THISDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 2ND AUGUST 2020

...NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU’RE NOT IN STYLE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020

E L E M Q I D SA

I R A Y K E T H

K O O L

O F

E I D

ART I DESIGN I MUSIC I FILM I FASHION

Undiscovered stories This month on CNN

CONTENT

Society

JIDE & KESSIANA TIE THE KNOT PG 4-5

Fashion 8 ATHLETIC CHIC LOOKS! PG 6-7

KEY TRENDS PG 7 BRAND NEW STYLE ON A BUDGET PG 8 • CAPSULES • COLOURS OF LIFE Lately, society is waking up to identity politics, and so is fashion. Particularly its young designers, who are now using clothing, as a means to express their individuality and communities. Newcomer 26-year-old Sadiq Mele Kyari of Syari Bespoke is one of those leading this trend. In just over a year, he has built a brand whose aesthetics not only explores his roots but also reinterprets and re-tells stories of his northern Nigerian identity. KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR reports...

THISDAY STYLE FASHION DIRECTAOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR RUTH OSIME

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EDITOR PRINT OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI EDITOR DIGITAL KONYE NWABOGOR

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SENIOR ART DESIGNER MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500 CONTRIBUTORS RUKY SALAKO ISIOMA USIADE IYANU AYODELE PHOTOGRAPHER TY BELLO DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

PG 9

FAT SHAMING PG 11 WHAT IS A WARDROBE WITHOUT ACCESSORIES PG 18-19 NATURAL SKIN CARE INGREDIENTS FOR GLOWING SKIN PG 18-19

THE SURVIVORS PG 20 STATEMENT OF SLEEVES PG 21 5 SIMPLE HOMEMADE ACNE REMEDIES PG 22

HOW TO WEAR YOUR MIDI SKIRTS PG 10-11

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend. Unfortunately, this was also another season celebrated in a much quieter tone in respect of social gathering laws.

Regardless of this, nowadays, there is bit more movement than we had a few months ago although l still very strongly advise that they be reduced to the barest minimum because we are still not out of the woods yet. So it is wise to only step out when it is absolutely necessary. Anything that can be conducted without leaving your home is best done that way. But as always, people have things to do that require their physical presence outside their homes. So more people are out there moving on with life in corona times. It’s still not as busy as usual but certainly not as quiet as before.

Though it might not be the time to bring out our sky-scrappers all clad in evening gowns and cocktail dresses ready to party, the time has come to give our PJs and loungers a well-deserved break.

Now is the time to embrace casual wear more and go for comfort rather than glam. One major hit in this zone is sneakers. Like an opinion...everyone should have one! Some have several. Athletic Chic Looks are full of various sneakers that make walking around much easier. And of course, before you step out, you should looking fresh especially as being home bound must have given you plenty of time to experiment and learn new things especially concerning homemade products. In Natural Skin Care Ingredients For Glowing Skin, you see what little pleasures you can derive from not just eating these products but also using them on your skin.

As they say, the best things in life cost almost next to nothing.

Stay safe!

FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

UZO NWAGBA LADI DELANO PHILOMENA AGHEDO KAYODE AWOGBORO

EDE & EYAMBA DAFINONE

JAMES EDEWOR

TERRI DAFINONE

NENESI IBRU

MR KODI & ETHEL OGBONNA

VICTOR EWEREMU

JOE & TOPE ORJI

MAKASHE AWOGBORO

MENA LADOJA

UFUOMA EDEWOR

JIDE & KESSIANA TIE THE KNOT Kessiana Edewor-Thorley and Jide Odunsi’s intimate tropical garden wedding ceremony was held at the Edewor colonial home in Apapa with a few close friends and family members in attendance whilst streaming live to hundreds of other guests around the world via Zoom and YouTube. Personalised protective masks produced by Banke Kuku were handed to guests as wedding gifts to ensure covid-safe observance as the couple exchanged their vows. The event was designed & styled by Showcase Limited.

PHOTO CREDIT: KUNLE OGUNFUYI

JIDE & KESSIANA ODUNSI

ALEX EDEWOR

JULIANA EDEWOR

ADE & SUNBO ODUNSI

EKU EDEWOR

GODMAN & BOLA AKINLABI

DEBBIE OGHENE

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STYLE & DESIGN

I T E L H T A MA

E ISIO

BY USIAD

C

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S K O O L C I H THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

ng from i t r a t s s, d style ous moment, r a w r o -f ri fashion e having a se m anymore, e s e h t r y azed by hletic shoes a just for the g an wear them m a e b t se a You c e not ng to e . i r h e o a l t e are 8 g b s e r e r a e k e r t i l H r k a . o s a s f u e k e Sn om iti loo . Yo sporty l runners. It n the streets. nfident and c athletic activ voguish. d n a nd ce i and l co hoo t fun Make i ikes to old-sc nt appearan tatement, fee ecial events a screams chic e s p N t sporty king a statem ant to make he streets to s bottoms so i w d t a and m r ladies who arting from with tops an e fo ers e, st they ar everyday lif e your sneak r l in you s to sty y a w t s be

SHIRT DRESS

Fit for the office or spontaneous trips to the seaside, the shirt dress is a summer wardrobe What if we told you that this season it’s all staple for a reason: it’s versatile AF. Opt for a about floral-on-floral energy? Yup, maximalism classic white oversized style or, alternatively, is alive and well with the ‘more is more’ add some zest to the look by selecting a pastel mantra ringing truer than ever before. This hue or print. Our recommendation? Ice-cream summer-loving floral prints are practically tones with subtle pinstripe lines in different made for long days at the beach. ARIYIIKE directions is an instant winner. MAYA

MIXED FLORALS

VICTORIAN NECKLINES

High necklines on billowy-sleeved blouses and prairie dresses, coupled with intricate button detailing, is the order of the day and we are so okay with it. KIKA OSUNDE

Whether you religiously overhaul your wardrobe each time the weather starts to turn, or just like to be across what’s going on in the fashion world, look no further for a round up of the

KEY TRENDS

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

DOMINATING THE FASHION SCENE NOW

biggest buzzing fashion trends.From the colours and prints having a ‹moment› right now, to the ‹It›-pieces you›ll want to invest in ahead of time, here›s our round up of the nine biggest trends set to dominate these fashion months ahead.

