Okereke-Fubara Nollywood's Costume Design Whisperer VOL 2 NO. 33 • AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 20, 2022
Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity 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.
@insignamediaOshalusiKolaPhoto:Makeup:Zaron
WHATSAIDYOU
Editor-at-Large:
Onah
Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm - Contributing Writer Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.
@jolly_somv@ebeleudoh CONTENTS BULLET TRAIN 07 1106 14-151612-13 CONFIDENTIALDOWNTOWN SPORTS MOVIE REVIEWTRAVELBEAUTYDOWNTOWNWEBSIGHTS HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A SCORNEDWOMAN WHAT ARE WE? HERE WE GO! 5 THINGS TO ARM YOURSELF WITH AS CLUB FOOTBALL SEASONTRAVEL ESSENTIALSFORMENTOPTREND:NAILART DESIGN INSTAGRAM EDITOR’S NOTE 04-058 FASHION 5 WAYS FOR HER TO STYLE A BLAZER COVER OKEREKE-FUBARAYOLANDA COSTUMENOLLYWOOD'SDESIGNWHISPERER 03 ODDBOD & THE CITY DESTINATION: SOFT LIFE
Photographer: Kunmi
Owopetu @kunmi.owopetu Makeup: Lilian Paul @lilianopaul AUSTYN OGANNAH
Editor:PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Chalya Shagaya Writers: Kehindé Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Graphic Design: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’ Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’
VOL 2 NO. 33 • AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 20, 2022 PAGE 2 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa + 2349088352246
When it comes to making movies, many hands behind the scenes add to creating the perfect picture. One of them is the costume designer. While some people regard costume designers as stylists, they couldn’t be further away from the truth. You see, the job of the movie set costume designer is much more than styling, and certainly not, as some people would say, ‘just to get clothes.’ It involves creat ing a look that interprets each character’s role. And it doesn’t stop there; this person or groups of people have to work closely with hair and make up for the perfect outcome.
Yolanda Okereke-Fubara is Nollywood’s go-to girl for the job; a costume design whisperer, as I like to call her. Her exceptional work for over 15 years, acing costume design after costume de sign has put her on the map. Her execution of the characters of King of Boys says a lot about her work, and if for any reason you were still un sure about her abilities, her recent work for Net flix mini series Blood Sisters must have cleared any Okereke-Fubaradoubts. landed her first project as a costume designer by chance. She had gone to deliver some clothes to two clients on a movie set, and the rest, as they say, is history. In this interview, she discusses the intricacies of cos tume designing and the importance of having a support system for such a tedious job. Hers was her husband, Karibi Fubara, who unfortu nately passed last year. But that hasn’t stopped Yolanda; she still gets support from family—hers and his. In fact, she says both families have been phenomenal. “I lean on them; they have been amazing. His family is second to none. I am of ficially their last born.” Read her story on pages 8 through 10. The Soft Life is a term that has become quite pop ular lately. More and more people in what can be called a movement are veering in the direc tion of a life that is less about struggle and more about making decisions that benefits them. This week, Oddbod takes us on her soft life journey; frankly speaking, I love it. Until next week, enjoy your read.
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. Uzo Orimalade @uzosfoodlabs - Contributing Writer Uzo Orimalade has a background in Law and Business and spent over a decade working in Corporate America and Nigeria in the management consulting and investment banking sectors. She switched careers to pursue her passion for baking, cooking and home entertaining. She is content creator and host of shows in various media platforms. She has been recognised by local and international media outlets including a feature on CNN’s African Voices.
I started with some decisions around the people I am going to allow to continue this journey called life with me. I created boundaries in my relationships. No sentiments; I don’t care how long I have known you or what relationship ‘title’ you hold in my life. If my interactions with you are always negative, then you gotta go. If you are not reciprocating my energy in the relationship, then you gotta go. I am the queen of block, mute, delete and unfollow; the only difference is that now I am refreshingly unapologetic about Luckily,it.
Soft Life
Definition in the Urban Dictionary: 1. Opposite of hard life. 2. Where you make the decisions that leave you feeling stress-free and vibrating higher. 3. Less about wealth (although it helps) and more about making good choices. If you have not gotten unto this wagon yet, I highly recommend it. I did not understandeventhat there was a definition for this mental state of mind. This journey started for me in earnest this year. I made some decisions that started with my wanting to be treated like a ‘Victorian era white woman with all her frailties and delicate sensibilities.’ I no longer want prize trophies for how well I deal with “the struggle” or how much of a “hustler” I am. Historically, Black women have been encouraged to be strong in the face of adversity, to be the giver and nurturer, and to be applauded for putting everyone else first. I don’t know how we are expected to thrive under the struggle love, stress, and distress conditions. I don’t know about you, but I am no longer here for it, and there seems to be a whole movement behind this philosophy.
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& THE CITY OGUNBIYIODUN
ODDBOD
start my day. I wake up with more than enough time to have a cup of tea tocalm.channelandIlistenupliftingmusic when I get ready in the morning to set my mood for the day. I intentionally take it slow. There is absolutely no joy to be found in jumping out of bed to rush, rush, rush through your morning. The benefits of taking the time to start your day with a calm mind and uplifted spirit will not be lost on you and have certainly been appreciated by my work colleagues and friends.
