TLR Magazine May 2016

ISSUE 006 MAY 2016

THE LUXURY REPORTER Nigeria’s premiere luxury e-magazine

Gadzama Bukunola Ahead Of The Game The Luxury Reporter www.luxuryreporter.com.ng

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contents 6 8 10 Editorial Publisher/Managing Editor Funke Osae-Brown Staff Writers Lara Oladunni Beatrice Isola Creative Director Peter Ehigiator Web design Fortune Williams Advisory Board Mrs. Abimbola Wright Mr. Femi Adefowope Mrs. Mercy Omoyeni Mr. Ogbeni-Tope Awe Mr. Julian’s Luxury Mrs. Bola Balogun Mrs. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo Dr. Phil Osagie 4

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style

Eighties-Inspired Fashion & Accessories

shop

Hues In Store

travel

Discover Your Inner Self at Talise Spa Jumeirah

style

Rings of Luxury

feature

Gadzama Bukunola Ahead Of The Game interview

Dbanj’s Battle of Lips

TLR is published by FTI Communications. D104, Omisore Lane, Oniru Millennium Estate, Lekki Website: www.luxuryreporter.com.ng Twitter: @luxuryreportng Facebook: The Luxury Reporter Advert hotlines: 08033540883, 08116759771, 08023165438

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Editor’s Note

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Happy Birthday, TLR!

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elcome to the month of May! We are excited to present to you another edition of your favourite emagazine, TLR. This is also our birthday month as we clock two on May 24th. This is the sixth edition of the emagazine which we added to our website, www.luxuryreporter. com.ng, in December 2015.

To celebrate this special month, on our cover is a remarkable woman, Gadzama Bukunola, MD/CEO, BuildCon Global Services Limited, who is set to lead in the Nigerian real estate terrain with her compelling mix o f b re a t h t a k i n g structures. She shares her story on pages 16-18.

Also in this edition is a special interview we had

with famous artiste, Dbanj who is currently engaging in a ‘battle of lips’ on MTVBase.

You need to read about how he is changing the African music industry.

Our store focus this month is on ZAZAII, a lifestyle store with bold, provocative designs and colours located in upscale Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

If you are thinking of what to do in Summer, our story on Crystal Serenity Cruise line is a must read. Don’t forget to catch up with some 1980s designs on our style pages.

These and more are for your reading pleasure. See you again in June!

- FOB Follow me on: Instagram: funke_osae-brown Twitter: @funkeadetutu Facebook/LinkedIn: Funke Osae-Brown

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Style

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Eighties-Inspired Fashion A new celebration of 1980s glam calls for a more fashionable approach to power Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Lizette printed devoré-chiffon dress

Diane von Furstenberg Julianna lace wrap dress

This ‘80s inspired Preen by Thornton Bregazzi’s ‘Lizette’ runway dress is printed with bright abstract checks and delicate florals.

It’s crafted from tactile devoré-chiffon with an attached lace-up belt that highlights the slimmest part of your waist. We love the way the ruffled hem moves gracefully with every step. It is a great dress to have.

Diane von Furstenberg’s ‘Julianna’ dress is designed in the brand’s signature wrap silhouette. This universally flattering style is crafted from red lace and lined in black jersey to highlight the intricate floral design. Wear yours with Brian Atwood’s Italian-made ‘Naomi’ sandals and Kotur’s black elaphe clutch shown below.

Pair with The Row Suede clutch

Pair with Brian Atwood Naomi grosgraintrimmed velvet sandals

This The Row’s compact clutch has been crafted in Italy from plush black suede.

It tasseled design has front and back slit pockets and a middle compartment that will easily hold your keys, cell and cards.

Slip the braided satin strap onto the wrist or carry it in hand. It will make a nice pairing with Preen by Thornton Bregazzi’s ‘Lizette’ runway dress above.

Brian Atwood’s Italian-made ‘Naomi’ sandals are a versatile and classic choice for evening.

This elegant black velvet pair is trimmed with ruffled grosgrain for a modern touch. Complete with a sky-high heel, they’re finished with ankle ties to ensure a secure fit.

Jennifer Fisher Single Ribbon gold-plated ring

Jennifer Fisher’s gold-plated brass ring is crafted into a single ribbon that lies diagonally on your finger. Simple yet unique, this polished design is the perfect everyday signature. Adjust the open back for the perfect fit.

Kotur Espey elaphe box clutch

Add texture to evening looks with Kotur’s black elaphe clutch. This compact design is fully lined in brocade and fastens with the brand’s signature faceted crystal clasp. Tuck in the chain strap and carry it inhand for your next event.

Chloé Darcey gold-tone Swarovski pearl cuff

Jennifer Fisher 6

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Row Suede

Chloé’s ‘Darcey’ cuff is a versatile piece that demonstrates the label’s clean aesthetic. Made in Italy, it’s cast from polished gold-tone brass and embellished with two Swarovski pearls. We think it’s a beautiful compliment to a nice evening look.

Style

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& Accessories accessories says BEATRICE ISOLA.