Casual look Sporty Look Sneakers with Converse with Ripped jeans with sneakers Converse are probably the most well-known make of sneaker style footwear.

They are such a versatile shoe that they will match pretty much any type of outfit. This look is best described as vacation look!

It really brings the best of all worlds to the table.

Casual, pretty, and stylish.

SINO KUHLE

are hands down the best combo, and every girl has probably worn this outfit at least once in her life! For this look, pair your ripped jeans with a white tee and layer up with a long blazer you can turn up the sleeves of your blazer. Accessorize with a cutting-edge tote bag purse and sunglasses simply to bring a note of sophistication to your look!

INI EDO

6

Black and Pink Sporty There is something super trendy about this look. Wear it anytime; to the grocery store, or to the airport. Pair some black skinny jeans with black and pink slip-on sneakers and a thick turtle neck sweater top and black sporty jacket.

Accessorize with a black waist bag.

ESTARE

Pop-ofColour with Sneakers Contrasting colours are always fun to wear. you can wear a free skirt and black statement tee with some adorable bright mix colour sneakers. Accessorize with stylish earring and a statement bag.

KIA MARIE

Summer Style with Shorts and Sneakers

Everyday Look with Dad Sneakers

What better shoe to pair with your favourite summer shorts than a cute white sneaker or a funky slip-on?

When in doubt, a cute crop looks great when paired with some ripped shorts and your favourite sneaker.

You can keep accessories minimal and play up your favourite features.

We love how this outfit effortlessly bridges the gap between fashion-forward and casual wear, between style and comfort. With this look, the sneakers do the talking… fashion-wise, at least. Pair with a dress and accessorize with a crossbody bag, drop and your favourite sunglasses.

MERCY EKE

TOKE MAKINWA

Formal look with Slip-On Sneakers

Who says you can’t be ultrastylish and comfortable at the same time? This look is perfect for traveling, or even grabbing lunch with a work colleague. It’s high-end fashion with the added bonus of supreme comfort. Start with a crop paired with suite pants and oversized blazers to add instant elegance and professionalism to your look.

Then, accessorize with a mini bag purse and jewelleries.

SHANIQUA J.

Sneakers with Skirts There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wearing sneakers with skirts. It boils down to your personal sense of style and what best expresses you and your personality. Pop on your favourite shirt with your skirt. This is an edgy, but still girly look that will really highlight your adventurous spirit!

TOLU BALLY

SHORT SUITS

Meet the summer-approved alternative to your beloved oversized trouser suit: the short suit. Now, we know what you’re thinking...

‘I can’t possibly wear that without looking like a twit’, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Stick with utilitarian styles in neutral tones with oversized pockets and you can’t go wrong. GRAYCEE

BOILER SUITS

Boiler suits made a high fashion revival last season and, from the looks of things, they’re sticking around for another strong stint. This means that those of you who were bold enough to invest in one will get another season’s wear out of it. Alternatively, if you were a bit on the fence when you first saw the long-sleeve jumpsuit was making a comeback, now’s your chance to get in on the trend. AMA GODSON

DENIM DRESSES

The ‘70s revival is only getting stronger, with Studio 54 vibes slowly but surely taking over the runways. Not sure how to wear the look? Think Farrah Fawcett-era Charlie›s Angels, when fitted silhouettes, big hair and platform heels were all the rage. Swap the sky high shoes for retro Nike trainers and the denim one-piece looks just as effortless during the day.

YUKI AKINOSHO

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STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

Alero Adollo aleroadollo@yahoo.com

A

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

POWEDE AWUJO

CAPSULES

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

JENNIFER OSEH EZINNE CHINKATA

FISAYO LONGE

e Customis

You´ve heard the old saying about how we wear only 20% of the items in our closets 80% of the time.

So what can you do with all those clothes that you never wear? Use some imagination and look at what can be turned into something new – you would be surprised how much you can alter and get a completely outfit from some pieces you never really cared about.

ndThedSemcoarket han

ture a n g i S r u Yo tyle S

My favourite tip for getting a new look on a budget is to check out the second hand market close to you.

For those of us who live in Lagos, Yaba and the Lagos Island market are good places to start from. I can’t recommend them enough for finding wonderful bargains.

Blogs

The truly stylish person has a look that everyone instantly recognises.

Find something to be your signature item and make it your own – it can be a makeup look, an accessory or a super-flattering hairstyle.

Consider styles and colours that you wouldn´t have worn before. You never know what might suit you until you try!

It seems that every other person is writing a blog on style these days! There are so many online, that you´re sure to come across some that greatly inspire you. Also don’t forget to follow their instagram pages too for regular updates.

Here you can easily make comparisons till you decide what best works for you.

Remember that you´re trying to find your own new style, not imitate someone else’s, so never copy, but use what you see to set you off on your own path.

BRAND-NEW

STYLE

OZINNA

n Inspiratio

If you´re stuck for ideas on how to revamp your style, then look around you for inspiration. There are lots of fashionable people around who inspire us daily with their seemingly effortless sense of style. Inspiration can be found everywhere, and it doesn’t cost a kobo.

ON A

BUDGET Achieving a new look on a budget may sound like a difficult proposition, but, if you fancy a change of style – as we all do at times – it doesn’t requires loads of cash!

What a new look on a budget requires is ingenuity and individuality – after all, your aim is to look good, and style is something that cannot be bought.

Here are some great tips on how to revamp your style on a budget.

BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR

8

MONROE STEELE

uture o C e m o H

Making your own clothes is a fantastic way of achieving bargain style. You can pick up some gorgeous fabrics at the market and experiment with a new look. Plus you can also alter clothes you pick up in the second hand market or in the sales department of any shop.

