mixed with water. For those who love the bold avour of mustard, adding a dollop of this warming hue to your own home is a signi cant step to achieving that.

Softer on the eye than vivid yellow but just as warm, mustard works in all sorts of interior spaces, from feature walls in living rooms to s p l a s h b a c k s i n k i t c h e n s . To c r e a t e a contemporary feel, combine touches of mustard with grey or white, or, if a retro look is more your style, try teaming mustard with teal, black and the natural tones of teak or rosewood.

Finally, paint brand Dulux named Spiced Honey, an American-tan-tights brown, as the colour for 2019. Also, the international colour company Pantone, that has been making such pronouncements for 20 years named Living Coral, the colour of the year at the close of last decade. Whatever colour will be called for this new decade in 2021, what is of utmost importance is your taste for colours.

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Down Memory Lane Mercedes-Benz is a brand that can boast of an extremely broad product range, from passenger cars, commercial vehicles, to racing cars. Below are some of the rarities from the marque over the years.

Mercedes-Benz High-speed Racing Car Transporter, 1955 One of the stars sporting a Mercedes star has, since the 1950s, been the racing car high-speed transporter, whose task it was to transfer the racing cars as quickly as possible from the plant to European race tracks. The vehicle was created as a unique specimen with parts from Mercedes-Benz production vehicles: the sporty 300 S top model provided the X-tube frame. The engine came from the 300 SL Gullwing super sports car and the 180 mid-size saloon provided the doors. There were also many individually created components.

in Legends Room 1: “Pioneers – The invention of the motorcar” in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

Mercedes-Benz 150 sports Saloon (W 30), 1934 A sports car with a high-performance engine: that was the two-seater Mercedes-Benz 150 sports saloon car from 1934. 40 kW (55 PS) from a 1.5 litre engine was quite a remarkable output at that time. Another key feature was the midengine concept, which is still used today in sports cars and also in Formula One cars. The vehicle was used for the “2,000 kilometres through Germany” event. Four of the six 150 sports saloons received gold medals.

Daimler“Reitwagen”(riding carriage), 1885 Only two wheels? But that's a motorcycle! Quite right. However, this was not at all what Gottlieb Daimler had in mind when he launched the invention in 1885. At the time, it demonstrated very impressively that the newly invented combustion engine was suitable for powering a vehicle. Today the “riding carriage”, as it is aptly called, would be called a prototype. You can see it

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THE LUXURY REPORTER Mercedes-Benz 150 sports roadster (W 30), 1934 The Mercedes-Benz 150 sports roadster was the series version of the 150 sports saloon. With an open top and boasting an unusual design, this roadster is an invitation in itself to take it out for a spin.

However, the car was not a success. Experts are sure that only two of them were ever built. One of these is in the Mercedes-Benz Classic archive & vehicle collection.

Mercedes-Benz 220 D “Stroke 8” pickup (W 115), 1973 The Mercedes-Benz “Stroke 8” model series W 114/W 115, the predecessor of today's E-Class, were extremely successful, with over 1.9 million saloons, long-wheelbase saloons, coupés and chassis being built between 1968 and 1976. Only very few of them were built as pickups. One of those is in the Mercedes-Benz Classic archive & vehicle collection.

Auto Mercedes-Benz T 80 record car, 1939 Fastest man on Earth: that's what Hans Stuck wanted to be in 1939. To this end, the MercedesBenz T 80 was aiming for the 650 km/h mark. The record car was designed by Ferdinand Porsche. It was powered by an enormous twelve-cylinder 44.5-litre aircraft engine and had an output of up to 2574 kW (3,500 PS). But the T 80 was never used. The outbreak of the Second World War prevented the record attempt. Today, the original body can be seen in the “Fascination of Technology” section of the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

Mercedes-Benz W 125 for shooting sessions, 196 The Mercedes-Benz W 125 dominated international motorsport in 1937.

Understandably, it was a single-seater. But in June 1962, there was a plan to shoot lm sequences at breakneck speed from the car. For this purpose, one W 125 was tted with an additional seat. The cameraman was seated high above the driver and held fast with a seat belt.

