BIMPE ONAKOYA

We caught up with celebrity makeup artist Bimpe Onakoya after the just concluded Arise fashion Week and asked her about the amazing work she did backstage and her thoughts on the Fashion week itself.

Tell us what your thoughts are on the 2018 Arise Fashion Week?

For starters, Arise Fashion Week 2018 was a pleasant surprise. It had the showmanship that has become part of its essence as a brand. The interaction of budding Nigerian models with their world-class counterparts does something positive to the psyche; it serves as a leveler and dream runway for so many. Consequently, Lagos becomes a hub for pure competitive showcase of fashion and leaves a good after taste for the economy of Lagos state because of the influx of foreign press, influencers and the likes. However, Arise Fashion Week has its place in the development of the Nigerian fashion industry. What inspired the look created for the models for the runway shows?

Most designers opted for a nude look as makeup direction for their collection but nude is not exciting enough for a fashion show. So I worked with the designers and amplified their makeup direction with trends from fashion weeks around the world and also a touch of African spirit.

What is a runway on the African soil without the touch of Mother Nature: dewy skin, bronzed highlights and cacaoing all the gorgeous faces with Maybelline. You are not new to working backstage at fashion shows, what will you say you look forward to working backstage at shows?

What we may not readily realise is that the backstage of a runway is an abstract of life itself. I live for the madness, the type of energy that keeps my adrenaline pumping, the arduous planning and then the realisation of well thought-out looks glowing on the faces of stunning models. Just like life, just like Lagos, the backstage is where I thrive and do my best work. I live for every moment of it. Any expectations for the next Arise Fashion Week?

Arise Fashion Week comes with a lot of nostalgia. It is on this platform I first had the opportunity to work with international models also the first platform I worked as head of makeup. I count myself lucky for this opportunity. However, this year came with a bang. Next year would be better. Finally give us one good tip on creating a flawless makeup?

Blend! Blend!! Blend!!!