This pandemic has undressed so many people exposing their vulnerability. It’s awesomely silly though that despite all that is going on many have refused to look inward and make the necessary changes.

Many still think life is a tea party and that they are the new Joneses on the block looking down their vacuous noses at everyone else but what truly perplexes is why we can’t all get it together and do better because the times are just not faffing around.

The mad lifestyle that many crave often leads them to places that they have no business visiting.

Things have gotten so bad that we find it difficult to differentiate between what is acceptable and what is insane. Our moral compasses are defective and we are indifferent to consequences, walahi, I feel like cursing the person who came up with the phrase “pepper them” because this seems to be at the root of many missteps.

The depth of stench around us chokes but we pretentiously act as if we are immune. How does one not master the art of apathy in a clime that has wrenched emotions out of our empathy. Who did this to us?

We act shocked at the madness playing out around us when we have inadvertently helped to mould and shape it.

Our values are wacko and we seem flabbergasted, when we daily encourage the rabid growth of the cesspool.

How dare you critique what you had hitherto applauded with quiet admiration. Enough already people, let’s do real, so that we can heal. The worst thing we can do at this point is lie to ourselves.

We are quick to celebrate mediocrity and we slowly kill genius starving it of essentials, then we dare to question our harvest of woes? What were we expecting to grow from the toxic seeds we continually sow?

Can we wake up for a second and smell the coffee, it ain’t tea, it’s coffee, stop playing “goosey goosey gander” we are not in kindergarten, we are not babies for pete’s sake, we need to own our collective shame because we spent eons collecting it. An amusing part of our silliness is the concept of “runs girls” as if it’s ghosts that sleep with them, I beg shift, if you sleep with a “runs girl”, you’re a “runs man”, don’t go thinking you’re better than they are blabbing about your conquests, that actually sounds like a Mr foolish feeling funky scenario.

Can we even spell karma, like seriously even if the gods of this world are in cahoots with you, there is a higher power watching you and he sure does not play “jack and jill”.

We are so anaesthetized to wrong that we have redefined it as right. We need to stop pretending and face up to our messy mess, we need to stop the guffawing at the fainting spells of a sick nation, get a vaccine before we become extinct.

Egregious is the low that we have sunk to and hilarious is our shock I tell you....We need divine intervention to force us off the precipice or pull us back from the brink, either way, something needs to slap sanity back into us because our mad display may be funny to watch but it is inane at best.

Colours of Life with Koko Kalango

MY ANGEL OF THE NORTH Today I am sharing another wonderful testimony from Sam Ajulo. Enjoy…

It was in 1975. I was a fourth year medical student when I first visited the United Kingdom and shared accommodation in a Medical Missionary Association hostel in London. It was for medical students preparing for missionary work. It was a total miracle how I found the place which was much cheaper than the Notting Hill Gate accommodation I first had.

Most of the students went to St Bartholomew’s Medical school and a few went to Charing Cross. That was when and where I first met William Morgan; Dick for short. He went to St Bartholomew’s. His father, the late eminent Professor H V Morgan, also went to St Bartholomew’s Medical school. There was a saying that St Barts only admitted students from the upper class, or children of diplomats or those whose fathers were alumni.

Dick and his sister spent part of their early years in the Sudan; in Khartoum, where their father was a professor in Tropical medicine. The parents spent many years from the mid fifties investing in less privileged people and raising the standards of healthcare in the Sudan. I was not aware that they had any missionary affiliation. A most noble act.

I stayed two weeks longer on the holiday than planned because there was a coup in Nigeria which ousted General Yakubu Gowon and the Nigerian airspace was temporarily closed to all flights and I was stranded in England with very little money. As no one knew how long that would last, unbeknown to me, the hostel warden, who was also a senior Consultant at St Bartholomew’s hospital and a Senior Lecturer in the Medical school, had consulted with the right people and I was offered a place to continue my medical education in the U.K. at St Barts. It would be free and I would be given a grant to cover all expenses and would continue in the fourth year. I was very grateful for the generous offer and thanked him profusely for their kindness but declined the offer.

I would rather wait until I could return to Nigeria.

I didn’t realise how prestigious the hospital and medical school were at the time but that wouldn’t have mattered. My girl friend was back home and we were deeply in love. No offer of all the money in the world would have swayed me to remain in the U.K . I would have walked home to Nigeria if I had to!

I was allowed to remain in the hostel rent-free with meals included until I returned to Nigeria when it was re-opened to air traffic.

I wrote to my girlfriend every single day during my stay and she kept all the letters for many years!

Today, over forty years later, she’s my wife and the mother of our five children. I had my first locum consultant job at St Barts in the early 1990s; I was the first black consultant in her 1,000 year history as the oldest hospital in Europe! Also, it was the medical school our daughter attended!!

I think you’ll agree God is a Master-planner and has a great sense of humour!

While waiting to go back home, I got to know Dick better; he took me on the London Bus Tour and I got to meet his girlfriend Julie, who is his wife today. He paid for a train ride for both of us to Birmingham to

spend a long weekend with his parents and sister in their very posh home in classy Solihull, a suburb of Birmingham. It was a glorious experience! I was treated like royalty with a pot of tea or hot chocolate and cake every morning before breakfast, brought on a tray to my room by his dad, the Emeritus Professor! I think they fed me about 5 meals a day and I ate like a student who didn’t have to pay! I was really made to feel at home.

We returned to London and days later went in a convoy of 2 cars to Devon about 4 hours drive down the M4 motorway to a small town called Bovey Tracey outside Exeter. We pitched our tents in the back garden of the home of Brian Roseveare; a well respected Christian leader, a Justice of Peace and a successful Company Director. We had all our meals in his large house and the first night we had fellowship with other local christians and Eric Delve who was the invited guest speaker; a young and anointed firebrand and his talk was titled, ‘Adam, where are you?’ Amazingly, I met Eric again 22 years later in Kent when he was appointed the vicar of the local Methodist church and I reminded him of the meeting in Devon!

