THEWILL DOWNTOWN APR 17, 2022 EDITION

VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

FASHION TRENDS THAT HAVE BEEN RESURRECTED THIS YEAR

VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

Through him, we’ve learnt the essence of resilience and selflessness in our 128 years of walking with YOU. In celebrating his sacrifice, we are inspired to extend love to the world around us.

Happy Easter.

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Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

EDITOR’S NOTE

W

hen I stumbled on news of the death of gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, I was completely distraught. Again, I began asking The Almighty questions considering that the initial report of the cause of death was an ailment. I later came to read about other circumstances surrounding her death, including domestic violence.

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CONTENTS

COVER BACK TO LIFE FASHION TRENDS THAT HAVE BEEN RESURRECTED THIS YEAR

16

REVIEW AN EASTER MOVIES PLAYLIST FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

04-05 FASHION WEDDING GUEST READY

14-15 ODDBOD & THE CITY ITAN – THE FESTIVAL MENU

Even more heartbreaking is the fact that Paul Enechi, senior pastor of the church she worshipped, made a public announcement in which he confirmed that Nwachukwu was indeed in an abusive marriage, but she constantly pleaded with people she confided in to keep it quiet, and instead, pray for her husband to change. She said this even when he (her husband) hit her in the presence of a music producer.

The questions are: Why wasn’t she willing to get help?

Was she worried about people losing faith in God; considering she was quite revered in the gospel music industry, and Christian community? Could there have been threats of losing her children if she spoke out?

Why was she willing to suffer the abuse till God changed him?

We must be careful not to play the role of Christ; He alone was assigned to die to save souls. God never gave us the responsibility of staying in a place that is bad for us in the name of converting that soul. In fact, the Bible clearly says we should be careful so that the person we are trying to change does not influence us ourselves. In other words, run away from situations that seem to be getting out of control.

Suddenly, social media is flooded with videos of men and women of God speaking against domestic violence; some advising women to leave their abusive spouses and others referring us to their past teachings against abusive marriages.

It took Osinachi Nwachukwu’s death for them to speak up on social media?

May her soul rest in peace.

It’s Easter weekend, so what better content for a cover story than fashion trends that have been resurrected.

The other pages are filled with exciting tips, places to visit, and movies to watch over the long Easter break.

Happy Easter to you!

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FEATURE POV: JESUS CHRIST, BUT NIGERIAN

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TRAVEL DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL FOUR PLACES TO VISIT THE LAST EASTER WITH LOVED ONES THIS EASTER HONEY

Ohimai Atafo - Guest Editor Ohimai Atafo is a Nigerian fashion tailor. He trained at the Leedsbased Savile Row Academy in the UK. Like most creatives, Atafo switched careers from Marketing and Brand Management to follow his passion for fashion, and since then, he has continued to up the ante. With years of experience in the fashion and lifestyle industry, Mai Atafo who is the Creative Director of his brand, ATAFO, constantly sets the tone for new trends.

Atafo recently spoke at Africa Business Conference in association with Harvard Business School.

Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Writers: Kehindé Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Interns: Sophia Edisi, Abdul Auwal Graphics/Layout: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’ Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown

BEAUTY MAKEUP LOOKS TO TRY THIS EASTER

WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @joy4_live

- Contributing Editor Odunayo Ogunbiyi is an ex pharmacist with a passion for food and pampering. Writing about her exploits wherever in the world she may find herself is just her way of staying sane in this zany world.

Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm

AUSTYN OGANNAH

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- Contributing Writer Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.

David Nwachukwu @ebube.nw - Contributing Writer David Nwachukwu has always been immersed in fashion from the age of 10, watching a Dior by Galliano show on television.

His work in fashion stretches across media, marketing, brand communications as well as design.As a fashion & lifestyle journalist, David has tracked key industry data for various publications including Industrie Africa, Culture Custodian, Haute Fashion Africa, and HELLO! Nigeria. A Geography graduate from The University of Lagos, David consciously aligns this background in environmental advocacy and sustainable development with the need to promote a more ethical fashion ecosystem. He currently oversees strategic communications at Clean Technology Hub.

@zendaya_lulu

The baddest

@shollycutie

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FASHION

WEDDING Guest Ready

BY ABDUL AUWAL

W

eddings are a great excuse to dress up and look our best, and with Easter here, it's officially wedding season. There are fewer fashion restrictions to worry about when it comes to picking what to wear to a wedding; especially as modern couples are becoming more progressive.

Although that's not to mean you should completely disregard the wedding dress code if the couple has one. Whatever the case may be, always remember to leave heads turning.

Crystal-Embellished Circlet JENIFER BEHR GAYLE

Handkerchief-Hem Midi Dress PROENZA SCHOULER Braided Sandals GUANVITO ROSSI

Zinnia Spiral Gown BAMBAH PAGE 4

Tatia Earrings BIYAN Ubud Crepe Maxi Dress TALLER MARMO

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FASHION

Oval Sunglasses GUCCI

Silk Strappy Heels NAPPA Leather Sandals BOTTEGA VENETA

Kura Cowl Neck Sleeveless Dress VERONICA BEARD

Shereen Ruched Mule THE REFORMATION

Tasseled One-Shoulder Dress BOTTEGA VENETA Viva Ankle Strap Sandals STAUD

Inaqua Tote VANINA PAGE 5

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FEATURE

POV: Jesus Christ, But Nigerian How Six Bible Events Would Have Played Out In Nigeria

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

T

he origin of the Bible is still cloaked in mystery. When was it written? Who wrote it? For so long, the evolution of arguably the most influential book of all time has been documented in different languages, interpreted and presented in different versions, and adopted by different Christian doctrines all across the world. Due to Christianity’s popularity as the most practised religion globally, the Holy Book, the Bible, has been very influential in shaping the world we live in today. Think about all of the innate ideologies that we have been armed with, our knowledge of what is right or wrong at the very core of humanity; they all come from the Bible, especially the very popular 10 commandments. ‘Thou shalt not kill, lie, steal, etcetera,’ are some of the instructions that most people in the world try to adhere to, and of course, some of us break these rules, we are subconsciously reminded that they are all sins against God—and humanity—and we either retrace our steps back to being better humans or face the wrath sometimes. In today's world, a justice system.

