She is beautiful, she’s lovely and she oozes grace and poise. She has depth and a rare mix of beauty and brains that is very rare with modern day queens, who often thrive only on the outward appearance. Raised in England, she returned to Nigeria to run her advanced level programme at the International School, Ibadan. She later furthered her education at the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where she studied Law. While there, out of excitement and adventure, she contested for the Miss Nigeria pageant and won. That was in 1979.
In 1979, and the year following, she bestrode the Nigerian social space like a colossus. Being Miss Nigeria was a big deal, for it was the only pageant at that time, Without Nollywood, there were no divas in sight then, leaving her a free zone to shine as queen and celebrity. It was a reign that was scandal-free.
Three decades on, armed with a Master’s degree in Law from King’s College, London, married to Tosin with three grown up daughters and a thriving business, age seems too scared to come near her. At 54, she looks effortlessly beautiful and epitomizes the dream of many women to age gracefully.
No wonder, the author of children’s books emerged Vanguard Allure Style Icon 2014.
Helen Prest-Ajayi, in this encounter with Jemi Ekukunbor, digs into her areas of core competence as she speaks about the delicate matters of beauty, fashion and style.
You’ve been on the scene since your reign as Miss Nigeria over three decades ago. What would you say is responsible for your staying power?
I think that it’s God’s grace, stable lifestyle, and healthy living; eating natural foods is very good in terms of health, skin and overall beauty. Peace of mind is extremely important as well and if you are happy, it reflects. Of course, you know I was well educated. I think education is important because it makes you understand things better. You are able to assimilate things better and you are able to think at every stage of your life.
What was winning a pageant like at that time; some people think that the stake is higher now for beauty queens?
I don’t agree. You forget that when I won Miss Nigeria in 1979, I got a 504 Peugeot. At that time, it was the top car that ministers used. I also received a very high salary for a whole year. I can’t remember the grade now but it was a lot of money and I was getting that monthly. Chief Segun Osoba, who was then with Daily Times but in Ibadan, was responsible for paying me my salary. I think it was about N500 monthly, which was a lot of money at that time. Also, I had the backing of the Federal Government because they owned Daily Times.
What was the platform like then?
In those days, Daily Times ran the only pageant. Don’t forget, we didn’t have celebrities. I was the only celebrity. We didn’t have Nollywood producing divas then. The pageant was the only fairytale story going. It was the only avenue for a girl to come on to public stage at such a young age and travel the world and meet people. I was only 19 years and naïve but I travelled everywhere. I went for Miss World. I was like an ambassador for the country, meeting dignitaries who came to Nigeria such as Mohammed Ali. I was presented to traditional rulers as the queen. It was a very dignified and respected position. People loved it and I was very well treated and taken care of.
If you were to compare pageantry then and now, what would you say has changed?
The population now is far bigger. You have more people vying for the pie. Today, people see it as a money-making venture and so, there are no standards. There are all kinds of pageants. But having said that, because it gives people opportunity, I don’t think I should complain about it. The more people that have opportunity, the better.
And, if people can have a platform to launch their careers from, I think it’s a good thing. We just have to improve the standard and go places from there.
Now back home, in the family, do family members see you as the queen or simply as mum?
At home, I am definitely seen as mum. I am not revered in my home at all. I am my children’s mother first and foremost but, I keep reminding them that I am very important, you know.
It must be an interesting aspect of any body’s life to have lived as a queen and enjoyed that stage. How is it with you?
I think the nicest thing about being a queen is that you don’t need to explain to anybody that you are beautiful. It is judiciously noticed. I am always telling my husband. I think that is one of the benefits. I don’t need any affirmation. But on a more serious note, it was a moment in time that I thank God for. It came and it’s now gone with good memories.
You were queen during one unforgettable era in fashion, beauty and music. The ‘80s rocked with high fashion, padded shoulders, over-sized clothes etc. How was it for you coming on as a queen?
I am a bit classical in my fashion taste. I have always been. If you looked at my pictures, you’d never see me in anything too outlandish. My fashion taste has been the same really; just modified slightly to suit the times. You know, you have to keep up with the times but you have to be yourself. My fashion taste has always reflected who I am, my personality. I don’t want to be a fashion victim. I follow fashion from a distance and pick the ones that suit me.
You have been referred to as the ‘Mystery Helen’ because in spite of your visibility, not much is known about you. What is this thing about privacy with you?
I am hearing this for the first time. That is interesting. I think, if you are well brought up, I have to say and give credit to my parents, you’d know that privacy is important. There are certain things that should be made public and certain things that one should keep private because you are not living alone in this world.
You have family members that you need to consider such that what I do does not impinge on or affect their lives. So, my public life is on the red carpet, attending an event or having an interview and photo shoot like we are doing now, and then, you have my private life with family and friends.
I don’t want to live my life on the pages of newspapers. I wasn’t raised like that and I don’t think it is necessary. Nobody benefits from that except the newspapers! So, if you see me anywhere, it’s because I was invited. If I am not invited, you won’t see me there. I don’t go just to show face.
When you have to go out, what does it take to look the part?
A whole lot! Well, I look at the basics. First, good skin, good hair and clean nails. You need to be properly groomed. It is the first thing; being fit, healthy, toned, maintaining your figure, maintaining your diet. That means you have to exercise. It’s a lifestyle. If you don’t have all these things right, whatever you put on won’t sit well.
So, clothes are secondary?
To me, they have always been secondary. If you have good skin and good body, you wear less. And, less they say is more.
But we currently emphasize the secondary as you put it?
Yes, that is because we are lazy. We are not disciplined enough to take first things first. We do that even in our national life. You cannot build on a rickety foundation by wearing fine clothes, weave-on, false lashes etc. Let the foundation be good and then you’d see that you don’t need as much as you thought you’d needed. And, you’d look younger without it.