We toured Devon; went to the seaside and enjoyed their famous Devonshire Cream teas; a form of afternoon light meal, consisting of tea taken with a combination of scones, clotted cream and jam; traditionally a speciality of Devon and Cornwall. It was heavenly! That was most likely when I developed my sweet tooth.

When I moved from Dublin to the U K for my specialist training in 1982, we lived in Solihull near Dick. My first job was in the same hospital in Birmingham where his father completed his illustrious career after returning from Sudan. Dick also did his GP training there. I didn’t apply for my first job; it was given without a proper interview on a royal plate before I even sat the required PLAB examination. It was all without doubt because of his dad’s influence. Dick helped me to find a house in a lovely area in Solihulli. Every single job till retirement was orchestrated from above and each was unique.

Or else, how could I explain that I was the only candidate for the consultant job I did for 22 years before I retired. Only one candidate shortlisted for the interview!

There were many more testimonies of God’s favour over my career of 41 years before I retired in 2018.

It will be misleading to think there were no hard times, challenges, false accusations, set ups, lies, blackmail and sheer wickedness throughout my career in the U K. But in all, God has come through for me every time.

He planted people everywhere I have worked and lived to steer, direct, fine-tune and shake off the dross; to get me where He wanted me to be. Some were really painful and I needed His grace to bear but He is truly El-Shaddai. He is the way maker; awesome God. Dick is now a retired GP and still loves the Lord dearly. He’s rightly my angel of the North; of the Midlands and of Solihull.

Sam Ajulo, a retired surgeon, is also an ordained pastor. He is married to Adega. contact@coloursoflife.org

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

HOW TO

STYLE & DESIGN

WEAR YOUR

MIDI SKIRTS

JENNIFER UKOH AMA GODSON

WITH OVERSIZED SHIRT

SHEER MIDI SKIRT WITH A SHIRT OR JACKET

TUCK IT IN, LOOSEN UP OR TIE IT AROUND IT YOUR WAIST – AN OVERSIZED SHIRT IS AN EASY WAY TO COMPLETE A MIDI SKIRT OUTFIT. THIS CASUAL AND EFFORTLESS ENSEMBLE IS THE BEST OPTION FOR A DAY AT THE OFFICE OR AFTER-WORK DRINKS WITH FRIENDS. KEEP THE SLEEVES HANGING BELOW YOUR HANDS FOR THE ULTIMATE LAIDBACK FEEL, AND CINCH IN YOUR MIDSECTION BY GATHERING THE FABRIC AT THE WAIST OR USE A BELT.

PUSH THE ENVELOPE AND DELIVER ONE OF THE HOTTEST OUTFITS OF ALL TIME A SHEER MIDI SKIRT AND A SHIRT OR JACKET. THIS CLASSIC ENSEMBLE IS AN EXCELLENT OPTION FOR A DAY TO NIGHT LOOK DEPENDING ON HOW IT’S STYLED AND IT LOOKS GREAT ON EVERYONE. OPT FOR A MESH OR LACE BOTTOM HALF, AND BALANCE IT OUT WITH A BOLD AND CRISP BUTTON-DOWN ON TOP.

BY FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI

RED VALENTINO SKIRT

AYSHA SOW

WITH SWEATSHIRT JUMPER

MATCHING SET

LOOKING YOUR BEST HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER THAN WITH A MATCHING SET. IT IS AN EFFORTLESS WAY TO UP THE ANTE FOR ANY EVENT AND IS EASY TO REPLICATE. WHETHER IT’S A SET IN THE SAME FABRIC AND PRINT OR COORDINATES WITH A SIMILAR PATTERN, YOU CAN DRESS THIS UP OR DOWN TO SUIT THE OCCASION.

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PRINTED MIDI SKIRT

BY DONU KOGBARA

BATTLE OF THE BULGE - PART 18 (WEEK 19)

Sometimes you have to give appreciation to certain fashion pieces and we are not talking about the iconic Chanel 2.55 handbag or an original Hermès Birkin that will stay carefully in its dust bag for the rest of time.

We are talking about the items that work hard for you everyday, whatever the occasion like the classic white shirt or feel safe white trainers . But this time our focus is fully on the midi skirt.

CHICHI

Fat SHAMING!

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

THIS IS DEFINITELY FOR COOLER WEATHER BUT A MIDI SKIRT ON SWEATSHIRT IS SO CHIC. THESE JUMPERS ARE LIGHTWEIGHT AND EASY TO STYLE BUT WILL KEEP YOU WARM WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS. TUCK THE TOP HALF INTO THE SKIRT FOR A CINCHED WAIST OR KEEP IT CASUAL BY LETTING IT HANG LOOSE. IT IS A VERSATILE OPTION THAT YOU CAN DRESS UP OR DOWN EASILY – COMPLETE THE LOOK WITH SNEAKERS OR STILETTOS DEPENDING ON THE OCCASION.

FRENCH CONNECTION PLEATED MIDI SKIRT

Recap and vital statistics: I am 5 feet and 10 inches tall and 60 years old.

I was super-slim till about 10 years ago, then gradually got fat.

I started this weight loss programme on March 16th when I weighed a whopping 120kg and measured 49-47-51 (chest-waist-hips) inches.

Last week, I told you that I once weighed about 70kg, but feel that I don’t need to return to that level of youthful slimness at this advanced age and will therefore settle for 85kg.

I made this mistake because when I was super-slim, I calculated my weight in stones and pounds (the somewhat whimsical British Imperial measurement system). But in recent years, I’ve switched to the Metric System, which is more universal and more efficient.

Anyway, last week, when I nostalgically recalled my lowest adult weight being 8.5 stones, instead of converting stones to kilos with a calculator, I went down the mental arithmetic route and wound up with 70kg.

Then an old friend read the article and cornered me and said: “You’re pretty lousy at maths, Donu! 70kg is about 11 stone; and I clearly remember you being borderline anorexic in appearance. And, trust me, no way were you ever 11 stone at your slimmest!”