According to the Bible, the world was in formation and generations had passed before God sent his only begotten son, Jesus, as a breath of fresh air, so people could see God in a human form and try to strive to be like Him. This plan would eventually culminate in His death, through crucifixion, and His resurrection three days later—and that is why we celebrate Easter today. But let's talk about the man in the centre of it all, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like if He were alive today amongst us? Well, let's play hypotheticals. Here are the ways that six popular stories about Jesus would have played out if they happened in Lagos, Nigeria today.

DISCLAIMER: This is in no way a blasphemous

piece. We love, respect, and adore Jesus and are thankful that He gave His life for us.

SON OF A CARPENTER, AND A VIRGIN? HMMM Jesus Christ was introduced into the world in the most unconventional manner possible. According to the Bible, He was born through Mary, a virgin, essentially defying Biology. In the shame-based society we live in today, are you really going to believe that a virgin had given birth if you were living through it in realtime? I know our mums wouldn't have if Mary were their daughter. “Don't allow any man to touch you, and certainly not that carpenter I've been seeing you with!

Don't bring unwanted pregnancy into my house!” These sound like stern warnings very common in almost every Nigerian household. How would our mothers have explained it to people? It would have been tough.

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THE THREE WISE MEN ARE STUCK IN OBALENDE TRAFFIC... SURELY

LOVE ME OR GIVE ME RED WINE – JESUS SAVES AN OWAMBE Alcoholics gather here! Imagine you're at an Owambe in Lekki and they run out of drinks.

No shaking, Jesus is handling the situation.

According to the Bible, it didn't matter if the guests were saved or not, everyone got served. So whether you love Him or not, drinks are on Him. That is a standup guy we are all going to love, I'm sure. Oh, and performing at the wedding is Asa, doing a censored rendition of the last track on her latest album, Love Me Or Give Me Red Wine.

According to the Bible, the birth of Jesus was a rather quiet event—it happened in a manger, not even a proper hospital. If it had happened today in Lagos, because of its low-key profile, we know that there are not going to be siren noises or VIP treatments. The three wise men would've had to go through the Obalende traffic. With today's insecurity, I hope they safeguard their gifts.

JESUS SPOTTED IN SOME DESIGNERS? Although born in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jesus was from Nazareth, Northern District of Israel. The Bible, and its illustrators, painted him mostly in robes and sandals, similar to the style in vogue at the time. So, let's put two and two together: what would Jesus be wearing if he were with us right now?

Definitely not robes and sandals. Known to be the simplest man ever, I'm not sure that He would have been in some designers either. Or would He? Your guess is as good as mine.

One thing is for certain though, top designers would offer him clothes for free.

JESUS LIVESTREAMS MIRACLES FROM HIS INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT At the time when terrestrial TV was the most advanced technology we had, some religious leaders forbade their congregation from owning a television set. Today with the advent of the Internet, it has not only been impossible to regulate its users, but religious leaders have also succumbed to its power as a tool for evangelism.

Every church, and some leaders, now have a social media account. The big question is ‘would Jesus Christ have been on Instagram too?’ He had so many followers during His time here on earth; we wouldn't put it past Him to repeat that feat on Instagram. Cristiano Ronaldo who? A @jesuschrist account would have been doing ridiculous numbers and probably been among the first verified accounts. I mean He is the son of God.

JUDAS BETRAYING JESUS FOR SOME COINS; BITCOIN According to the gospel of Matthew, Judas went on his own to the priests of the Temple, the religious authorities at the time, and offered to betray Jesus in exchange for money—30 pieces of silver. Several researchers have since done one heck of guesswork to determine the equivalent in today's currency but if it were to happen today, Judas would have been credited in some Bitcoins. At least Emefiele can have a strong-enough reason to ban cryptocurrency.

Credit - Black Jesus TV Show

In all of these, it is important to note that Jesus Christ was put on earth to show us exactly how to live -a life of love, kindness, and empathy.

If Jesus wouldn't do it, don't do it.

HAPPY EASTER.

VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

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DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

The Last EASTER HONEY

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

O

f all the holidays littered unfairly across a calendar year, Easter has to be the most under-advertised of them all. At least, to me, it is. Think of OG's like Christmas, New Year, and Id El Kabir; there's always food, merriments, and jollying. And then, there's Easter and its holidays. This might just be my love for food and enjoyment speaking but I'm sure someone somewhere agrees with me.For Esther, however, it meant a lot more.

She loved to spend time with her family. Once the holiday was around the corner, everyone knew it; WhatsApp broadcast messages, sweet homemade treats, the whole shebang she did them all.

But she was sweet like those hazelnut and chocolate cookies she excitedly shared in the office. The whole team tolerated her but in a good way. When she preached the importance of forgiveness and prayer they didn't come off as annoying or rigid. Of course, she was human and had made mistakes but no one judged her or held them against her

in any way, shape, or form.

