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<strong>September</strong> 6, <strong>2020</strong><br />

COVID-19:<br />

Dwindling<br />

Fortunes Of<br />

Luxury Goods<br />

Essential<br />

Accessory<br />

Additions To<br />

Your Wardrobe<br />

Dare<br />

Art-Alade:<br />

Reinvented


6<br />

HAPPINESS<br />

4 Cover: Dare Art-Alade:<br />

Reinvented<br />

6 Sexmatics: Mating With<br />

Clothes On<br />

8<br />

IN THIS ISSUE<br />

email: <strong>allure</strong>fortheworld@vanguardngr.com<br />

CELEBRATION<br />

3<br />

7<br />

Fashion : Essential Accessory<br />

Additions To Your Wardrobe<br />

Living: COVID-19: Dwindling Fortunes<br />

Of Luxury Goods<br />

3<br />

6 SEPTEMBER <strong>2020</strong><br />

8 Instagram Moments<br />

WELCOME...<br />

Quotes<br />

The impact of the COVID-19<br />

pandemic on the human race has<br />

been a sea-saw kind of ride. While<br />

some people have withdrawn to<br />

come out better, others have been<br />

knocked down and out.<br />

Our cover personality today, Dare<br />

Art Alade, known by his stage name<br />

Darey, has been away from public<br />

scene for a while but not without<br />

reason. Behind the scene, he’s been<br />

stewing something nice for his<br />

teaming fans. Coming out strong<br />

with “Jah Guide Me,” a single from an upcoming body of<br />

work, he captures in this song, the frailty of humanity as<br />

evidenced in this pandemic and the resulting economic<br />

downturn both locally and internationally. This come-back<br />

song captures the emotions being felt by many in this trying<br />

times. He shares his experiences that have helped to reinvent<br />

him with our reporter Linda Orajekwe. Pg. 4-5<br />

While good may have come for Darey in this convulsing<br />

COVID-19 season, not so for many businesses especially<br />

those in the luxury goods department. Records show a<br />

downturn in the economy of many big brands who have had<br />

to close some of their stores or lay off workers in other to<br />

keep afloat. Have Nigerian designers especially those who do<br />

high end products immune from this dwindling fortune<br />

sweeping through the luxury industry? Our reporter,<br />

Emmanuel Akpoborie investigates and reports. Pg. 7<br />

The place of accessories cannot be over emphasized.<br />

See a few pieces to help give importance to your style. Pg 3.<br />

And if you curios to know what’s<br />

hot in the bedroom this week, flip to J . E<br />

page 6 to see what has been served<br />

Jemi Ekunkunbor<br />

on Sexmatics.<br />

lookposh2017@gmail.com<br />

Enjoy our serve. Have a<br />

08052201126<br />

<strong>September</strong> to remember.<br />

“Care about what<br />

other people think<br />

and you will always<br />

be their prisoner”.<br />

- Lao Tzu<br />

“If the great internet<br />

connects us all … then<br />

why are so many of us<br />

becoming increasingly<br />

isolated?”.<br />

- Stephen Richards<br />

“Every man should<br />

believe in something.<br />

If not..he would<br />

doubt everything,<br />

even himself”.<br />

- Toba Beta<br />

“Experience teaches<br />

only the teachable”.<br />

- Aldous Huxley<br />

6<br />

EDITOR<br />

JEMI EKUNKUNBOR<br />

ASST. EDITOR<br />

YEMISI SULEIMAN<br />

REPORTER<br />

Josephine Agbonkhese<br />

COPY EDITOR<br />

DODOIYI WILLIAM-WEST<br />

PHOTO<br />

OSCAR OCHIOGU<br />

(08034746487)<br />

TEAM<br />

CONTRIBUTORS<br />

LINDA ORAJEKWE<br />

ADESUWA<br />

EWOIGBOKHAN<br />

BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA<br />

LAYOUT / DESIGN<br />

OLAYIWOLA AJAGBE<br />

HEAD OF PRODUCTION<br />

CHARLES KAMMA<br />

HEAD MARKETING<br />

JANET NAJOMOH<br />

(08037156911)<br />

Printed and published by Vanguard Media Ltd<br />

Vanguard Avenue Kirikiri Canal; P.M.B 1007 Apapa, Lagos.


