La Mode: Let’s meet you
Olaide: My name is Olaide Banjo. I am in my early twenties and a graduate of English Language from the prestigious University of Lagos. I am the last of three girls
La Mode: Tell us about your background
Olaide: I was born in Lagos into a close-knit family. My childhood and most parts of my adulthood was spent in Lagos
La Mode: What inspired your career?
Olaide: Sincerely, it was boredom. Believe it or not, I was in my room in school one day and I decided to give one of my roommates a makeover. After I was done and I saw how she loved the makeup, decided to learn more so I began to train myself via YouTube videos before finally setting up ArabyLaide.
La Mode: Tell us about your brand
Olaide: ArabyLaide is a cutting edge makeup brand and so far we have carved a niche for ourself in avant-garde makeup techniques. We also specialize in bridal, beauty and theatrical styles of makeup.
La Mode: Where do you see your brand in five years from now?
Olaide: ah..The big picture for ArabyLaide is to have makeup studios homebased and abroad. I also see us conducting makeup fairs and workshops annually. A makeup line might also be in view, but I am taking each day one step at a time.
La Mode: What makes your brand different?
Olaide: At ArabyLaide, we are all about unconventionality and creativity those two words are the pillars of the brand. I like to describe the brand as an outlier kind of makeup outfit. If everyone is wearing black, you will find us dressed in yellow.
La Mode: What is a day in the life like for you?
Olaide: Busy! Busy!! Busy!!! I am either on the set of a video /photo shoot or at a wedding getting a bride and her bridesmaids dolled up.
La Mode: How did your career begin in the world of beauty?
Olaide: I kicked off officially after I came out at the top of my class at the Daystar Skill Acquisition Programme. I won a makeup box and it all started from there
La Mode: What challenges did you face in this line of career?
Olaide: Challenges? Ill like to call them my career boosters (lol). The most remarkable challenge so far was juggling school and my passion to be a makeup artist. Thankfully I graduated last year ,so I am ready to face the world and what it has to offer.
La Mode: What was your most turning points?
Olaide: The turning point in my career was when I made up a few dignitaries like the emir of Kano, Olusegun Obasanjo ,Wole Soyinka etc. Never in a million years did I think will meet such people and through makeup too? It was a memorable experience for me.
La Mode: What is your advice for upcoming and existing MOAs
Olaide: Believe in yourself no matter what. It may sound cliche but there is so much power in self confidence. So don’t be afraid to take on a challenge, ask questions and above all trust in God, and he will direct your path.