So I recalculated and discovered that 8.5 stones is actually just under 55kg. And it suddenly occurred to me that I may have subconsciously miscalculated what 8.5 stones is in kilos on purpose – as in perhaps I deliberately came up with the 70kg over-estimation because I cannot bear the thought of being THAT much bigger than I used to be.

I am determined to reach my 85kg target long before 2020 draws to a close and preferably by my birthday in October; and when my bathroom scales hit that 85kg mark, I will look a lot better than I look now. But I will still be a humungous THIRTY KILOS heavier than I was in my heyday.

Whereas, 70kg is only 15kg less than 85kg; and for someone who has an almost neurotic perfectionist streak, it’s far easier, psychologically, to accept a smaller departure from the ideal.

In other words, I am really seriously struggling to persuade myself that it’s OK to stop the difficult weight loss journey at 85kg because though my body will look tons trimmer at 85kg – and feel so much stronger and so much more agile - it will not look perfect.

And though my currently overburdened knees will have quit creaking painfully by the time I shed enough excess baggage to hit 85kg, there will still be some fatty wobbly bits on my hips, stomach and

thighs.

OK, so if the thought of stopping at 85kg bothers me, why don’t I continue until I get closer to my lowest adult weight of 55kg?

After all, according to the respected American Healthline website, it’s normal and healthy for someone of my height to weigh between 60kg and 75kg (which means that I was slightly underweight at 55kg).

So if my Inner Voice keeps telling me that I should not lazily compromise, shouldn’t I be aiming for 60-75kg instead of 85kg?

Truth is that I’m torn between 2 conflicting cultural attitudes when it comes to this weight matter.

On the one hand, I grew up in the UK, where it is regarded as desirable to maintain the same weight throughout your adulthood.

On the other hand, I have spent a large chunk of the past 2 decades in Nigeria, where women are constantly told that it is good to have some “flesh”on your bones, especially in middle or old age.

This is a country where many females abandon fitted Western style clothing as they age and cloak their burgeoning curves in bubus.

The UK is a country where “fat” or “plump” are insults and older women merrily wear bikinis and shorts without raising eyebrows.

The friend who described my younger body as “borderline anorexic” is black…and thinks I look much nicer now than I did then.

Another friend called me the other day and laughingly accused me of “constantly talking rubbish” about female fatness…which he loves.

Meanwhile, my Oyinbo pals regularly contact me to cheer on my weight loss plans, convinced as they are that I have “let myself go” and lost my “mojo” or “groove” since I allowed the kilos to pile on.

Another reason why many Nigerians disapprove of super-slimness in older women is that a complete absence of padding can take its toll on your face and make you look haggard.

But doctors – foreign ones mostly – will sternly assure you that you should worry less about your neck being scraggy than about the fact that any excess weight can trigger off diabetes, cardiac arrests, etc.OK, so my weight is hovering around the 106kg mark. Let’s see how I will look and feel at 85kg and whether I will feel obliged to carry on.

DONU KOGBARA IS A VANGUARD NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST. Please feel free to share your thoughts about her weight loss journey on donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk

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COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

CREDIT: S A D I Q K YA R I .

S T Y L E D B Y S Y A R I B E S P O K E C L O T H I N G MUHAMMED ALRACHID S T Y L E D B Y S Y A R I B E S P O K E C L O T H I N G M A R I Y A S A N U S I A B U B A K A R S T Y L E D B Y F A R I D A ’ S A T E L I E R A I S H A A B U B A K A R STYLED BY YVK DESIGN M A K E U P A N D T U R B A N J I D E O F S T . O L A

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

Lately, society is waking up to identifypolitics, and so is fashion. Particularly its young designers, who are now using clothing, as a means to express their individuality and cultural values.

Rising new star, 26-year-old Sadiq Mele Kyari, of Syari Bespoke is one of those leading this trend. In just over a year, he has built a brand whose aesthetics not only explores his roots but also reinterprets and re-tells stories of his northern Nigerian heritage.

While the style and methods behind his creation reflecting his roots; the cut and impeccable finishing tells of his dedication to his craft and brand. In this interview with KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR, Sadiq speaks about his journey into fashion and plans to take his brand to the global stage

P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y G E O R G E O K O R O C R E AT I V E D I R E C T I O N G E O R G E O KO R O

What sparked your interest in Fashion?

Ever since I was a child, I have always had a keen interest in my traditional attires. I was the kid that will always prefer to wear my little agbada and cap over regular English wear; I grew up to have more interest over time. I found Fashion to be a medium to express my identity and creative energy.

Moreover, the process of creating an outfit from mere fabrics and threads is a fulfilling journey that every creative mind will enjoy immensely.

started sometimes leads you to believe those people faced just a few challenges in their journey. Granted, different businesses have their unique challenges and complications that require different approaches in managing them.

In this business, the biggest challenge is getting the hands that can translate your vision and design into an actual creation.

Furthermore, managing artisan employees has its own challenges, this is because all our creations are handmade so it all depends on the tailors to be able to create the masterpieces that are designed for them. Cashflow in this turbulent economic conditions also requires careful planing and execution. And as I previously mentioned, we give our customers a personal touch and we regard ourselves as very personal brand.

Are you self taught, or did you study Fashion?

I will regard myself as self-taught because I have not received any formal training in fashion designing. The driving force for me has been my passion for it. However, the core features in my niche of fashion have been established, so it has been easy to adapt and learn it on the go.

What I studied was Business Management and Marketing and in this business, marketing is an essential aspect.

E L E M Q I D A S

I R A Y K

EID F O OK O L E TH

How has your work evolved since you began your label?

It is apparent that fashion is ever-evolving.

There is always a new trend, a unique style or an innovation. What will trend today might be entirely out of trend in a week or two, and it’s still on to the next one. The interesting thing though is the return of fashion trends periodically. My label initially started with a creative direction towards patterns, bold lines and shapes, but it has since evolved to more simple, mature and conservative styles. We aim to bring out the beauty in simplicity.

Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

I find my inspiration from my surroundings. And from my interactions with other brands, people and customers. What one client may suggest could be reflective of the choices of several different clients.

Sometimes, a creation comes from a pool of several ideas that are put together to become one. The joy is in putting several ideas together and giving birth to a masterpiece.

How do you walk the line between being unique and having commercial appeal?

This a very delicate balance that must be struck to be successful. First of all you are required to differentiate from your competitors and also be able to appeal to a wide range of people. Walking this thin like requires a lot of innovation and constant evolution and change of styles, fabrics. It also requires listening to customers and keeping a lot of data that you can use to guide your commercial direction while maintaining your creativity and innovation. That is the backbone of being a designer.

So who is the Syari Bespoke man?

The Syari Bespoke man is man confident in his abilities to produce while preparing for the worst. I do the work necessary to tilt the odds that the best will happen. I’m also someone who has a consultative selling style and who is concerned with the clients’ needs. I consistently

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Sometimes, a creation comes from a pool of several ideas that are put together to become one.

The joy is in putting these several ideas together and giving birth to a masterpiece.

ask questions to uncover ”what” the client truly wants, then I am able to meet those requirements.

What’s it like running your own business? Describe your typical day.

My typical day as the head of my Organization is a demanding one, it requires basically going through and supervising all aspects of the business. From the studio where we craft our designs, store fabrics and perform our customer relation tasks to the factory where the actual production is done. It involves a lot of back and forth to make sure everything goes according to plan.

Aside from that, most of our client require home service so it also involves a lot of interpersonal relations with a lot of home visits and time spent marketing personally.

From your experience running a growing business, what lessons have you learned along the way?

Reading stories about startups and how they

How has the current pandemic situation affected your business, and what steps are you taking to work around it?

The pandemic hit us out of nowhere so there was no time to carefully plan. It was also a unique experience as no one knew when it was going to end or what will become of it. It was a scary period in the beginning. But like several other clothing factory owners, we had to pivot into the medical scene and start production of face masks. We also produced beddings and pillowcases, as well as medical doctor scrubs for the THISDAY Dome isolation center in Abuja. Luckily, due to our personal customer service, we were able to continue production for a limited number of clients and it has been getting better since. But the pandemic has reduced patronage in our business because of the reduced gatherings and occasions and generally people are now working for home. But we hope for the best.

What are your plans for expansion?

We plan on expanding into women’s wear as well as ready-to-wear clothing line. However, the room for expansion in bespoke clothing is very limited. It is harder to scale up production without scaling up our customer base. So it’s in our best interest to go into ready made clothes to enable us scale up much more easily. Also in the works, is our plan to open the first large scale luxury clothing factory in northern Nigeria.

We have a large pool of labour we can fish in.

What would you like your brand to achieve before the end of the year?

By the end of the year, I will like my brand to achieve nationwide recognition in our niche. I will also like the brand to begin shipping of traditional African attire worldwide and be recognized as a supplier of ready-towear Kaftan to major stores and retail outlets all over the world.

My goals for my brand is to achieve complete integration of the supply chain because we already have most of the needs as a country, we produce cotton and have a huge idle labor force that can be utilized in achieving my very realistic goals.

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COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

D I E F O K O THE LO

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T U O H WIT

E B O ?

R S D E I R R WA ACCESSOEyewear Jewelry A S I T A H W

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

STORIES BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR

STYLE & DESIGN

t robe withou d r a w a is t Wha r, ey add colou h T ? s ie r o s s e acc n ts, change a tfi u o p u s s e dr and y to evening a d m o fr t outfi onder we’re w y n a it Is add flair. them? in love with

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

CHLOE

ROSANTICA

If necklaces aren’t your thing, there’s always the arm candy. Arm candies are about much more than just bracelets. Think watches, cuffs, rings, clutch handbags and fingernail polish. Earrings are also a beautiful option.

CHLOE ROSANTICA

ROSANTICA

VERSACE

SOPHIE BUHAI

VERSACE

CULT GALA LOEWE BOTTEGA VENETA

Belts

BOTTEGA VENETA

FENDI

CHIOMA IKOKWU

Handbags

CHLOE

NIKKY BLACK

Handbags are one way to get a quick fix style refresher. There is no one handbag to rule them all. Totes can be just as practical as crossbody bags. Match your bag to your shoes to your shoes, belt, scarf, necklace, top or outerwear. Or mismatch the colour entirely to create an extra strong statement.

ISABEL MARANT

N I K S L A R U T A N

eave er can l h t a e w ount of in dry m e a r o u t n s t i e of mo ge tha . But th k s a The loss with a dull tin m can s in ort step lighters h h s g your sk i w h e f d st a ers an precise. elp is ju e h conceal b t a o t h , t ry r ws is en pant micals on you h c good ne t i k r g che r n you away - i e to avoid usin e wisdom of ou k h i t l s, which b If you’d while, channel u r c s l e a facia ls to giv l e skin for with these DIY c n i k rs ead s ancesto lough of f the d . ps ant glow i will hel d a r , e uppl you a s 18

You do not need to have a defined waistline to wear a belt. Switch up your outfits with skinny belts, or fill out broad belt loops with wider belts.

Belts can compete with necklaces so keep an eye on these proportions.

Belts are an excellent way to rein in the volume of a shapeless top or frock.

BOTTEGA VENETA EERA

PACO RABONNE

CHLOE

If you wear specs daily, this is your most important accessory, and I can’t stress this point enough. Gone are the days when eyeglasses were unstylish. Make your eyewear part of your look and flaunt it. And this goes for sunglasses too.

You have to wear your specs every day so invest in the best affordable pair.

Over time, you can invest in several pairs and build a collection, which would mean swapping out your specs daily to suit your mood and your outfits.

BOUCHERON

ALIGHIERI

KEFILWE MABOTE

N.BBy all means throw on many accessories at once if you have a maximal style, because there are no rules as to how many accessories you should sport in one outfit. Gone are the days when it was best to sport one huge accessory at a time and make a statement with it. Sport two, three or more if that’s your style preference. More can be more.