Michael Kors Layered silk dress Michael Kors’ silk dress is the perfect desk to dinner style. Layered front and back panels add interest to the flattering fit-and-flare silhouette. The loose, fluid cut, long sleeves and knee length balance the bold crimson hue - complement it further with neutral accents.

Pair with Givenchy Nadia sandals in black leather

These Givenchy Nadia sandals in black leather are perfect for the Michael Kors’ silk dress pictured above. The heel measures approximately 85mm/ 3.5 inches. It is a beautiful black leather sandals with thin gold metal trim.

Chloé Freja gold-tone cuff

Chloé’s ‘Freja’ cuff has been crafted in Italy from gold-tone brass. This weighty style is decorated with a slim band and movable rings for a chunky look. We think it looks best as your only piece of jewellery if well paired with the sandals and dress pictured above.

Pair with Jimmy Choo Teira metallic leather and suede sandals

Chloé Freja

Crafted in Italy, this soft suede pair is cushioned for long-lasting comfort and is finished with an eye-catching gold heel.

Keep the on-trend tie fastenings in focus with cropped hemlines.

Givenchy Nadia

Stella McCartney Gold-tone earrings Kotur Espey

Brian Atwood

Stella McCartney’s gold-tone brass earrings are stunning in their simplicity.

Showcase the long length of this Italianmade pair by styling yours with a ponytail. Butterfly fastening for pierced ears.

Jimmy Choo Teira

Stella McCartney

Chloé Darcey The TheLuxury Luxury Reporter Reporter www.luxuryreporter.com.ng

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Hues In Store Bold, provocative designs and colours are some of the hallmarks of ZAZAII, a new total lifestyle store in upscale Victoria Island, says FUNKE OSAE-BROWN.

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he building that houses ZAZAII on Balarabe Musa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria stands out of the pack. Seated on a couch in the sprawling store is Isoken Ogiemwonyi, the creative director, ZAZAII. She warmly welcomes me into her store as we sat down to chat for thirty minutes.

Isoken’s tenacity endeared me to her a couple of years ago when I first encountered her pieces as an editor at BusinessDay at the time. I admire her courage to start her own fashion label, Obsidian, which has now metamorphosed into a retail store, ZAZAII. “ZAZAII,” she tells me, “is the global address for shopping established and emerging African fashion, lifestyle and beauty. It is the next step. We are creating a store where brands can build a following and have steady sales or in the case of more established brands, want more distribution points.”

It is a retail store where you can discover an ultra-modern line of more than fifty wellknown and emerging fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands from House of Tara, to JLabel, 8

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Toju Foyeh, Obsidian, Eve And Tribe, Things Nigerians Love, Kamokini among others.

She says she is inspired to start ZAZAII when felt the need to expand her line. “My line was called Le Space. The initial plan was to give fashion designers the time and the opportunity to be more commercial. As a designer in Nigeria I found that it seemed like a futile effort because you find out Nigerian fashion designers are doing lone stuff.

You discover that you have one person here another there. It is for this reason we started Le Space. We wanted to do something bigger, something with a more contemporary focus.”

Part of her move is also to discover and showcase new local fashion brands. “We drive discovery of new brands, and visibility for existing brands. We are showcasing the brands that we really, really believe in. We also made options for self-made designs. We made our options a lot more refined. If we love a brand we go for it because we really believe we can sell it. We conceptualise it for the consumer and pick designers that we thing they will like.”

Isoken explains some of the dresses, sunglass-

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es, bags and footwear she stocks are handmade and sourced for locally. “We have a variety of designers. Some of them are handmade some others are manufactured. They are all African brands. I have my own brands but I also those that are manufactured or handmade.”

According to her poor infrastructure and lack of adequate skills by artisans are impeding the growth and development of the fashion industry forcing designers to manufacture their designs in Turkey or China.

“The way infrastructure is here in Nigeria; the sort of knowledge artisans require is not there. They don’t have the skill to do some of the designs. They don’t also have the capacity to do as much as two hundred or three hundred pieces of one style at once in different sizes. It can be difficult. Hence most people have to do that outside the country. People do large quantities in Turkey or China. Turkey is closer. The zip makers, buttons manufacturers are also in China. Turkey also has a strong textile industry so everybody is going there to get fabric.

“Almost all our fabrics are imported. I tried not to be bugged down by the exchange rate and inflation rate. At the end of the day, the thread, button, even the machines we used are imported. In some places some people use Koreans or Filipinos, Senegalese or Togolese artisans. Everything you are buying to make the dresses or whatever clothing you are making is imported. All the prices have gone up for those accessories. In addition to that is the issue of power. Most people generate power themselves. You still have to spend money on diesel or generator. It is a huge cost.”

Using local fabrics could be challenging for Isoken as it is the case with most Nigerian designers. She argues that most artisans do not have the capacity to produce Adire, a locally made fabric, for instance. “Adire you can’t go to a factory and say you want a bale of Adire or in a thousand yards. You can’t get it because they don’t do it that way or don’t have the capacity to do that. Even for Adire all of the base materials are imported so it still comes to the same thing.

There will always be an importation factor that will affect cost. I sketch my designs. We are a retail store so we stock other labels.”

