You know that feeling when you meet someone who is doing the very thing you dream of doing — not in theory, not on Instagram, but in real life, in front of you? Same skin. Same roots. Same
“background,” as Nigerians like to say. There’s something quietly revolutionary about it.
Suddenly, the world feels less abstract. Possibility feels closer. And even before the conversation starts, something in you shifts — because seeing someone who looks like you excel at the highest level reminds you that your dreams aren’t delusional. They’re reachable.
That was what meeting Mobolaji Dawodu felt like. A moment of recognition. A moment of, “Oh. This is possible.”
Mobolaji Dawodu is in Lagos for the season — that sweet, creative stretch where fashion, film, art, and culture all start touching each other in the most Lagos way. He’s here to show parts of his world, to exhibit a slice of the work that has shaped global menswear and carried our story
into rooms where we aren’t always expected. And somehow, in the middle of the city’s noise and brilliance, I found myself in ALÁRA, sitting beside him, having a drink and an intense conversation.
And at the centre of Mobolaji’s world, beyond the fashion, the history, the flights, the global sets and glossy editorials, is one simple philosophy he repeats like a heartbeat: “It all comes back to people.” In his universe, style doesn’t exist without people. Fashion doesn’t move without people. Stories don’t breathe without people. Even this conversation — him, sitting next to me, and me, recording — only exists because of people. “Without people, who would I be dressing? Who would you be interviewing?” he says. And suddenly, everything he’s built over two decades — the editorials, the films, the culture-shifting images — makes perfect sense. What follows is an edited conversation with someone I can only describe as the G.O.A.T.
You’ve lived across Lagos, New York, and different cities all over the world. Movement and meeting diverse people are a huge part of your life. Do you think that has influenced the way you see beauty, identity, and style?
Absolutely. My formative years were in Nigeria, so Lagos is my foundation. Lagos is layered; it’s intense, and it teaches you how to survive anywhere. Being raised here gives you the tools to adapt.
And yeah, I’ve been to over 100 countries and the way I see things is shaped by all the people I’ve met. I don’t subscribe to stereotypes because I’ve seen the world. Clothes are great, beauty
is everywhere, but without people we’d have nothing. Without people, who would THISDAY Style be speaking to? Why would we have phones or social media? For me, it’s really about people. People are everything. If someone researched your work, they’d describe it as global but still rooted.
How are you able to keep your identity alive in spaces that expect you to blend in?
Well, my dad is Nigerian, and my mother is Black American. So in the real sense, I’m African American. That duality shaped me. Nigeria gave me my power, and having parents on both sides of the Atlantic was the icing on the cake. It allowed me to move through the world like a chameleon. I can only be who I am. Everything I do starts from who I am and how I was
raised. It’s about being authentic, honest, respectful of your surroundings, and understanding that life is about perspective. Most things aren’t real; they’re perspective. And again, it comes back to people. How you encounter them and how you react.
You’ve been doing this for a long time. You’ve styled some of the biggest names. What still keeps you excited about getting dressed, professionally or personally?
Getting dressed? Man, I’m a peacock. I want to be fly. Like my father before me, my mother before me, my grandmother before me. Nigeria is colourful — weddings, funerals, parties, the glamour. Self-expression is all we have. It’s free. So I’ll express myself till I die. I have one life,
I’m going to keep it popping until the end.
You often mention your mother and grandmother’s influence. What lessons still guide your creative decisions today?
Authenticity. And collaboration. I never want to style someone in something they’re uncomfortable in. I’ll push you, but I also respect boundaries. I always want dialogue. You hate it? We remove it. You’re unsure? Let’s figure out if it’s uncomfortable because it’s new or
because you don’t like it at all. Styling is not about me — it’s about adapting my ideas to someone else. The best stylists understand that. That’s why I do films too. Sometimes you see shoots where the clothes are wearing the person — that’s not my vibe. I want balance. I
remember styling Brad Pitt over three cities, and he said, “Mobolaji, I have kids. Don’t make me look crazy. ” And I told him, ‘I have kids too!” (laughs) I get it. I respect that.
In your opinion, what makes someone stylish?
Being comfortable. Being true to yourself. If you wear a T-shirt and jeans and feel good, that’s style. Taste is about how you move in the world — not just clothes. How you behave. How you treat people, especially when they have nothing to offer you.
So taste informs style?
Taste and comfort, yeah. Being stylish is being comfortable. If you wear a white T-shirt every day and that’s you, respect. Be who you are.
You move between editorial, film, fashion, and commercials. What does each medium give you that the others don’t?
I love this question. Editorial — I’ve had something in a magazine non-stop for 20 years. Editorial keeps me updated with the world. I’m a history nerd. I like knowing what’s going on. Film — I love formulating characters and stories. It uses everything I’ve learned from traveling
and meeting people. Commercials — that’s marketing. I studied fashion marketing. I love selling. I love pop culture. And all three worlds inform each other. My editorials influence my costume design. My costume design influences how I style celebrities. It’s all connected.
Fashion can feel like a bubble. How do you stay connected to real life and real people?
By not only doing fashion. I consult for brands. I was in China for five weeks. I was in India. Thailand. I read a lot of history. I research visuals. I’m big on references. And also, I’m outside! Today I went to Balogun — I spoke to the global editorial chief of GQ, I spoke to Aziz Ansari, and then, I got stuck in the rain buying hats at the mosque. How do I stay connected? I stay in the world — Simple.
Do you think about legacy? What do you want people to say about you?
That I was honest. And I was fly; That’s it. And I want my daughter to know who her father was, the impact I had on the world, and the impact I had on her. I want her to be proud of where she comes from.
You’re bringing pieces of your archive to Alara. What does this moment mean to you?
It’s beautiful. I’ve been coming to Nigeria on my own since I was 20. My father used to ask, “What are you doing?” (laughs) I even produced a clothing line here over 20 years ago. Alara is the best store in Africa. One of the best platforms for art and culture. Mrs Folawiyo is important
for youth culture, for Nigeria, Africa, and the world. She’s a custodian of taste. I’m honoured to call her my friend.
Final question: What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you that doesn’t fit the fashion-director image?
I’m a really good cook.
What’s your go-to dish?
My cooking isn’t exotic, but it’s good. And I’ve pulled a lot of women with my jollof rice, too.