Spend Time Doing What You Love I cannot tell you the joy I am getting from my new hobby as a plant mummy. I love everything about the purchasing, the pruning, the watering, the rotating into the sun. It all brings me so much joy, which is all that’s important. Living the soft life is all about knowing your worth and certainly does not involve struggle love (I guess you can tell I absolutely adore this term), or waiting on others to recognise your worth to show you the respect and love you deserve. Once you start, please be warned; there is no turning back. Currently walking these streets feeling empowered, emboldened, not chasing but attracting, and it is most addictive.
I have never suffered from FOMO (fear of missing out). I have absolutely no problem saying no to invitations or obligations. If my blood pressure starts to rise just thinking about a situation, I honour that feeling and, ‘exit
Destination:aboutleft.’stage,IhavebecomeveryintentionalhowI
With Pants
It is safe to say that there's nothing in a woman's closet as versatile or easy to wear as a good ol' classic blazer. A blazer is one of those timeless pieces that can be married to any ensemble; it effortlessly layers over a gown for a formal event while also dressing up a pair of leggings. When paired correctly, it uplifts even the most boring of outfits.
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.comVOL 2 NO. 33 • AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 20, 2022 FASHION
BY IDOWU LAMI
Whether with casual pants or palazzo pants, the choice is yours for this office-ready look; either way, it will be fierce and stylish.
Ways For Her toSTYLE a BLAZER
Lisa Folawiyo With A Gown
Nengi HampsonJenniferEkiOsehOgunbor Angel Obasi 5
If it seems like a frock is how you're feeling on a particular day, but you still want to look ready to discuss business, then adorning it with a blazer is not a bad way to go.
WithUnderneathNothing This is a bold and daring choice for any woman, which is all the more reason why you should do it. But just be careful while you attempt it to avoid a wardrobe accident.
With Denim Okay, girl, we see! Denim pants or shorts are always a good combo. If you're opting for shorts, lean towards a slightly longer blazer choice. Eniswardrobe Didi Stone Toke Makinwa Derin Odugbesan Sharon Ooja Egwurube Achieng Agutu
FASHIONWith A Skirt Pairing your blazer with different styles of skirts; wether mini or pleated and a gorgeous pair of heels or sandals says you're ready for a nice lunch with friends.
If there is anything Africa’s most-watched TV show promises, it’s drama. Every off-season, year.100upmouthwateringcompeteuntileachhousematesconsidered.oneabilityhousemates,auditionsthroughshowrunnersthewademillionsoffromaspiringwiththetostirdramaofthemetricsEachseason,trytooutlastotherinthehousethefinaleastheyfortheusuallypricesforgrab—worthmillionNairathisHowever,noteveryone makes it to the finish line. For most people, it is a fan-voted eviction process. For others, it is an outright disqualification. This season, it has taken just a fortnight since launch weekend for the first disqualification as Beauty—who was sent packing after recording several infringements of Big Brother’s rules which earned her three strikes—became the latest addition to past badly behaved alumni Erica, Tacha, Khloe, K. Brule and Kemen. Many things happen in the build-up to getting disqualified. According to the House Rules, violence and damage to Big Brother’s property are some of the grounds to be issued a strike. Three strikes attract immediate dismissal. Like most disqualified housemates before her, Beauty Tukura, a 24-year-old former Miss Nigeria from Taraba state, flaunted these rules.
“I told you to dance with every other girl except that girl, but even when I dragged her away from you, you gave her a high-five, and she started laughing at websights DOWNTOWN
The disqualification makes her the first housemate to be disqualified from the Big Brother Naija Level Up house. She is also the first housemate in BBNaija history to be disqualified only two weeks into the show.
Beauty, who appeared to be intoxicated, body shamed, and tongue lashed her love interest, Groovy. She said Groovy’s penis is very small and yelled at Phyna and other housemates who attempted to caution her. Before her double strike, Beauty received a first strike from Big Brother for aggressive behaviour last week. In the middle of an argument with Groovy about dancing with other girls, she turned on Ilebaye, who was trying to calm her down and eventually yanked off the 21-yearold’s hat and wig.
“She was the one that came to me. I didn’t go to her. She came to me, and I didn’t dance with her,”HerGroovygrouse with Groovy went on for about an hour despite several housemates trying and failing to calm her down. She flung her wig at Groovy and also destroyed his microphone during her tirade, earning herself a double strike.
times. But if you are flaunting the rules in just two weeks of acting, maybe you are not ready to ‘Level Up’. As always, let’s hear from our online jury. me. Who are you? You want waist,”aroundyourwrappingsawme.embarrasstoIyouhandsherher.dancingwasn’tthatexplainedGroovyInBeautydefence,hewith
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After the usual weekend party two Saturday nights ago, Beauty had gotten rather upset at Groovy for the second Saturday in a row and went on a tirade. Beauty, who rained insults on Groovy after the party, had earlier warned him to stay away from Chomzy, another housemate on to Groovy.