ZAZAIII flagship store at 36 Balarabe Musa houses over 40 brands and the ZAZAII Beauty Rooms boast retail beauty, skincare and haircare brands, as well as beauty services spanning blow dries, skin and body treatments and nail art.

In addition, there is a cocktail bar, run by

Shop

the formidable Elle’s Icebox. It promises to treat shoppers to mouth-watering bites and delicious cocktails. “The Pop Up Party X ZAZAII is a low cost, high impact distribution and promotion platform, based on a four-day residency, for fledgling businesses to inform and engage their target consumer. Our monthly event enables all brands, regardless of their size, to reach countless members of the public, and our strategic partnerships both online and offline enable us to pursue a collective promotional agenda. This not only gives brands huge savings in marketing expenses but also frees them up to concentrate on other aspects of brand building.”

With over five years in the business of African fashion, Isoken says ZAZII delivers worldwide to over sixty countries.

You can experience the ZAZAII Homes; a section in-store where you can purchase bespoke home fittings. You can visit the online store: www.zazaii.com or any of its concessions nationwide (Ikeja, Lagos, Abuja and Calabar).

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Travel

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Discover Your Inner Self at Talise Spa Jumeirah BEATRICE ISOLA

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f you are travelling to Dubai and you need a place for that perfect escape where you can truly get cocooned in luxury, then the Talise Spa at Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab is the place to be.

Perched 150 metres above the Arabian Gulf, Talise Spa is the ultimate destination to luxuriate, relax and rejuvenate. Each experience at the spa has been carefully crafted and exclusively developed using the world’s most luxurious products to leave you utterly pampered.

You can enjoy a complimentary spa consultation with Talise spa therapists who can visit you in your suite and assist you in choosing the correct treatment or programme to , ensure you achieve your desired outcome.

Taking into consideration today’s hectic lifestyle, there is an offering that complements your needs as an individual. Whether your target is focused on mind or body, Talise will assist you with the right choices so your journey and experience is memorable as well as solution orientated.

The Romantic Moon Light Swim

offers an ultimate experience that makes you leave reality behind and indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime moonlit swim exclusively for two.

You can have a good view of a choice scene that can be set with private access to the infinity pool.

With the Arabian Gulf serving as your backdrop and the moon lighting your way, submerge into the rose petaled waters for an evening of sheer luxury. A serving of champagne and strawberries will ensure you both stay thoroughly refreshed while indulging in his-and-hers one-hour aromatherapy massages that promises an utter relaxation.

To complete your heavenly experience, personalised Burj Al Arab bathrobes will be presented to keep your memories alive well into the future.

Spa Treatments To Enjoy Burj Al Arab Arabic Journey | 85 minutes Treat yourself to a traditional Arabic experience and allow your senses to take a journey to the Arabian world. Drift off to the majestic scent of amber as your body is polished with aromatic verbena

scented sand to prepare and nourish your skin for a sun-kissed glow or a sun-bronzed body.

This is followed by a renewing body massage using traditional Patchouli oil infused with Argan oil to leave you feeling deeply relaxed and revitalised. To complete the journey, you will be presented with an aromatic souvenir for you to share a part of the Arabian world with your loved ones.

Facials La Prairie Platinum Rare Facial | 80 minutes From the anti-aging experts at La Prairie comes a new facial treatment with infusions of pure platinum to restore balance and a sense of wellbeing to your skin using the high performance Platinum Collection. Two therapists work simultaneously to deliver an indulgent hand and foot treatment in sequence with the facial.

La Prairie Pure Gold Facial | 80 minutes La Prairie’s exquisite Gold standard for anti-aging uses drops of Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold to visibly lift, brighten and energize for a younger looking complexion.

La Prairie Caviar Facial | 70 minutes Caviar pearls, a face and eye massage and a two-phase caviar mask incorporates pure luxury that instantly firms skin delivering enhanced tone and texture. The caviar facial will transform the dullest complexions into radiant and luminous skin.

La Prairie Eye Bliss Treatment | 30 minutes A blissful, firming and hydrating treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines and protect against the harmful effects of the

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Travel

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combined to offer sheer bliss using finely crafted organic aromatic oils.

Chakra Balancing Hot Stone Massage | 80 minutes This holistic treatment begins with a body massage using organic aromatherapy oils and volcanic hot stones. The gentle stretching helps release deep-seated tension around the neck and shoulders while stones are positioned along the spine and on the energy points.

Wellbeing Body Massage | 55/80 minutes Unwind with a traditional classic Swedish massage which utilises long, flowing strokes using pure Argan oil to provide maximum wellbeing.

Balinese Massage | 55/80 minutes An authentic Indonesian massage combining both dry and oil massage techniques, including skin rolling, kneading, stroking, acupressure and reflexology. environment. This is perfect for all skin types who are concerned with those first signs of ageing which appear around the eye area.

La Prairie Whitening Facial | 70 minutes This advanced skin whitening facial treatment reduces pigmentation while lightening the appearance of the skin. The skin texture is restored for a smoother and more youthful looking complexion.