Her vulnerability was one of the things I loved about her.

Esther never tried to hide her scars and as far as she was concerned, they were lessons that sculpted her life.

I admired her inside and out.

Outside, you could tell she was aware and in tune with who she was in the way she carried herself. She wore her brown skin beautifully. Her well-lotioned and glabrous skin was almost reflective.

You could see the gentle shimmering glow of light on her skin. She had a beaming smile that made you smile too. She was homely and so were her breasts. Like premium down pillows, they welcomed and enfolded you.

I'm always coming in for a hug with a gay smile on my face. It wasn't a perverse smile, it was more of a comfy -day-at-the-spa type of smile.

Esther gave me the best hugs.

So now, I can't think of Easter without thinking of everything Esther stood for, just as Christmas is associated with Santa Claus

and trees. We both knew we were bad for each other so we couldn't attempt or pursue anything romantically but the lovemaking was electric and passionate.

Reducing what we had to ‘sex’ is just hurtful. We made love.

Staring deeply into each other's eyes. Our faces were Billboards that wore our intense pleasure.

It was like we were in a Spanish erotic novel and we had names like Alejandro and Isabella. And after, we’d lay in bed and just talk about deep stuff and I'd get lost in the twinkle of her eyes. I'm sure if you met her, you'd love her as much as everyone did, as much as I did. Esther was nurturing and had all the qualities of a good mother and a wife. She was a best friend and a rock and you knew your secrets were in the safest hands.

“She is now in safer hands” was what her mum said when she broke the news of her passing.

There I was, stunned to my core.

Car horns blared around the taxi I was in. I was stuck in traffic on an Easter Monday and I had just lost my honey. That was my name for her because she was soothing and sweet, just like honey.

IMAGE:The Joy of The Bees, Photographer Addie Chinn

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VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

COVER

Fashion Trends That Have Been Resurrected This Year

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

I

n other parts of the world, Easter is celebrated as a family holiday with bunnies and eggs serving as props, while people take advantage of the fourday weekend to take a break from some of life's overwhelming demands. Similar to how Christmas is often made about an old white man with a beer belly in a red and white costume, who goes by the alias ‘Santa Claus,’ Easter has, over the years, been marketed with an animal— bunnies—and an animal byproduct, eggs. But those are not the reasons why we have two days off work. For our Muslim congregation that doesn't understand why there is a Good Friday and an Easter Monday, it is because of a story in the Bible, themed around the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Although the resurrection of life feels surreal and—some might say—unreal, the coming back to life of fashion trends is quite commonplace. Fashion trends are often recycled in a time loop, and so every other decade, different looks, styles, and accessories take turns to resurface in mainstream media, influencing runway collections and ultimately everyday people's looks.

In recent times, we have seen several fashion looks be brought back to life; some of them modified to meet the demands of modern-day fashion staple requirements, others left exactly how they were centuries ago. We highlight some of these trends as we trace back their history, their communal deaths, and resurrection here in Nigeria and in several parts of the world.

To put this list together, we got input from renowned stylist Rhoda Ebun and fashion journalist David Nwachukwu.

‘70S BOHEMIAN FASHION Bohemian style in fashion is strongly related to hippie fashion, in which natural fabrics, retro patterns, neutrals, and warm shades merge with '70s style accents and a flair for statement accessories.

Bohemian style is more than just a fashion trend. It’s an actual culture in its own right, one that comes with a very specific ideology and complicated history. While it’s closely associated with the hippie fashions of the '60s and '70s, these days, bohemian fashion is part of the mainstream culture. But the fact is, boho fashion, as it is loosely called, actually started as a counterculture back in the 19th century. Today, the wide variety of boho clothing and accessories make the style an actual phenomenon, one that follows the lines of effortless, relaxed fashion, with its loose-fitted clothing items, casual

A Bohemian Wardrobe

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accessories, and an overall artistic, creative mishmash of elements.

The fashions labelled as bohemian represent the lifestyle ideology that comes with it: an alternative to the traditional way of dressing, paired up with an equally alternative, more liberated lifestyle and a social stance against everything from materialism to society’s constraints.

Bohemian style is defined as an alternative type of fashion, different from the mainstream trends of any given period in time. In fact, this exact definition applies to the entire history of the trend. Over 200 years ago, bohemian was a term referring to an exotic style sense, usually associated with the artists of the time, as well as with writers and certain eccentric intellectuals.

Bohemian style comes with a long history, with its aesthetic originating in the late '60s and '70s. Also called ‘boho chic’ or ‘boho’, the style features a variety of natural materials, earthy shades, and hippie-inspired patterns. It is laid back, unconventional, and highly expressive. Like hippies, bohemians are free-spirited and refuse to dress in order to conform. Bohemians are often romantic, with a wanderer-like lifestyle, similar to hippies.

The origin of the bohemian style is strongly correlated with the bohemians, a counterculture that appeared in France after the French Revolution. The era saw many artists plunge into poverty, as a result of being deprived of the former system

Yagazi Emezi

of patronage.

With time, Bohemians’ style evolved considerably. What started as a necessity (dressing poorly due to poverty) became an ideology – one against materialism, pro communal living spaces, against social conventions, and often against personal hygiene. Later on, the Bohemians took part in the Aesthetic Movement, which stood against the stiff corsets and crinolines of the era. As a result, the Aesthetic Movement followers embraced a new lifestyle and new style of clothing, focused on loose fits, hand embroideries, and medieval-inspired designs. The literature and music of the time began referencing the newlydeveloped counterculture, with artists like Henri Murger and Puccini dedicating masterpieces to the Bohemians.