Here Is Your Big Brother Naija Postcard
A lot of housemates have believed in coming to the house with a dog-eat-dog strategy to outlast their competition. Last season, the biggest altercation happened between Pere and Whitemoney, and the latter—who managed to keep his cool through it—went ahead to win the biggest prize. The season before that, the most memorable fight was between Erica—the last disqualified housemate before Beauty—and Laycon, who just like Whitemoney, landed the holy grail, having kept his cool through the storm. It is a mental game that requires housemates to be on their best behaviour at all
Hell Hath No Fury Likea Woman Scorned
Beauty joins a long list of former alumnae of the show who, although they might not have paid the ultimate price of dismissal, lost their cool fighting over a man.
andtime.umpteenthItwasnoon,thesunwasburningbrightlyeverywhereelsebutinherapartment.Allthecurtainsweredrawn,andshehadputherphoneinflightmodetoavoidansweringcalls.Shehadbeenconsumingnothingbuticecreamandtakeoutforthelastweek.Itwasimpossibletonotfeelsorryforher.Sheusedtobeahappypersonwhowasconstantlyvivaciousandengaged,but
A powerful feeling to harbour toward someone is resentment. Sometimes, their behaviour may have justified it; other times, you can simply be being overly sensitive. But occasionally, you feel angry with yourself for having initially fallen for their lies. Today’s story is either one or all three, but I’ll let you be the judge of that. At this point, Felicity was confident that her quest to find a soulmate had come to an end. She was emotionally and sexually unavailable till further notice. She was plopped on her minimalist sofa, eating her feelings in chocolate chip ice cream and watching CongenialityMissfor the
now her spark has been doused in grief. If only she had known, she wouldn’t have gone to the gym that fateful day. Femi just helped buttress the point that all men named Femi are heartbreakers and ignorant flirts. But he didn’t seem that way when he walked up to her. That was what he wanted her to think.
BY TILEWA KAZEEM
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“Hi, you own the grey Kia, correct?” He asked underneath the loud music blasting through her “Sorry?”earphones.she responded. He repeated himself, adding that her car blocked his, and he needed to leave. Asking her was just a formality; he knew the car was hers because they’d run into each other several times at the gym’s parking lot. She apologised and walked hurriedly to her car. Femi was behind her and was taking in the sight of her bum juggling through her yoga pants. He very much liked what he saw, but the timing wasn’t right. “Not now,” he told himself. The next time they’d meet would be side by side on the treadmill. He’d turn his head to her and wait for her to look at him, smile and look away. He did this repeatedly until she started to smile. Now, it was a very cringe move to pull off at a gym, but Femi was a goodlooking guy; he reminded Felicity of the Ghanaian actor, Mawuli, only that he was not as tall. And she’d be lying if she hadn’t checked him out too. With her smiling, he stirred a light treadmill competition, which he let her win–all part of his end game. After that day, they started going to the gym together, and they remained friends until he invited her to dinner at one of Lagos’ most upscale restaurants. After the evening’s gym session, he returned her to her house, kissed her on the cheek, and then drove home. They spoke on the phone every day, and he listened to her gripes about her Eventually,supervisor. when they had sex, it went on for several rounds. But that wasn't all it was about, they would also chat till dawn about everything you could imagine. After that, they had a few more encounters till the day she questioned, “what are we?”. Though she still had a small part of her that wished she hadn’t, she desired more. She didn’t want him using the same moves he used on her on other girls at the gym. But it’s too late to cry over spilt milk.
What Are We?
Afew decades ago, the innocent family TV show Super Story offered a timelessly relevant response to a question raised by women who desired something more conclusive than just meaningless Wheneversex. the question “what are we?” popped up: “We are nothing but pencils in the hands of the creator” has been adopted to serve as a dismissive Isresponse.itanextremely upsetting and illusive thing to say to someone you just put in seven positions? Absolutely. But some people who find themselves in this situation, especially men, would rather lose the situationship than set foot into a committed relationship. For more context, Situationships, though less than relationships, are more than casual encounters or booty calls. They are romantic relationships that are not clearly defined and remain so. In a world of labels and non-labels like polyamory, relationship anarchy (people who choose not to define their relationship according to prescribed notions but by how they feel as the relationship unravels) and monogamous non-monogamy (similar to swinging), the structures that once governed what relationships should look and feel like are being boycotted. New blueprints are being drawn up by the younger, more sexually inclusive generation to elucidate how best for a relationship to work. Even if it involves bringing more people into the mix. And in my own opinion, the DNA strands from situationships were used to make these new relationship Amodifications.situationship has one foot within a relationship and the other inside a single’s space. It is a classic example of neither nor and weaves so finely between the two. People get into situationships for various reasons, one of which is a reluctance to commit fully to one person. Some people do well at being exclusive to one person, while others don’t. People struggle with trusting others with all their burdens just to be let down by them. And occasionally, they are the ones that cheat. Sex ought to be liberating and fluid; the parameters of a normal relationship can feel very claustrophobic to those who merely want sexual relations. women. They follow a schedule. They must become engaged before a particular age and should become pregnant before a specific age. Financial stability is a must for all of those things to occur. Anyone who doesn’t fit into that category isn’t a worthy match, so the filtration process begins. In contrast, it is a financial clock for men. They are the providers, whether they like it or not, and to accomplish that, money is required. The days of only needing to hunt antelopes and have fruitful fields to find the appropriate damsel are long gone. You are not regarded as a suitable mate if you are not financially responsible. But what then happens in the meantime, while both genders are on what sometimes might feel like a Herculean task; do they both remain celibate till they find the elusive soulmate (s) or find someone to keep them company? After all, body no be firewood Situationships aren’t necessarily a good or bad thing as long as it works for you, and there are, of course, some ground rules, so it doesn’t become toxic. This usually happens when there’s a breach in the agreement, and one person wants more. Many people are willing to explore relationships in a less organised manner without feeling pressure to commit, as they place more value on self-knowledge and growing as individuals. When both parties aren’t in sync, it becomes a huge problem. I advise that if you don’t have the emotional wherewithal to get into a situationship, avoid it because it can have you questioning your sanity and leave you with unresolved feelings. Because when parties are on different frequencies, it brings anger and resentment over time.
