Lagos-based actor, content creator and fashion consultant Denola “Grey” Adepetun has served as a beacon of inspiration and a torchbearer in Nigeria’s booming creative industry. Working tirelessly as he navigates the daunting yet potential space, one thing is evident with Denola, he gets it every time.
Regarded as a vanguard of the fashion and lifestyle scape, Denola has seen a very transparent and perpetual journey across the various media he has shared his art with. He continues to challenge the norms and break stereotypes while holding the forth.
Setting out early at the age of 18 into the world of fashion, his career strides have catapulted him to a status that many dream of arriving at. Although it seems effortless with the Denola brand, still, passion and intentionality with the art are not far off.
As a style icon and one of Nigeria’s most sought Influencers, Denola has successfully struck a balance with his endeavours. A native of Ondo State, the story of Denola captures his will and doggedness to finding and carving a path for himself, disarming himself of what the world proposed for him.
With an expansive experience in media, Denola has served as Tv host on EbonyLife TV and has writing credits on men’s fashion for platforms like BellaNaija and EbonyLife. Under his belt, some of his acting stints include working alongside Richard Mofe-Damijo and Eku Edewor in the acclaimed TV series – Castle & Castle, Bling Lagosians and forthcoming Nollywood film; DOD the movie.
Having had primary working experiences at Fruition Image Consulting, PRC Consulting to mention a few, Denola elevated his passion further by launching his eponymous fashion consultancy firm-Denola Grey consulting, a boutique outfit that offers men’s fashion, lifestyle consulting & concierge services.
Over the years, long before the dawn of new media, different forms of traditional media sufficed as a source of inspiration and a tool for driving conversations that transcended niches. On the arrival of digital media, industry practitioners had to seek innovative ways to communicate and identify with their audience.
While at its infancy stage, fashion enthusiasts such as Denola Grey spotted and leveraged on the good and potential of content-driven messages and conversations on these relatively new platforms. The result was the birth of content creation which has become the bane of the digital spectrum.
Redefining the content space, Denola plunged himself to work, developing and crafting novel yet compelling ways to communicate his passion for fashion while dishing jaw-dropping content. Something as casual as playing dress up for the public was all business for Grey, a creation of credible and solid identity.
For our debut issue, MC! magazine had a quick chat with Denola Grey about his career, self-discovery over the years, bonding with family and friends and life during these interesting times.
MC: Denola, several people know you to be a fashion god but not too many know the real you behind all of the fashion glory. How would you describe Denola Grey?
DG: The thing is, I am a pretty boring person in truth. I’m more of a homely person. I love my privacy very much.
MC: In your own words, what is style?
DG: Style to me is about control. It is a personal thing. In my world, I believe it’s something I do for myself and by myself.
MC: Tell us about your style and what influences your style?
DG: Simply put, my style is glam-themed. It is realistic and it is conscious.
MC: Your sense of style is unique and quite uncommon. What makes you stand out?
DG: It is a matter of personality and individuality. My confidence. It’s a thumbprint on me. I am also not big on trends. I wear what I feel like.
MC: People know you to be audacious, daring and expressive. Has it always been this way with you? Yes?
DG: No. I wasn’t always that way. Life made me grow out of my shell. I am a shy person. I’m an introverted extrovert if I can put it that way.
MC: What are your favourite fashion pieces?
DG: My favourite fashion pieces would be gold jewellery, loose shirts, silks and well-tailored trousers. I like them a lot.
MC: With the Nigerian fashion industry moving at a fast pace, do you think we have met up with international standards?
DG: Honestly, I’d say not yet. It is slowly getting there but surely with the right capacity and infrastructure, brands can improve. There isn’t any reason, with the right structure of course, for it not to meet with international standards.
MC: Do you think it symbolizes the birth of a new beginning especially here in Nigeria, West Africa?
DG: Yes. I think, especially in the past ten years, there has been a growth in the fashion industry in Nigeria.
MC: You can knock off any outfit with ease; Who are your top picks for Nigerian clothing brands?
I’m humbled that you ascribe me this much accolade, thank you! Right now, I’d go for Orange Culture, Kenneth Ize and Tokyo James.
MC: A typical Denola Grey day, what does it entail in your course of work?
DG: A typical Denola Grey day. Let’s see. My days are sporadic. My itinerary includes acting, content creation and consulting. There is always something that could come up at any time.
MC: In your work, social space and other spheres of influence, what are your expectations?
DG: When it comes to expectations, I don’t have a lot of that because being myself, believing in the truth; I take every opportunity that comes my way and I do things that I can create in an organic way.