Hoop Earrings<br />

These round earrings<br />

are an excellent way to<br />

spice up a plain outfit<br />

or add the finishing<br />

touch to your favourite<br />

ensemble. Choose<br />

from a simple design<br />

to something over the<br />

top, with pearl, patterns,<br />

or embellishments.<br />

Hoops look best with your<br />

hair behind your ears, in a<br />

ponytail or a bun, show off your<br />

stunning jewelry with pride.<br />

FASHION<br />

Statement<br />

Large Chain<br />

Necklaces<br />

Every month of the year, an outfit<br />

would not be complete without a<br />

stunning piece of jewelry.<br />

From oversized and chunky<br />

designs to a delicate yet,<br />

statement piece, these<br />

accessories are an easy way to<br />

tie an outfit together. Pair it with<br />

a blazer, roll neck, or even a<br />

sweater.<br />

Colour<br />

Sunglasses<br />

Frames<br />

When the temperature heats<br />

up, protect your eyes in style<br />

with coloured sunglasses. Its<br />

vibrant frame instantly adds<br />

drama to your existing outfit,<br />

and will jazz up your entire<br />

collection.<br />

CLUTCH<br />

BAG<br />

Essential accessory<br />

additions to your<br />

wardrobe<br />

Bucket Bags<br />

Bucket bags have never really<br />

gone out of style. Rather than<br />

choosing a traditional shade,<br />

such as black, grey, or<br />

white, why not step outside<br />

of the box and opt for<br />

something blue, pink, or<br />

marigold? There are<br />

so many ways to<br />

rock this look,<br />

and you can<br />

continue to<br />

wear it for<br />

decades to<br />

come.<br />

By - Temitope Ojo<br />

Accessories give more<br />

importance to your personal<br />

style, taste, and preferences.<br />

They also offer unlimited<br />

opportunities for clothes,<br />

helping you to do the best of<br />

each item you have. With the<br />

right accessories, you need<br />

fewer outfits to take you<br />

through any season.<br />

As the temperature<br />

rises and falls, these<br />

pieces will stand the<br />

test of time and will<br />

be essential<br />

additions to your<br />

wardrobe.<br />

Here are six<br />

accessory trends<br />

to add to your<br />

wardrobe this<br />

season.<br />

MERCY<br />

AIGBE<br />

Square Toe<br />

Strappy Sandals<br />

As trends come and go, one will<br />

always remain in style: a sleek pair of<br />

sandals. Choose from bright shades<br />

to add life to your ensemble, or keep<br />

it classic with traditional colours like<br />

white, black, or brown.<br />

Soft Clutches<br />

Soft clutch is the ultimate bag<br />

of the season. Easy to carry<br />

and with an abundance of<br />

room inside, these gorgeous<br />

handbags look like a pillow,<br />

and are a dream option<br />

for any style-conscious<br />

individual. They look fantastic<br />

in a casual context, but are<br />

easy to transition into a<br />

formal occasion.<br />

<strong>September</strong> 6, <strong>2020</strong> / 3


w<br />

INTERVIEW<br />

Dare<br />

Art-Alade:<br />

Reinvented<br />

Words By - Linda Orajekwe<br />

Dare Art Alade, professionally known as Darey is a multiple award-winning and multi-platinum<br />

Afro-Soul/R&B singer, musician, songwriter, music producer, and entrepreneur. Since<br />

gaining exposure across Africa as runner up in the 2004 season of Music talent search reality<br />

TV show, Project Fame, Darey has made an indelible mark on the Nigerian and African music scene.<br />

He has released several hit singles, including the groundbreaking Afro R&b records featuring<br />

legendary artistes like 2Baba. His critically acclaimed last album “Naked” includes the hit single<br />

