Behind the Looks: A Conversation with Super Stylist, Damola
Buhle Mbonambi
Bonang Matheba is renowned for her commanding presence—a natural-born showstopper who wears her personality as boldly as she does her fashion. It’s her high level of taste and knowing who best can execute her fashion dreams, that has made her a style icon.
And her recent showing at the Miss South Africa 2024 finale was just that: a reimagining of what African glamour can be.
Now regarded by many as her annual showcase of her ode to her love for fashion, she has successfully conceptualised looks that resonate with the pulse of modern African luxury. Bonang isn’t merely riding the wave—she is setting it.
Bonang Matheba with Adedamola Adeyemi at Miss South Africa 2024.
Picture by The Lagos Paparazzi
But behind every iconic look is a collaborator, one who has over the past three years, help curate her visual narrative with an eye for detail that transforms appearances into statements. And that is Adedamola ‘Damola’ Adeyemi.
Since the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Damola has been the creative force behind some of Bonang’s most memorable looks, including her distinct outfits at the Miss South Africa finales in 2023 and 2024.
For their latest collaboration, he chose leading Nigerian fashion brands, including VeeKee James, SheyeOladejo and SomobySomo. It was a styling masterclass.
Bonang Matheba in a gold beaded gown from SomobySomo.
Picture by The Lagos Paparrazi
"With Bonang, we're not trying to be anything other than what she is—a true African style star. Every outfit is rooted in that identity, with the only reference being how we can outdo ourselves from the last event," Damola explains. This intention to evolve, rather than imitate, is at the core of his work.
The Nigerian stylist’s career trajectory—marked by strategic collaborations with industry heavyweights and a refined, deliberate aesthetic—shows a clear vision: pushing Made In Africa fashion into realms where it becomes the standard, not the exception.
What makes Damola’s styling particularly compelling is his ability to balance art and strategy. He is not just picking out clothes for his clients, but curating moments, each more striking than the last. It’s this art of image architecture that has led to Damola being a sought after stylist on the continent and an AMVCA nominated costume designer.
The Beginning
Damola’s journey into fashion was not a calculated leap but rather a natural progression from a childhood marked by a love for style.
Growing up with a mother whose approach to fashion was vivid and expressive, Damola’s understanding of clothes as a form of self-expression was shaped early.
"Fashion came naturally to me," he shares via email. "Growing up with a very fashionable mother impacted my love for fashion even more. Her approach to fashion was very flamboyant and colourful, which in some way, I have applied to my professional life. She was my first style star, even before I knew the nitty gritty of what fashion was.”
What followed was a path forged by persistence, curiosity, and strategic choices.
Damola’s career path, however, wasn’t a straightforward ascent. It was a journey built on service, learning, and honing his craft through hands-on experience.
“My career has been a mix of hard work and service with a little bit of good timing and luck. I started out interning for some of the best stylists and costume designers who opened my mind to the possibilities the industry had to offer,” he shares.
This approach not only gave him a strong foundation in styling but also an understanding of how to strategically navigate the industry.
Nigerian fashion stylist and costume designer, Damola.
Picture: Supplied
It's his dual focus on creativity and strategy is what sets him apart—he’s not just curating looks; he’s building a brand that resonates with the continent’s evolving fashion narrative.
Over time, Damola has refined his client selection process, gravitating towards those who not only match his aesthetic but also offer the visibility needed to elevate his work.
“Early on in my career, I was taking on all types of clients because I thought a wide range would show my versatility. But as I’ve grown to understand the business side a bit more, I gravitate towards clients that fit my aesthetic and the ones that would give me the required visibility,” he explains.
Some of Damola's clients, past and present, include Bisola Aiyeola, Zozibini Tunzi and Toke Makinwa.
Pictures: Instagram
What he seeks are clients who already possess a strong sense of identity. “I generally gravitate towards risk-takers and clients that have a strong sense of self. These clients already know what they want, and it’s my job to elevate it.”
His client list reads like a who’s who of African entertainment: from Nigerian superstars, Funke Akindele, Toke Makinwa, Adesua Etomi Wellington, Emmanuel Taymesan and his muse, Sharon Oja, whom he styled for her headline making wedding.
Damola's muses: Sharon Oja, Emmanuel Taymesan and Funke Akindele.
Pictures: Instagram
He also counts Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi as a previous client, having dressed her hosting duties at the 2023 AMCVAs.
Each collaboration is a testament to his ability to merge individuality with trendsetting sophistication.
The Importance of Collaboration
Beyond individual success stories, Damola’s work is rooted in a broader vision for African fashion.
"It has been a blessing in some way because our homegrown designers are able to shine,” he observes.
The issue is not the talent—Africa’s creative potential is undeniable. Rather, it’s the limitations imposed by being geographically distant from the traditional power centres of fashion.
"I feel the greatest obstacle to African designers and stylists is access. The real power players of fashion are not in Africa, and somehow it affects how our work is viewed.”
This drive to position African fashion as a global powerhouse is what fuels Damola’s advocacy for collaboration among creatives across the continent.
"I will always be a champion of collaboration because I’m a believer in going further together. Collaboration in any industry is very important to get the most desirable result. Bonang working with me is a classic example. We never set out to exclusively wear Nigerian designers (for Miss South Africa 2024), but it’s a reflection of my environment, and the reception to those looks has been incredible."
Damola styled Bonang Matheba in gowns designed by EmagineBybukola, VeeKeeJames and Mazelle Bridal.
Pictures: The Lagos Paparazzi
When it comes to selecting designers for major projects, Damola prioritises skill above all else.
"One major factor in selecting any designer I’m working with on a major event is skill. Every other factor is secondary. I’ve had to reach out to designers I’ve fallen out with just because I knew they were the only ones to execute a particular look."
Celebrating Made In Africa
The conversation around “Made in Africa” is one that Damola is particularly passionate about.
As social media platforms offer greater visibility, the stylist believes the time has come for African fashion to claim its place on the world stage.
"From music to fashion, Africa is undeniably where it’s at right now. But for that momentum to be sustainable, we need more than just hype; we need structure and access to resources that can elevate our work globally."
Looking to the future, Damola is optimistic about the trajectory of African fashion but remains focused on the practical steps needed to move it forward.
"We have an abundance of talent, and the world is finally taking notice. But the industry needs to be intentional about building an ecosystem that supports designers, stylists, and other creatives long-term."
For young stylists looking to break into the industry, his advice is simple yet profound:
"Don’t be in a rush to be your own boss. Learn the ropes, build your network, and, most importantly, identify your aesthetic. Everything else will fall into place."
Damola’s journey is a study in the power of persistence, collaboration, and an unwavering belief in the potential of African fashion.
In a world increasingly attuned to cultural narratives from the continent, his work serves as both a blueprint and a bold declaration: African style is not just part of the conversation—it is the conversation.
And Damola is doing his bit to make sure Africa stays in the style conversation.