The Nation Newspaper

Category: Glamour

  • I still find time to sew my dress

    I still find time to sew my dress

    WHEN Serena Williams walks into the Imperial Suite at The St. Regis on Fifth Avenue, it’s impossible to notice anyone else. In total, there are nine of us – publicists, hotel staff, two photographers, a trainer- but her presence is so powerful, everyone fades into the background. Her chiselled legs are prominently displayed in a lace mini-dress, and with the help of four-inch black suede stilettos, she stands at about 6-foot-1. Her mane is a wild-but-not-unruly labyrinth of tiny uniform curls. She’s profoundly intimidating.

    But Williams introduces herself with a whisper: “Nice to meet you,” she says, with a handshake. Her gentle demeanour is somewhat at odds with the sometimes explosive, unstoppable force we see on the tennis court. It is needless to say that Serena is literally the best female tennis player in the universe.

    Williams took some time to chat candidly about privacy, body image, her clothing lines for HSN and Nike and her thoughts on retirement.

    What’s your routine like on the day of a big match?

    If I’m playing at night, I go to the gym in the morning and then just relax. I try not to think about the match, but of course, it’s all I can think about.

    Is there a specific meal you always eat before you play?

    I’m not really a superstitious person, so I always try to mix it up. I’ve been trying to eat a lot healthier- lots of veggies, green juice and fish.

    Is it impossible for you to go out in public without getting recognised?

    I could never go to places like [Starbucks]-I have to send someone out for me. I really don’t like to say no to pictures, so I always end up saying yes. But if you say yes to one, then there’s 20 people asking, and then there’s 30. It’s crazy, so I’m in my room a lot. During a tournament I hardly ever leave the hotel, ever.

    You have an apartment in Paris – is it less crazy there?

    Paris used to be my safe haven. It was always a big sigh of relief for me there. I didn’t have to worry. But ever since I won Roland Garros [the French Open], I don’t really go out there. Or I go to the country.

    Do you ever wish you could live normally?

    I don’t complain about it – it’s just something you have to get used to. It’s such a humbling feeling that anyone would even watch me play. I feel so honoured, honestly, by anyone who’s a fan of mine and who appreciates me.

    So when you’re holed up in your apartment or a hotel, do you get cabin fever?

    No. I do work and watch a lot of TV. I’m a big fan of Netflix. I just saw Orange Is the New Black, but it was too violent for me. I also spend a lot of time designing. I have two collections.

    Have you always been interested in fashion?

    When I was younger, I made clothes for my dolls. My mum taught me how to sew when I was 2 or 3, so I’ve been sewing for as long as I can remember.

    And you still sew?

    Yes. I had a photo shoot the other day after I won a tournament, and when I put the dress on, it ripped. So I asked someone for the sewing kit and I just sewed it up right there. Everyone couldn’t believe it. You could never tell it was broken.

    You’ve become such a strong, confident role model for women. How does that feel?

    Well, I wasn’t always confident. I just started feeling comfortable with myself about six or seven years ago. That’s why I tell people that even at 25 or 26, it’s OK if you’re feeling uncomfortable with yourself. I was too. It’s normal. I love who I am, and I encourage other people to love and embrace who they are. But it definitely wasn’t easy – it took me a while.

    Why was it difficult?

    I grew up with a lot of sisters – I was the youngest, and I was really thick. My sister Venus was so tall and slim, and just being in a society where a lot of people are really thin, it was hard. Especially as an athlete. No athlete has boobs like me. But I had to learn how to embrace myself and embrace my curves. And that’s something a lot of people can relate to.

    You’ve been working and training unbelievably hard for more than half your life. Are there ever mornings you wake up and think, I don’t feel like doing this anymore?

    Not yet. But if I do, that’ll be the day I realise that time’s up. Right now I’m having so much fun…and I’m still pretty good at what I do [laughs]. So it’s like, why not keep going? You only get this opportunity once in your life.

  • My hubby is my role model

    My hubby is my role model

    IBUKUN Waidi-Akanni has been graciously described by her husband of over 20 years, ex-international and former Lagos State Football Association Chairman, Waidi Akanni, as the friend and lover that stood by him through thick and thin. In the words of the ex-Flying Eagles star, “My wife, Ibukun Akanni, has been there for me from the beginning. I met her as a player in Lagos and together we have weathered the storm. She was there for me while trying to find my footing in football and business and she is still there for me, taking care of our children while l am away from our home in the U.S.”

