Why I always
wear exclusive
lace fabrics - Ronke Ibrahim
Ronke IbrahimBy Tayo Ligali
Chief (Mrs.) Ibironke Hamidat Ibrahim, the Yeyemuwagun of Osogboland and wife of business mogul, Alhaji Inaolaji Ibrahim, is a fashion-conscious woman. In this interview with Glamour, the graduate of Philosophy from the University of Ibadan talks about her love for designer labels and why she wears exclusive lace fabrics. Excerpts:
Marital Experience
Splendid. I’m having a good marital life. Though he is a muslim and I was a christian, I never for once regreted marrying him. He taught me the beauty of Islam. He’s not a fundamentalist, he attends churches when there’s a need for it. He’s my best friend, my confidant and my father. He’s very loving and God- fearing. I spend my time taking care of him and of the entire household. He wants me to look good at all times and likes commending my dressing, especially my hair style and gele. He was the one who made me to do one million braids. He loves jewelry too.
Definition of style
It depends on the way you want to see it. To me, it’s wearing what suits you. What you feel confortable in and not what is in vogue. I don’t believe in what is in vogue, but what I can wear and feel comfortable in .When I finish dressing, I look at myself and say, oh yes, I’m happy with myself.
Beauty regimen
I can’t really say I’ve a beauty regimen , but what I normally do is to bathe with medicated soaps and creams. I also make sure I bathe at least twice a day. I don’t use cleanser because I’ve discovered that it is when I do ,that I’ve pimples.I use Guerlain beauty products - powder, lipstick, eye brow pencil. I don’t really use much make up.
Preferred type of dresses
I wear a lot of Iro and Buba and occasionally skirt and blouse. I wear English dresses too. Really, the occasion determines what I wear, for parties, I prefer to wear lace (Iro & Buba). I love exclusive lace fabrics, that is why I buy my laces only from Franceskka Fabrics. They make exclusive lace for me and my husband. Any lace fabric you see on me, you can’t see anywhere else. I love Ankara too. Being on the big side does not stop me from wearing trousers, three quarter and tops. I wear anything what looks smart on me.
Favourite designers
What I normally do is, if it is abroad, I go to stores to buy whatever I need especially those that sell big sizes. In Nigeria too, I’ve shops where I get my things. I love Italian shoes and bags. I sometimes buy Lasonne, Mario Giordano, Rusell and Bromley to mention few. For perfume, though I use collection of perfumes, my favourite is Thierry Muggler. Also, people give me perfumes as gift.
A designer freak
Yes, I’m designer freak. I shop for my designer labels both here in Nigeria and abroad. Even my sunshades are designers.
Jewellery
I love jewelry especially yellow and white gold. I’m not a bead person. I admire it on people but it is only coral beads that I can use.
Assessment of the fashion industry
It’s growing bigger by the day and it is so interesting that even our men now wear our native attires with pride. I prefer to see our men in Agbada especially at parties. Our designers make really nice designs from our native fabries for both men and women.
Favourite colours
I have a preference for two colours, black and red. I love the two colours maybe because of my skin. I wear red lipstick all the time and nail polish.
Accessory I cannot do without
There is none. I can go out without using anything so far, my body is clean and the clothes am I wearing looks nice on me . I can go out without wearing ear rings. For instance, if I have to go to a place where they are mourning, I don’t think I have to go there wearing something flashy and say I want to mourn with them. But if I’m going to a party, I prefer to look gorgeous. So there’s nothing I can’t do without. But I wear shades a lot because I’m a shy person.
Keeping in shape
I’m a very lazy person when it comes to exercises. At times, I use the tread mill or walk round the compound. I also watch what I eat especially now that I’m getting older. I do not eat heavy meals like Eba, Amala and pounded yam.
Relaxation
Watching television, reading, going to our home town, Ikire, cooking - oh!, I love cooking and entertaining. And sometimes, I love to take my family out on a special treat.
Myself
I’m a quiet person, shy and reserved, some people think I’m proud but I’m not. I’m just shy. That is why I always use sunshades when I’m going out . I’m friendly.
Secret of beauty
It’s God. Whatever we are today is how we were moulded.
Provocative dressing
I don’t believe in that at all. I don’t know what we can do about it. I’ve never believed in that. What I do is, people around me, I don’t encourage them to expose themselves. I don’t believe that’s the best thing for any lady to do. Dress well and you will look good, exposing yourself makes you look ridiculous at times.
What I will like to change about myself
Nothing. I’m happy the way I am and I’m grateful to God. I believe God has a reason for creating us the way we are so we should just be grateful to him. For me costmetic surgery is not something I’ll ever consider.
Advice for ladies
They should take good care of themselves and remain beautiful as much as possible. Don’t try to alter anything, this body is very sensitive, I as a person, I take into consideration whatever I do to my body and whatever I take in. There is nobody that is not beautiful, it just depends on the way you see yourself.
Likes and dislikes
I’m a very plain person so I hate dishonesty.
Party freak
I attend parties of people I’m close to. Also, I do a lot of entertaining in my house because of my husband’s status in the society but I am not a party freak.
Advice to married women
Be submissive to your husband. In most cases, it is better not to see beyond his nose. It is total submission. Try to advice him but you must never try to dominate him. Pamper him and make him feel like a baby. Be fond of him and love him. I don’t believe in women liberation, I believe a woman should be under the roof of a man. And when you are, you must care for him and his family. |
