Nigerian-born model Adeola Ariyo started her career in 2005 in the Nokia Face Of Africa competition and has since graced the runways of some of the world’s most prestigious fashion shows including London Fashion Week. In 2014, she was appointed Elizabeth Arden’s first brand ambassador for the African continent. She currently lives in South Africa but travels between Cape Town, London and Lagos.
How has the perspective of African beauty changed globally…is it because of icons like Lupita Nyong’o and Alek Wek?
It makes me so happy to see the likes of Lupita, Alek and Liya Kebede take the spotlight and be featured in major fashion and beauty campaigns worldwide. It’s about time that African beauty be recognized and appreciated globally. It’s a trend that I feel started a couple of years ago and it’s evident across industries, not just in beauty but fashion, decor, art and design. It’s great to see. It makes me proud to be African.
I feel African beauty is still not being appreciated in its rawest form. The trend seems to be to “glamorize” it with over-the-top expressions of color, which detract from what it truly is. African beauty also doesn’t relate solely to skin tone, or hair texture. It’s about culture, way of life, beliefs… All of this makes African beauty way more than we see on the surface and in our day-to-day lives. I’d like to see more of that: a complete picture of African women in all their multi-faceted beauty.
How can a working woman juggle career and life to make time for self?
It is very possible. It’s all about time management and compartmentalization. Women in general are really good at multi- tasking and we also take our appearance seriously. The way I see it, the weekend is family time, friend time and ‘me’ time. I choose a day during the weekend and do nothing but sort out my hair, my nails and book in an appointment at the spa. It is very important do give ourselves a day off. Women are hard workers and hard workers deserve a pamper day a week.
Any entrepreneurial dreams…?
I started making wigs for myself a few years ago. Being an African model, my hair was constantly under strain and I decided to do this in an effort to look after it and keep it in good condition. I found people constantly asking me where I had gotten my hair done and I would tell them that it’s a wig and I made it myself. After saying that for several years, I decided to expand and started making wigs.
I am currently working on a business plan to establish this as a business and launching an online website as well as a store. I thought it’d be a great platform to encourage young women who have an interest in hair; teach them how to make wigs and then help them also make money out of it.
Creating jobs for women is something I find important. In this day and age we are independent go-getters and if I can contribute in one way or the other to making a difference in women’s lives, I will.
I am also launching a YouTube Channel (in October) called The A1TV. Media has always interested me and this will be a platform showcasing events and profiling celebrities in South Africa (and later in Africa).
It’s run by females only, which is also another way for me to empower women. Everyone, from the presenters to the crew to the producers, is a woman.
Your favorite vacation…?
My favorite holiday destination would have to be an island – Mauritius or Seychelles. I fell in love with these places when I visited and would definitely go back without a second thought.
Where are you headed for the holidays?
Every December, I go home to Lagos and spend time with my family. Family is everything to me and there’s nothing more rewarding and refreshing than ending the year and starting a new one with my family right by my side. Also, my father would have it no other way. Everyone has to be home during the festive season.