    Mrs Akanni, a leading U.S-based artists manager, was in Nigeria recently to put finishing touches to one of her programmes, and took time to talk with The Nation Sport and Style’s TAIWO ALIMI. In this revealing interview, she discloses her passion for her job as a publicist and how her hubby has influenced her greatly, sometimes ‘pushing me beyond my imagination’. Excerpts:

    About her husband

    He is an amazing husband, very hardworking. He pushes me more than l can imagine. He is a goal getter and l would say l look up to him as a role model. He is an amazing father to his children and they look up to him too. In whatever l am doing he supports me all the way. For example, for this project that l am embarking on, he supports me a 110 percent. And he pushes me more than l push myself and that is a bonus for him. We have come a long way. I met him while he was a young footballer and ever since we have been together. He is full of ideas and that kind of rubs off on me and for whatever l am doing l want to put a 110 percent into it. l have learnt well.

    Children and soccer

    At first l did not like soccer, like football is called in the U.S, but from watching my children play the game, l kind of developed great interest in it. It is very interesting. My children, like their father, play it very well and they are doing well at school and at club level in their own different ways. Sheriff is fast taking after him as a potential great footballer.

    He recently got a scholarship in the U.S just like his father did while he was in Yaba College of Education. (In 1987, Akanni got a scholarship to study at Howard University in the United States, where he earned bachelors and masters degrees in Engineering). Aside Sheriff, Babatunde, and Samid, who is the baby of the house, is also doing fine with soccer. They all have a passion for the game. We are also blessed with two girls and they are into athletics in their own way too. However, for us, education is paramount and we have told them that they can do whatever they want as far as they take their education first. In life, whether in sport or entertainment, l always preach the gospel of mixing education with football.

    As a publicist in the U.S.

    I have been in P.R. for five years and I have been doing the Sylvia P.R. Event, which is a pre-Grammy event thing for the past four years. I also have a pet project; Sylvia P.R. Awards, which in its first year we gave an award to Quincy Jones and this last one in February of this year we gave awards to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD).

    I represent top artists in the U.S. like Miguel, Ciarra, TI and Vashawn Mitchell and in Nigeria l represent RMD and Yinka Davies.

    Assessing the entertainment industry in Nigeria?

    The Nigerian entertainment industry is good, growing but they need the right set up.

    A lot of them don’t have publicists. The job of a publicist is to manage their image and ensure that they have good publicity. A lot of them don’t have stylists, they just go on the rack and wear what they see. A lot of them look ridiculous at award shows. They need a stylist. To call yourself a celebrity you have to spend money on your image because that is what people see.

    On the music level, they are good but we don’t get to hear them abroad. They don’t play it on radio in the US. The only song I heard on radio in Dubai was Oliver Twist by D’banj and neither do we see the videos on BET. That is part of what I’m also trying to do. You have to expand, you have to go international. You don’t just sit in your own small world here.

    The whole idea is to expand and for the artist to be recognised internationally, not just by Nigerians abroad. People have to know you no matter where you are. When I mentioned Miguel, you knew who he was instantly, yet he has never been to Nigeria. They only do the Nigerian thing. D’banj ought to be invited to the U.S to perform for the foreign audience like Chris Brown and Akon are brought to Nigeria to play and get millions of naira.

  • Eaglets’ whizkid, Kelechi Iheanacho – My parents flogged me because of football

    Eaglets’ whizkid, Kelechi Iheanacho – My parents flogged me because of football

    HE is undoubtedly the hottest teenage footballer in the world today after being voted as the Adidas Golden Ball Award winner at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, but Kelechi Iheanacho has sensationally revealed how his parents nearly stopped him from fulfilling his dream.

    In his frankest and longest interview ever, Iheanacho told the The Nation Sport & Style his rag-to-riches stuff, adding that it was his faith that has carried him thus far.

    “I think it was God that gave me the mind to be strong enough to continue playing football because my parents nearly discouraged me at a time,” revealed Iheanacho.” I was very good with my education right from my nursery and primary school but at a point my attention shifted to football.”

    But his parents, who were not having any of that and only wanted the youngster to concentrate on his education, nearly broke his spirit by flogging him just to keep him on the straight path.

    He continued: “At a point, my parents did not want me to play football but I remember that it was one coach Ebere that is called Danish football in Nekede in Imo State that came to our house and told my parents to stop flogging me for playing football.

    “My parents did not actually listen to the coach initially, but later they started giving me some space after I entered Taiye Football Academy in Owerri. My parents were not convinced that I would make a breakthrough in life through football.

    “But they started believing in me after we went to a competition in Abuja and I helped Imo State win the tournament, and it was after this that they now gave me the blessing to start playing football,” explained Iheanacho, whose favourite hit track is Freedom as sung by Akon – the Senegalese-American R&B and hip-hop artist.