Sundari Ayurvedic Facial | 80 minutes Experience a bespoke luxurious dosha facial. This rejuvenating facial massage, application of a custom balancing and detoxifying mask is complimented with a lymphatic drainage treatment and relaxing scalp massage. In addition to the customised facial, your therapist will guide you through Pranayama (breathing techniques) and Marmassage, designed to relax and rejuvenate.

Ayurvedic Restorative Facial | 90 minutes Our intense vitamin infused anti-ageing facial assists collagen

synthesis, accelerates cell renewal, and combats free radical damage to improve the skin’s texture and appearance through specialized techniques to normalise oil production and hydration retention.

You may choose to compliment this treatment with an additional face mask for increased skin nutrition or a signature back, scalp and Marmassage involving pressure point stimulation completes this unrivalled experience.

THÉMAÉ Pure Anti-Ageing Facial Ceremony | 80 minutes The ultimate anti-wrinkle ceremony combining Japanese movements and stimulations, tonic movements and deep massage to improve the skin’s firmness and make the skin glow.

Massages Burj Al Arab Signature Massage | 85 minutes A blend of selective techniques from traditional Shiatsu, Thai, Swedish and Balinese massages are

Aromatherapy Massage | 55/80 minutes Based on consultation and aromatesting, aroma therapeutic oils are incorporated with a full body massage designed to uplift, calm or balance the mind and body.

Thai Massage | 55/80 minutes This clothed therapeutic massage includes passive stretching, acupressure techniques and manipulations to invigorate the mind and body, leaving a general sense of relaxation.

Ayurvedic Abhyanga | 55/80 minutes Profound relaxation for the overstressed, this massage uses Ayurvedic oils that stimulate the flow of Prana (life force). Choose from an 80-minute experience performed by one therapist or for the ultimate indulgence choose the 55 minute four-handed massage performed by two synchronised therapists. A cup of Ayurvedic herbal infusion will be served towards the end of the treatment to further restore the body’s energy flow.

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Style

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Rings of Luxury

Cocktail rings are still taking the centre stage in the world of fashion.

BEATRICE ISOLA picks top five statement rings to have this season.

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Pomellato Ring

This understated and elegant design comes from the beautiful Cyrene collection.

It is made from 18ct gold with onyx and mother-ofpearl. It will be a good addition to your jewellery collection.

This Tabou ring is a striking piece of jewellery to have. It comes in rose gold and burnished silver with faceted rhodolites.

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Assya London Sphinx Cocktail Ring

This Tabou ring is a striking piece of jewellery to have.

It comes in rose gold and burnished silver with faceted rhodolites.

Kamushki Ring

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Sydney Evan Ring

This simple and understated ring features 14ct gold, pavé diamonds and turquoise. It comes in 14 carat yellow-gold and pavé diamond turquoise roll ring. The roll measures approximately ¾ inches across including diamond caps and approximately 1/8 inches thick.

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Jade Jagger Ring

Inspired by the glamour of Studio 54, this disco ball-style ring is 24 carats yellow gold-plated with diamonds.

Style

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Stylish 4

Olivia von Halle Lila Mizuki Pyjamas

These stylish silk pyjamas are inspired by 1920s loungewear and feature motherof-pearl buttons. Each pair comes gift wrapped.

Sleepwear

Modern designs of Pyjamas are as dramatic as their creators says LARA OLADUNNI as she picks a few lines you can’t ignore.

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Asceno Aztec Pyjamas

These Aztec-print silk pyjamas were influenced by north African travels. They also come in pink or with shorts.

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Raphaëlla Riboud Marilyn nightshirt and Fred Shorts

Styled on a men’s nightshirt, this cotton design is panelled with feminine sheer lace.

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Yolke Pyjamas

These silk pyjamas rework a well-loved classic with a vibrant cobalt shade.

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Olivia von Halle Clemency Pyjamas

These geometricprint silk pyjamas are inspired by the tailoring of London’s Savile Row and have engraved mother-of-pearl buttons.

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Cruises

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Enjoy A Luxurious Cruise On Crystal Serenity LARA OLADUNNI

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ailing on Crystal Serenity ship means as the morning sun heralds a new day, you wake to the infinite possibilities offered aboard a ship designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests. From active pursuits to moments of quiet reflection, the day is yours to design as you wish.

Crystal is one of world famous luxury lines that offers exquisite sailing experience around Africa, Alaska, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Caribbean among other destinations.

Getting on board a Crystal Serenity ship offers you exquisite views of an ever-changing horizon. From the sublime comfort and quiet privacy of your well-appointed verandah stateroom or suite, you can watch the world unfold before your very eyes.

Known quite simply as the very best cruise ship in the world, Crystal Serenity is consistently awarded the highest accolades by the readers of famous Condé Nast Traveler, among others Have the home away from home experience as your wish is graciously attended to by your State14 The Luxury Reporter www.luxuryreporter.com.ng

room Attendant or Penthouse Butler. The sumptuous beds are piled high with plush duvets, the finest linens and pillows of your choice, and in-room amenities feature Blu-ray players, flatpanel TVs, intelligent lighting, electronic “do not disturb” doorbells and wireless in-room Internet access. Nearly 85 percent of all accommodations boast of a private teak verandah, and all staterooms and suites feature 24-hour complimentary in-room dining service, twice-daily housekeeping including nightly turndown service, and so much more. The industry’s first allergy-friendly PURE® Staterooms in categories P1 and P2 allow you to breathe easy and rest well, while Penthouse accommodations offer an expanded roster of services and amenities.