What makes a good movie? Taking it at face value, it is customary to see how the focus is often on the actors and directors. However, for every movie you’ve ever seen, other players are tasked with going from set to set to ensure that the characters we come to love on our screen are brought to life. One of those players is the costume designer. A costume designer’s role in interpreting and presenting a character cannot be overemphasised. As a matter of fact, if it is a good project, it is because the costume designer did a good job.
Over the years, we’ve been thrilled by several Nollywood films and series—both on Netflix and the big screens. From The Wedding Party to Blood Sisters, the level of detailed presentation that the characters in today’s biggest blockbusters have reached is chartstopping. To understand that industry sector, the work that they do and its significance, Sophia Edisi spoke to Nollywood’s leading costume designer, Yolanda Okereke-Fubara.
Okereke-Fubara
When asked to tell DOWNTOWN who she, Yolanda Okereke-Fubara, is, she catalogues her professional life, saying, “Yolanda Okereke is a fashion designer who has been in the industry for over 15 years. I’ve been watching movies since 2009, straight out of university. I studied chemical engineering, and while waiting for those major oil company jobs, I decided to return to my passion for making and designing women’s clothes. So I started as a stylist, and after styling a few of my clients for red carpet events and somehow getting hold of their script, I decided to start dressing their characters appropriately. So I practically came into the industry as a fixer.”
Photographer: Yagazie Eguare For @gazmadustudios Wardrobe: Lady Biba @loveladybiba
STORY BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
Nollywood's Costume Design Whisperer
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Yolanda’s introduction into the movie scene coincides with the beginning of the industry’s impressive growth. Over the last decade and a half, Nollywood’s production has witnessed a steady rise from when “home video” was a thing we all used to say, to today, when our movies are getting a wider and foreign audience, streaming on Netflix. For Yolanda, her foray into the film business is what one would call ‘fate.’ She narrated how she found herself on the set of a project she wasn’t initially contracted to work on a decade ago. Speaking on that project—that would eventually be her breakout project—she said, “So the one that really threw me out there—because I wasn’t even prepared,
develop a character and bring them to life using costumes? To start from the conceptualisation stage, film producers get their hands on a script they either come up with or get help from professional scriptwriters. The film is the script, and it’s what guides every step of production, especially bringing the otherwise fictional characters to life through the choice of wardrobe and makeup. Yolanda explained the importance of the script. “The script is like a guideline that gives you the story from start to finish. Then some people give you a character bible that contains the list of all the lead and supporting characters. So with that, you understand who the characters are, and you can start building a persona around the character. What I bring is personality. For example, the character bible may say that a person is into dark things. So I think about how I want the person to look and take real-life scenarios, and I put them into this character and bring them to life. I also try to take the cast totally away from who they are in real life, except you are playing a character close to who you are. So the script is the guideline for building this body of work and creating the Motioncharacter.”pictures are all about storytelling. A common goal through production is to give a visual presentation that is so believable it mirrors real-life scenarios. Whether it is painting a picture of affluence or poverty, or achieving a modern or traditional look, every stakeholder in the production of a film plays a significant role in driving home the point scene after scene. Yolanda took a further dive into the projects that make up her illustrious career thus far. “Well, I’ve been involved in and done different things. I shot Tattoo in 2007, which was 30 percent modern and 70 percent epic. It got nominated for the AMVCA, of which I was also a don’tSometimesproducer.youalwaysget to tell these modern stories. For Blood Sisters, when you read the script, it’s talking about a billionaire family. The Ademolas are rich people; they own a company that makes money in billions, so it’s only normal that they should look the part. So if you look at the storyline, episodes one and two had all the glamour, then from episodes three and four, it went downhill. So we had to show that transition from the very colourful world to ghetto on the run. So it’s either coming from the costume department or the art department. It isn’t always upscale for me. Sometimes modern and a little bit of epic. So when it comes to costuming, the scale is very vast. What works for me is that I like the story and can tell it. I don’t take on stories I can’t tell. People often confuse it with styling, but it’s not the same thing.