Was this comfortable? That question was probably of secondary importance.

Mercedes-Benz SLX, 1965 The Mercedes-Benz SLX project at the beginning of the 1960s was intended to play a major role: it was to be nothing less than a successor to the

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300 SL Gullwing. In 1965, a breathtaking design in the style of an Italian gran turismo sports car was created. A full-scale mock-up was constructed from wood and this was even tested in a wind tunnel. But then the project was stopped. However, the wooden mock-up is still one of the rarest items in the company's own collection of motorcars.

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.6 Cabriolet prototype, 1990 A four-seater cabriolet as a supplement to the successful W 201 model series: in the early 1990s, this was a brilliant idea from Mercedes-Benz. A drivable prototype with an extremely appealing body design was created.

However, the concept car never went into series production because Mercedes-Benz decided in favour of the 124 Cabriolet. The prototype is now in the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection.

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Watches

Between Patek Philippe and Rolex, Which Has Better Investment Value?

FUNKE OSAE-BROWN

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f you have ever mingled with watch collectors, there is usually this hot debate about the investment value between Patek Philippe and Rolex. The argument has been about which brand should be considered the greater luxury watch brand, which brand is better built, which is more elite, which has a better investment value?

Some collectors consider Rolex a more iconic brand known for being an original tool while Patek Philippe is preferred as an extremely elegant dress watch made for the elite.

In terms of pricing, Patek's base prices are more expensive, however, does that mean they are superior overall? One thing is clear, these are two different watch brands marketed in different ways. Both brands are known to appreciate, and both have vintage watches that are highly soughtafter as collectables.

The question then is what are Rolex and Patek known for? What are their unique features?

Patek may not be as iconic as Rolex, but for those who know luxury watches, Patek is considered to be extremely top of the range. It is known as an elite watchmaker with superb quality, elegance, outstanding complications, and horological feats.

A Patek timepiece is a piece of art. Famous auction house Christie's describes Patek owners as people who know they have the very best in terms of craftsmanship, heritage and design sitting on their wrists.

Patek Philippe prides itself as a rare brand. It is very selective when it comes to representatives making it difficult to nd. It can't be found easily as

one would a Rolex. Patek has been creating watches for over 180 years. However, as Patek Philippe has 70 years on Rolex, which is, in fact, a long time, they do have a much greater history.

Taking a historical journey into the philosophy that started the Patek Maison, one discovers a deliberate attempt to present the brand as unique in form and beauty.

Antoine Patek and his partner Francois Czapek founded what is now known as Patek Philippe in 1839. They started by making custom pocket watches for Royalty and elite members of society.

In 1844, Patek became acquainted with Adrien Philippe. At that time, Adrien Philippe was well recognised by watchmakers for his newly created keyless winding and hand-setting mechanism. A year later, the two established a bond and started a business together; and so the brand Patek Philippe was created.

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The business model has been the same as the house continues to service high-class clientele.

Additionally, they decided to put effort into an international campaign to grow their reputation.

Patek travelled to the United States where he formed a partnership with Tiffany & Co. A collaboration that also withstood the test of time, as they are still partners today.

While Patek concentrated on broadening business, Philippe worked on innovation. Philippe obtained a patent for his hand-setting mechanism and keyless winding, and he created Patek Philippe's rst pocket-watch using a tourbillon complication. Also, he invented a mainspring, a spiral torsion spring of metal ribbon designed as a power source in mechanical watches.

Both founders later passed away which caused a big shift in the business. Antoine Patek in 1877 and Adrien Philippe in 1894. Philippe passed on the business to his son who ran the company for three decades. That's when the Stern Brothers bought Patek Philippe, in 1932.

Since then, fewer than 1 million Patek Philippe watches have been made since 1839. That's fewer than some very high-end Swiss manufacturers produce in a year. The production of a Patek piece is very detailed such that it takes nine months to

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make its basic watches. It takes more than two years to produce some of the more complicated timepieces. Meanwhile, demand is growing around the world.

Some Patek Philippe watches are so sought-after that buyers have to submit to an application to show they are sufficiently high-calibre collectors.

