by Ayoyinka Falade
We got to sit down and do a brief interview with the Certificate of Honor recipient, Gbenga Dada for his contributions to the accessories making industry at the latest FADAN Exhibition at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki. Garbed in a navy blue traditional attire and an ultramarine blue cap, the young entrepreneur was all smiles as he spoke with our correspondent.
Please can you introduce yourself?
I’m Dada Oluwagbenga. I’m an accessories designer and I’m the brain behind Artsmith Collections.
How long have you been in the business?
This is my 7th year. I started in the year 2007.
What inspires your designs or what inspires you?
Basically, what inspires my design is the hunger to be different, the desire to do common things uncommonly well. Because beads really is a common thing. Doing it in a different way , putting a twist to it and putting a different spin on it makes it unique, exquisite and exclusive from every other thing you’ve been seeing.
So what are the things that inspire you the most?
Well, I’m inspired by art and by complexity. When I see anything complicated, I’m interested in it and then I begin to study it. I don’t study to replicate but because it is like drinking in something. The more I drink it in, the more I get inspired to create something out of the ordinary.
Are you married?
No, I’m single.
When you’re not making accessories, how do you unwind?
How do I unwind? Well, my work is my favourite pastime. Of course you know work kind of takes its toll on you. So many times, I go to watch plays at Terraculture. I’m a bit old-fashioned. Once in a while, I go to the cinemas to see a movie but most times, I go to see plays at Terraculture or I eat out.
Did you start out in accessories or arts or anything fashion?
I’ve always been in the arts. I’ve been a singer, dramatist, I’ve tried textile designing too. So many things and I’m a writer at the same time.
So you made what you’re wearing?
No, I just designed it. It was an emergency so I designed it two days ago.
See some of his aesthetically appealing creations below.