Styling is fashion, but styling with costume design is designing a costume that reflects the character role because you are also telling a Likestory.”every other job in the world, costume design comes with its own demur, especially in a country like ours. Having spent a decade curating wardrobes on the biggest sets in Nollywood, Yolanda gave insights on some of her biggest challenges as a costume designer, “First of all, my biggest challenge is what I call the ‘Lagos Factor.’ Living in Lagos is a challenge on its own; you can’t even say I’ll be here in five minutes because that five minutes can become 15 minutes or even one hour. Anything can just happen to cause a delay on set. Also, we do not have enough government support. Most of the movies are privately funded. For now, we have a few corporate bodies that give sponsorship, but it would have been better if it was coming straight to the government. Nollywood is the biggest film industry in the world, and this is just from people doing it from their own pocket. Look at how big it is right now and compare what it would be if the government just threw their own weight behind it. You also have the street urchins that come out of nowhere, making it a big problem. So that’s why when you watch a movie, you see it’s always confined inside because once you go outside with the camera, somebody will definitely come at you. We also don’t have studios like those in Hollywood, so it’s limiting because you find yourself going to somebody’s house, one that allows you to film in their house. It’s a lot, but these are just a Thefew.”worth of a costume designer’s weight is in gold. Their role in shining the spotlight on the old, which also got a good review. And then The Wedding Party, we literally had to shoot a real-life wedding, and at the time, I had a fantasy of what I wanted my wedding to look like, so I took my fantasy and put it there. And there was King of Boys So I think I’ve had layers of differently challenging projects that I’ve had to do. It’s like adrenaline; the fire and passion keep you going. I was hungry for the next thing I would do that would just challenge me. So the whole buzz of Blood Sisters is still overwhelming for me. It was huge. A script that demanded everything from everybody. It’s great to be part of those who have managed to put Nollywood back on the map.” She Howconcluded.doyou
I was just doing what Yolanda does — is The Meeting, produced by Rita Dominic. I was not contracted for the job. I just went into the set to give an outfit to Kate Henshaw and Nse IkpeEtim, and immediately I was asked if I was booked for anything, and I said. ‘no.’ And they said I should resume tomorrow. I just went with it. That was actually my first encounter with Rita Dominic for that movie. We got six AMA Award nominations, and I got a nomination for costume design. It was schooltobecausechallengingRitahadplaytheoldsecretary.
Photographer: Kunmi Owopetu @kunmi.owopetu
Photographer: Yahazie Eguare For @gazmadustudios
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I had encountered one of those, so I knew exactly what they looked like, and my friend Jennifer did a fantastic job doing the makeup. Ugo did the hair, and that’s why I said everything comes together because if the costume is right and the makeup is wrong, you will not tell a good story. So when the three of us came together, we created Rita’s character; it was beautiful. I didn’t even see an award or nomination coming, and then I just got a nomination. So that was the first project that really pushed me out there.”
She went ahead to discuss some of her fondest projects thus far. “The second one that challenged me a little was Fifty because I had to work with women in their 30s and early 40s and try to make them look like they were 50 years
Wardrobe: Lady Biba @loveladybiba
“I don’t take on stories I can’t tell. PEOPLE OFTEN CONFUSE IT WITH STYLING, but it’s not the same thing. Styling is fashion, but styling with costume design is designing a costume that reflects the character role because you are also telling a story.”
Makeup: Lilian Paul @lilianopaul
Wardrobe: Lady Biba @loveladybiba
Photographer: Yagazie Eguare For @gazmadustudios
COVER around you understands and is there to fulfil your dreams, you are good to go.”
Yolanda’s support system, for a while, featured her late husband, Nollywood actor, Karibi Fubara. On the 15th of December, 2021, Yolanda lost an integral part of that support system to the cold hands of death. She disclosed how their three-year-long marriage moulded her and her career. “He made the Yolanda you are seeing today. He put me in front of him and was never afraid to let my light shine. He was my biggest fan after my dad. He taught me the importance of structure and the spirit of excellence. He read my scripts with me, constructively criticised my LookBooks and Moodboards, and taught me the principle of asking the ‘WHY?’ before the ‘HOW?’ He came to set from time to time to check on me. He was my Business Manager; he managed my creativity and turned me into the brand people see today. I’m a better person because he was in my life,” she eulogised. Yolanda explained the growing pain that comes with losing a loved one and realising that one can no longer celebrate their wins with their biggest cheerleader. When asked what her biggest project or achievement since her late husband’s passing is that she wanted to celebrate with him but couldn’t, she replied, “Blood Sisters”. And how, you may wonder, does that make her feel? “It hurt so much because he held my hands through that project. It was one of the hardest parts of the journey. I miss him. I am grateful he found me.”
