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Nigerian Menswear label , Fratres Clothing, options its first styleman for 2017, the sensational Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon as he talks on his craft, private model, inspiration, position mannequin and the Nigerian trade.
CAN YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?
My identify is Deyemi Okanlawon, I’m (in the present day) an actor and inventive entrepreneur. Before this I had studied Chemical engineering on the University Lagos and labored briefly on the Kaduna refinery however veered into gross sales and advertising and marketing when Baker’s World, a family-owned enterprise I labored with as an undergrad promoting muffins and bread on campus employed me as a gross sales and promotions supervisor and ultimately headed the advertising and marketing division of one of many high 5 e-commerce corporations in Nigeria.
My identify is Deyemi Okanlawon, I’m (in the present day) an actor and inventive entrepreneur. Before this I had studied Chemical engineering on the University Lagos and labored briefly on the Kaduna refinery however veered into gross sales and advertising and marketing when Baker’s World, a family-owned enterprise I labored with as an undergrad promoting muffins and bread on campus employed me as a gross sales and promotions supervisor and ultimately headed the advertising and marketing division of one of many high 5 e-commerce corporations in Nigeria.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN ACTOR?
Acting has been a part of my life from as far again as I can bear in mind; in major faculty I featured in each faculty play and whereas on the college I used to be a part of faculty fellowship drama division afterwards I once I began attending Covenant Christian Center I joined two drama groups throughout which the church supplied a scholarship to the Delyork-NYFA Acting For Film coaching program. An opportunity assembly n 2010 led to my first audition the place I instantly booked two skilled performing gigs (The Red House Seven and A Grain Of Wheat) and by 2013 my transition from a company profession in gross sales and advertising and marketing into performing full-time adopted.
Acting has been a part of my life from as far again as I can bear in mind; in major faculty I featured in each faculty play and whereas on the college I used to be a part of faculty fellowship drama division afterwards I once I began attending Covenant Christian Center I joined two drama groups throughout which the church supplied a scholarship to the Delyork-NYFA Acting For Film coaching program. An opportunity assembly n 2010 led to my first audition the place I instantly booked two skilled performing gigs (The Red House Seven and A Grain Of Wheat) and by 2013 my transition from a company profession in gross sales and advertising and marketing into performing full-time adopted.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
No matter what I put on, western or conventional, what I put on at all times displays parts of who I’m; an expert and a gentleman. Suave, fashionable and stylish is what go for once I costume – besides after all if I’m at house alone and I can stroll round in my boxer-briefs!
No matter what I put on, western or conventional, what I put on at all times displays parts of who I’m; an expert and a gentleman. Suave, fashionable and stylish is what go for once I costume – besides after all if I’m at house alone and I can stroll round in my boxer-briefs!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACCESSORY AND WHY?
That could be my wedding ceremony band. Cos if I don’t have it on my spouse will kill me! (LOL). Other than that I’ve a yet-to-be-fully-explored factor for bracelets and watches.
That could be my wedding ceremony band. Cos if I don’t have it on my spouse will kill me! (LOL). Other than that I’ve a yet-to-be-fully-explored factor for bracelets and watches.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST CHALLENGING ROLE?
My most bodily difficult position until date is a job I performed in brief movie “BLINK“. I spent weeks doing breath and diving coaching as a result of we needed to shoot a scene underwater. Emotionally difficult challenge could be Gidi Upwhen the character I performed, Tokunbo, misplaced his dad. I bear in mind how I spent your complete day fascinated with how I’ll react to the lack of my father and it was such a painful course of that by the point have been carried out filming the scene it was probably the most emotionally draining scene ever.
My most bodily difficult position until date is a job I performed in brief movie “BLINK“. I spent weeks doing breath and diving coaching as a result of we needed to shoot a scene underwater. Emotionally difficult challenge could be Gidi Upwhen the character I performed, Tokunbo, misplaced his dad. I bear in mind how I spent your complete day fascinated with how I’ll react to the lack of my father and it was such a painful course of that by the point have been carried out filming the scene it was probably the most emotionally draining scene ever.
WHICH MOVIE CHARACTER HAVE YOU MOST ENJOYED PLAYING?
I actually loved taking part in the position of Tokunbo in Gidi Up, who by the best way is a precise match for the Fratres model, however most not too long ago I completely loved taking part in an ‘interesting’ character known as Richie (additionally a Fratres man now that I give it some thought) in Dinner written, directed and produced by Jay Franklyn Jituboh.
I actually loved taking part in the position of Tokunbo in Gidi Up, who by the best way is a precise match for the Fratres model, however most not too long ago I completely loved taking part in an ‘interesting’ character known as Richie (additionally a Fratres man now that I give it some thought) in Dinner written, directed and produced by Jay Franklyn Jituboh.
WHO ARE YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCES IN FILM?