Top influencers of the boho trend include Chaka Khan, Beyoncé, Zendaya, Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz, and more recently, their daughter Zoë Kravitz.

In Nigeria, we can infer that the Bohemian lifestyle has been heavily interpreted within a section of the creative scene popularly referred to as ‘alté’, which is short for alternative. Alté, which also denotes a genre of Nigerian music that is not mainstream, has become a community for creatives who live a liberated lifestyle not conforming to society's dictations of how they ought to dress.

Lenny Kravitz

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COVER

'90S PLATFORM SHOES Platform shoes have in recent times skyrocketed in popularity. Whether it be a trainer, a sandal, a chunky formal shoe, or somewhere in between, the elevated style is certainly making a comeback.

Platforms offer more stability than soaring stilettos, while still allowing wearers to feel like the main character. Reflecting their eyecatching nature today, the shoe originated in 220 BC when ancient Greek actors would wear a similar style on stage to denote how central a character was. The footwear was adopted by many different regions and cultures for the next two millenniums and was first introduced to modern Western audiences with Salvatore Ferragamo’s iconic rainbow shoes. Initially designed for Judy Garland in 1938, the shoe captured the attention of fashion lovers for its multicoloured suede layers and dazzling gold straps. Since then, the style has been embraced by myriad designers, ranging in boldness and functionality.

In May 2021, Alice Newbold, Vogue.co.uk’s Senior News Editor, wrote an article following the trend’s emergence within Autumn/Winter 2021 collections across an array of brands.

Fashion giants such as Loewe, Versace, Prada, and Simone Rocha have all taken to the trend, releasing their staggering renditions on catwalks and in campaigns recently. While towering platforms have always been a staple for fashion houses like Vivienne Westwood, the designer’s classic, sky-high Ghillie shoes have been making a comeback as well. First made famous by a runway fall by Naomi Campbell in the '90s, they have recently been spotted on Tiwa Savage quite often. While the average wearer isn’t reaching for these eyewatering high shoes for a night out, platforms of more conservative heights still grant their owners a bit of pep in their steps.

Of course, the most versatile, common iteration of the contemporary platform is the trainer. Boosted in popularity by the Spice Girls in the '90s, sneakers such as those from the legendary Buffalo brand, and others following in their footsteps, began gaining traction towards the end of the 2010s as the trendiness of the ballet flat began to die out.

The platform trainer’s comfortable wearing experience paired with stand-out silhouettes have been adapted by seemingly everyone, finding potent examples in Eytys and Converse. Even Crocs has taken to the trend, expanding its demographic through a number of high-profile collaborations, the most famous rendition of which being Balenciaga’s 2017 take on the shoe.

Tiwa Savage In Platform Heels. Credit - Kenneth Ize For New York Times

Naomi Campbell Wearing Platform Heels On The Runway In 1993

folk.

Only in the 1950s was this fabric considered fashionable as more people, specifically the cowboys started to use it for casual wear. Denim on denim became popular around the '70s and '80s, especially amongst celebrities which influenced the public to slather themselves with the fabric.

Denim continued to be used as a vital material in the manufacturing of clothing and was produced with a primary focus on jeans, shorts, skirts, shirts, and jackets. However, the double denim craze faded out after the '80s as it was deemed uncool by society, and the pieces were preferred to be worn individually.

Red carpets have become a main source of inspiration for new trends since many people use those spaces to experiment with fashion. Today, the denim on denim trend is still very popular around the world. The start of the second millennium may have been a while ago but we still carry with us a few of its fashion trends.

Several celebrities have since welcomed the return of denim on denim with CeeC and Winnie Harlow particularly catching the eye.

Embellished Platform Clogs BALENCIAGA

THE ‘70S – ‘80S DENIM ON DENIM There's no doubt about it: Jeans are the most versatile item hanging in our closet. No matter when you wear them, where you wear them, or how you wear them, there are a pair of jeans to fit nearly every mood and occasion. It's no wonder, then, that denim is considered a wardrobe essential.

Since the late-19th century, jeans have gone from rugged workwear to fashion apparel that we couldn't live without (or at least wouldn't want to, anyway). Social, political, and pop culture have all played a role in denim's evolution, and the trends that have come and gone—and come back again— throughout its nearly 150-year history.

From groovy bellbottoms to low-rise hip-huggers, keep reading to learn about the history of jeans and the most popular denim styles over the decades.

Back in the day—the mid-1800s to be exact— dungarees a.k.a. "waist overalls" were all the rage.

And not because they were stylish, but rather, practical. The brainchild of businessman Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis, blue jeans combined metal rivets to denim trousers to create a durable uniform that stood up to the rough-and-tumble work of the '49ers (the Gold Rush miners, not the football team). Workwear as we knew it had been revolutionized and would never be the same.

Jeans as workwear continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s, especially in the American West among miners, cowboys, and labourers. But it wasn't until Hollywood took this trend to the silver screen with its Western films that jeans entered mainstream culture. On the fashion front, Levi's® became the first item of clothing to have a designer label (its signature red tab) on the outside. And Vogue featured its first model in denim on the cover in the '30s, hinting that jeans could perhaps be a fashion statement and not just sensible clothes for working

Winnie Harlow Wearing Denim On Denim

CeeC Wearing A Denim Shirt And Shorts

‘60S BELL BOTTOMS Despite how fashionable they are and will continue to be, bell bottom pants originated in the 19th century for reasons completely void of the influence of fashion. They were first worn by sailors serving in the US Navy who were not yet provided with a uniform.

