25-year-old Ayishat Akanbi, native of Ilorin, Kwara State, is a British-born Nigerian celebrity stylist based in the United Kingdom. Though, she studied media and cultural studies, her new vocation has attracted the focus of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and other notable media organizations in the UK. She currently has Nigerian-based artistes Davido, Wizkid and Wande Coal on her styling list. In a recent encounter with FUNKE OLAODE at her office in Brixton, London, she spoke about her growing up, the influence of her mom and her desire to visit Nigeria for the first time this year

Parental background
My parents are Nigerians. My mum is from Osun State and my dad Bolaji Akanbi, a shipping magnate, is from Ilorin in Kwara State. I was born in England and I grew up in Southampton. I left six years ago to go to the university and I have been a stylist to celebrities for the last two and half years.

Growing up in Southampton
Growing up in Britain was quite different for me. It is very hard sometimes because my mum is a Nigerian and sometimes she is telling me that I am a Nigerian and on the other hand my British friends said it should be the other way. It was quite difficult for me to get who I was and my identity whether I am British or Nigerian. It was a complex situation for me. Southampton is a very small place and everyone has a very small mentality. Not many people want to leave Southampton and the ambition isn’t very high there. And as far as I am concerned, I said whatever that I was going to do would be something that people could see and recognize. I always knew it was going to be styling and something that would grow my life.

Adjusting to life in London?
It wasn’t difficult for me to settle down in London when a left Southampton because I have always had big dreams and ambition of where I should be. So, coming to London was like coming home or a place that I should be. I felt that I was leaving a strange place (although it is my home). To come to London was like getting a chance to explore my talents.

Inspiration to study media
I went to Kingston University where I studied Media and Cultural Studies. Even though I am doing fashion now which is part of the media, my degree has helped me because my job is not about dressing people but it is about having a sound understanding about how the media works. The cultural side of my degree actually helped my job because I am able to understand different cultures; I am to look at things from different angles and perspectives. It helps me to be open minded. People say never mix black with navy blue, I never believed that because there is always an example of someone who can prove you wrong.

Beginning a career…
I was fortunate enough that after my university I started working for myself straightaway. I had an internship with a media house in my last year in the University called G Magazine. It was a fashion magazine for men between the ages of 18 and 30. I was an intern doing the fashion section. That was my only stint with the media.

My mum influenced my fashion sense…
I have got a stylist background from my mum. My mum is my biggest influence in fashion and the sense of fashion definitely started with her. She introduced me to a lot of designers’ stuff quite early. The more luxury side of fashion definitely is from my mum. She exposed me to a lot of designers when I was young and all the big designers that I didn’t appreciate at that time as a kid. For me, I just wanted to kit in Nike, Adidas and be with my friends. All the brand names didn’t make meaning to me. She always appreciates the quality and this got me thinking about clothes in a different way.

Getting into styling…
I chose the profession because I have always been interested in people’s personal style and the psychology behind someone’s appearance which can change everything about the way someone is perceived. I have always loved playing dress up with my own wardrobe and I liked the idea of helping someone feel the best they can be and have the confidence to do whatever they like.
I started two and half years ago when I met my first client, Labrinth, a British songwriter, singer and producer before he was signed to his record label in the UK. Before he was signed, he was looking for a record deal and I thought I could help him. I have done much in that area I probably oversold myself. I wasn’t getting paid much but the guy liked what I was doing and he kept me. Since then, I have worked with other artistes such as JLS, Cher, Lloyd, Dizzee Rascal, Taio Cruz, Amir Khan, Stooshe, Union J, Etta Bond and now Davido, Wizkid and Wande Coal.

Parental reactions to new vocation…
Just like all Nigerian fathers do his reaction was ‘No’ because he didn’t exactly get it and my mum didn’t know anyone who is a stylist. They wanted me to get a normal nine to five job and work hard like everybody else. I kept on telling them that I have another plan. Having seen what I am doing now, they are cool with it. So the job has really brought out what was ‘hidden’ in me. I don’t think I knew a lot about myself before my new vocation. I wake up every morning and go to the job I like. That makes me cool.