Over the years, Rolex has become known as the iconic watch brand in history. Everyone from Sir Edmund Hillary, the famous mountain climber from New Zealand, to American actor James Bond have at one time or another wore a Rolex. It is a watch that men and women of all ages respect and cherish. The brand is famous for its rugged masculinity and extreme capability as a tool.

Rolex has created watches for diving, sports, racing, and piloting. Men of prestige and action

THE LUXURY REPORTER wear Rolex watches with style and charm. In terms of overall popularity, no other luxury watch is talked about like Rolex.

Rolex was founded shortly after the turn of the 20th century. Its founder, Hans Wilsdorf, had a similar passion for innovation as Philippe. Like Patek Philippe, Rolex accomplished multiple horological feats in the rst few decades of inception.

Rolex made it possible for the year 1910 to bring the world's rst certi ed chronometer. In 1926, they created the rst dust-and-waterproof watch.

Then in 1931, Rolex patented the rst-ever perpetual self-winding mechanism.

And so, when it comes to comparing the two watches, it makes sense to consider which is the better investment. The truth, however, is that the model determines the investment value.

Watches Daytona was sold for $17.8 million at auction.

Yet, year-on-year, both Rolex and Patek have appeared many times on the list of the most expensive watches sold at auction.

The question then is, which Patek Philippe is best to buy for Investment? The best Patek Philippe watch for investment are Chronograph Ref. 5170G-010, Nautilus Chronograph Ref. 5980/1A001 and Chronograph Ref. 5070.

For Rolex, the best for investment are Day Date, Submariner, Yacht-Master GMT and Daytona. The Submariner cost is around $8,000. For that price, you not only get an amazing looking watch with great functions, but you also get reliability, durability, serviceability, history, and reputation that comes with a Rolex.

Often, in addition to such factors like a watch's potential to appreciate and its investment value, it is also important to consider such factors like the watch's usefulness and aesthetics.

“The pleasure of owning a watch matters,” says a dealer who prefers to be anonymous. “It does not matter whether it is a big name or small brand. The small name brands are of better quality than the big-name brands at times. What should be paramount is that owner of the watch is happy with the aesthetics. The watch is working well, the movement is good, and the watch is beautiful.

That is the most important. Buy a watch that makes you happy. The fact that a Patek is worthy of investment does not mean you will buy an ugly Patek that you can't wear.”

Since both brands have a long history, analysts say both of them have strong investment value even though Patek Philippe has proven to dominate watch auctions. Many of Patek's watches have appreciated over the last fty years, this could be up to a hundred per cent for some models.

The most expensive Patek Philippe is the second most expensive timepiece ever sold at an auction.

The timepiece was the Graves Supercomplication pocket watch. It was sold for $11 million.

In 2017, Rolex broke the record coming rst place as the worlds' most expensive watch ever sold.

Late American actor, Paul Newman's Rolex

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Wine

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Aged Bourbon Whiskey

10Of The Century Al Young 50th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon from Four Roses Kentucky Distillers' Association Hall of Famer Al Young toiled for 50 years at Four Roses, and for his efforts, they named a whiskey after him. A blend of four distinct proprietary recipes, the “Al Young,” as it's affectionately known ($150), exhibits aromas of sweet caramel and oral honeysuckle. The palate offers fresh peach and apricot avours, encompassing luxurious, warm g and rich oak, with a hint of mint on the nish. It was originally priced at $150, but expect to pay signi cantly more on the secondary market.

Barrell Bourbon Batch 009 Barrell Craft Spirits was founded in 2013 and quickly became one of the most buzzed-about producers of American whiskey. Released in 2016, today Barrell Bourbon Batch 009 can most easily be acquired on the secondary market. Distilled in Tennessee and aged in Kentucky, it's a 112-proof avor bomb, offering everything from tropical fruit to thick clotted cream. This bourbon possesses a familiar warmth, like a favorite old blanket or pair of wool socks. The boundless nish is reminiscent of sweet buttered caramel corn.