“Pray For Me” featuring multiple Grammy award-winning supergroup, Soweto Gospel Choir, and<br />

collaborations with Afropop star, Olamide, and international Afro-soul songstress, Asa.<br />

Darey is the recipient of multiple awards and nominations including MTV Africa Music Awards<br />

(MAMAS), Channel O Awards, World Music Awards, The Headies, Nigerian Music Awards and a host<br />

of others.<br />

After his break from the music industry since “Naked,” Darey is back with another promising<br />

record, “Jah Guide Me.” In this interview, he talks about his come back and more.<br />

After years of being in front of the screen, to<br />

moving behind the scene, how would you say<br />

Darey has evolved? Are you the guy we used to<br />

know?<br />

I am still the same guy o! In front or behind the<br />

cameras, I remain consistently creative across<br />

everything I have been up to over the years.<br />

So how has the experience been like taking a<br />

break from music?<br />

I’ve not really taken a break from music. All the<br />

while, I have been recording in the studio on and off.<br />

Shifting goalposts as I go along due to external<br />

matters like, the work we do at livespot360. The great<br />

thing about it is that I get to be creative which is what<br />

I love!<br />

Was the break an intentional decision? To stay off<br />

the screen as an artiste and come back at this<br />

time?<br />

The break was not intentional. These things<br />

happen sometimes; but, I am glad to be back to<br />

share my music with the fans.<br />

Your last project was ‘naked’ in 2015, thinking<br />

back to that project, is there anything you<br />

would’ve loved to do differently?<br />

Well, I wish I shot a music video for the song I<br />

made with Asa titled, “inside of you.” I also wish that<br />

we had dropped a music video we shot but recently<br />

realized we forgot to release. All in all, no regrets. It<br />

was a wonderful album to create and the feedback till<br />

this day, has been remarkable.<br />

You recently released ‘Jah Guide Me’. What is it<br />

about the song that brought you back on the<br />

scene?<br />

It is the first single from an upcoming body of<br />

work. It talks about our human frailties not just in this<br />

pandemic; but, as people affected by the economic<br />

downturn locally and internationally. The emotions we<br />

are currently going through is very present in the<br />

song and felt like the right song to promote first.<br />

What would you say the reception of this project<br />

has been since its release?<br />

The feedback has been phenomenal! Not just in<br />

Nigeria but around Africa and the world: in places<br />

like, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, south and North<br />

America and parts of Europe too. It’s been truly<br />

overwhelming and this is still early day!<br />

I would attribute this to the efforts of my team and<br />

the grace of God. The song itself is speaking to<br />

people on so many levels- spiritually and musically.<br />

So, it is a thing of joy to see the amazing reception so<br />

far.<br />

Can we say you are changing genre with ‘Jah<br />

Guide Me’ or this is just a one-off and Darey is<br />

still the B&B guy we used to know?<br />

Haha! I am still the Darey you used to know<br />

although I am a new and improved version. Just call<br />

me Darey now! My genre is what I call afro & b and<br />

you can be sure to hear more dynamic sounds from<br />

me moving forward. I keep reinventing myself!<br />

‘Pray For Me’ and ‘Jah Guide Me’ is there a<br />

similarity in the creative/production process?<br />

The similarity is in the style of messaging. The<br />

production and creative process between the two<br />

songs are quite varied. The former was produced by<br />

Oscar Heman-Ackah and the latter was produced by<br />

Pheelz.<br />

What was your thought process when you<br />

decided to drop ‘Jah Guide Me’ considering how<br />

the industry has changed especially with the rise<br />

of social media?<br />

You have to remember that I have been on the<br />

scene; so I am well aware of all the growth and<br />

changes. It is beautiful to see so much progress<br />

made over the years, and I am excited and even<br />

more gingered to bring my drive and work ethics<br />

which is missing in the industry.<br />

How has being off the centre stage as an artiste<br />

helped you as a father and a husband?<br />

4<br />

/ <strong>September</strong> 6, <strong>2020</strong>


INTERVIEW<br />

A slightly more relaxed schedule affords me some more quality time to<br />

spend with family. Bonding time is great for a close-knit relationship.<br />

What was your family(wife)’s reaction when you decided to hit the studio<br />

again?<br />

There was no reaction as I did not just come and announce that I am back<br />

in the studio. My family is there with me at every juncture so they know what’s<br />

