Being an ex-beauty queen, pageant director and style icon, it is not a surprise that Adenike Asabi Oshinowo, popularly known as Nike Oshinowo, radiates style. In this interview, she talks about her style sense, what she feels about Nigerian women and style and what makes dressing-to-impress or making a statement, a wrong idea.
What is your definition of style?
Style is a reflexion of who you are, visually. People get it wrong when they try to copy someone else’s style. Style is a way by which you communicate through your appearance or what you put on. That’s what you are, basically.
How do you like to appear corporate?
My real corporate looks, I think really, is an extension of my normal day look, but more suitable to my type. Not just that, there is not really any difference between what I put on in the evening and what I wear during the daytime. If it’s in the evening, I can just look sparkling, I can do that with lace material; make it a bit shiny.
Some people believe that most Nigerian women dress to impress or to make statements. What about you?
That’s where people go wrong. I have never dressed to impress or to make statement. Maybe it is selfish to do that. But I dress for me, really. I am very girly. So, basically, I dress for myself. As long as you can, get excited about what you wear. I don’t think of what Ngozi or Yetunde is going to think about what I wear. That’s me.
What is your must use accessory while going out?
It’s my mobile phone. It may sound terrible, but that is the truth. It is my mobile office. Once I carry my bag, I pick my phone along with it. I promise you, I get busy with it in the car until I arrive at my destination.
If you were to hire mobile shoe shiner to clean your shoes, how long will it take him to get the job done?
That’s so funny… Oh God. It’s so, so funny (laughter). Do you expect me to answer that question?
Yes, please.
It won’t take long. You know why? I’m not a hoarder. For instance, very soon, we’re going to auction off our wardrobe for seasons one and two of Late Night with Nike Oshinowo, online. That way, people who have been watching the show and like the wardrobe can come around to pick up what they like. I don’t keep what I don’t need.
How do you like to go casual?
It has to be in the pattern of a tracksuit, Although my team usually frown at it. I’m comfortable with it.
How would you describe a typical Nigerian woman, style wise?
Oh, you know we are very stylish in Nigeria. Nigerian women have a unique ability to put colours together. I mean, the colours they wear, colours, such that when you see the way they match, you would really like. Nigerian women have this unique innate ability to put colours together in the most unusual and unique fashion, and it is amazing. I mean … have you seen an aso ebi (society uniform) before; lime-green and yellow? That’s so unique. I think the Nigerian woman is wonderfully stylish in nature.
What make up would you ignore?
I just don’t like my make up to wear me.
I wear my makeup.
How would you describe your motherhood experience?
Motherhood is a beautiful experience. I did what I needed to do to make that happen. My beautiful children are my world; my everything. People ask why they bear Oshinowo; that is because Oshinowo is a lovely surname to have.
What is your biggest challenge as team leader?
The biggest challenge in this part of the world is usually that of trust. Although, I consider myself lucky to have a nice team, but it is common knowledge that we hardly trust one another in this country. However, I had to trust my team because it is safer to work with people you trust than a team that you do not trust. I also try to keep them close to me through regular meetings and interactions during which they have the freedom to air their views. We hold our update meetings every Monday and it is a must for everyone including myself. At the meetings, we do not take yes or know for an answer or contribution, unless it is defended. What I mean is that everybody is made to defend whatever contribution they have. Even as team leader, I do not impose any business idea on my team. My job is just to introduce it on the table for deliberation, scrutiny, defence and possible adoption. This which we do by voting and defending of our votes. Whichever way the voting ends, determines our final stand on any issue.
Your wave-making late night show on AIT has improved in packaging by the day. Did you ever have the inkling that it would be an instant hit like it did?
You cannot have such idea; you can only hope that people like what you have done. But based on feedback that we have been receiving so far, I can confidently agree that we have not disappointed our viewers so far. And I am grateful to God and the management of AIT for the opportunity. I am also grateful to my team because a lot of efforts has been invested individually and collectively in the programme. However, there is always room for improvement and we shall continue to make the show better and more interesting as the days roll by.
What informed your decision to introduce the show at this point in time?
I wanted to bring Nigerians to the discussion table, to afford us the opportunity to talk about us. I wanted to talk to Nigerians, Africans; the market women and all adults. I wanted to talk about everything and anything without restriction. We discuss issues of development, culture, marriage and relationships. Late Night With Nike Oshinowo is a platform we created to discuss about everything under the sun, with a view to helping Nigerians, Africans and all our viewers across the world. We also want to get them informed, entertained as well be exposed to possible solutions to various the problems and challenges in life. We also celebrate deserving Nigerians on the show. We plan to extend the show to other Africans in future.
What would you prescribe, cosmetic enhancement as a sure way to gracious aging, using yourself as an example?
If I should use myself as example, I would tell you that the best things of life are not found in cosmetic enhancement but in nature. I have always maintained that the best things in life for you are closest to nature. As for ageless looks, the secret about my looks is anchored on healthy living. I sleep. When you advice Nigerians to sleep, they will say ah, where is the time. People don’t sleep enough in this country! I also drink plenty of water too. You need a lot of water to live healthy. People need to cultivate the culture of leaving all their worries – problems, unfinished tasks and every other thing behind while going to sleep so they can wake up fresh the next morning. I try to live my life as healthy as possible. That’s the only secret I have about my looks. So, I urge people not to look for scientific or synthetic solutions to beauty because nature offers much more than they can find elsewhere. Just make nature your friend and live close to it as much as possible.
http://sunnewsonline.com/new/i-dont-allow-my-makeup-wear-me-nike-oshinowo-2/
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