MC: What is your philosophy on life?
DG: For me, I would say failures are lessons to learn from and build on to make better things from.
MC: What is your definition of success and what does that mean to you?
Success is relative. I’d personally say I believe it is a well-lived life. It is not all about money. It’s more of having no regrets and taking care of my family.
MC: How did you make that happen for you?
DG: Through excellence. By taking advantage of opportunities that came my way and by doing my work well. I started with men’s columns and from there, I took every chance that I saw and built on it. It also went beyond my paradigms.
MC: You have been classified as one of the most successful fashion personalities in Nigeria, do you agree?
DG: I don’t think so ( laughs). I mean, it is a primary thing for me but as a television presenter for six years and an actor also, I am not surprised that people think so. Being a content creator, a TV presenter and an actor sure do come with all that.
MC: What does it take to become a successful “Influencer” in Nigeria?
DG: I don’t particularly like that word. It doesn’t capture the essence of content creation. It is about being influential in your craft. Organically growing your brand through ethical ways, operating on a global scale and being consistent.
MC: Speaking of Content Creation, it is a huge deal and gives one a whole lot of credibility and influence when done excellently. You have attained these. How do you do it?
DG: Good work speaks for itself. I’m synonymous with spontaneity so my ever-changing ideas do it for me.
MC: Tell us, what is the hardest thing about influencing?
The hardest thing about what I do has to be coming up with never-been-seen content and getting creative with things around me to inspire complete innovation.
MC: Name one fact that most people/ influencers miss about influencing.
DG: They get into it with the wrong objectives, seeing it as a means to an end; when they project everything as problem-free, being volatile sometimes and forgetting reasons for what they have established their brand.
MC: Where do you think you must draw the line as an influencer?
DG: For me, it is saying no especially to anything against my ethics.
MC: Any “influencership” hacks or tips, you would like to share? (Some tea please)
DG: Yes, be yourself and stay focused on what you do.
MC: Away from influencing for a bit, have you battled with skincare disasters, how did you rectify it?
I work on set with a lot of makeup and heat from lights and cameras. I make sure I take care of my skin constantly to avoid any breakouts.
MC: What’s your skincare routine? What products do you swear by for that gorgeous skin? What are your tips for healthy skin?
DG: Water. I drink a lot of water. I use Aveeno to moisturize my skin. I exfoliate twice a week with the ordinary glycolic acid. I use the body shop products ( drops of light and drops of youth) The ordinary alpha arbutin 2%+ H.A.
MC: Your pictures break the internet all the time…What’s your secret?
DG: Lol! Do they? ( Laughs) I’m just pretty much myself.
MC: What’s your “game on” look? A suit? A well-accessorized two-piece?…
DG: It depends on what I am dressing up for. Weddings, casual outings; every event comes with its unique look.
MC: What really is the DG element? If it’s not there, it’s definitely not DG.
DG: I really don’t care about all that. It’s [always] a personal expression to me.
MC: Let’s talk about the Stay-at-Home, WFH life; what have you been up to during this pandemic?
I have been having a lot of reflections and introspections on life. I have been fixing things about my life and work.
MC: How have you been keeping your mind and soul busy?
DG: I have been doing a lot of Meditation and Reading.
MC: Any new discoveries about yourself this period?
DG: Yes, I need to live a fuller life.
MC: What has been your biggest lesson from this pandemic?
DG: (Laughs) I don’t need a barber anymore. I’ve grown my hair and I’m thinking about how to make it a permanent thing. I need to be more present.
MC: Ahaa! New look alert right there. Who is your female fashion icon of all time?
DG: Carrie Bradshaw and Bianca Jagger
MC: Two of them yeah? Nice! And, your male fashion icon of all time?
DG: Tom Ford! definitely Tom Ford, the precision and attention to detail; just brilliant.
MC: How about your big boy toys.
DG: I don’t really have any toys but I think watches and I’ll love to get a new car.
MC: What is your favourite and your next vacation spot?
DG: The Bahamas is my favourite spot but I would love to visit Bali ( in Indonesia), Seychelles and Dakar(Senegal).
MC: What tunes are currently your summer favourites?
DG: So I’m Listening to Davido, DRB’s “pioneers” album, Do it, Do l leave her.
MC: Any books of interest?
DG: I’ve also been reading “The Power of You” by Chris Michaels and “The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself” by Michael Alan Singer.
MC: What two items can you definitely not do without while on a vacation?
DG: They would probably be my phone and sunshades.
MC: Got any final words…?
DG: Nobody else can be you!