This style was later adopted by the British Royal Navy as a part of the official uniform in the mid-19th century. Bell bottoms were picked primarily because the wide leg of the trousers could be easily rolled up which made them functionally ideal for sailors.

It wasn’t long until bell bottoms made their way from sailor uniforms to mainstream fashion in the 1960s but truly peaked in popularity in the 1970s.

Bell bottoms reached icon status when they were worn by Sonny and Cher on The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour.

Following this, bell bottoms exploded into such wild popularity that they became the defining clothing item of the decade. Usually worn with clogs, Cuban-heeled shoes, and Chelsea boots, these combinations are still popular today.

In the 1990s, bell bottoms made their first comeback under a new moniker: boot-cut jeans and pants.

Boot cut pants were redesigned to feature a slightly smaller flare. The bell bottom-style pants often were embellished with ruffles, embroidery, studs and other designs to make them more modern to compliment the accessory-focused fashion of the ’90s.

Following that popular resurgence, bell bottoms

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COVER

Adekunle Gold In Bell Bottoms

Nancy Isime In Shoulder Pads Osas Ighodaro In Shoulder Pads

continued to make sporadic comebacks each decade and consistently influenced fashion over time. The current resurgence of ’70s fashion can be traced directly back to Alessandro Michele.

Soon after Alessandro Michele took over as Creative Director of Gucci, bell bottom pants as well as other retro staples from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s became synonymous with the house. Vogue described his debut collection: “A Gucci girl is an ingenue with an eccentric side, one who looks as though she's picked out her clothes at estate sales and vintage stores, and mixed them magpie-style with handfuls of heirloom rings, chunky rimmed glasses, the occasional pompom hat, and fur-lined horse-bit loafers,” said a Vogue.com writer about Michele’s debut collection in 2015.

Long-time Gucci fan Harry Styles has flaunted his love for bell bottoms as part of his personal style as well as his stage wardrobe with a slew of other male celebrities and fashion houses following suit.

Perhaps it was also Jeremy Scott’s Fall 2017 collection which featured a pair of Fuschia bell bottom trousers that set into motion the migration back to ’70s fashion and the maximalist ensembles that peaked from 2019 through early 2021.

In Nigeria, a few courageous men have been spotted pulling off the bell bottoms. The usual suspects, Noble Igwe, Ebuka, Falz, Adekunle Gold and Adebayo Oke have recently worn bootcut.

'80S SHOULDER PADS Shoulder pads, the polarizing '80s trend, are back!

The 1980s are known as the decade of exaggeration, opulence, and brilliance. After months of wearing pieces that prioritise comfort, there is nothing like a little display of stylised fashion to refresh your wardrobe. Even back when they were popular, shoulder pads were a polarizing fashion choice, with folks either loving the look or absolutely hating it.

A trend that was strong decades ago makes its triumphant return this season: the shoulder pads.

They can be used in various pieces of clothing, from

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SHEER TIGHTS (MONOGRAMMED) Our transformed lifestyles have stripped anything potentially uncomfortable or clingy of all appeal.

With the exception of tights, that is. Designers have made fashion tights a (relatively) accessible entry point to some of the world’s most desirable brands.

The springboard for the movement was Chanel’s autumn/winter 2020 showcase: double-C monogrammed pairs were styled with almost every look at Virginie Viard’s autumn/winter 2020 showcase. The following season, designers were still hung up on hosiery. Marine Serre presented pairs emblazoned with her signature lunar logo; at Saint Laurent, they were sheer and spotty, and London Fashion Week darling Molly Goddard injected hers with fabulously bright colours.

Moving on from traditional tights, for autumn/winter 2021, Chanel’s iconic logo took shape as sparkling garters and glittering detail at the top of snow-white stockings. Stockings also captured the imagination of Supriya Lele, whose innately sexy take – jet-black and leg-lengthening – was enough to tempt the most committed hosiery-phobe to give them a whirl.

The advent of stockings is a sign of dressier times ahead – apt considering their historic associations with liberation. Wartime rationing meant nylon was out of reach for women who took to painting “seams” down the backs of their legs to create the illusion of stockings, and their post-war return sparked a consumer frenzy.

Sheer black tights – previously viewed as the preserve of '80s glamourpusses – are the easy partydressing update for winter.

Retailers have seen the popularity of sheer styles growing over the past few years. Marks & Spencer report that for every pair of opaques, a woman will

Rihanna in Sheer Alaia Body Suit.

Image by Annie Leibovitz from vogue.com

Ebuka Wearing Bell Bottoms

buy three pairs of sheer tights. The high-street chain has responded by diversifying its range.

It has introduced Warm Toes this year: sheer 10 denier tights with merino wool toes to keep their wearer warm and stylish at the same time.

The sheer revival started on the Saint Laurent catwalk in September. For the brand’s spring/ summer 2015 collection, designer Hedi Slimane paired skirts with very sheer black and grey tights.

They brought an edge of off-kilter glamour to a collection based around groupie style, where the black opaques of the '60s, favoured by the likes of Edie Sedgewick, may have been a more obvious choice.

Celebrities have quickly adopted the trend.

Rihanna wore a Stella McCartney jacket with only a pair of sheer tights at December’s British Fashion Awards and Rita Ora opted for sheer holdup stockings. Taylor Swift, Kate Moss, and Alexa Chung have all been spotted in patterned versions.