up.<br />

What do you love the most about being a father and a husband?<br />

Just being there for them is one thing I really love. My family doesn’t judge<br />

me even though they hold me to high standards. I am all that I am today<br />

because they love me unconditionally, and for that, I am grateful.<br />

For the past years, through Livespot, you have brought a series of<br />

international A-list artistes to Nigeria, what informs your selection of<br />

artistes aside their popularity and fan-love?<br />

It is always important for us to ensure they fit into whatever experience we<br />

are trying to create for our audiences. It is also important for us when engaging<br />

their crews, to ensure we get skills transferred in order to build local capacity.<br />

otherwise, what is the point of all the hype?<br />

For an artiste who has been part of a reality Tv show both as a<br />

participant and a judge, what do you think about the ongoing BBNaija<br />

reality Tv show?<br />

Truth is, I watch it in bursts; mainly via social media as updates. But I think it<br />

is a nice platform to engage TV viewers and gives a chance to young people<br />

hoping to make it in entertainment, by giving them some level of popularity.<br />

When some people complain that the show does not promote values, etc. they<br />

need to understand that it is just entertainment. The drama in the house is<br />

quite gripping and it seems the winner may emerge between Laycon,<br />

Kidwayya, Nengi and Erica. Tolani Baj is also one to look out for. What will be<br />

interesting is to see what they do with their newfound ‘fame’ upon eviction and<br />

completion of the show.<br />

Who’s your favourite housemate?<br />

Because I always root for the underdogs, my fave is Laycon, but lowkey<br />

(Laughs).<br />

How has working behind the scene helped you understand the music<br />

business better and how does that understanding help you relate with<br />

other artistes especially during Livespot shows?<br />

Working “behind the scene” like you put it has made it easy for me to bridge<br />

the gap when dealing with artistes. This can be attributed to my unique skillsets<br />