Accommodation aboard this ship consists of: four Crystal Penthouses with balcony; 32 Penthouse Suites with Balcony; 72 Penthouses with balcony; 78 superior outside-view cabins with balcony; 286 outside-view cabins with balcony; 84 outside-view cabins without balcony but with large picture windows. Two whole decks of ac-

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commodation are designated as suites (Deck 11, and Deck 10), while all other accommodation is located on Decks 9, 8 and 7.

The Crystal Penthouse comes with verandah, spacious well-appointed living room, separate den with full-size sleeper sofa plus a separate dining area with ocean view. You can also relax on the large private verandah while taking in the beauty of the sea that lies ahead.

There is also a custom stone foyer floor, guest bathroom with shower, a butler’s pantry with refrigerator and espresso-cappuccino machine and a large bedroom with queen-size bed or twin beds with sumptuous bedding. The master bath features a television, heated floor, bidet, Duravit spa flotation tub with ocean view, and state-of-the-art shower with customized shower direction and heated bench. The master walk-in custom closet with illuminated rods and custom shelving makes you feel at home.

In addition, you will enjoy a personal Butler Service that is on call 24 hours a day. You can be assisted with unpacking and packing your luggage on request. There is garment pressing and shoeshine also on request.

You can also confirm your dining and spa reservations and make your Crystal Adventures shore excursion reservations. There is also in-suite afternoon tea service, pre-dinner cocktail and gourmet canapé service, dining, including menus from Silk Road and Prego, served by course.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy complimentary welcome bottle of Cristal champagne, complimentary wine plus choice of spirits from set menu upon embarkation, plus complimentary soft drinks, beer and bottled water; stocked refrigerator.

You can also enjoy free unlimited Wi-Fi with free in-suite phone usage (2 hours per cruise).

You don’t have to worry about laundry and house keeping with a twice-daily housekeeping including evening turndown service plus free laundry and dry cleaning.

There is also a choice of staying in the Penthouse Suite with verandah. The Penthouse suite comes with spacious living and dining area, private verandah, separate bedroom area with vanity and picture window. It comes with a Queen-size bed or twin bed with sumptuous bedding, and third berth, full Jacuzzi bathtub with separate shower and bidet plus spacious walk-in closet.

You can enjoy the personal Butler Service, complimentary welcome bottle of champagne upon arrival among other complimentary services. It also comes ensuite with two flat panel TVs with Blu-ray DVD/CD player, free in-suite phone usage (1 hour per cruise), free Wi-Fi and Internet access: 90 minutes per person, per day.

Cruises You can enjoy fresh fruit basket replenished throughout voyage upon request including a 24hour room service. You can order-in from specialty restaurants Silk Road and Prego while a la carte canapé menu is served daily.

There is another Penthouse with verandah located at 403 sq. ft. of the ship. It has a sizeable living area with private verandah, a Queensize bed or twin beds with sumptuous bedding, and third berth, vanity in dressing area, full Jacuzzi bathtub with separate shower and spacious walk-in closet. There is personal Butler Service that is on call 24 hours a day. You can enjoy Crystal Adventures shore excursion reservations. There is Free Wi-Fi and Internet access: 60 minutes per person, per day and data port for laptop computer hook-up and wireless Internet access. You can order-in from specialty restaurants Silk Road and Prego through the 24-hour room service. You can also enjoy dining at an officer table upon request Indulge yourself in the Crystal Spa in-suite massage (Spa rates apply) or enjoy the ETRO S.P.A. Exclusive Sea bath and body amenities including bathrobes and slippers with ETRO S.P.A. Exclusive Sea bath products packaged exclusively for Crystal Cruises.

To this end, Crystal Serenity is best suited to sophisticated travellers, typically over 50, who are looking for contemporary ship surroundings, with fine quality fittings and furnishings, a wide range of public rooms and facilities, and excellent food and service from a well-trained staff.

The Crystal Dining Room is quite elegant, with a crisp, clean “California Modern” style that includes plenty of space around each table.

There are tables for two (many positioned adjacent to large windows), four, six or eight. At dinner, a wandering trio serenades passengers at their tables, but this is tacky and not representative of fine dining.

The food is attractively presented on large plates, and well served. It is of a very high standard. European dishes are predominantly featured (but in an American style). The menus are extremely varied, and feature a fine selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes.

The Bistro is a casual spot for coffees and pastries, served in the style and atmosphere of a European street cafe. For casual meals, the Lido Cafe has an extensive self-serve buffet area. For casual poolside lunches, there is also the Trident Grill, as well as an ice cream/frozen yoghurt counter with no extra charge.

For further information, call: 07046310943, 07045336253; email: info@suffytravels.com; website: www.suffytravels.com; Twitter: @suffytravels; Instagram: @suffytravel The Luxury Reporter www.luxuryreporter.com.ng

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Gadzama Bukunola Ahead Of The Game Gadzama Bukunola, MD/CEO, BuildCon Global Services Limited, is set to lead in the Nigerian real estate terrain with her compelling mix of breathtaking structures says FUNKE OSAE-BROWN.