I’m truly influenced by a large bunch of actually good actors internationally however the two I most determine with are Denzel Washington & Richard Mofe-Damijo, not solely for their expertise and craft in entrance of the display screen however for their lives away from the digicam. I discover these males to have been distinctive of their fields and they’re just about the kind of position fashions I want to be to others.
I’m truly influenced by a large bunch of actually good actors internationally however the two I most determine with are Denzel Washington & Richard Mofe-Damijo, not solely for their expertise and craft in entrance of the display screen however for their lives away from the digicam. I discover these males to have been distinctive of their fields and they’re just about the kind of position fashions I want to be to others.
WHERE DO YOU SEE THE NIGERIAN FILM INDUSTRY IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS?
The Nigerian movie trade has been rising exponentially for years now, and never simply rising, it has been evolving. In the previous 4-5 years not solely have we skilled a renaissance in our story telling, the standard of our movies and in our performing, now we have additionally seen Nollywood films surpass Hollywood films in Nigerian box-office receipts. I foresee the following 5 years would see much more development as the trade continues attracting personal native and overseas traders, extra movie supporting foundations such as the Ford Foundation, Goethe Instituteand the British Council concentrate on Nigeria, and as the Nigerian authorities will increase it collaboration with stakeholders, by implementing initiatives such as the BOI Nollyfund, in creating the wanted infrastructure and insurance policies that may place Nollywood firmly within the world movie market.
The Nigerian movie trade has been rising exponentially for years now, and never simply rising, it has been evolving. In the previous 4-5 years not solely have we skilled a renaissance in our story telling, the standard of our movies and in our performing, now we have additionally seen Nollywood films surpass Hollywood films in Nigerian box-office receipts. I foresee the following 5 years would see much more development as the trade continues attracting personal native and overseas traders, extra movie supporting foundations such as the Ford Foundation, Goethe Instituteand the British Council concentrate on Nigeria, and as the Nigerian authorities will increase it collaboration with stakeholders, by implementing initiatives such as the BOI Nollyfund, in creating the wanted infrastructure and insurance policies that may place Nollywood firmly within the world movie market.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE FRATRES BRAND?
The actually cool factor concerning the Fratres model is the truth that it aligns virtually completely nicely with the imaginative and prescient of my model; it’s manly, recent, suave, the right mix of conventional and stylish – the brand new African. It’s a model that may stand its floor beside any model internationally that I reckon any younger upwardly cellular Nigerian or African dwelling on the continent or within the diaspora would determine with.
The actually cool factor concerning the Fratres model is the truth that it aligns virtually completely nicely with the imaginative and prescient of my model; it’s manly, recent, suave, the right mix of conventional and stylish – the brand new African. It’s a model that may stand its floor beside any model internationally that I reckon any younger upwardly cellular Nigerian or African dwelling on the continent or within the diaspora would determine with.
WHAT IS THE DEYEMI FACTOR? WHAT IS IT YOU THINK YOU BRING TO YOUR CRAFT THAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU FROM THE REST?
Will Smith stated it finest when he stated regardless of who it’s on this earth that you just put subsequent to him on a treadmill that he would both win or die. That has at all times been my angle to work, to not compete however with no matter it’s that I put my thoughts to I’m prepared to search out and spend the time, vitality and useful resource to attain my targets. When it involves my craft I’m continually learning a wide range of supplies, something from performing literature, it’s the completely different methods and theories and its associated fields like psychology, to the works of nice actors. I used to be within the US not too long ago and accomplished an performing masterclass led by Kevin Spacey and whereas right here I’ve performing classes, known as The Work, with a crew of different actors. However simply as necessary as the craft, (the present) is the enterprise of brand name constructing which my crew and I are cautious to pay as a lot consideration to therefore our latest collaboration with the Fratres model.
Will Smith stated it finest when he stated regardless of who it’s on this earth that you just put subsequent to him on a treadmill that he would both win or die. That has at all times been my angle to work, to not compete however with no matter it’s that I put my thoughts to I’m prepared to search out and spend the time, vitality and useful resource to attain my targets. When it involves my craft I’m continually learning a wide range of supplies, something from performing literature, it’s the completely different methods and theories and its associated fields like psychology, to the works of nice actors. I used to be within the US not too long ago and accomplished an performing masterclass led by Kevin Spacey and whereas right here I’ve performing classes, known as The Work, with a crew of different actors. However simply as necessary as the craft, (the present) is the enterprise of brand name constructing which my crew and I are cautious to pay as a lot consideration to therefore our latest collaboration with the Fratres model.
Credit; BellaNaija
All outfits: Fratres Clothing | @fratresclothing | fratresclothing.com
Photography: Duduguy Photography | @duduguy1
Lighting: Sixth Frame | @sixthframe
Creative Direction: Kehinde Songonuga
Location: Eton House | @etonhouse
Photography: Duduguy Photography | @duduguy1
Lighting: Sixth Frame | @sixthframe
Creative Direction: Kehinde Songonuga
Location: Eton House | @etonhouse