and experience garnered over the years while playing various roles.<br />

Is ‘Jah Guide Me’ just a visit or a return to the centre stage in the<br />

industry?<br />

Jah guide me is the first single from a forthcoming body of work. So yes,<br />

this is a return, not a fleeting visit.<br />

If you have to collaborate with any of these young artistes coming up,<br />

top artistes and international artistes, who would that be and why?<br />

Well, I have a couple of songs already recorded with Teni, Patoranking and<br />

more. You have to wait and see what other surprises we have in-store.<br />

If you have to advise a younger Darey, what are you going to say?<br />

I’ll tell him to work hard and trust God. Do not be in a hurry. Greatness<br />

awaits!<br />

What’s one thing, aside from family, Darey cannot do without?<br />

Hmmm… I cannot do without a decent phone and a high-speed internet!<br />

What will be interesting is<br />

to see what they do with<br />

their newfound ‘fame’<br />

upon eviction and<br />

completion of the show.<br />

<strong>September</strong> 6, <strong>2020</strong> / 5


Mating With Clothes On<br />

Generally, love making means ruffling between the<br />

sheets naked, enjoying the touch of skin-on-skin, the<br />

connection, and the feeling and excitement that it<br />

brings. There is nothing like having sex naked<br />

although sometimes, certain circumstances require<br />

keeping your clothes on. For instance, having a<br />

quickie in the car, in a restaurant bathroom or<br />

elevator. Making love with your clothes on can be<br />

thrilling. “It connotes spontaneity, ravishment and<br />

intense desire for your partner,’’ like you are getting<br />

away with something. You can always give it a try if<br />

you have never done it before.<br />

Sometimes, the thought of “getting naked” can be<br />

huge deterrent to intimacy. This is because on those<br />

nights when you manage to climb into your night<br />

wear gown and crawl into bed, the last thing on your<br />

mind is undressing. Sex request from your spouse<br />

may not sound appealing.<br />

After awhile in most relationships, sex may slow<br />

down as it may no longer always be hot, sweaty,<br />

intense and dripping in juicy flow. For some others,<br />

intercourse may not exist at all since true mating<br />

takes emotional work, connection, and<br />

communication.<br />

It would be nice to indulge once-in-a-while by keep<br />

clothes on,. This is because great sex is not about<br />

naked bodies writhing all over each other, trying to<br />

get off on a climax. Even though climax is an<br />

amazing experience, it is also just one small part of<br />

having fabulous sex.<br />

Sacred sex is about intimacy, connection, and<br />

relationship building. So, starting with your clothes on<br />

and experiencing arousal fully-clothed is a great way<br />

to give the body the permission to enjoy pleasure in a<br />

sacred, more intimate way.<br />

This might seem boring compared to the hot,<br />

sweaty sex that you are used to; but, with clothes on,<br />

the buildup of anticipation and excitement can<br />

produce amazing orgasmic sex if initiated with care<br />

and compassion. Your clothes serve as boundary<br />

that separates intercourse from sexual arousal and<br />

play.<br />

Being clothed can be a partial big turn on as it<br />

creates a sensation of suspense, which in essence,<br />

creates safe space for self-expression that may not<br />

exist otherwise: most especially, if your body image<br />

and self-esteem are at risk. The secret to an amazing<br />

sexual experience is in creating a loving connection,<br />

6<br />

/ <strong>September</strong> 6, <strong>2020</strong><br />

with Adesuwa 07011289316 | adesuwaewoigbokhan@hotmail.com<br />

which can happen right where you are, in the<br />

moment, and with your clothes on.<br />

So for a second, forget the need for total<br />

nakedness. Below are some arousing ways to<br />

enhance love making when next you are in the mood<br />

for a quick romp while clothed:-<br />

•Use clothing as an exploration, lift and peek<br />

under the clothing and use it as an adventure of<br />

discovery and excitement. Slowly strip tease as a<br />

way of prolonging the experience and building<br />