H

er Ikota office is swathed in silence as I walked through the gates. A white building with its frontage cast in stone, the design of the building tells of the nature of the business that goes on behind its four walls.

Seated at the helm of affairs is Gadzama Bukunola whose vision birthed the emerging BuildCon Global Services Limited, a real estate solution service company.

BuildCon is a company she started from the demand for quality homes from the clients she serviced at a company she once worked at Ikoyi. “I used to work in a real estate firm and I left for personal reasons. Afterwards, I started a party pack business for children including selling Aso ebi and event management. However, my clients in my former place of work kept calling for real estate consultation about their needs and all that.”

Encouraged by her husband, she decided to venture into full time real estate consultation to service the needs of her loyal clients.

“The main reason I left the real estate firm was because I needed time to attend to my children whom I only see at weekends at the time.

I said if I do this on my own and satisfy my clients, I will still have my own time to be with the children. That was how BuildCon started.”

With a tough start in 2013, BuildCon has grown developing estates around Ajah and its environs. “It was tough at the beginning, but we are doing well right now. We started doing well a year into the business. I will say it has been miraculous so far because of what we have been able to achieve in a short time.”

Her company has developed three Pracht 16 The Luxury Reporter www.luxuryreporter.com.ng

Gardens Estates two of which are located at Ikota (before VGC, Lagos) and the third is located three minutes from Lagos Business School, Ajah.

“We are developing Pracht Garden in Ikota, an estate of 39 units, directly behind it is an extension which is twice the size of the first one.

We also have mini projects here and there where we are doing terrace and detached houses.”

With a target market of middle income earner, Gadzama is focused on bringing affordable luxury apartments to the working class.

“There is a lot of housing deficit in Nigeria.

However, we have a lot of luxurious homes that

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are highly priced. What BuildCon is trying to do is to focus on the middle income earners, even though we will till give them the luxury they need. If are targeting people who are willing to spread the payment or who can afford the houses if allowed to spread the payment over a period of time say two or three years.

These are people who would also not mind living in terrace houses or who would not mind living after the Ajah axis. However, we also have clients who prefer living before Ajah and can afford the higher rate. So, we service these kind of clients because they come to us, but our focus is middle income earners.”

In addition, she says she was set out to provide affordable real estate solutions to the middle class. “For instance, the building we are having in Ikota Villa, our4-bedroom fully detached houses are going from N45 million, and in that same environment, you have fully detached buildings going for N60 million to N65 million. We have been able to achieve that because we are building in numbers, and also because we try to make our buildings more functional. Clients have everything they want and we have been able to maximize all our spaces. So, you have a fully detached house that can park three cars.”

And so, she has put in place a convenient payment structure for her existing and prospective clients. “Clients are expected to pay the 20 percent initial deposit. After that, we try to work with their cash flow. Some people work in some organisations that at certain time of the year they have huge amount of money and sometimes they don’t. So, we work with their cash flow. As long as they finish paying before we are scheduled to deliver the estate.

“It works because you are not under pressure to pay for everything at once. We allow people to get involved in the construction.

For instance, when we are done with the foundation and block work, you get involved in your finishing. We always encourage that because in my experience I found that a lot of people that are buying houses always have to change things in the house and end up spending more money.”

She has made it possible for her clients to be a part of the building process making it easier for them to make input on how they want the finishing to be. “We encourage you to come around, we show you our finishing, you can The Luxury Reporter www.luxuryreporter.com.ng

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Feature

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change whatever you think is not okay for you, and give instruction on how exactly you want it done. You cannot change the plan because we have approval from Alausa, but you can tell us how big or small you want the kitchen or store to be, access to the rooms, visitors’ convenience among other things that will not affect the structure that Alausa has already approved.

“But you can determine your finishing. You can tell us the kind of tiles you want us to use.

You can decide you want marble everywhere, that will increase your price, you pay us the difference. If you decide you want something cheaper that can work within your budget, rather than what we want to use for your finishing, we can do that as well for you.”

No doubt, BuildCon offers bespoke service to suit the needs of each client’s when it comes to finishing. “In our bid to make our homes affordable for people, we always let our clients choose. So, we have the best kitchen space and a client may just tell us just put in the shelves, I am fine. We will do that. While some others will want a fully fitted kitchen.”

Happily married to Ayuba Gadzama, from Borno State, Gadzama dares to trod a path largely trodden by men. She can be termed successful in the real estate business and one would not be wrong. With her giant strides, she believes the best is yet to come for BuildCon as her honesty as a woman has placed her ahead of the pack.

“Well, these days, there is hardly any job you can say is particular for men or women. I have heard of the lady mechanic, so if a lady can go into mechanic, why can’t I go into construction? I don’t do the construction myself. But as a woman, this is where I think we have an edge over men in construction. As women, we have an eye for fine things, and we have an idea of what other women want in their homes. Though I am not biased, most of our buildings have big kitchens because I am a woman and I know what women want. Funny enough, most of my clients buy into the business when they discover that I am a woman.

