BY YEMISI SULEIMAN

Bringing on her experience as a fashion writer with ‘Thisday Style’ magazine to bare, fashion reporter-cum-public relations professional, Ono Bello, is set to shape the fashion industry with her on-line magazine, ‘Onobello.com’.

The magazine which highlights unique achievements in Nigeria, and Africa in general, also features latest in fashion, beauty, news and features across the board in our society today; with catwalk and editorial reports from a different and fresh perspective.

With a degree in English Language from the University of Lagos and an M.A. in Business at the Middlesex University Business School, Ono also heads PR UNO, a public relations agency that seeks innovative solutions in lifestyle PR, cutting across different spheres of the society – from business and politics to entertainment and fashion.

What should we expect from Onobello.com?

They should look out for my fashion because, it is going to be something different from what anybody has seen in Nigeria. It is not going to be the regular take on fashion, I want to make fashion a profession in Nigeria; it is not just a hobby.

I know a lot of people see it as a hobby and they see it as a way of putting themselves in the spotlight. I am taking this business as a serious business, so it is something that I am going to be looking at critically. I am going to be analyzing fashion, looking at fashion critically in Nigeria and Africa. And, of course, I am not going to neglect the other parts of the world because fashion is something that is intertwined with other places. I think that people should also look out for my news and feature articles, because feature articles are what I want to use to reach out and motivate the younger generation, the youths of today.

My features will also focus on hard working entrepreneurs that other people can relate to; it is not about people that inherited money but actually hard working people that started from scratch, who everybody can relate to – me, you, somebody growing up in some suburb in Nigeria can relate to their stories as well. So, those are things people should look out for in the features.

What is the main objective behind the on-line magazine?

The sole aim is to make readers log on to the site for a fresh take on fashion, entertainment and general lifestyle news and features.

We also aim to bring you what is new on the scene from public relations tips on how to get your business out there and meet your goals, job vacancies in the industry to fashion show reports, trends, styling tips, wardrobe advice, news on the social scene and tailor-made features for our target readers.

What is fashion for you?

I love clothes but I am not a slave to clothes. I will not buy fashion and be hungry; it is something that I will do with my spare money. You don’t have to spend so much money to look good. You can buy fashion from anywhere and still look fashionable and good.

What are you more comfortable in?

I am comfortable in dresses. I love dresses and people around me know that I love short dresses because I feel more comfortable in them. I do not wear short dresses to places that they are not demanded though. I cannot wear short dresses to go see a client that I am having a meeting with. So, every event or occasion demands a certain look. I will wear clothes that will make me look respectable but that doesn’t mean that I will compromise my fashion sense.

Which is your favourite: bags or shoes?

I am a sucker for shoes. I love shoes. I love bags but I love shoes more.

Do you have a preference for designers?

I can buy shoes anywhere. I buy shoes from top a designer today. I can buy shoes from the high street. I can buy shoes from Yaba. It makes no difference to me; as far as the shoes are nice and I love them. It doesn’t have to be a particular designer.

The same with my bags; I buy any bag I like but the only thing I would never do is to buy a fake designer bag. I would buy a good leather bag that has no name. I can buy a bag from a Nigerian or African designer. I can buy a bag from Yaba – whatever, but I would never buy a fake or an imitation bag. That is not me.

One beauty item you can’t go without?

I think I can’t do without lipstick and lip gloss; even if I don’t have make up on. I have to wear some sort of lip stick or lip gloss; maybe because I have dry lips. That is something I can not do without.

Taste in jewellery?

For jewellery, I go for anything that goes with what I am wearing. For me, fashion is about being versatile, so I am not restricted to a particular type of jewellery.

Favourite red carpet look?

I hardly go on the red carpet but if I have to do a red carpet look, I definitely have to look glamorous.

And what would that glamorous look be?

I think, I will go with a dress with glitters and probably a long hair and high heels – that is a staple for me.

Best holiday spot?

So far, the best holiday I have been to in my life, I think, is Barbados. It is an amazing place.

A must-have item in your hand bag?

You will always find lip stick and lip gloss; you will always find my Blackberry in my hand bag because I am tied to my Blackberry. I think, as business persons, we are all tied to our Blackberries.

Your dream for Onobello.com?

I want to be an established brand. Even when I am established, I want to be an authoritative voice in the media; one that people look up to and follow as well. I want to still be able to associate with emerging brands while established because for me, it is not all about money. It is about an image perspective for me.