anticipation by gently undressing one another.<br />

Revealing different parts of the body, gives you time<br />

to explore unusual parts of the body, making it<br />

possible to feel each area as it’ is being revealed.<br />

•Give your body plenty of time to reach arousal if<br />

you are seriously not in the mood. Play with a<br />

vibrator or your lover can help slide the vibrator down<br />

your pants. Using it gently over clothing can give you<br />

the sexual energy you need to get into the next<br />

phase of sexual play.<br />

•See how long you can stay fully clothed and how<br />

excited you can get just by connecting, kissing and<br />

sliding around on each other. Treat yourself to a<br />

fully-clothed orgasm. Leaving your clothes on can<br />

generate friction and new sex experience that can<br />

result in a surprisingly fantastic orgasm.<br />

•Keeping your top on, creates an amazing feeling<br />

of sexual foreplay which can have an immediate<br />

effect if the connection concentrates down on the<br />

pelvis area. With your top half clothed, you can settle<br />

to play down low with a sense of direction and focus.<br />

Plus, guys can focus on the female clitoris and<br />

women can focus on the manhood. This focus alone<br />

can produce amazing results. You can reverse the<br />

foreplay and take off your tops and using nipple<br />

stimulation and kissing to stimulate arousal.<br />

*Enhance your sexual play with sexy and erotic<br />

clothes; especially wearing high heels or thigh high<br />

boots as you wrap your legs around your lover’s<br />

body for love making. Chat about which type of erotic<br />

clothing is a turn on for each of you, decide what your<br />

ideal fantasy outfit is, and then shop for it together.<br />

The alluring sight of the fabric and texture of that<br />

sexy ensemble can heighten arousal and incite new<br />

levels of passion and sexual play. The more erotic<br />

the clothes, the sexier you will feel and the hotter the<br />

experience may become.<br />

Your clothes can serve as a prop that changes the<br />

way intercourse feels and if you keep<br />

them on during a hookup, buttoning<br />

them back up is one less thing you<br />

have to do after the action is over and<br />

you want to part ways. Plus, if you feel<br />

vulnerable being naked, having clothes<br />

on can provide a boost of confidence.<br />

Sometimes, clothes keep you warm<br />

when the room is too cold to undress,<br />

and may prevent goose bumps, which<br />

is not sexy. Bear in mind that your<br />

clothes are an extension of your<br />

personal expression and sexuality. So<br />

allow every side of you to play out.<br />

Next time, give it a shot without<br />

baring it all, and enjoy a sexual life<br />

more amazing than you have ever<br />

experienced.<br />

Talk<br />

SPOT<br />

What some of your favourite<br />

celebrities said and we listened.<br />

“When you have the<br />

opportunity to give<br />

someone a shot, don’t take<br />

it away from them.<br />

Remember someone took a<br />

chance on you too. Every<br />

professional person was<br />

once an amateur. Give<br />

room for growth.<br />

Toyin Abraham’s<br />

message to every<br />

Creative out there.<br />

“Don’t be too hard on<br />

yourself, you are doing just<br />

fine! No one is perfect.<br />

“There’s a blessing inside of<br />

your storm right now and you<br />

have no idea” trust the<br />

process”. Joselyn Dumas’<br />

motivational quote.<br />

By - Rita Okoye<br />

“I have very little sympathy for<br />

single mothers that beg on the<br />

basis that they are single. I am a<br />

strong advocate against<br />

premarital sex. But even if you<br />

must engage in it (you should<br />

not), use protection or ensue that<br />

the man can meet his<br />

responsibilities. The only single<br />

mothers that I sympathise with are<br />

widows.<br />

Reno Omokri on single<br />

motherhood and premarital sex.<br />

“Make sure your perception<br />

remains positive and healthy!⁣<br />

drink more water, wake up<br />

earlier. get solid sleep, start<br />

journaling, your thoughts<br />

matter. clean up & organize,<br />

declutter, empty that<br />

wardrobe. detox, destress.<br />

and finally keep clean”.<br />

Ibinabo tips on healthy<br />

living.