They believe I will not run away with their money at the end of the day. The trust is that she is a woman, she is married, she has a family. They buy based on this trust. They also believe I will know good things, I will have an eye for fine finishing and all that.”

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Interview

DBANJ’S BATTLE OF LIPS D’banj is an unusual artiste who has an eye to changing the African music industry. In this interview with FUNKE OSAE-BROWN, he talks about his new gig as the co-host of MTV show, Lip Sync Battle Africa and his life as an entrepreneur.

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Interview

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H

e paced into the small hall in a blue Agbada with a black cap to match spotting a Rolex watch on his wrist.

He looks every bit African and very handsome too on a hot Friday afternoon. Little wonder, he is every lady’s dream dude. No air of arrogance around him at all. He was very homely. He looked very relaxed.

D’banj otherwise known as Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo has found his way into the hearts of millions of his fan across the world. He adopted the stage name D’banj, a combination of his first name, Dapo, and his surname, Oyebanjo.

His lyrics and beats have transcended the shores of Africa. He has succeeded in combining life as a singer-songwriter, harmonica player, and recently an entrepreneur who has delved into Agro-allied products like Garri and Elubo with his Koko brand.

A multi-awarding musician, D’banj has literarily made the world stood still at many night clubs, parties, radio and TV stations with some of hit songs like ‘Oliver Twist’, an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeat and electronic dance music that topped the African charts 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart. He was ranked in 2016 the richest solo musician in Nigeria according to T.I.N Magazine.

Recently, he was announced by MTV as a cohost for the popular Lip Sync Battle Africa show on MTVBase. Even though it is his first attempt at appearing on TV as a show host, D’banj says he is ready to take on the new challenge. “I am not stepping into anybody’s shoes; this is different that is why it is called Lip Sync Battle Africa. I didn’t really watch a lot of the episodes that featured LL

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Cool J but I watched one or two. I like what they are doing.

There is going to be a twist to this. That is why I like the fact that I am not stepping into anybody’s shoes, I am being myself, D’banj. I have a wonderful co-host, who is a great personality, a beautiful Kokolet, she is South African actress and TV presenter, Pearl Thusi. She will be anchoring the main techniques the professional job.”

D’banj says what MTV did with the Lip Sync Battle Africa show was to berth a Koko Lounge on stage at every episode. “The Lounge is there and people can watch my fellow colleagues from different parts of Africa to step onto a different platform like they have never been seen before.

So you see actors, actresses, models coming to sing other celebrities’ song. Somebody even did my song. So for me, as an entertainer and having travelled around the world, to also now be honoured to just to give my own two cents to talking to my people and not just normal people, feels good.”

He says the show is the first in Africa that is covering the whole Africa. “It will bring all the fans of celebrities together. Usually when you have a show, you have the host, guest. But for this you have four super celebrities.

You have myself, Thusi and two major stars from Africa.”

What then is D’banj bringing to the show that is different? He has this to say: “I am an entertainer, I bring the light into whatever I do and I make sure it is different.

It is the first time I am doing a TV show. It is the first time I am stepping onto a different platform on TV but it is not different in a way. It is going to be entertaining as you all know me to be. It is going to be creative. If you have had a long day and you really want to relax to be entertained, then you have to watch it. Then you will know that what I said in my last album, are you not entertained? It is actually the truth and that is what you are going to see from there.”

For those who have been looking forward to a new album release from D’banj, he says he will be dropping a new one soon. “I will say it is a great question you have asked. We have done a couple of sessions and I am sure the next one that we are doing is almost ready. The next thing we are going to do is to call people like you guys on a special day which we can all agree on and listen because I have a whole catalogue. In

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South Africa that I just got back from I was talking with some executives on specific songs following ‘Emergency’s success.

By God’s grace an album is going to come out this year.”

No doubt, D’banj has been a forward looking artiste this is brought to bear in his move to reorganise and change completely the way he manages his music business in 2016.

“Right now, for me into the year 2016, which started from last year, I have been planning and finding out some things, the industry has so changed that I realised that the amount of music coming out of the talents that we have right now is huge. In our best interest as an industry, we have to protect the future by making sure that the platforms distribute those contents that are being churned out in West Africa specifically to the right place.”

With support from Bank of Industry (BOI), D’banj is working with some associates to create a good platform for content creators in the music industry to interact and exchange good business deals regardless of their geographical location.

“BOI is supporting the drive to make sure that the right distribution that we have is in place and finally, the music industry pension has been the missing link for a long time, it is finally coming to life. I had a meeting with my team last year every one of them, my producers, song writers, my artistes, I said by 2016, you all have to go and work, you all have to go and shape up starting from me. I am not using inside producers; I want to open my hand to get beats from everywhere from Kaduna to anywhere. That is why I never met the producer of ‘Emergency’ before we did the song. The single I am about to drop right now which features a South African is producer is by a Nigerian I never met. The same goes for everybody.