Angel's Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Port Barrels Legendary master distiller Lincoln Henderson released this Angel's Envy cask-strength expression ($180) to great acclaim in 2012. It turned out to be his swan song. Henderson passed away in September 2013, leaving a legacy of artistry and innovation that will not soon be forgotten. The Port Barrel– nished whiskey is a magni cent testament to his abilities. After six years spent resting in new white American oak, the spirit was re ned in 60-gallon ruby port barrels made from French oak and imported directly from Portugal. European in uence aside, this is still the epitome of complex, bold Kentucky bourbon. The palate teems with avors, from raisin to banana to rich dark chocolate. A clean and lingering nish offers a hint of Madeira that slowly fades. At 124.5 proof, it packs a serious wallop.

High Wire New Southern Revival Bourbon Jimmy Red is a legendary moonshiner's corn that had all but become extinct until a South Carolina farmer brought it back to life in the early aughts.

By 2016 the folks at High Wire Distilling in

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Charleston, who felt that many of the “big boys” in the industry weren't paying enough attention to the quality of corn used in the mash, were using Jimmy Red to make truly unique bourbon. The Jimmy Red Corn Straight Bourbon ($99) smells of nutmeg and toffee. The rst sip is nutty, sweet, and mineralic. Swish it around a bit to unbind banana and butterscotch avors. It boasts an extremely high oil content, yielding whiskey with an unusually creamy mouthfeel.

High West American Prairie Bourbon High West American Prairie ($35) is a blend of straight bourbons aged from two to 13 years. Rich and earthy on the palate, it reveals pleasant notes of candy corn, honey nougat, and sweet corn bread biscuits, closing out with a ash of Granny Smith apple. Every purchase comes with a karmic boost, as well—High West donates 10 percent of pro ts from the sale of each bottle to the American Prairie Reserve, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving America's natural resources.

Knob Creek Limited Edition 2001 Part of the rst wave of so-called “small batch” bourbons that now command the market, Knob Creek was introduced in 1992 by the late great Jim Beam master distiller Booker Noe. Booker ran the show at Beam for more than 40 years and did yeoman's work to help revitalize the agging bourbon industry in the 1960s and '70s. In 2001, Booker retired and was replaced by his son Fred.

This limited-edition expression, released in 2016, marked that historic passing of the torch. Knob Creek Limited Edition 2001 ($130) was offered in ve batches, each with robust oak and char notes balanced by sweet vanilla and warm brown spices.

The nish is long, rich, and glowing.

Wine Mic.Drop Bourbon A delicious blend of 20 different casks of eightyear-old whiskey that offers multifarious avors highlighted by maple syrup, coconut, cloves, and dark fruit. Mic.Drop. ($100) came out of nowhere in 2017 and now resides on the back bars of some of the country's most prestigious drinking establishments. It's easy to spot, too, with an eyecatching label designed by comic book artist Chris Batista. The follow up, Mic.Drop.2, was released in 2018 —140 bottles at $450 a pop.

John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve 20 Year Old Whiskey lovers tend to speak of the old StitzelWeller Distillery in hushed, reverential tones.

Before being shuttered in 1972, the facility produced brands such as Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, Pappy Van Winkle, and Weller's Cabin Still. John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve 20 Year Old ($300 for 375 mL) contains wheated bourbon gleaned from 12 barrels produced at old Stitzel-Weller that had been designated for use in Old Fitzgerald. The John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve offers a host of tastes that go great together, from cocoa to lemon to banana cream pie. The nish is lengthy and re ned. A few years back, Heaven Hill released a miniscule amount of 375 mL bottles. They claim that's all they had, yet there are whispers—hushed and reverential—that a secret supply still remains.

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection 2009 Seasoned Oak Finish In the early 1800s, Woodford County Distillery owner Oscar Pepper and master distiller James Crow pioneered key bourbon-making processes such as sour mashing, copper pot distillation, and charred oak cask maturation. Woodford Reserve's Master's Collection ($129) is the

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belated thanks they get. Were either still around to sample this rich amber-colored delectation, surely they'd revel in the 2009 Seasoned Oak Finish's robust oakiness and spice, as well as the keen notes of fruit jam, toasted almond, and dark chocolate. The homestretch lolls pleasantly, offering sweet butter and a hint of cool lemon custard. Be forewarned— nding a bottle is darn near a mission impossible.