    Iheanacho in the meantime is still revelling in the joy of being crowned as the most valuable player at the just-concluded Under-17 FIFA World Cup UAE 2013 after winning the Adidas Golden Ball as well as the Silver Shoe for emerging second best top scorer, even as he gave a glimpse of what he has passed through before arriving on the podium on October 8 in Abu Dhabi. He speaks with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN. Excerpts:

     

    What were your objectives going to FIFA World Cup in the UAE?

    Our objective right from the start of this campaign was to become world champions; every day we were told that we could become champions and we really thank God that we were able to do it. Though we knew we had a very good team, we had to fight for victory because we lost several good players before coming to the World Cup. The credit has to go to the coaches and other officials who believed in us.

    Did you think you would be this successful when you first joined the team to the extent that you would be the best player in the world at this level?

    Sincerely, I thought the coaches were not going to pick me when I first joined the camp because we had so many good players in the team. It was not as if I didn’t believe in myself but I was small physically, compared with others. I had the same fear when I first joined the Under-13 national team because I was so small. In fact, I thought it was a joke when they were telling us that we would play for the Under-17 team then but as fate would have it for us, we are here and I really thank God.

    I know you love scoring goals but you came second behind Success Isaac at the CAN Championship in Morocco, how did that affect you?

    It did not really affect me because we play as a team in the Golden Eaglets and we were always told to pass to the person who is in the best position to score. Being the highest goal scorer or the best player in a competition is not important if your team did not win the trophy. I actually had an injury during the Nations Cup in Morocco but I had to keep on working because I knew what I was looking for and I thank God I was able to score five goals. I have strong faith in God and I know that whatever it is for me, no matter how long, I’m going to get it.

    Earlier, you said you knew what you were looking for and that was why you endured the pains in Morocco, what were those things?

    Right from when I joined the Golden Eaglets’ camp, the coaches were always telling us that we wanted to qualify and win both the African Under-17 and FIFA U-17 World Cup because Nigeria have not done so since 2007. So we were all dreaming of how to achieve such glory and they really encouraged us to be able to carry it in our minds. So, we were all driven in the same direction and we thank God that we have been able to achieve it.

    How did you feel when you scored four goals in the first match against Mexico?

    I wasn’t surprised that I scored four goals against Mexico in our first match at the World Cup and I have to thank my team-mates for providing with the assists. Having said that, I think when you ask something from God, you must have the faith that he is going to do it. I was so happy after I scored the first goal because I actually prayed to God to give me two goals against Mexico, not knowing he was going to help me score two more goals. I was surprised and shocked too that I scored four goals in a single match and at the world cup for that matter.

    You talk about faith, what is faith and how strong is your faith in God?

    Faith is having the belief that you will get whatever you ask from God. I have a very strong faith in God and he is a living God because when you ask for something with faith, you are going to get it. My faith in a living God is very strong.

    Generally, how do you feel emerging as the best player of the tournament?

    I feel very great. I can’t describe the feeling and it is only God that can see and know how I feel. I didn’t believe that I would come to this championship and play to the extent that I would be picked as the best player as well as the second top scorer. What I know is that it was God that made it possible.

    What were you saying when you knelt down after receiving your awards from FIFA President Sepp Blatter?

    Christians would know that I was actually dedicating the award to God because he made it possible. I was just thanking God because anybody with God is a majority. It is God that gives us life as well as the talent and ability to play.

    Why do you like playing football and how did you develop a strong interest?

    When I started schooling, right from my nursery and primary school, I loved playing football and I was very good in my study too because I was always coming between first and third. But at some point, my focus was only on football and my mother (of blessed memory) was always telling me that I had to focus more on my education. But I realised that the only thing I wanted to do was just to play football and I was not bothered even when they started flogging me for paying too much attention to football. I didn’t stop playing football because my parents were flogging me. I think this was mapped out for me by God because if not so, I would have listened to them and stopped playing football a very long time ago.

  • ‘I’m much wiser now’

    ‘I’m much wiser now’

    Catherine Nnanwubar, a.k.a. Katrinna, is a budding female artiste. After her hit single, Trouble, Katrinna is back with another hit single, Kende, which already is enjoying favourable airplay in radio stations across the country. She tells Adetutu Audu, in this interview, there will always be sexual harassment.

    WHAT are you doing at the moment?

    The journey has still been mixed with ups and downs but to say the fact, it’s been good. You know of course, I have been into this professionally about seven years ago and have been able to release some good songs and hoping to do more and better. As you know, my last single, Trouble, is still being appreciated by many people in the industry and to your question, I’m back at the moment with another hit single I entitled Kende, which was released a couple of months ago.