TEMI OTEDOLA

N I K S G N I W O L G R O F S T N E I D E R G N I E CAR

pantry a from the t n a n a b e amoun Pick on Banana – with a proportionate of your it ps and mash ules and a few dro r for n de ra of sugar g al oil. (We like laven ning.) ti en softe go-to ess cense for b in k n ra F ciently, ru and ffi g u s in ts th n o ie o s d g the ingre r skin and After mixin n gently over you ctio the conco lukewarm water. ith rinse off w

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lycerin onful of g o p s a d nd d Coffee- A l of coffee grounds a e to nfu your fac to a spoo ination on ntly. Not b m o c e apply th lls insta ad skin ce e d f magnet o d ri get n act as a ri e c ly g e th in, it only does moisture in the sk ng ells to for attracti ur superficial skin c o y l rin is can signa too. Glyce ly id p ra ore urface mature m oisture from the s it ll m able to pu ironments and put to v n e b a le in humid nd is also a , s ll e c in m the sk rating fro back into o p a v e sh, m r fro feeling fre in k s stop wate r u o y leaving surface— ned. cool and to

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The alp Papaya - in papayas

acid hydroxyl d skin d out dea baby help wee h ve you wit cells to lea a few slices ake soft skin. T ya and whip apa of diced p lender with eb them in th on of honey po s one table ar. lated sug and granu ture on mix Scrub this entle circular g in your face up d n a follow ck in motions, lo isturiser to with a mo . tion the hydra

AYANDA THABETHE

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STYLE & DESIGN

THE

O

SURVIV

By Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru

Dear Reader, Welcome to the WARIF Survivor Stories Series, a monthly feature, where stories of survivors of rape and sexual violence will be shared to motivate and encourage survivors to speak their truth without the fear of judgement or stigmatization and to educate the public on the sheer magnitude of this problem in our society. The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a non-profit organization set up in response to the extremely high incidence of rape, sexual violence and human trafficking of young girls and women in our society. WARIF is tackling this issue through a holistic approach which covers initiatives in health, education and community service.

WARIF offers assistance to survivors of rape and sexual violence through the WARIF Centre a safe haven where trained professionals are present full time, 6 days a week including public holidays to offer immediate medical care, forensic medical examinations, psycho-social counselling and welfare services which include shelter, legal aid and vocational skills training. These services are provided FREE of charge to any survivor who walks into the Centre.

This is Halima’s story“My name is Halimah. I am 23 years old. I live with my parents and work in Abuja. I finished from the University last year and was posted to Lagos State for NYSC. I didn’t know what to expect when I got to Lagos but I made some new friends -Yinka and Chidinma and I had so much fun with them, I decided to stay in Lagos for the rest of the year and returned to Abuja.

I was due for my first leave from work at the end of March 2020 so I informed my parents that I wanted to visit Yinka, Chidinma and my cousins who live in Lagos. My three week leave started on the 16th of March; I spent a few days with my parents and left Abuja on the 20th. My mum was scared because news of the COVID-19 pandemic had broken out but she was relieved to hear I landed in Lagos safe.

I went straight to my uncle’s house, spent a week with them and then headed to see Yinka and Chidinma; I was excited because they had told me all about the fun things they had planned for us to do.

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T N E M E T A T S RS of LEEVES S

I laid down crying and did not realize when I fainted. I became conscious four hours later and realized I was in the hospital. I really wished I was dead, why did this happen to me. I should never have come to Lagos; It was all my fault.

The President announced a lockdown the day after I arrived at their house; he said it was to curb the spread of this Corona virus. I was very upset that the lock down was going to affect all our planned activities, but it wasn’t so bad, I was with my friends so we passed the time dancing, watching movies, cooking, and sharing stories.

Due to the fact that only essential workers were allowed to move around, I could not return to my uncles’s house but my parents always kept in touch through WhatsApp video calls just to ensure I was safe.

After the first two weeks of the lock down, one night, armed robbers invaded the street where we lived, there were so many of them and they claimed they were robbing because they were hungry. They had guns and knives and machetes. We were awakened by screams and gunshots; we called family members to get help, but we knew no one would get to us fast enough.

We froze with fear when we heard sounds coming from the gate of our compound. A few hits and the locks gave way. We heard them say, “Co-operate with us o! We only want food and money”. Three of them came into our apartment and said “Na woman dey here sef, make una just bring all the money your sugar daddy give una”. Unfortunately for us, we were out of food stuff, we didn’t have anything to give them and we didn’t have any tangible amount of money in cash.

They insisted we show them our bank account balance. Yinka and Chidinma did and so they made transfers to the robbers.

The battery of my phone had run out and so I couldn’t do any transfers, they claimed I wasn’t cooperating, and I had to pay one way or

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

another.

“Oya strip naked!” one of them shouted. I knelt to the floor and started to beg, I promised heaven and earth and my friends joined me.

Our pleas fell on deaf ears as another one pointed the gun to my head saying he would shoot if I didn’t strip. They dragged me to the room and the leader raped me on the bed, I was still screaming and crying when the second robber came into the room smiling he said his friend told him I was tight, but he needed to find out for himself. When he was done, he laughed and said, “Next time you will make sure you have something for us, Ashewo1”.

I laid down crying and did not realize when I fainted. I became conscious four hours later and realized I was in the hospital. I really wished I was dead, why did this happen to me?

I should never have come to Lagos; it was all my fault!

After all that happened to me, I still couldn’t go back home, interstate travel was still banned. I wished I could kill myself. There was nothing my friends or family members could tell me. I felt worthless and the fact that I had to stay in Lagos made it even worse.

I went back to my uncle’s house and refused to get out of bed for days; I spent my time scrolling lifelessly on Instagram and then I came across WARIF, they said they helped survivors of rape and they were open during the lockdown.

