Dimeji Alara is a Parisian-born Nigerian who works as a wardrobe and fashion stylist. His talents have led him to working for reputable fashion magazines like Elle, GQ and Glamour. He has also styled fashion spreads in Nigerian magazines like Genevieve, Elan and MADE and has acted as fashion director for the shows of African designers like David Tlale and Craig Jacobs. His impressive achievements and renowned reputation as the ‘go-to stylist’ has also led him to working in the entertainment industry and styling musicians like Nneka.
I had the pleasure of meeting him in person at the Deola Sagoe and CANOE Polo Launch party in July and upon learning that he was a stylist, I was very keen on him giving a blow by blow account of what a typical day in his life was like. These days you can’t seem to swing a jewelled-encrusted Roberto Cavalli bag around your shoulder without knocking over 20 stylists. The recession doesn’t seem to have calmed down the lusts of the young and easily impressionable who are eager to enter this profession because they think it’s going to be one big disco ball party. However as Dimeji’s article shows, the life of a stylist is one big balancing act and to keep your sanity, you must have certain skills like being able to multi-task, face obstacles head-on and turn them around to create fruitful conclusions.
Dimeji Alara manages to do all this and still look mighty good whilst doing so (no easy feat). He shares with SHF-
8:30 am: This is the time I have to rush out of bed whether I like it or not. I go straight in front of the TV and get updates on fashion weeks around the world on FTV. I then wake up my nine year old nephew, get my brush and toothpaste and I brush my teeth in front of the TV and then have breakfast. Most times I drink oats, just like I’m doing this morning…lol. Then off to the shower. This morning I’ve just realised that the soap I’ve been using is fake, so I have to switch to another one.
9:00 am: At this time I am getting ready to leave home to start heading to the mainland where I work from, but I get a call reminding me of a meeting with the advertisers in Victoria Island. I’d totally forgotten I had a meeting for today and I’m already down the stairs, so I have to turn back upstairs and change into something a bit more formal.
10:00 am: I head to the Island for my meeting and call the office at the same time, nobody is there yet and they’re all supposed to start work at 9 and it’s now 10. This is one of the frustrations I have to deal with on a daily basis. I try calling them one by one and they all have an excuse for me- one has a running stomach, the other has to attend to some things…blah blah blah, I’ve warned them several times to at least let me know these things ahead.
11:00 am: I conclude my meeting with the advertisers, they’re a bit impressed but it will take a bit more presentation to convince them. I have a serious headache now and I’m heading back to the office. I meet some of my staff (the ones that came and didn’t have an excuse). There is so much work to do but the graphic designer guy has just called me to tell me that he has a running stomach…more excuses…I’m getting depressed now.
12:00 pm: It’s just twelve and I have a heap of work to do but I can’t make a start on anything because the graphic designer guy is not around. So with this extra time I go on facebook, check my emails…the two dresses for Agbani Darego’s shoot for Sunday have just arrived and they’re fantastic, but the one for Kemi Adetiba which is for Saturday… I’m yet to see.
2:00 pm: Now I am getting all worked up about what Kemi Adetiba’s dress will look like, my headache is getting stronger. I think I’m too tired now, so I decide to go home. I’ve asked that Kemi’s dress be sent to the house. So off I go.
3:55 pm: I am so hungry and tired by the time I get home that I’m snapping at everyone and talking to anyone who attempts to start a conversation with me in a very harsh tone, even my mum, but I try to relax.
4:00 pm: Kemi’s dress finally gets here, and it’s awful. The show is tomorrow and I have to decide what Kemi is wearing, so what do I do now? I’m even more depressed now. I decide to call Kem Kem studios.
4:30 pm: At this time, I’m with Kemmy Solomon of Kem Kem studios, and she saves my day with some nice beautiful clothes. I feel much better now.
5:00 pm: Heading home stuck in traffic and I’m tired and hungry.
6:00 pm: I get home lay out the clothes, pack my box for the Ijebu trip tomorrow with Kemi Adetiba.
8:30 pm: Am off to bed, what a day…my worries and I lie in bed…hoping Kemi will like some of the clothes and that things will go well.
Dimeji Alara’s contact details are- dimprince2000@yahoo.com
SHF credits stylepantry.com
Dimeji is such a style icon I admire so too much!!!he puts his best in evrytin and his works are fab!!quite a busy life he has!!and he always kips it fab @ functions thumbs dimeji!!!ur such a mentor!!!kip it up!!!