Through these hard times, Yolanda confirms that she now leans on family (including her late husband’s) and friends instead of doing it on her own. She said, “I lean on them; they have been amazing. His family is second to none. I am officially their last born.” As the interview drew to a close, the conversation switched to future expectations. “Well, there are a lot of projects; there is so much more. Inkblot has a series coming out soon, and we should be looking out for that one. So there’s a lot; you just have to watch this Nollywoodspace.” has come of age. The industry’s steady—but surely— improvement has been aided by filmmakers taking a more holistic approach to production. Today, the dividends of placing a much-needed focus on the facets of the production generally overlooked by the movie-going public are being paid. In light of that, Yolanda gets her deserved flowers—as Nollywood’s leading costume designer— from the same bouquet as the biggest names in the industry. She came into the industry as a fixer but has since become the bandaid holding it together for a decade and counting.
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movie superstars we love is just as significant as that of the stars whose acting we rate highly. Our cover woman talked about the importance of costume designers in movies. “Being a costume designer is just as important as having a director on set. The truth is if the makeup artist is there and there’s no costume, there’s nothing to shoot. Also, if the costumes are unsuitable, you will not tell a real story. So I take that part of filmmaking seriously because of how people trivialise it. People say things like, ‘Is it not just clothes?’ For them, that might be just clothes, but for me, I am telling a story. I have conversations with the producers, directors and other departments, even with the makeup artist, on how a character should look because it is crucial in telling the stories. Also, most people are fascinated with being in front of the camera, while I’m just happy being behind the scene and part of the tool that tells and drives the story. You want to try as much as possible to make everything believable, you might even have access to luxurious clothes, but that doesn’t mean it fits into the story you are trying to tell. Your passion is fundamental too. Are you really passionate about this? Because if you are not passionate about it and have that understanding—there is an understanding that goes into achieving it—then why are you here? Your story will never look nice without that understanding as a costume designer. So, for every scene, there is something that the outfit is saying; you have to be true to the story.”
Being true to the story is Yolanda’s speciality. The effortless deftness with which she executes her job means that she has costuming credit in the biggest projects in the country. Between her 2012 debut, The Meeting, and her latest project, The Set Up 2, she has been involved in several projects, including this year’s blockbuster Netflix original series, Blood Sisters These projects often take a lot of time, so the importance of finding a worklife balance can not be overemphasised. She disclosed how she strikes a balance. “I would say that I’ve been blessed to have people that just supported me a lot because if you do not have the right support system, you can’t balance any of it. If your husband or parents don’t understand why you have to be on set at past 10pm, they won’t ever let you stay out that late in the name of pursuing your career or dreams. So your support system is vital; it helps balance everything because they would understand that you are chasing your dreams. It’s what puts food on my table, makes me happy, and gives me fulfilment. And so you are as good as the people around you. Even Jesus Christ did not walk alone; he had people. Filmmaking is demanding; anything can happen at any given time. So if everybody “He made the Yolanda you are seeing today. He put me in front of him and was never afraid to let my light shine. HE WAS MY BIGGEST FAN after my dad. He taught me the importance of structure and the spirit of excellence... I’m a better person because he was in my life... I MISS HIM. I am grateful he found me.”
Over the years, Fantasy Premier League, widely referred to as FPL, has crept into football lovers’ weekly itinerary. Every week, we make several changes to our fantasy teams in a bid to score high points and rise the ranks, whether amongst friends or on the global table. Since its invention, no Nigerian has ever won it; to be fair, it takes a lot of dedication, planning and sheer luck. If you hear people bother to ask what players scored in a football match, they are most likely invested in FPL. But it stresses a lot of them out. Take it easy this coming season.
• Fantasy Premier League Will Stress You… Again
• Enjoy BanterFootball One of the most interesting elements of football is banter. As a matter of fact, we can be bold enough to say no other sport or activity serves banter at the level that football does. Because most football lovers are men, the banter is often vicious, dark, and toxic. For many people, avoiding social media like the plague—Twitter especially—is an appropriate way to cope after their club’s defeat. But what if we do things differently this season? We know it’s a tough ask, but what if we just enjoy the banter? Remember that it is just a recreational activity at the end of the day, so don’t strain relationships because of it.
• Family Time Non-negotiableis Weekends are mostly for two things—owambe and the Premier League. Family time is a rarity for people who fall between the intersections of both. Nowadays, however, thanks to on-demand streaming services, you can follow the game in real-time. Or maybe just watch highlights? Take your spouse on that date. Go to that amusement park with your kids. Catch-up with old-time family members. You can always catch the next game, after all.
HERE WE
5 Things To Arm Yourself With As Club Football Season Returns Taiwo Awoniyi Signed For Newly-promoted Premier League Side Nottingham Forest Joe Aribo Signed for Southampton in The Premier League
• Take A Step Back on Betting
Since sports betting became a thing in Nigeria, football lovers have been hooked. For some, the adrenaline rush that comes with monitoring games on their bet slip in real-time is satisfying; for others, it is a means to an end. Whatever category you fall under, be conscious enough to know when to take a break, so you are not sucked in. Bet responsibly.
PAGE 11 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com VOL 2 NO. 33 • AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 20, 2022 SPORT
If you are a football lover reading this, the chances that you have missed watching European club football are very high. Trust us, we understand. We do too. We have spent the past months monitoring the summer transfer proceedings in real-time, refreshing Twitter feeds, expecting the three magic words from Fabrizio Romano—“Here We Go!” Our clubs have done some businesses, and whether we are ecstatic or unimpressed about them, we all count down the days till kick-off. As we prepare for the big days, here are things you want to keep in mind for the long season ahead.