Jefferson's Twin Oak Custom Barrel Founded in 1997, Jefferson's is committed to crafting innovative small-batch blends, as

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evidenced by its slogan “alchemy is everything.”

The brand is de nitely onto something, and the 2018 release ($80) may well be its most ambitious whiskey yet. For six years Jefferson's worked with the Independent Stave Company to develop a proprietary ash-charred barrel made with grooved staves that allow for maximum exposure to oak at the peak of avour. The result is a wellbalanced, mocha-tinged whiskey that coats the palate with sweet and spicy goodness. It has a medium-length nish with a touch of cedar and tart lemon.

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FEMI DAGUNRO VERY DISTINGUISHED

As the chairman of DISTINGUISHED.NG, Femi Dagunro, shares his view on the burgeoning awards and recognition industry and what his organization is doing as a pacesetter.

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e c k e d i n a s p a r k l i n g w h i t e Yo r u b a traditional attire, Buba and Soro, Femi Dagunro looks very distinguished, which is a testament to his company's name, DISTINGUISHED.NG, a leading performance recognition and awards specialist in Nigeria.

Subtly, the company has been the brain behind many beautiful plaques and trophies presented at many award ceremonies organized by corporate bodies across Nigeria.

The awards industry has always experienced a boom in the country as nearly every week an awards night is held somewhere. However, the quality of trophies or plaques given to recipients remains tricky. Not every organization gives too much thought or attention to the design and quality of plaques they are handing out to awards re c i p i e nt s. An d s o, D I S T I N G U I S H E D. N G ' s intervention to provide quality plaques is timely.

“We know that people and organizations are being rewarded daily around the world for diligence, business innovations, humanitarian services, and many more. Therefore, the need to create and supply the markets with unique and uncommon awards is growing. Award organizers and awardees are always looking for great products to challenge the competitors. DISTINGUISHED.NG

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THE LUXURY REPORTER trophies and awards are here in Nigeria to ll the gap and raise the bar,” says Dagunro.

Even though the Nigerian market for plaques is still fragmented, there are great opportunities to grow and expand in the industry with the right skills, exibility, and creativity.

“The market will take some time to get it sorted.

Nevertheless, we design and produce high-end awards to match our customers' corporate goals and culture. We know that great awards will distinguish winners and motivate others to excel in their endeavors.”

For Dagunro, the future for the sector holds great promise as it will grow organically, and more creative young men and women will recharge it.

No doubt, the pandemic has affected businesses globally, the awards and recognition inclusive.

“You know that we are into the business of celebrations. Performance recognition usually calls for celebrations within and outside the offices where you see kisses and hugs as part of life. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought gatherings and celebrations to a halt. But there was nothing anyone could do than to keep the rules and stay safe.”

He believes the industry has a strong future postpandemic. “Virtual award ceremonies are now being organized and it's proven to be successful as part of the new normal. I strongly believe that lots of performance recognitions and award events will come up after the pandemic.”

Once the rst African Brand Ambassador at Bacardi GmbH and Brown Forman LLC in the late 90s, Dagunro had the opportunity to have contributed immensely to the brand Southern Comfor t in terms of turnover and brand awareness in Germany. “One of the nest moments was the suggestion made to change the old bottle design to the current one that was accepted by Brown Forman, the brand owner, and the change is there to see around the globe till date. You cannot forget my creation of the Top 100 outlets in Germany and also the introduction of assor ted drinks mixes that has gained international recognition.”

As the Vice President -Africa- at Riedel Austria, he wrote the feasibility studies for RSN (Riedel Spiegelau and Nachtmann) before being invited to join the company to execute the growth and market expansion plans written in the feasibility reports. “It was quite challenging but exciting to see that I could place the products into more than

Cover THE LUXURY REPORTER 40 African countries successfully with an unprecedented turnover. But now, I am glad to be here at DISTINGUISHED.NG” Dagunro who loves to go on holidays more with my family says returning home after many years of living in Germany is rewarding.