    What inspired the song Kende?

    The inspiration came from an experience that a friend of mine had. It also reflects what is happening these days in relationships. People don’t know where they are going. You only know you are just with a guy but don’t know where it’s heading to. They see each other on a daily basis, the relationship running into years and yet nothing is happening in terms of commitment. So, Kende tries to say, bros or baby, hasten up, let’s know what we are doing – are we separating or staying together?

    People expected you’d be back with another single soon after the release of Trouble?

    It took me a while releasing Kende because I had Trouble video released last year. The video had some nominations and that kept me kind of busy. Now that I have Kende, it’s another single to promote.

    What are you planning to do again?

    I have a plan to do something for Christmas, a Christmas carol album. I just want to celebrate with Nigerians. I plan to release the album this November. We hope it will be embraced by Nigerians. It will be a 10-track album.

    Did you compose them yourself?

    There are Christmas carols that we know but rendered in a refined tone and beat to sooth contemporary audience.

    What has changed about you?

    A lot has changed. I’m a lot better professionally in my musical career. I’m wiser and more grounded. So I’m learning a lot of things every day. I’ve gained some experience, had some disappointments and successes.

    What are some of the disappointments?

    May be I have not gotten as much shows as I would like to, paying shows. A lot of us up-and-coming artistes are always doing free shows. You hear some artiste getting millions and I’m like if only I can get N.5 of all these millions. It’s a stage by stage thing and I know I’m getting there. So, the main disappointment is not getting enough pay shows.

    Let’s then share your success

    I have got a lot of invite for shows; yes, they are majorly free shows but it shows that people are getting to know me and they are appreciating me. I’ve got some good release and doing wonderfully well in shows and I’m happy for that. I believe I’m marching towards that set goal. I know that there is nothing one put one’s mind to achieve and having God that one cannot achieve. I may wish that I get all the Nigerian awards at the age of 35. I know I will get it. I’m the next Nigerian music icon to watch out for.

    What are the challenges?

    Generating funds hasn’t been easy. That’s my problem. As I told you, I need more pay shows to get funds to fund the music and to reach the level I want to reach and do a lot of things. Look at this Christmas project I have now. I need fund and I will set Nigeria ablaze with unmatchable songs.

    Having studied sciences, why choose music as a career?

    I have always loved to sing since I was young. Also, everybody in my family sings, but why I decided to take it professionally was when I noticed I do well as a performing artiste. I didn’t just want my singing to end up in my bathroom or going Karaoke, which I love to do. Music is what I want to use and identify with people, to make them feel good and happy.

    While I was very young I never knew that I would one day take music to a professional level. I couldn’t see the future of course. Then, I have always loved sciences. And unfortunately, the part of the world where I come from, especially where I grew up, we were not encouraged to choose art courses. The practice then was once you are intelligent, you were asked to be in the sciences and those who were not very good were asked to do arts. That was part of the reasons I chose science; but don’t get me wrong, of a truth, I love sciences.

    How do you get inspired?

    I’m inspired by day to day experiences. I basically don’t sit down and think of what to sing. Things that happen around me, things I listen to and see inspire me. Another thing helping me is my producers. I have good producers who do a lot of work for me because I have these songs in papers and they help me put them into good music.

    Have you ever been sexually harassed?

    Unfortunately, there’ll always be sexual harassment but I have not had an experience where it was by force. I have had experiences where you may need people for help and they would want to have you sleep with them before they help you. Men will always be men. Although I must say people have been generally good to me, but in situations like that, you have an option, either to agree or not to; and then you move on. All the same, I have not had a bad experience.

    How do you handle men’s advances?

    I’m a woman; if I go out in a day and no guy appreciates me, I don’t feel good.

    And if there is none, how do you feel?

    I will be like hey, what’s happening? Is it that I’m getting old or what? Sometimes I will say to myself, ‘aging is a very bad thing’, but then, I will like, ‘no, I’m not aging, maybe I wasn’t looking attractive today.’ That makes me up my dress sense and all that. At least even if they don’t come directly to you, an innocent appreciation can do for a day, but not to get any at all – when you don’t get it you will be worried.

    Would you date a very wealthy but ugly man?

    I don’t know and can’t say, but you should know something has to attract you first. The way men choose to prefer fine girls before wanting to know if she has a good character that’s the way it is with ladies too. I may not know you have money but your handsome appearance may have got me interested first.

    What do you love mostly in your body?

    My figure; I like the fact that I can eat anything I like and want and I don’t add weight.