Becoming my own boss…
I never worked for anyone since I graduated. Becoming my own boss is a conflicting emotion. It also involved a lot of responsibility. I am blessed because I know not many people can sustain themselves working for themselves. I am incredibly blessed. I have an office, an employee, a home to run and clients to look after. Sometimes, I do feel I have a responsibility of a 45-year old. You know anything worth having is not going to be easy.

Involvement with Nigerian artistes…
I had an assistant, Karen, working with me, who is a Nigerian. She knew so much about the Afrobeats tune at a time. She also told me she loves some of the artistes and Wizkid is one of her favourites, Davido and Wande Coal. She knew Wizkid manager and I asked her to send some of my work to them. Wizkid has never had a stylist before. He watched some of my videos and he loved what he saw and I have been the first stylist he ever had. I met Davido when he came to London in October to shoot a video because he didn’t like the one that was shot earlier. He came to London to work with a director who has a lot of RnB artistes. Having seen the work I did for my clients, he felt I could work for Davido as well. And that was how I got involved in styling him for his new video ‘Skelewu’. Shortly after I met Davido, I met Wande Coal who was fascinated with my look. He took a picture with me and later gave me his manager’s number. Not long after he left for the UK, he later came back for me.

Perception about Nigerian artistes..
It is an amazing time for me to clothe Nigerian artiste. Here I am only 25 and it is cool to be a Nigerian. The likes of Wizkid, Wande Coal, Davido, D Banji who are making waves at the moment are making it cool for everyone to be a Nigerian, giving us new image, new style and hiphop. Parents never encouraged their children to be musicians while growing up but now that it is working for some people, I think parents can now encourage their wards to pursue their interests, even in music.

Convincing your client…
Treading in a new terrain has not removed the fact that I am quite knowledgeable about what I am doing. Again, I try to come up with my style and they like it. And having the best style is to know your clients well. Sometimes when we are having our meeting, I try to look at their body, their eyes and this influence what to shop for them.

Beyond artistes…
I don’t cloth only artistes, corporate people or actresses who have just given birth and want to feel sexy again. So my service is not exclusive to celebrities or musicians. It could be anybody who wants to feel confident or walk out and make an impression on anyone. I would like to style people who are not celebrity such as bankers, corporate personalities here in London and Nigeria. Again, not just about celebrity service but anybody who wants to feel gorgeous about himself or herself. If you are going for a party here in London and you are not sure of what to wear I can help you in that area.

What makes a good stylist?
It is a good eye and the ability to see things differently, try different combinations together. This is only for your eyes to pick the right combinations. And this is important. And one thing about style is that people are always dressed so you constantly train your eyes. And above all, the good mental attitude because if you are the best stylist in the world and lack the good mental attitude, it isn’t going to take you anywhere. Again, having a unique selling point is key.

You don’t look 25…
I have been told I look very young than my age. I don’t know that I look young. I don’t have any beauty routine. I use the same palm olive just like everybody else. I don’t really have any beauty regine. And for my hairstyle, I wanted something different so I adopted this style. I get my braids done every six weeks and it looks cool on me.

Coming to Nigeria…
I am looking forward to Nigeria. I got a taste of Africa two years ago when I went to Uganda. It was amazing because it surpassed my expectations and learnt Nigeria is bigger. To me, Africa is one of the best places in the world. It was a brief stay but the communal living endeared me to them. If all the problems facing Africa such as electricity, infrastructural problems and health care system are taking care of, everything will be okay.

Other passion…
I have always wanted to be a DJ because I love music. Recently, I tried my hands on modeling and I might be the shortest model in the world. It was a fun experience modeling for a bag company that makes suite cases, iPod cases, and laptop cases. They flew me to Belgium early last year January (2013) with other six people around the world. We modeled for them and was also in Madrid in Spain. It was an amazing experience. As said earlier, I would like to work with youths on mentoring and power of self-discovery. I will like to have a charity where I can give back to the society.