LIVING<br />

COVID-19:<br />

Dwindling Fortunes<br />

Of Luxury Goods<br />

CELINE<br />

By - Emmanuel Akpoborie<br />

LOUBOUTIN<br />

I<br />

n many quarters, coronavirus has been<br />

described as the game changer. In the sea<br />

of this virus, to stay afloat, you need to sail<br />

light.<br />

The pandemic has left a significant<br />

adverse impact on the global economy.<br />

Governments around the world are implementing<br />

various fiscal measures to mitigate the effect and<br />

provide relief for businesses and households.<br />

Employers in different sectors of the economy had<br />

to disengage workers to mitigate the negative effect<br />

of the pandemic on their ventures. Reports show<br />

that the worst hit industries have been the aviation,<br />

hospitality, banking, construction, manufacturing,<br />

media, sales, and the luxury industry. As gross<br />

domestic product drops, unemployment increases;<br />

which in turn causes a large reduction in the<br />

spending power of the consumer. This reduced the<br />

demand for luxury goods.<br />

As consumers hold back on their spending,<br />

fashion brands of all shapes and sizes are forced<br />

to scale back production, and reimagine how they<br />

position themselves. Brands like Chanel, Hermes,<br />

Patek Phillipe and Rolex had to discontinue<br />

production while brands like La Chapelle and Zara<br />

had to close down over a thousand stores around<br />

the world.<br />

“It has led to a real existential crisis for the<br />

fashion industry,” says Imran Amed, the Founder/<br />

CEO of The Business of Fashion.<br />

As consumers grapple with uncertainty, their<br />

buying behaviour has become more erratic.<br />

What is clear, however, is that they have reduced<br />

spending on non-essential products. Survival before<br />

aesthetics seems like the order of the day for a lot of<br />

consumers around the world.<br />

“At Pere Lei, a luxury Nigerian brand that<br />

specializes in leather goods, customer behaviour<br />

has varied really,” says Pere B.E. Emein,<br />

Creative Director of the brand.<br />

“Male clients have largely purchased items that<br />

increased their comfort at home. So, we have seen<br />

an increase in sales of slippers and mules. Female<br />

customers have, however, resisted the impulse<br />

purchases and concentrated on making custom<br />

handbags that they deem dream items. Our home<br />

and lifestyle items, however, have kept things<br />

interesting because clients have had to pause and<br />

make changes in their living spaces, to make them<br />

conducive for remote working as well as increase<br />

style and comfort levels. So, sofas and chair<br />

constructions have seen a healthy increase,” Emein<br />

said.<br />

At Mudi Africa, it’s a slightly different experience.<br />

“Nothing has changed so much’’ says Mudiaga<br />

Enajomo, Head Designer, Mudi Africa.<br />

“Some high network clients with health<br />

challenges are finding it very difficult to step out of<br />

their homes. Even when you try to reach out to them<br />

in terms of home services, accessing them is a huge<br />

challenge due to social distancing,’’ he added.<br />

In a report by Weforum.org, it shows that as<br />

each country opens up, we can see a glimmer of<br />

increasing optimism levels, which, in turn, is linked<br />

to higher spending. Nigeria’s consumers for example<br />

are displaying higher levels of optimism, with more<br />

households planning to increase spending—a trend<br />

that is also evident in China, Indonesia, and India.<br />

Meanwhile, American consumers are still more<br />

optimistic about the future than the Europeans. This<br />

serves as perhaps light at the end of the tunnel for<br />

the luxury industry.<br />

In 2017, stakeholders in the Nigerian fashion<br />

industry revealed that Nigerians spent over 2trillion<br />

naira on imported textiles and ready-made clothing<br />

items. This really undermined the local industry.<br />

NIXON<br />

However with<br />

the border closure<br />

due to the pandemic,<br />

things are taking a new<br />

shape. Luxury products are extremely hard to find<br />

and when they are available, they are overpriced.<br />

This led to a significant increase in the demand for<br />

locally-produced fashion items and also an even<br />

more significant increase in the number of fashionpreneurs.<br />

Consumers have started looking inward<br />

to satisfy their fashion craving.<br />

Mr Nuga Oluwapelumi, a fashion-preneur based<br />

in Lagos, revealed that the demand for locally<br />

made fashion items has greatly increased.<br />

“I made more money since the pandemic<br />

started than I have made in the past. Nigerians are<br />

beginning to accept what we do and the quality<br />

we provide. Hopefully, this marks a change in the<br />

orientation.<br />

“In as much as this is a welcome development,<br />

a lot still has to be put in place to keep this rise. For<br />

instance, after the ease of the lockdown, there has<br />

been an upsurge in the amount of cheap clothing<br />

items coming in from china; which puts the local<br />

goods at risk once again. The Chinese produce<br />

faster, cheaper and even a lot more volume. If they<br />

are allowed the freeway, they would take over the<br />

markets in no time once again,” Oluwapelumi said.<br />