GO!
• Choose Sanity This Season There’s no questioning just how addictive and emotional football is. If you are going to be truthful with yourself, the game has sometimes made you the most elated person on earth and, in the same breath, moved you to tears. It is absolutely normal. This season, however, we must learn to tailor our expectations. If you are a Chelsea or Barcelona fan, expecting to win the domestic league is not profitable. If you are an Arsenal fan, the top 4 is a massive feat, but it is okay if it is not attainable too. For Liverpool fans, you try to beat Manchester City to the title every season to no avail. Maybe a second-place finish is your birthright after all. Be realistic with your expectations.
You are more likely to get more playful and creative with marble designs. The exciting thing about it is that you can use the selection of two to three colours to create this effect. Perfect for a full-on nail or could match well with other designs.
This year, we are in the mood for a little of everything, from simple, sheer colour to over-the-top nail art, because you know there are no limits when it comes to nail inspiration.
The Frenchies are making a
The trends happening right now mirror the mood within beauty, as we’re all looking to have fun and embrace some colours and sparkles. Whichever way you’re leaning towards, be sure to make a statement with a look that you love. So continue to take beauty into your own hands with these popping trendy nail art designs.
Trend:Top Nail DesignArt
BY SOPHIA EDISI
BEAUTY
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bad boujee with zero effort required.
Pastel
FrenchEffect
Marble
Pattern foil is a fantastic way to do nail art. And yes, these looks are unique and particularly flexible when it comes to bold designs. There’s no need to hold back when you go that route.
Abstract nails are the first thing that comes to mind when you think of nail-art designs, it expresses diversity and culture and could tell a story with each design. Sugar Glitter Nails Pattern Foil Design
Wearing different nail polish colours on each nail is also a major moment. The soft blend of different shades of colours helps elevate its modern design even further, and it definitely looks great on both long and short nails. Often featuring bold designs with modern nail technology, you can tailor it to your own style and taste. It’s always fun to take something classic and give it an in-depth galaxy spin. There’s nothing better than an eye-catching mani that requires no effort. This elegant, simple go-to nail design is a minimalist’s favourite. Always a trend with exciting shades, lengths and shapes.
PAGE 13 VOL 2 NO. 33 • AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 20, 2022 BEAUTY THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
Abstract
Mix And Match 9D Gel Polish Classic Gel Nails Croc
This art embraces simple shimmery crystals like sugar glitter or glittery polish for a more textural beauty look. Whether you’ve long or short nails or prefer matte or glossy finishes, any version of crocodile nails will definitely catch your attention.
The
Travel Essentials FOR MEN IDOWU LAMI
BY
Travel Essentials MEN
FOR
Noise-cancelingHeadphonesOverheadSONY
VOL 2 NO. 33 • AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 20, 2022 PAGE 14 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com TRAVEL Tony Elumelu Leather Toilet Bag TOM
PeterFORDOkoye
It’s travel season right now, and we know how exhausting it can get sometimes. But packing the appropriate items can make a lengthy flight exciting and pleasant. A business traveller, for instance, cannot be on the move without a phone or an iPad. So what else should you have apart from, and in your hand luggage? We’ve listed some of them, especially for you.
PAGE 15 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com VOL 2 NO. 33 • AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 20, 2022 TRAVEL IPadAPPLEAir HandPURELLSanitizer Richard Mofe-Damijo Leather Backpack VIVIENNE WESTWOOD GUCCI Jeremiah Ogbodo Alex Ekubo Metal AviatorCARTIERSunglasses Damier Cobalt Duffle LOUIS VUITTON
Bullet Train VOL 2 NO. 33 • AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 20, 2022 WATCH OF THE
Gwendoline Christie (Brienne Tarth of Game of Thrones) is Lucifer, who sports a shiny black trench coat and matching black wings as she rules over the Kingdom of Hell. (There’s a sequence between Lucifer and Morpheus in front of a rabid crowd that plays like something out of a Mad Max movie. Who knew they had existential cage matches in Hell?) We also get Patton Oswalt as a talking raven who becomes Morpheus’ sidekick and serves an excellent purpose as our guide, often asking the same questions we’d have; Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne, who is the Dreaming’s librarian and Morpheus’ most loyal associate, and Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine, a necromancer who’s very good at her job and has a serious attitude. There’s a LOT going on here, yet at the end of the 10-episode arc, they’re clearly amping up for more mystical pyrotechnics. Yes, please.
