allure 09052021

REPORTAGE
Enlarged By
Creativity
Words By - Yemisi Suleiman
The creative industry has emerged
as one of the world’s most
dynamic economic sectors,
offering vast employment
opportunities for today’s youths.
From the very first innovators to the
current boom of fashion entrepreneurs,
there have been incredible individuals who
have paved the way for others in the creative
industry to excel, through their excellent
craftsmanship.
Feel inspired by some of the incredible
achievements of these personalities who
have changed the face of the creative
industry over the last ten years and beyond.
Tara
Fela-Durotoye
CEO, House of Tara
International
Think of Tara Fela-Durotoye and you think of make-up, the first international standard makeup
studios in Nigeria and Africa’s first indigenous makeup brand that caters to women of colour. The
CEO, House of Tara International is credited with bringing glamour and panache to makeup
artistry, making it an attractive career for graduates and well-groomed ladies to feast on.
With a huge interest in beauty and making people look good, Tara Fela-Durotoye started
House of Tara International in 1998 while studying Law at the Lagos State University. She came
to limelight when she was featured in Ovation Magazine as the make-up artist for then TV girl,
Jumobi Adegbesan’s wedding to Richard Mofe-Damijo. Over the years, the brand has grown to
be one of the biggest in the beauty industry in Nigeria and Africa, with about 270 products, 23
stores, 14 beauty schools and 10,000 representatives all around Africa. She is the founder and
CEO of House of Tara International and creator of the Tara Orekelewa Beauty range, Inspired
Perfume and the H.I.P Beauty range.
Her strong passion for female empowerment gave birth to the ‘Beauty Entrepreneur
scheme’, which has helped a number of women to own their own beauty businesses. Mrs.
Fela-Durotoye has also created thousands of jobs, having trained over 7,000 professional
Makeup Artistes (MUA) both at home and abroad. All of these professional MUAs have gone on
to start their own beauty businesses and excelling in them.
Recognising her hard work and giant strides in the industry, Mrs Fela-Durotoye has received
a number of notable awards and accolades. In 2007, Tara Fela-Durotoye was awarded the
Africa SMME Award and the Entrepreneur award in South Africa in 2013. In 2013 also, she was
listed by Forbes Africa as one of “20 Young Power Women in Africa”. A list which illuminated the
brightest stars and Africa’s most outstanding female game changers aged 45 and under.
Mudiaga Enajemo
CEO Mudi Africa
The brand, Mudi Africa is famous for its unique Afrocentric style. Founded in 1993 by Clement Mudiaga
Enajemo, simply known as Mudi, the brand has over the years proven to be one of the most formidable names
in the fashion industry in Africa. Setting out from a humble background, Mudi Africa, which berthed from a
single room at Ikosi-Ketu, now has various branches within and outside Nigeria. Living up to its brand name
Mudi Africa, Mudi as he is fondly called, was the first Nigerian designer to take his products abroad by opening
stores in other African countries; Senegal, South Africa, Kenya and Accra Ghana where he has become
popular. Known to offer top-notch quality to its customers, the brand has over the years assembled a wide
clientele base which cuts across the African continent, among which are Presidents, State Governors, CEOs,
celebrities, models, actors, amongst others. The native of Delta State has received a number of awards for his
sterling craftsmanship including: the Most Influential Person in Fashion (2012), Elegance and Style Award
(2011), Fashion and Style Digest Award (2010), Entrepreneurship Business Development and Innovations by
PILAS, (2017), amongst others.
Interestingly, Mudi does not believe in fashion shows, and you might never see his outfits on the runway.
The designer is of the view that your work should speak for you, as he continues to beautify other parts of the
continent and beyond with his designs.
4 / May 9, 2021