Coronavirus might have sparked the required<br />

pendulum shift needed in the Nigerian fashion<br />

space. Hopefully, enough will be put in place to<br />

maintain this new found momentum; and we can<br />

at last get the much-anticipated upward swing the<br />

Nigerian fashion industry desperately needs.<br />

<strong>September</strong> 6, <strong>2020</strong> / 7


INSTAGRAM<br />

MOMENTS<br />

With Yemisi Suleiman<br />

In case you missed, these were the most Interesting<br />

pictures and stories on Instagram last week, as posted by<br />

your favourite celebrities.<br />

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, gives<br />

thanks after COVID-19 Experience<br />

Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and her<br />

children have recently recovered from COVID-19, few weeks<br />

after they contracted the disease.<br />

Omotola who had on August 15th, disclosed that she<br />

contracted the virus, infected her children, and gone into<br />

isolation, came on her Instagram handle to give thanks to God,<br />

family and friends for their prayers, calls and messages during<br />

the period. She wrote: “My kids and I are fine and COVID free<br />

now, and I do not take the experience for granted at all. I am<br />

grateful to God Almighty the Lord of Lords for all He has done<br />

for my family and I. He is truly a dependable Friend if you trust<br />

in Him.”<br />

The actress who is now free from the virus, went ahead to<br />

disclose the kind of lifestyle she adopted during her treatment,<br />

warning people to adopt safety measures as COVID-19 is<br />

real. “If you still don’t believe this virus is real, I pray you don’t<br />

experience it to believe” the actress said.<br />

“If you ever feel ill during this pandemic, please know there<br />

is nothing to fear or be ashamed of…you are not alone” she<br />

added.<br />

Bose Ogulu berths the Spaceship Collective<br />

Spaceship Collective a group record<br />

label and publishing company with<br />

“Spaceship Records” and “Spaceship<br />

Publishing” has been set up with a mission<br />

to help African Artists gain more control<br />

and ownership of their music catalogues.<br />

The label is founded by Bose Ogulu mother<br />

of music giant Burna Boy, who is also the<br />

Executive Director with Burna Boy.<br />

Ogulu who was also one of the executive<br />

producers on ‘Twice As Tall’ along with<br />

Burna Boy and America’s star, Diddy (Sean<br />

Combs) says, the objective of Spaceship<br />

Collective is to support the creation of great,<br />

timeless, authentic music and to ensure<br />

that African creatives maintain control<br />

of their own narrative while they tell the<br />

world their story. “It is important that their<br />

catalogues are managed by Africans who<br />

are better placed to understand their Art,<br />

their narrative and their trajectory”.<br />

With this new annexation in the dawn<br />

of the global entertainment industry, this<br />

is the beginning of a conglomeration of<br />

homegrown expertise and proficiency<br />

with a pivotal insight into the future of<br />

African music.” She said.<br />

George Residents unveiled<br />

for leisure, comfort<br />

To make lives easy for<br />

celebrities and other Nigerians<br />

seeking for leisure and comfort<br />

outside their homes, IBIC<br />

Properties, a leading real<br />

Estate company in Nigeria<br />

has unveiled its latest project,<br />

George Residents.<br />

For Yanju George the<br />

company’s CEO George<br />

Residents is like a home away<br />

from home.<br />

“If you are tired of your home<br />

and need a change of environment<br />

or a change of scenery, we are<br />

here for you. It’s like going to a<br />

hotel but it is not exactly a hotel.<br />

Here, you have your kitchen,<br />

washing machine, ironing table<br />

and you could do every other thing<br />

you do in your home. This is what<br />

makes it different from a hotel.<br />

George Residents is the second<br />

project from IBIC properties. We<br />

completed the first project earlier<br />

this year. The first project was a<br />

buildto-sell<br />

apartments<br />

and this second one is a Short<br />

Let at Admiralty Road, Lekki<br />

Phase One,” The Mathematics<br />

graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo<br />

University also added that<br />

he strongly believes average<br />

Nigerians would understand this<br />

modern concept, maintaining<br />

that Short Lets are gradually<br />

phasing out hotels.<br />

Jodrey Alabi<br />

wins the Mr Ideal<br />

Nigeria <strong>2020</strong><br />

Jodrey Alabi recently<br />

emerged winner of the<br />

Mr Ideal Nigeria <strong>2020</strong>,<br />

which was streamed live<br />

on Instagram. Jodrey,<br />

a graduate of Obafemi<br />

Awolowo University<br />

(O.A.U), beat 39 other<br />

contenders for the Crown.<br />

He is the first dark-skinned<br />

winner to be crowned in 5<br />

years.<br />

He takes over from<br />

Emmanuel Umoh who<br />

won the Mister Africa<br />

International in 2019.<br />

By his win, Jodrey<br />

will be representing<br />

Nigeria at the Mister<br />

Africa International 2021<br />

in Cote d’Ivoire and he<br />

also gets a year talent and<br />

management contract with<br />

House of Twitch amongst<br />

other prizes.

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