We got a permit from the hospital and my uncle took me to the WARIF Centre. I met a counsellor who listened to my story from the beginning to the end and reassured me that what happened was not my fault. She told me I would get better and for the first time since the incident, I felt a little better.

Dear survivor, please know that you are not alone and it is not your fault. Help is available.

If you have been raped or you know someone who has, please visit us at The WARIF Centre - 6, Turton Street, off Thorburn Avenue, Sabo, Yaba or call our 24-hour confidential helpline on 08092100009.

For questions or more information please contact: info@warifng.org *Real names of all mentioned have been changed for confidentiality. means Prostitute in Yoruba 1

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

statement It’s all about ell-shaped b sleeves. From to balloon g n and extra-lo r, attention e ld u and cold-sho e stealing all eves ar grabbing sle o, to make sure S ve the spotlight. the dark, we’ ds in ft le t o n e you’r es tren the top sleev p u d e d n u o r right now. to invest in

JI

E BABS-KUF

BY FUNKE

STELLA ADEWUNMI

EKI OGUNBOR

HAFSAH MOHAMMED

BELL SLEEVE

One of the key sleeves trend right now is the bell sleeves. Fitted on the shoulder and flaring out wide toward the wrist, the bell sleeve is the same as it always was, yet totally different. The new bell sleeve is modern and utterly chic. From sleek dresses to cool tops, bell sleeves add a unique dose of fashion to even the simplest of outfits. When shopping for bell sleeves look for styles that are a little flamboyant. Extrawide flares, ones made of modern, structured materials, flares that tie at the elbow and ruffle designs are all key styles to buy right now.

FLOUNCE SLEEVES

Despite having a similar silhouette to bell sleeves, flounce sleeves tend to be slightly more subtle and feminine. The style is created by attaching a separate piece of circular-cut fabric to the sleeve. This creates a ruffle effect that gives flounce sleeves their flare. To wear this trend for yourself, pair tops and shirts featuring small flounces with casual styles such as jeans and low-heeled shoes. The large and dramatic flounce sleeves, on the other hand, are best reserved for standout dresses and times when you’re after that “look at me” style.

JENNIFER OSEH

OSAS IGODARO

IVY MAURICE

BISHOP SLEEVES

While bell sleeves look sleek and chic, bishop sleeves appear soft and feminine. Most commonly spotted on lovely dresses, bishop sleeves compliment the outfits to which they belong while remaining a standout feature in their own right. The style, which balloons out toward the lower arm before gathering into a cuff at the wrist, looks best in sheer fabrics such as chiffon and lace designs but they also look just as good on other fabrics.

EXTRA-LONG SLEEVES

They may not be practical, but extra-long sleeves are totally in fashion at the moment.

Appearing oversized and stretched out, these extra-long sleeves have made a cool “rough around the edges” statement for many fashion outfits of late. These sleeves have taken their place on button-up shirts, delicate tops and even glamorous dresses as they continue to dominate the world of street style. Like other statement pieces, extra-long sleeves tend to look best when paired with basic items, so wear yours with a simple pair of blue jeans or black pants. Also, remember that such long sleeves can pull the eye down and leave you looking short, so always wear heels

The cold shoulder sleeve is perfect for women who like to bare a little less skin, cold-shoulder designs feature a flash of skin just on the tops of arms. Appearing like a regular design with cutouts at the shoulders, cold-shoulder sleeves are modern and chic.

Despite being less impactful than off-the-shoulder designs, cold-shoulder sleeves have the benefit of being more practical.

After all, with the addition of the bodice top, there’s more support and sleeves can be looser. This means that there’s no need to worry about your sleeves slipping up or top slipping down! As well as being practical, the style is also gorgeous and looks great when paired with long, flowing silhouettes

RUFFLE SLEEVES

To up the ante on flounce sleeves, consider trying statement-making, ruffle sleeves instead. These sleeves are loud, fun and attentionloving. Choose between different sizes and amounts of ruffles for different variations on this trend. Whether you choose ruffles that completely cover the sleeve or ones that start from the elbow, these sleeves are all the statement you need.

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9215 Sunday, August 2, 2020

SIMPLE HOMEMADE

ACNE Remedies

Every woman desires to have a flawless and clear skin. Therefore, it is necessary to take good care of the skin.

Acne is one of the most troublesome skin problems that damages the skin and leave spots on the face. There are many reasons behind acne and the major one is stress. We can make our skin look fresh and healthy by following a regimen daily that leaves the skin clean and clear. Here are great home remedies to cut down on oiliness of the skin and cure acne without using any strong creams and chemicals on your face.

BY USIADE ISIOMA

rinse off completely with lukewarm water.

ALOE VERA MASK

MILK AND HONEY MASK

You will need one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of lowfat yogurt or milk. First make sure that the yogurt is not too cold, it should be room temperature. Then mix one tablespoon of milk or you could use yogurt too with one tablespoon of honey. You can apply the mixture with a hand or cotton.

Let each layer to dry. If it dries you can apply another layer. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes until it dries. Now you can wash the mask off and use a cloth to gently scrub it in a circular motion.

You will need an Aloe Vera. Wash your face with water and let it dry.

Now use your fingertips to apply it in the face. Let it be on the face for a while and then rinse it off.

AVOCADO AND HONEY MASK

You will need one avocado and one table spoon of honey. Rinse your face with water. Take out the inside of the avocado and mash it well then mix it well with the honey.

Continue to stir it until it turns into a paste. Apply it to your skin and leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.

Once you are done, wash it off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry.

PAPAYA MASK

You will need fresh papaya. First rinse your face with water and then let it dry. Mix and mash up the papaya well making sure the consistency is good enough to apply on the face. Leave it on the skin for about 20 minutes, and then

STEAM

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You will need one pot of boiling water, a large bowl and a towel. Boil water and then pour into the bowl.

Let it cool for a few minutes. After its temperature has lowered, place your face, covered in a towel, above the bowl to trap the steam. After 10-15 minutes, remove the towel.

Do this thrice a week.

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