In today’s industry, image is everything and perception is key. With the boom in the Nigerian entertainment industry driven by press and social media, the role-played by photographers and stylist can’t be easily fathomed. Stylists like Jane Michael are one of the reasons why our celebrities look all cream on social media outlet, in the movies, videos and on the red carpet.

Kindly introduce yourself and tell us how you got into the styling
business.

My name is Jane Michael Ekanem, I am a fashion stylist and entrepreneur.
I got into styling through being a personal shopper. It started off as selling to my friends and then the business started building up and expanding.  I met Jekwu in the process and we realised that we work better as a team. We started styling together and the rest is history.

Can you simply describe the state of the business of fashion styling in
the Nigeria‎ entertainment scene?

The state of the business of fashion styling in the Nigerian entertainment
scene has grown enormously. I am really and quite frankly overwhelmed by
how styling has been embraced and I hope that the styling industry would be
more appreciated sooner than later. That is, there will be segments/
nominations for stylists or style category just as we now have for
cinematography/ cinematographers.

You were recently interviewed on CNN, tell us how that happened?

As much as I will say it was God, I would also say I worked and prepared
for it. I saw it coming. I hoped for it. One of the crew members heard my story passively when I was on my job and she kept asking series of questions because she was curious and interested. She told the producers of African Voices and in a short time, I got a mail ‘Jane we NEED to tell the world your story’. The rest is history.

What are the highs and lows in your business?

My high moments in my business are periods when I do something innovating.
Or I round up a project successfully. My low moments are when I have to settle for less just because one has to stay in the business. It gets me depressed.

What are your plans in this business on the long run?

My plan in this business on the long run is to have my clothing line and
focus more on branding.

Apart from styling, what‎ other things do you do?

Styling is all I do for now. Styling pays the bills for now.

Which industry contributes more to your earning?

I’ll say the entertainment industry because it’s a constant. New artistes springing up every day; Photo shoots, Video shoots, etc.

– Words by Sesan Adeniji

(Culled from Mystreetz Magazine)