  • Kefee’s top 10

    Kefee’s top 10

    Nigerian Branama queen of soul music, Kefee, talks about her favourite things in this interview with Kehinde Oluleye.

    Favourite shoes & bag designers

    Gucci

     

    Favourite colour

    Yellow and brown

     

    Favourite

    holiday spot

    Bahamas

     

    Favourite Nigerian fashion designer

    Branama Afrique & Ms Makor Couture

     

    Favourite

    earrings

    Chandelier

     

    Favourite sunglasses

    Gucci

     

    Favourite food

    Unripe plantain

    and vegetable

     

    Favourite

    TV channel

    Zone Reality

     

    Favourite

    wrist watch

    Piaget & Tag Heuer

     

    Favourite makeup

    Smoky eyes

  • Lagos Island Club celebrates 70th anniversary

    Lagos Island Club celebrates 70th anniversary

    THE foremost social club in Nigeria, Lagos Island Club, penultimate week celebrated its 70th anniversary as a club. The week-long event assembled the crème de la-creme of society such as politicians, business tycoons and personalities from the corporate world. As part of the celebration, new members were inducted, and awards were given to many Nigerians for their contributions to society. Olusegun Rapheal captures the faces of celebrities who attended the event.

  • Chinyere Okonkwo’s passion

    Chinyere Okonkwo’s passion

    LADY Chinyere Okonkwo is the very adorable wife of Senator Annie Okonkwo, chairman of the defunct Zoom Mobile and Clemco Group. Though an Igbo lady to the core, she loves Yoruba attires to a fault. She is usually well turned out in them when she steps out to events in company of her husband. Although that she is the wife of a public office holder, this graduate of the University of Lagos also gravitates to a service club, the Ikeja Pearl Lions Club, where she served and rose through the ranks as secretary, second vice president, and first vice president. Sources close to her said doing charity has enriched her life.

  • Go wild with Ankara

    Go wild with Ankara

    THE fact is clothing does more than just concealing your body, it has the ability to accentuate your figure, minimize your flaws, give you the image of either professionalism, conveys your individuality and make you feel your best. As civilized human beings, clothing is a requirement that make you to be decent and presentable to the public. Fashion adds a sense of beauty, color and overall interest to society. It allows not only different sets of cultures but also individuals to express themselves physically. And just as society and cultures can change rapidly into other various forms, fashion trends and style can change perhaps even faster. Those with an interest in fashion seek to keep up with such changes. Also, fashion is used not only as a way of clothing the physical form, but also as a means of helping to articulate a person’s individualism, a group’s ideals and/or people’s view on the world. The nature of fashion therefore plays a vital role in highlighting the public’s overall consciousness and expressive state of mind African print (Ankara) has taken a huge leap from the streets of West Africa to the hottest red carpets, videos and runways around the world. You don’t need to go head to toe in lace and print to rep your African heritage. Ankara gowns and jackets are often less expensive than buying a whole outfit and can give your outfit an edge and pop to stand out when you are out on the town, at school or even (depending on the colors of the print and your profession) within the business world. Here are several different cuts of ankara in gowns and variations of jackets!

  • Mohammed Idris living large

    Mohammed Idris living large

    MOHAMMED Idris is one of the sons of the former Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris. He is one guy who appears to have started thinking of life after his father’s stint in power. It is not news that Idris owns the popular three-star Ibro Hotels which has presence in some cities in the northern states, what many people do not know is that his son, Mohammed, is working tirelessly in keeping the business afloat and viable.

    Mohammed is also the owner of Summerest Apartments in Abuja. One thing certain about Mohammed is that he enjoys life to the hilt and is really painting Abuja with money to throw around.

  • Modupe Ozolua celebrates

    Modupe Ozolua celebrates

    MODUPE Ozolua, the CEO of Body Enhancement Limited in Nigeria, who is also the founder and president of Body Enhancement Annual Reconstructive Surgery (BEARS) Foundation, is 40.

    The milestone did not go unannounced. Apart from the celebration, the single mother of one opened a new outlet in the heart of Abuja.

    A few years ago, she put up her health and beauty shop, Indulge, for sale two years after opening amidst fanfare. Tongues wagged that she was battling hard times. But another source said it was not unconnected with her new found faith. It was rumoured that she now attends one of the branches of Mountain of Fire and Miracles church. However, with the addition of a new outlet in the Federal Capital Territory, the last may not have been heard of the Sabon Gida Ora, Edo State beauty.

    For nearly a decade, many salacious tales have been spun about Ozolua. She set tongues wagging about a decade ago when she admitted to have had breasts enlargement surgery, and introduced cosmetic surgery to upwardly mobile ladies in Nigeria.