The Duchess of Cambridge, meanwhile, favours natural sheer tights. “After decades of opaques being the go-to, the ‘naked leg’ phenomenon was sparked when Kate Middleton channelled the elegant ladylike look,” says Soozie Jenkinson, head of lingerie design at Marks & Spencer. Maria Williams, a lingerie buyer at Net-a-Porter, says skin-coloured sheers are the most popular on the site, and sales have doubled since last year. She puts this down to “the huge trend of the micro mini skirt” and customers wanting the bare-leg look throughout the year.

The feeling in fashion circles, however, is that the current vogue for black sheer tights may be a one-season wonder. The opaque will rise again because it works as a style statement and is wearable for people of different ages and body types. The appeal of sheer tights, by contrast, is limited.

“I would say that to wear sheer tights you have to have good legs and enjoy wearing heels,” says Rebecca Lowthorpe, the assistant editor of Elle. “Somehow they go together.” She adds that sheers only really work for a younger generation for whom they are a novelty. “It’s an era – the late '70s, early '80s with Lorraine Chase, orange blusher, green eyeshadow, lots of hairspray, and sheer polka-dot tights,” she says. “All of which is fine if you weren’t there the first time around.”

In Nigeria, picture-perfect celebrities like media personality Toke Makinwa and reality TV star Nengi Hampton have been spotted in these sheer tights.

Toke Makinwa In Balenciaga Sheer Tights

blazers to dresses, adding more style to one's look.

Hailey Bieber, Megan Fox, and Ciara have already bet on this trend that will mark the season. But it's not just celebrities who are investing in shoulder pads; they were seen in the Fall/Winter 2021 collections of Burberry and Gucci.

Not only are shoulder pads back, but L'Officiel had declared that "80's shoulder pads are the trend of the season." In Nigeria, fashion houses like Tubo have also incorporated the shoulder pads trend into most of their designs.

VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

TRAVEL

Four Places

to Visit With Loved Ones This

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

E

aster is the only holiday that affords people four consecutive days of break. For people within the corporate world and any business that requires at least eight hours from Mondays to Fridays, the importance of holidays cannot be overstated—Easter provides a stretch. In between the hustle and bustle of trying to earn an earnest living, an important part of our existence, family, often takes the backseat. Sometimes we can't find a schedule that works for everyone but even during the holidays when there is an abundance of free time to plan something, the question of “what to do and where to do it” often proves a difficult challenge. But that's where we come in. Although some of these locations will surely be packed, they are some of the best family-themed spots in the country.

PICNIC - Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Ikeja, Lagos Managed by the Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency, the Kanu Ndubuisi Park is a public park and recreational centre located in Ikeja, Lagos. With offerings such as a lawn tennis court, a basketball court, a play area for children, seats and benches, patios and sheds, and snack stands, alongside a large green area, the park is one of the most suitable picnic spots in Lagos. It is also close to the Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park.

HIKING - Iyake Suspended Lake, Ado Awaiye, Oyo, Nigeria Ado-Awaye is an ancient site with no shortage of timeless wonder. Hiking the Ado Awaye Mountain takes roughly three hours depending on speed. Most of the terrain shifts between rock and forest, beginning with rough steps carved into the mountain. En route to the top, travellers encounter numerous ancient sites. Hikers who reach the mountain apex are rewarded with a view of Iyake lake, one of only two suspended lakes—defined as a lake on top of a mountain—in the world. Legend says that beneath Iyake lies another world, a parallel existence ruled over by a goddess of fertility who lives inside the lake.

It’s rumoured that if one puts their foot in the hole near the lake known as Agbómofúnyàké (Yoruba for “collects child and gives to iyake”) when it’s filled with water, the person will be dragged to the bottom. Not all mythology surrounding the lake is sinister though; it is said the lake’s water can cure ailments and diseases when used to bathe.

Know Before You Go…

Hiring a guide for the hike is highly recommended. A man by the name ‘Atabo David’ is known as the premier Englishspeaking guide and charges 1,000 Naira per adult and 200 Naira per child. The entry fee for the mountain however is 500 Naira. No climbing accessories are required for the hike except for good shoes (closed toe, in case of snakes).

KAYAKING - Kayak Abuja, National Stadium, Kukwaba, Abuja Kayaking is a water sport that involves paddling using a double-bladed rod and a small boat known as a kayak. Located at Package B, Chartered Farms, National Stadium, Kukwaba, Abuja, Kayak Abuja has tandem kayaks that are perfect for pleasure rides. In addition, the compound also has grass and trees for shade and picnicking.

Know Before You Go…

You don't have to make reservations, you can make payment at the entrance—it costs 2000 Naira per hour. You are also allowed to bring in your food and drinks.

They are open from 8 am till 6 pm every day.

Know Before You Go…

Food and drinks are allowed, and so it is advised to go with coolers of food or snacks, alongside shawls or mats for a proper picnic setting.

Otherwise free for regular days, a gate fee of 500 Naira per person is required on public holidays such as this Easter. For other activities such as horse-riding, ice skating, lawn tennis training, and so on, the price starts from as little as 500 Naira per activity. If you are driving, you can be assured of your car’s safety for just 200 Naira per car park space.

BEACH - Port Harcourt Tourist Beach, Port Harcourt, Rivers Renowned as one of Port Harcourt's most established vacation destinations, the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach is a white sand urban beach in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Since its creation in 1988, it has been a go-to unwinding spot for visitors and inhabitants alike. It includes a historical centre inside its premises and visits guides are accessible to take you through. It’s an awesome place to appreciate crisp or not-all-that-new palm wine alongside other neighbourhood luxuries.

