Bonang Matheba is not an irrational woman “I made a conscious decision to become who I am today” she said at the #BNStyleXBonang exclusive talk session on Style & Building A Global Brand on Saturday at Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2017.
Bonang has become a part of Africa’s fashion elite. As a TV personality, beauty mogul, and international fashion icon, she’s synonymous with luxury and an aspirational style. How did she pull it off? The star tackled the subject at Saturday’s discussion, sharing with BellaNaija Style‘s Editor at Large Mazzi Odu, how she transitioned from being a TV presenter to a fashion and lifestyle influencer with almost 2 million followers on Instagram.
Candid, cool, and of course impeccably dressed in candy-striped kimono and pants set from NALÈ, an Apart bag and gold Gucci sandals, Queen B provided plenty of practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
With such a charming personality, Bonang has a wide circle of friends, but in the fashion business where lines are often blurred, how does she keep things on track? “I don’t mix friendship with business”, she said bluntly.
As a brand ambassador for Revlon, Courvoisier, Ciroc, and Woolworth, she’s branching out to work in the business of fashion from behind the scenes. Bonang shared that she will be launching a full clothing line with Woolworth next year.
The insatiable fashion lovers who gathered had so many questions for our favourite SA fashion girl, one of which was how she deals with the backlash and negativity she receives on social media, to which she answered “I don’t deal with it. That’s the best way to deal with it.”
One thing you can notice straight away from Bonang Matheba is her laser focus when it comes to building and growing her personal brand.
She shared this edict: “You can’t be a brand or expect the world to take you seriously if you don’t take yourself seriously”.
Among the colourful crowd was actress Michelle Dede and Media personality Ozzy Agu. The evening’s conversations ended with profiteroles and biscotti from celebrity chef – Alex Oke of XO Bakery and customised chocolate bars by Moji Aina of MOGEE. Emmaus Beauty also gave out a few of their luxury skincare products to our special guests in attendance.
Photos: Femi Alabede
See more fashion and beauty insider interviews, meet the people shaping fashion and beauty on the continent here.