“Coming back home was a personal choice with the greater support of my wife and children. And also with a job that takes me around AFRICA to explore the business opportunities and culture of the people around the continent including the Archipelago.

It wasn't a big challenge for me because I have

Cover THE LUXURY REPORTER always been coming to Nigeria regularly leading business delegations and attending conferences as the former president of Nigerian-German Business Group eV. Germany.

But if anyone in the Diaspora would like to come back home permanently, he should be prepared to face some challenges and turbulence that are common to all developing countries. People should be war y of the dangers in “fast businesses” and uncharted political terrain.

Greater patience and focus are required to survive in this beautiful country.”

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Fashion

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5

Difference Between Made-To-Measure, Bespoke Suit

There is a great deal of difference between Made-To-Measure and a bespoke suit. Not many people can tell this difference. To put it simply, Made-To-Measure is the meeting point between buying Off-TheRack and Bespoke. Below, ADEDOYIN JOHNSON shares some of them.

1. Pattern Making Pattern making is essential in suit making. For Made-To-Measure suit, new patterns are not made to suit individual body type. For instance, a tailor cuts patterns for a size 42 jacket, a Made-ToMeasure company will take these patterns, modify them if the client's measurements are outside the range of what the 42 jackets are designed to be.

The house cutter can modify the patterns to accommodate the client's body shape differences such as jacket length and shoulder width.

For bespoke, a new pattern is created for each wearer. This is what makes it bespoke because it is spoken for by the customer. No modi cation or use of existing base patterns, like that, could lead the tailor to miss some of the small details of the wearer's body; for example, the slope of the shoulder, the arch of the back among others.

2. Multiple Fittings Multiple ttings for Made-To-Measure are limited.

During the creation process, an initial tting to take measurements and draft design is required.

Then, there will be a nal tting after the suit is fully created. At times, the measurement accuracy and customer's preference will determine if there will be alterations to the nal product. It can be called the nal tting.

Making a bespoke t requires multiple ttings during the creation of the garment. This is what makes bespoke different from Made-To-Measure.

This is what makes bespoke premium. The rst step is the skeleton baste tting, second the

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forward tting, third the n bar n tting, all being done at different stages of tailoring. Some bespoke tailors do ve or more mid- ttings. These ttings are to verify if the original measurements were accurate in the beginning.

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Fashion

3. Fabric Selection Fabric selection is equally important for MadeTo-Measure suit. There is usually a curated selection of fabric to choose from, from 1-2 mills or more depending on the shop making the suit.

However, the variety of fabric offered by bespoke shops is far more than that of Made-To-Measure.

Most bespoke shops have a selection of 10 or more mills. They usually call it a library of fabric.

4. Design Customisation For Made-To-Measure, options for design customization are limited. But for bespoke, there are no limits no matter how complex the design is.

The list of options may include but not limited to: number of buttons on the jacket, pocket style, vent options, pant pleats, cuffs. Sometimes available: interior lining, lapel width, buttonstance, gorge height.

5. One-on-One Meeting With Tailor For Made-To-Measure clients usually meet with a store attendant or a sales associate who is trained to take measurements and give them to the master tailor or production manager. When it comes to bespoke tailoring, the client meets directly with the person making the garment.

This will make the person cutting the garment and doing the needlework have more context to meet the speci c needs and varying body shapes of the client.

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Interview

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Tokunbo Chiedu Talks Her New Baby, FLEC The idea to start FLEC came as a divine inspiration and ever since she received it, Tokunbo Chiedu, Compass Global Business Services Ltd has never looked back. In this interview she talks extensively about the project.

The idea behind FLEC FLEC focuses broadly on Innovation; there will be emphasis on content that speaks to: “Toolkits to Innovate, Survive, and Sustain” in the post – pandemic recovery phase; a fact which was ex p re s s e d t h ro u g h o u r c h o i ce o f h i g h l y accomplished Female Leaders from across Africa, and the globe. Our vision is to empower, and inspire Women through the success stories, and case studies of others.