Know Before You Go…

Alongside the widely consumed palm wine, you can also partake in local delicacies such as assorted spicy meats and other indigenous dishes. Many families go to play volleyball or beach football, take boat rides, go horseback riding, watch boat races, or dive in the cool waters.

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VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY Nkechi Harry Ngonadi

MAKEUP LOOKS to Try This Easter

BY SOPHIA EDISI

G

et inspired this Easter with these amazing looks from soft glam to full hard-on face beat.

The art of makeup has been reinvented to different kinds of looks that work toward highlighting and accentuating a person’s beauty while enhancing the natural features of a person at the same time. Here are a few makeup looks you can replicate for the Easter holidays, depending on the occasion, your personality, what you need, and the results you want to achieve.

Michelle Dede

DEEP CONTOUR Deep contour is a strong way of supersculpting your face. An everyday soft contour can make your makeup look more natural and enhance the structure of your face. However, deep contours rely on a pigmented bronzer, and a highlighting technique to sculpt the cheeks, slim the face, and outline the nose for a more defined face feature.

PAGE 12

Nicole Chikwe

MATTE/NUDE LOOK The matte makeup is a light, subtle makeup look that allows your skin to breathe. You can also experiment with bold colours without taking away the natural look of your face. It’s a great makeup look for all types of occasions, allowing many possibilities to create stunning looks.

Rita Dominic

SHIMMER MAKE-UP Transform your look from simple to stunning party show stopper.

Shimmer makeup involves using metallic shades and glitter for the extra twinkle on the eyes.

It’s all about glitters, it creates a magical touch of extra sparkle to your attire that makes you shine and stand out on any occasion.

Saskay

THE NATURAL MINIMAL LOOK

While some love bold and dramatic makeup looks, others don't, especially during the day. Sometimes we want something more subtle, the no-makeup makeup look. The idea is to look extremely natural on and off camera with the subtle colour shades of brown, light pink, and nude to enhance your features in an almost undetectable way.

VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY GRAPHIC LINER LOOK Graphic eyeliner is a nice edge from the usual classic cat-eye. It opens your eyes and makes them appear bigger, more feminine, and dolly. You can play with different shapes and colours because the point of this look is basically to be creative and experiment with your liquid or gel, kohl or pencil liners, and eyeshadow to get the look.

BOLD LIPSTICK LOOK

Eku Edewor

Fade Ogunro

THE SMOKEY LOOK Smokey makeup is all about the modernday woman who wants to appear fierce and powerful by creating a strong dark eye look with nude or bold lips. The main focus of this style of makeup is the eyes, using shades of black, and grey to create a dark smokey eye, while shades of brown to create a soft smokey look, with mascara and eyeliner to complete the look.

DRAMATIC MAKEUP LOOK This look is extremely great for special occasions that call for that dramatic foot forward. The groundbreaking makeup seeks to crave attention in the most unexpected way, making you stand out at all times.

Mercy Aigbe

Abiri Khloe

GLAM MAKEUP LOOK Keep the eyes neutral, with a subtly winged liner and accentuated lashes. This classic makeup look takes you through the day looking glamorous and elegant. And nothing says glam like a bright glossy lip. Use a long-stay, matte-finish lipstick to ensure your lipstick doesn’t smudge or wear off too easily throughout the day.

Turn up the heat with a hot red matte or any other bold colour lipstick of your choice. With this look, depending on how you like your makeup, you can either keep the rest of the face simple and bare, so all the attention is on the lips or you can go a little bit extra on the eyeshadow if you want to go all out.

Beverlu Osu

GIRL NEXT DOOR Apply a small amount of your favourite blush shade on your cheeks and blend into your skin seamlessly with a large blending brush and a soft pink on the lips. It’s the simplicity, charm, and effortless blend of pink that creates the perfect girl next door look.

Kaylah Oniwo

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VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

ODUN OGUNBIYI

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

ODDBOD & THE CITY

ITAN

THE FESTIVAL MENU 1. KOLANUTNigeria

1 2. AGEMO – Ijebu Ode

Derived from the ancient Egyptian word Akemo, which means somebody who takes care of a child. During the festival, any barren woman can pray to the deity for a child. The festival coincides with the harvesting of maize.

Meal: Ojojo crusted snails, Ikokore Hus, Iru Caviar, Smoked mackerel, Eko. Dramatic presentation, most interesting eko I have ever tasted but I think it would be impossible to make eko anything more than eko.

Paired With: Ogogoro

Lemongrass sour. Delicious, packed a punch.

PAGE 14

Onye we tara oji, we tara ndu (He who brings kola brings life). –Igbo saying.

Kolanut is shared as a symbol of friendship between a host and his guest and ITAN extends this gesture to its guests, serving at the start of every experience.

Kolanut Gelée, Bitter Kola Dust Great presentation and very inventive with a splash of lemon juice to cut the bitter taste, yum.

T

he ITAN test kitchen is Michael Elegbede’s brainchild, a third-generation chef trained at Culinary Institute of America.

ITAN, which means story, is his love letter to Nigerian Food. He has travelled the length and breadth of our fair land learning, unearthing ingredients, and then preparing “Nigerian food” in a unique and sexy manner. He employs ancient and modern culinary methods to create rich imaginative dishes worthy to be served at any acclaimed restaurant.

Each dish comes with a wine pairing to compliment although I dare say the struggle is real for choice.

We were at this for over three hours so plan this dinner affair like you would a night at the theatre.

3. AGEGE BREAD

Meal: Sweet-roll, Ekuru spread, Herbed butter and Pepper spread.