Here’s a prototypical scene in the new action comedy Bullet Train. Two quirky, eccentrically dressed strangers cross paths, exchange a quip, then jump into a brutal fight set to an oddly upbeat pop song. Their bloody R-rated violence is counterbalanced by some funny, creative prop work. One of the combatants unexpectedly dies, while the other shakes himself off and undercuts the preceding savagery with a deadpan remark: “Well that was weird” or “Who was that guy?” or maybe “Damn, I got blood on my suit.” It’s the sort of cinematic sequence that feels fun and original the first time you see it and a bit exhausting by the seventh or eighth. And boy, it’s everywhere these days — from Netflix projects like The Umbrella Academy and Gunpowder Milkshake to blockbusters like the Kingsman franchise and, to some extent, even this year’s inventive Everything Everywhere All At TheOnce.formula is essentially one part Quentin Tarantino, one part Guy Ritchie and one part Edgar Wright, with a sprinkling of Shane Black irreverence and a dash of Bong Joon-Ho absurdism. And if that particular cocktail appeals, you’ll likely have the ride of your life with Bullet Train, which pushes the “comedy” half of the action-comedy formula to its limit — a big swing adaptation choice from Kōtarō Isaka’s more hardboiled 2010 novel. But the thing about these bloodily irreverent projects is that they often feature a certain smugness; like they’re getting away with something subversive instead of just leaning into an increasingly popular formula. And if that particular sense of gloating self-satisfaction annoys, then it’s best to avoid Bullet Train like the subway at rush hour. Helmed by Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2 director David Leitch, Bullet Train features an international cast led by Brad Pitt as lethal but laid-back underworld operative “Ladybug.”
The trouble comes in the third act as the action ramps up, but the cleverness slows down, leaving more room for viewers to contemplate how strangely this film treats its women characters (Joey King’s psychopathic school girl is the only main female player) and how few Japanese characters appear in a film set entirely in Japan. (The great Hiroyuki Sanada is criminally underused.) It doesn’t help that the originality of the small-quarters action set-pieces eventually gives way to a climax filled with over-thetop CG that feels disappointingly generic in comparison. Though the film only runs a little over two hours, a seemingly never-ending parade of twists, reveals, and cameos makes it feel much longer. In aiming to create a sense of non-stop comedic chaos, Bullet Train winds up feeling a little too calculated for its own good. It makes it to the station, but the ride is a bumpy one. 6.5/10
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MOVIE REVIEW:
The Sandman opens with Tom Sturridge’s Morpheus, aka Sandman, aka Dream (we’ll just stick with Morpheus here), explaining that while humankind insists on calling the Waking World “the real world, as if your dreams have no effects on the choices you make…. there is another life that awaits you when you close your eyes and enter my realm, for I am the King of Dreams and Nightmares.” This opening is accompanied by some outMorpheus.thattwistedhisinstitutionhisspentJohngrownillegitimate,isDavidterrificvibrancylifestreaming-seriesbroughtcharacters,memorablemeetjourney,wildonAlongstrange.unsettlinglyfamiliarsimultaneouslywhichtherealmmetaphysicalvisualsrenderedbeautifullyoftheknownasDreaming,isandthewayMorpheus’andwoollyweseveralalltowithgreatbythecast:ThewlisBurgess’son,Dee,whomostoflifeinanaftermindwasbyarubybelongstoNowandaboutin this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music) Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify) WEEK THE SANDMAN Carterefe_ Berri-Tiga - Machala Magixx - Shaye Ruger -
the real world, John Dee can create intense chaos by using the powers of the ruby. (In one of the most compelling episodes of the series, John Dee visits a diner and forever changes the lives of everyone there, in a kind of Twilight Zone fashion.)
Over the years, there have been numerous attempts to turn Neil Gaiman’s immensely popular graphic novel series The Sandman into a movie or streaming series, and it’s finally happened, with Netflix giving us a lush, moody and ambitious adaptation that occasionally skirts the borders of camp with its lofty monologues and some, well, throughout.entertainingshenanigans“fashion-forward”butremainsandinvolving
The fact that Lemon and Tangerine actually care about each other helps give this cynical little film at least some sort of emotional core. And for a while, at least, the mix of style, action and madcap comedy is enough to keep Bullet Train chugging along as an enjoyable romp.
Scan
FireboyGirlfriendDML-Ashawo Gyakie - SOMETHINGCrayon - Ijo (Laba Laba) Fireboy DML_ Asake - Bandana Burna Boy - It's PlentyBadman-Q-Selah Ladybug’s latest assignment is an easy one: Board a bullet train heading from Tokyo to Kyoto and nab a briefcase. But when it turns out the train is filled with his old adversaries — not to mention a host of other people who want the briefcase for their own ends — his simple mission suddenly starts to feel a whole lot more impossible. Pitt expertly harnesses his movie star charisma into a dishevelled, existential hitman who spends his time between fights (and sometimes during them) quoting his therapist and worrying about his bad luck. Placing such a zen character in such a high-stakes situation is a fun idea, and Ladybug’s dislike of guns allows Leitch to lean into set-pieces that do more than just recreate the gunplay of the John Wick franchise he helped create with Chad Stahelski. (Expect knives, swords, luggage, water bottles and smart toilets in the fray Still,instead.)it’shard not to feel like Ladybug’s breezy shtick might’ve worked better in a supporting role, especially when the movie has two even more compelling characters on its margins: British hitmen and “twins” Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) and Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who feel like they’ve stepped right out of a particularly demented Ritchie film. The two actors have an absolute blast hamming it up with their East End accents and charmingly sadistic ways. And Taylor-Johnson, in particular, is better used here than he has been in 90 percent of his Hollywood career so far.