This global edition of FLEC was designed to be a “convergence”, to initiate powerful conversations with Female Leaders, around Gender Development and the pivotal role Gender Balance , and Diversity has to play in navigating the New Normal, and particularly towards achieving a safe, and sustainable World for All. The event was a Virtual Conference with built -in Exhibitions & Master Classes.

The event was attended by 230 guests with an impressive showcasing 34 Female Leaders /Guest Speakers- the sharpest minds in business, and across various elds from 4 Continents, and from the following Countries: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Niger, Belgium, United Kingdom, United States, and the UAE. Focus on women entrepreneurs only FLEC is our Gender Focus area of work, and our Flagship Conference, Master Class & Exhibition Brand, which is dedicated to ensuring Women have the support that they need for their businesses, and to develop their professional careers.

As a business, Compass Global Business Services is an International Trade & Investment Promotion consultancy based in Lagos, Nigeria. For over 14 years, Compass Global has been committed to creating strong connections, access to new markets, and opportunities, including business

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linkages across regions in Africa & globally for our clients and strategic partners.

Compass has also empowered thousands of SMEs in collaboration with its Partners, and through our Exhibitions, Conferences, Master Classes, and other initiatives designed to help promote the growth of SMEs, whilst also maintaining a strong focus on Women in business; including those Women in/leading in the spheres of work.

Compass Global has also assisted governments and their agencies, as well as businesses to build international partnerships and whilst providing access to the global markets; using its extensive domestic and international networks.

Noteworthy has been Compass' collaborations with par tners such as the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Bank of Industry – Nigeria,

THE LUXURY REPORTER Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lagos State Government, Osun State Government, UK Department of Trade & Industry, the European Regional Development Fund, Greater London Enterprise, and B2B Events UK; to name but a few.

So why the Gender Focus?

African Women are an asset for Africa's structural transformation. Women are leading in every key sector of business on the Continent, and here in Nigeria. The attention to Women is well deserved as our involvement is critical to Africa's progress, prosperity, and the transformation that we all desire to see and experience.

Setting the tone for the Conference, Presentations, and keynote speeches were delivered by identi ed Leading Women, and notable Female achievers such as Ngone Diop Sub Regional Director & Chief Gender Development Expert ( responsible for 15 West African Countries)at the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Aissatou Diallo -Senior Coordinator, African Continental Free Trade Area ( A f C F TA ) a n d L D C s F o c a l P o i n t a t t h e International Trade Centre (ITC), Toki MabogunjePresident Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Juliet Ehimuan - Director, West Africa at Google etc.

The Event was Compered by Dayo Benjamins Laniyi - Nigeria's most sought after MC, with Co Comperes Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Editor In Chief Today's Woman Magazine, and Ajoke Savage, Lead Consultant & Brand Educator, Savage Customer Experience Agency, to name but a few of the Speakers.

The theme for the 2021 edition The overarching theme of the conference focuses broadly on Gender Development and Innovation with emphasis on:“Toolkits to Innovate, Survive, and Sustain” in the post – pandemic recovery phase.

According to a recent International Trade Centre business survey, about 64% of women-led rms declared their business operations were strongly affected by the crisis, compared with 52% for companies led by men.

Women owned businesses also represent 80% of MSMEs in Africa's private sector. More than 60%

Interview Cover THE LUXURY REPORTER of MSMEs are still operating in the informal sector.

Women represent approx. 89% of the informal sector (59% in LAC and 95% in South Asia).

The COVID-19 crisis in Africa has presented challenges for women involved in informal crossborder transactions (ICBT) : loss of incomes, accumulation of debts etc. The source of the statistics is the International Trade Centre Report on SMEs Competitiveness.

Against this backdrop of how Women have been affected by the pandemic, we made a decision to commit our annual plan to a series of interventions to support Women. Hence a key driver of the FLEC platform is the need to foster new learnings, business opportunities, and to engage, and strengthen Women networks in the process, to ensure that No Woman Is Left Behind as we navigate the tremendous impact of Co Vid 19.

