Sinem Bilen Onabanjo is such an amazing woman you meet and you are bowled over by her charm and warm personality. So nobody can really blame Olasubomi Onabanjo (Suby), who saw her and probably said, ‘I will marry no one else but you.’ For them, it has been more than 10 beautiful years – as bright as Sinem’s dazzling smile. In the course of those years too, she has become so fascinated with Nigerian culture, people and fashion. Sinem is a London-based PR consultant and journalist who naturally got hooked on promoting the yearly Africa Fashion Week London. In this interview, she talks about her life as a journalist and what she fancies about Nigeria and the people.
Excerpts…
How do you describe yourself on your on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn?
I am a media professional with over a decade’s experience working in various fields of the media industry from journalism to fashion photography, content production and public relations.
Take us down memory lane on your career path.
I started my career in the media as a freelance writer while studying English at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey. I then moved to the Royal Holloway College and later King’s College, University of London, United Kingdom to study for a Masters’ degree with a focus on the works of William Shakespeare and also get a PhD in English. This meant having a hiatus in my journalism career as I went into teaching. I went back to freelance writing in 2006 and wrote for numerous publications including Elle Turkey, Colures, Arise, True Love West Africa, New African, New African Woman to name a few before being appointed as a contributing editor at BHF Magazine in 2007 and long after became the managing editor. In 2009 I co-founded FAB Magazine where I still work as the editor-in-chief while still contributing to a range of African publications.
What is your connection with African Fashion Week London (AFWL) and what inspired you to be part of the team?
I am in charge of media and publicity for AFWL. I became excited and inspired to be a part of the team because of Ronke Ademiluyi’s vision to create an international platform where emerging as well as established designers could highlight their work and garner media and public attention. Over the course of my career, having interacted and closely worked with numerous designers, I have had firsthand experience of the challenges that confront emerging designers, especially the financial constraints that prevent them from finding credible platforms to showcase their work and get media attention. AFWL is an amazing opportunity which provides many designers with a global platform and international media attention where tens of thousands of people will see their work without the need to break the bank.
Given your background as a key figure in the AFWL powerhouse, what is your perception of Nigerian designers in terms of creativity and originality?
Nigerian and African designers are extremely original and creative, weaving heritage with contemporary designs. In an age where the West is increasingly turning to Africa for inspiration in fashion, we also need more initiatives like Africa Fashion Week London to own what is ours.
What does style mean to you?
In my opinion, style is timeless and it transcends fashion trends and seasonal influences. As for my personal style, I’d like to make a statement whether I am wearing designer or high street by standing out from the crowd. A few items I can’t do without are my Wayfarers, my ankara print trainers and when dressing up my fitted dresses and some designers whose clothes I like are Adebayo Jones and Kiki Clothing (who both showcased at AFWL 2012), Elegante by Tiannahstyling. I much prefer wearing my hair in braids – I am usually not too good when it comes to styling my hair so anything that gives me the chance to get up and go but also looks nice is preferable, hence braids all the way!
What memory stands out from your childhood in Turkey?
One memory that stands out from growing up in Turkey just goes to show I was always meant to be a journalist. When I was 10 or 11 we used to spend every summer out of town. During one of those summers, I felt very bored and my good friend who was the daughter of an Iranian immigrant family and I decided to publish our own magazine – it had everything you’d want from a magazine – interviews, features, health and beauty tips, puzzles, some written and created by us and some cut and pasted from newspapers. Once ready her dad got our main copy photocopied at his office and in the 40 degrees heat of Istanbul we went out selling our paper. Journalistic and entrepreneurial!
Then I recall my days at high school. I was privileged enough to attend the best high school in Turkey, American Robert College, where I learned English as a second language. I almost failed English in the first year, but in the coming years, writing became a passion. I used to write and report for the school paper titled The Bosphorus Chronicle, and I can still remember the days a new issue came out, especially if my story made the front page. I would come home with a copy proudly held out for my parents to see the work of their journalist daughter. That still hasn’t changed much as I still post home copies of all magazines my work appears in.
You are married to a Nigerian. Could you tell us your first date with this wonderful man?
Our first date must have been in April 2001 – we went to a Chinese restaurant in Soho. At the end of our date when he dropped me off at home he said, “You know, I am going to marry you one day” and I said, “In your dreams!” and five years later we were married. Persistence pays off in the end, I guess.
Was it love at first sight with your husband?
I would not say love at first sight because love takes much time and effort but from the moment we met to our late night phone calls even before we really got to know each other, there was always a connection. And now having spent over a decade together, I know that love is that feeling you have when you experience something and that person is the only person you want to call – even if he is all the way in another country – because no one else would quite get it like he does. Or as a friend recently summed it up for me, it is “getting each other.”
When did you make your first visit to Nigeria, and what is your perception of Nigerian food? Do you have any favorites?
Ooohhh, Nigerian food! I absolutely love ikokore, an Ijebu dish. I recently tried to make it; it was a decent attempt but lacking a bit in palm oil. My first time visiting Nigeria was 2009 and I had an amazing time, mostly thanks to my great friend Lola Maja-Okojevoh who made sure I was always well taken care of even when I was not with her. (Two kids and four years later, she is much the same and always makes sure I am safe and enjoying myself). I love the energy of Lagos – how it makes you feel alive. I love the food, which goes without saying. I love catching up with friends. And I love the spontaneity – how plans are made, broken, revised and revisited from one minute to the next, how someone can tell you they will arrive at yours in the next hour and don’t show up till three days after and no one gets upset because it is Lagos, how you may be sitting at home with your take away, with nothing to do, when three different people call you up for three different events happening that night, because that’s just Lagos.
How do you start your day and how do you unwind?
I start the day with a cup of coffee – the day just does not start until I have had that cup of coffee. I used to work round the clock for the last few years, and it was only this year I realised I was in danger of making myself go mad and therefore resolved to keep my weekends for myself. So the best way to unwind these days is chilling at home, watching TV, reading a book; whatever it is, just having some ‘me’ time. Oh I also enjoy a good swim followed by 10 minutes in the steam room.
Now, what should we expect at AFWL 2013?
For the first time this year the event will be over three days (as opposed to two) at the Old Truman Brewery, a fantastic venue in Shoreditch. And on our fourth day we will have an exclusive banquet at The Dorchester to celebrate African fashion and arts. Our patrons this year are Nigerian businesswoman and architect Mrs. Fifi Ejindu and London-based Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, MBE. We also have three glamorous and equally inspiring ambassadors: Menaye Donkor Muntari of Ghana, Noella Coursaris Musunka of Congo, both models and philantrophists, and British indie band Noisette’s lead singer, Shingai Shoniwa who is of Zimbabwean descent. With such amazing patrons and ambassadors, a hundred designers showcasing their work over three days and an exclusive banquet, this year has a lot to offer.
<<The Sun>>