“In going to 2016 that’s what I told them. As you all know that ‘Emergency’ was performed at the Glo CAF Awards and I have had it since December. I told them we cannot expect to do the same thing and expect a different result. We have tried this but our fans whom we are feeding are saying this so let’s try this. Yes, we are talented; yes, I believe when it comes to the people you can see that all the artistes we have on our labels are brands on their own you can say there is something about this people. Just like me.

However, let’s look for what works and put it together.”

D’banj is seriously working towards engaging songwriters and beat makers from all over the country in a bid to change the way he does business, create genuine content and also create job opportunities for those who desire to be in the music industry. “Talents listening to me right now creative people in Abeokuta, Calabar, Kaduna, Born can send their beats to any artistes they like. I am really thankful to God that someone can do a beat from wherever and say let’s give it to XYZ person. If the guy did not see a Olu Maintain, to give it Olu and he did not say I know D’banj make I go give am. I might not have the song ‘Emergency’.

In the world where we are coming from; in the corporate world, you see that song writers dey, producers, dey, there are artistes. The people bringing beats to you are the AMRs, they give it to you. I am saying I have partnered with some specific departments but come May, they are going to let you know that if you are an artiste in Borno and you have a beat

Interview

and you need a video or you need a collaboration, or you need a Davido or anyone to hear that beat, with the structure that is being put in place right now, you can pick up your phone to get the beat out. And if it picks up no matter where you are, you will be paid. So that you can start a life.”

Beyond music, D-Banj has found a new love in making Agro Allied products. The world once woke up to the news of his venture into manufacturing Garri (Cassava flakes) and later Elubo (Yam flour).

However, he says he is relaunching the brand in a big way after a few months of putting together a workable marketing strategy.

“Charity begins at home like they say. No matter how big a structure is if the foundation is not well done it will crash. So in saying that, I used the first one year touch the market to know what the market is saying, to know that my brand of Garri is different from what is currently in the market. And I am very happy about the success story. We are in a lot of places, we are on Jumia, Konga, we are the highest selling Agricultural brand on Konga or one of them. And now we are entering Spar now we are about to go into all these places. Now we are about to shoot our first TV commercial.

“I have always had access to finance through Bank of Industry out of the Agro Allied processing fund. But I do not want to use it anyhow, no be dash the day you take it the money starts counting. We have about 700 hectares of land in Ogbomoso. I am so happy about that. So we are everywhere now. A lot of people have been asking us, we love this Garri with the Elubo. Let’s have the foundation done properly and then we roll out that is what we have done now.”

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Art Review

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Evolving Currents: An Exhibition to See at The Wheatbaker

P

erhaps the drops of rain falling outside The Wheatbaker, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria knew something unusual was about to berth that Tuesday morning. It was the media unveiling of a joint exhibition by Raqib Bashorun and Chika Idu curated by Sandra Obiago and Oliver Enwonwu.

As I walked into the hotel lobby, thought-provoking and edgy art works stared me in the face. The pieces are uniquely rendered in different media from metal, iron to empty Coca-cola cans. One could tell that a great deal of passion must have gone into creating some of the pieces brilliantly displayed. They are the works of Bashorun.

“The statement I like to make is that I am a very passionate about the art,” says Bashorun while taking us on a tour of his works. “We can use art as a platform to jumpstart most of my works are used to depict my passion for the art. If Nigeria is going to make it, we have to look at the art. I also look very strongly at the issue of the population of Nigeria in some of the works in this exhibition.”

Bashorun belongs to a remarkable, but older established generation of sculptors who have firmly inculcated the practice of employing unconventional techniques and media including recycled and found materials in their interrogation of the larger society. As so

often with his previous installations, the 14 works presented here are fashioned from his preferred media of wood and metal. However, in the last decade, Bashorun has increasingly explored new directions and possibilities with the incorporation of recycled and found material from his immediate environment, most notably metal in form of aerosol and soda cans, as well as domestic accessories like table cutlery.

One of Bashorun’s pieces titled ‘Ebb and Flow’, a 2014 work rendered in discarded soda cans which he stapled one-by-one on wood. “We need to learn to see beyond what we see before us,” Bashorun says of the work. “The ebb is there and the flow. I started using this when they just constructed a drainage in Lagos and soda cans were being dumped there. I decided to do something with it.”

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Another interesting piece to see at this exhibition by Bashorun is ‘Mood 1, 2, 3’ rendered in soda can, metal and wood, which highlight different sides to life. “Life is about the good, the bad and the ugly,” explains Bashorun. “Sometimes I am inspired by the lyric of the song of Dolly Parton that I listened to. In life, you look at certain things and you feel bad. But if you have not experienced the bad, you will not know the good and vice versa.

This is a work I made in 2009 when I was going through a storm.

You will also find his work, ‘Young Acrobat interesting. A 2014 piece made with stainless steel. What is instructive about Bashorun’s pieces for this exhibition is the medium and techniques through which he rendered his pieces.

“Each time I go abroad; I learn something that I have to come back to apply to my works. Most of my techniques, I also learnt from abroad.

I have used different raw materials starting from the beginning to the finished products. I am not just working for the work sake; my art is not for art sake. I have also tried o introduced sound to my works. It has all the values to make it functional.

I sue local materials, materials that people are familiar with.

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