The experience hosting a fully digital conference It has been such an eye opener, the digital world has unearthed a new world of what is truly possible. We loved the experience of using a fully virtual oor to create VIP Rooms, Networking Lounges that Sponsors, and Strategic Partners can brand, Exhibition Booth, and Conference Stages. The absolute perk of the process is being able to break down the barrier of distance, and we had an engaging audience! The experience was awesome, and we scarcely wanted it to end! We were also able to gather data and analytics on attendees, and to receive feedback and ratings on the event.

What I would have done differently Nigeria's internet network remains a challenge.

There needs to be more robust infrastructure to bring us on par with how these experiences were designed to be deployed. There were frustrating moments when panelists would be bounced off sessions etc. Nonetheless, the new normal is here for keeps, so we embrace these challenges, and continue to explore options as we move forward.

So, no regrets at all.

For future editions, I will still consider a fully digital conference. For all the earlier cited reasons.

Worth mentioning that we had a hybrid element

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Interview

to this event. A pre - conference brunch to celebrate our Leaders. We will continue in this stead Covid permitting.

A woman with many hats I am a Serial Entrepreneur, Yes. However, to put things in the right perspective; Tokunbo is rstly an Award Winning New Markets Strategist, A Strategic Partnerships & Development Expert, and an experienced Consultant in SMEs & Gender Focused Work.

My rst Degree is in Law & Social Sciences, and Masters in Development with Work Experience from Middlesex University. I have 24 years experience of developing and managing public– private partnerships, and particular expertise in setting up joint working arrangements between sectors.

I started my career working on Projects funded by the Association of London Governments, now London Council as a Service Development Manager, working across 8 East London Boroughs & the Thames Gateway Areas.

I am a Graduate, and an Ambassador of the British Council's InterAction Leadership Programme, which was set up to equip, and encourage a brand new set of Community/World leaders - who together want to start the transformation of their Country and Continent.

Inspired by InterAction to forge ahead with new ideals and new approaches, I quit my day job in London after 10 years of service, and set up Compass Global, and relocated to Nigeria in 2008.

I have been CEO at Compass Global Business Services Ltd for 14 years and Founder of the FLEC event for the same period.

Regarding my other entrepreneurial pursuits in the beauty industry, and my interests around luxury, and premium brands; well, the apple they say falls not too far from the tree!

I am a daughter of a Cosmetologist, and Beautician, my late Mother, Mrs Serah Adunola Ajilore was trained both in the UK & USA in the 70s, she returned home to establish a chain of Beauty Training Schools and related businesses.

Being born, and raised around the beauty business, I naturally developed interest in that space; hence Compass has a Beauty Division that develops New Market Entry Strategies, and Activations for Brands wanting to enter West

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Africa. Serahsbeautysecrets is that arm which activates for brands, and through which we conduct internships, and carry out training on behalf of brands.We have also acquired the distribution rights to Global Luxury brands for Nigeria & Ghana.

The Nigerian beauty industry evolution Really, things are opening up on many levels.

N igeria is a leading destination for the consumption of consumer goods, and the market driving the sale of the beauty and personal care market, which is estimated to reach €3.2 billion by 2020 making Nigeria the sector's rising star in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigeria has also seen an increase in the rising numbers of independent indigenous brands that are manufacturing locally, using available raw materials to formulate products ranging from skin care to body, and hair care products- this is really a great development for our industry, and our Nation.

Areas the industry needs serious intervention Particular challenges around the quality of education available, and questionable standards in the beauty services sector. There is a real gap with regards to nding quali ed, and competent staff to deliver services.

Though the numbers of Training Schools providing access to beauty courses with global certi cations are on the increase, the reality is that the majority of people are unable to afford these types of courses. I believe very strongly in the role of Brands in helping Nigeria's beauty industry grow through skills training, knowledge transfer and capacity building.

My experience has been mainly in working with global brands to bring technical training and education into the sector through partnerships with local schools and the Lagos State Technical & Vocational Board.

We have done extensive work with global brands working within the hair care & salon industry, and also within the spa, and wellness industry to bring brand education, product knowledge and certi cation through internships and Spa / Salon industry Training. We are looking forward to great partnerships and collaborations beyond our borders.