My new crack came to the table piping hot.

I preferred it with lashings of the herbed butter although I imagined it would be perfection with hot stew too.

Paired With: Pascal Jolivet PoullyFume 2019 wine.

2 3

VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

4. IRI JI OHURU(New yam Festival) Meal: Fluffed New Yam, Yam pillows,

Prawn, Ugba, Pepper soup broth.

Clever but I wish the soup had a bit more of a kick to it.

Paired With: Whispering Angel Caves D’Esclans rosé wine.

ODDBOD & THE CITY 6. ILÉ-YA (Id el Kabir Feast of sacrifice)

Prophet Abraham was tested by God and told to sacrifice his son before replacing him with a ram at the last moment.

Meal: Slow cooked Tozo, Efo tete,

4

5. ARGUNGU (Africa’s biggest fishing festival in Kebbi State)

Giwan Ruwa can weight up to 75kg and last year’s winner’s prize was 10Million NGN.

Meal: Miyan Tauche, fresh fish, acha herb crumble, dawadawa jus Not a huge fan of fish but I was loving the fact that they paired it with a red wine, and it all worked.

5

Paired With: Dos Almas Gran Reserva|Pinot Noir.

Ata díndín, mushroom, egusi chips.

This dish right here was my absolute favourite. Succulent packed full of flavour and life-changing. The egusi chips take the best in prize for ingenuity.

6

Paired With: Clarendelle Medoc

by Haut-Brion, 2016.

7. OZOZ AGBÁLÙMO FESTIVAL (Ode to the Kitchen Butterfly)

7 8

Dessert: Agbalumo Sorbet,

mango An absolute delight and the perfect blend of sweet and sour.

8. OSUN – Osogbo, paired with Maison Castel medium, sweet muscat pays D’Oc 2020 Celebration of the goddess of fertility.

Inspired by the white eggs seen at the grove.

Dessert: Coconut Mousse, Chocolate

cake, strawberry, Millet, Meringue.

Beautifully presented but it was all a bit bitter and not enough sweet and moisture for me.

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VOL 2 NO.16 • APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA Movie Review:

AN EASTER MOVIES PLAYLIST FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)

Playlist for the week

M

ost holidays have a long list of films devoted to them. Christmas has the classics, Halloween has the spooky favorites—so where are the Easter movies? Sure, the holy day mostly revolves around hanging with loved ones, Easter songs, Easter Bible verses, and outdoor games. If you ask us, settling down for a film either post-Easter brunch or after Easter dinner could be a new tradition the whole family could get behind.

Watching a movie after a delicious meal just makes sense. That's why we've done some of the work for you and put together a list of the best Easter movies out there. These films fit the bill for any audience—from kid-friendly to adult-approved, with at least a few on our list that will be beloved by the entire family. Whether you want something Biblically-focused or just something with some Christian themes, there's bound to be something on our list for you to enjoy.

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (2004) The Mel Gibson film takes all four gospels and recounts the final 12 hours of Jesus’ life. It begins with Jesus in Gethsemane, including the betrayal of Judas Iscariot and the ultimate crucifixion and death of Jesus. Christ was played by actor Jim Caviezel.

Gibson, a traditional Catholic, was extremely passionate (no pun intended) about the project and it's clear to see The film shot mostly in Italy and entirely in Arhamaic, Latin, and Hebrew, was a box office hit at the time. It remains the highest-grossing Christian film ever made. Despite that, it won no Oscars.

THE SHACK (2017) Easter is a time for deep reflection and The Shack will inspire exactly that. After suffering an unspeakable tragedy, Mack Phillips (played by Sam Worthington) spirals down a path of selfdestruction and begins to question everything — including his faith.

At the crossroads of life and death, he receives an invitation to visit an abandoned shack in the woods, where he meets a trio of truth-tellers who change his life forever.

PAGE 16

Bow Down _ Holy Spirit Benjamin Dube

Father Stretch - Sunday Service Choir

Gloria In Excelsis Deo (Angels We Have Heard on High) - Andrea

He Lives in You - Diana Ross

I am The God That Healeth Thee - Don Moen

Next - Emily Rubye

Oh, What a World - Kacey

Andromeda - Weyes Blood

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (1973) Based on the Broadway play with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this rock opera details Jesus Christ's last week on earth.

Despite its tough subject matter, this dramatic retelling is rated G.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956) It's one of our favorite biblical movies for a reason! The Ten Commandments is all about the way the world was before Easter even happened. Charlton Heston stars as Moses in this glorious, old-school film.

JOSEPH: KING OF DREAMS (2000) This animated movie serves as a prequel to The Prince of Egypt, telling the story of Jacob's youngest (and favorite) son, Joseph, from the Book of Genesis in the Bible.simple.

Up Again - Clean Bandit

THE LIFE OF BRIAN This classic (albeit controversial) comedy tells the story of Brian Cohen (played by Graham Chapman), a young Jewish-Roman man who is mistaken for Jesus.

Although it's less faithbased and more satirical, it'll have your whole family belly laughing.

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (1998) This now-classic animated movie tells Moses' story—perfect for a biblically-focused weekend!—and features the hit song, When You Believe, which won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

No surprise there: It was recorded by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, with the rest of the score done by Hans Zimmer.

Sometimes things are simple.

What a Wonderful World Louis Armstrong

HOP (2011) This cute comingof-age tale follows the Easter bunny's teenage son, E.B., as he attempts to pursue his dreams of becoming a rock star... much to his dad's chagrin.

Happy Easter!