Why do we like doing things to the extreme?
We always like the finished product. You see the glamour and you think it’s false nails and lashes that make you glamorous. It doesn’t make you glamorous; it just makes you a show piece for one day – like Cinderella. When you remove those things, can you look yourself in the mirror?
Is there a reason why we are like this?
Yes. First of all, we are insecure. We want to enjoy everything quickly because we are not sure if these things will be there tomorrow. We are unstable. Life is so unstable, the economy unstable.
You acknowledged your parents earlier on for the upbringing you got. What was growing up like?
I came from a strict home. Because life was stable, parents had steady incomes and lifestyle. They knew what they were going to do in six months. Nobody was particularly rich and nobody felt poor because you had all you needed. You only feel poor when there is a disparity. There was steady life and in that stable state, you felt safe.
Is it a natural thing for you to flow from your queenly experience into what you do?
I am an artistic person so I like to express my artistic side; that is why I write, draw and create things. My nature is one of creativity. Right now, I work in information technology because I see it as an amazing tool to give everybody a level playing field.
You will soon make your debut in Vanguard. What are you going to be writing about?
I will be writing about life and style; life as I see it.
Style is something that has not been well articulated. What is it for you?
It is an extension of your creativity. Everybody has his or her own style. There is no one style rule, even though we have the ‘fashion police’. Style is an expression of who you are, that is reflected in how you live, what you wear, what you eat and even what you cook.
Style should not be restricted to fashion. Everything you do should reflect your style. If you have no style, it is because you have not taken time to know yourself and that is because you are busy following every new thing that comes; following personalities on TV, in the music industry etc. If you keep following, you will never be able to discover your personal style and that is what should make you tick.
Is there a country culture that inspires your fashion?
I like Japanese designers but I have to admit that American designers suit my personality; Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, etc. Simple, clean and easy to wear clothes; not too much fuss, not too much embellishments. Things you could throw on and move.
What won’t you do in the name of fashion?
I don’t know because you have to move with the times; if you have to move with the times, you can’t say you won’t do because you don’t know.
I remember when bicycle shots came out, people were asking, ‘gush, what is that’? It looked ridiculous. That was in the ‘80s; after that, we all started wearing it. After that, I said I would never say I won’t again. That is the nature of fashion.
And this is not with clothes alone. Fashion sips into your psyche and governs the things we buy, even electronics. It is so insidious. If you are not plugged in, you fall off the radar and become old. You see them on the street.
If the trend for shoes is platforms, you don’t have to buy but you need to know. And if the trend is pointed toes and you are still wearing block heel, it shows you have lost the plot. You don’t have to get the most pointed but get something that helps you fit in. You need to get your finger on the button.
For a classic dresser like you, what trend did you follow and rock, at least for once?
I have a knack for turning everything I wear to look classic. I think the only thing I can point to is bicycle shots and even at that time, I knew when I was wearing it that I was going out of my comfort zone. They have become a classic now.
How would you describe your life in fashion?
I don’t take crazy fashion risks. I believe you should wear what suits your body rather than follow fashion. Wear the colours and shapes that suit your body.
What do you like to highlight?
That is a secret. You should highlight the best part of you and play down the worst part.
What beauty tips can you share with us?
Try to stay away from harsh toning creams because it catches up with you at the end of the day. Cleanse your skin early; exfoliate, it’s extremely important, and eat well. Eat fresh foods, less oils and small portions.
What are your future plans apart from writing for Vanguard?
I plan doing more of what I am doing. Life is more stable now that my children are grown up. I have more time to do the kind of things I love which I didn’t have time to do before because of the children.
Where is your favourite destination?
I like to go anywhere that I haven’t been to. I have travelled quite a lot in my life. I like to see different cultures and experience new things. I was in Turkey recently; very different, very advanced and they are good with fashion.
What destination has influenced your writing or sense of style?
I like Paris and I like Italy. Italy is more relaxed and they are just full of style. It’s so natural to them. It is an extension of who they are. The French too are like that but in a different way. They are very detailed in what they do. You have to admire them for that.
I remember reading an article about your trip to Monaco in search of a birthday dress. How did that happen?
That happened in my desperation. Two weeks to my birthday, I had friends coming to tell me about the dress they plan to wear for my birthday. I had been so casual about it all along. But when people started coming to me about what they were going to wear, I knew I had to find something to wear. Eventually, I traveled to London but it was winter and I couldn’t get anything suitable to buy. A friend suggested I tried Monaco because it’s sunny there all the time and you have glamorous people there. So, off I went to Monaco to get a dress and then I forgot my dress at the VIP lounge. God just wanted me to have the dress; if it’s today, after boarding, you won’t be able to get down. You should have seen me flying down to the first class lounge. When I got there, I didn’t see the dress. I was in trouble. Then, somebody came; they had found it and kept it. It was quite an experience.
EDITOR’S LETTER
Helen Prest-Ajayi is a well known Nigerian celebrity. Indeed, before celeb became an all-embracing term, Helen had been on the top list; in fact, 30 years earlier. Yet, many years after most of her contemporaries have disappeared from the radar of relevance, Helen has continued to re-invent herself.
The mystery of her staying power becomes more surprising when it dawns on us that as public as Helen is, very little is known about her. She is like Michael Angelos’ Mona Lisa – the woman with the mystic smile: serene, visible, near, yet so distant. Jemi Ekunkunbor in ‘Mystery Helen’ unveils being Helen.
On our fashion pages, we bring you reports from the African Fashion Week which ended last Friday with the Nigeria Next Super Model Competition. —– emerged winner of the keenly contested model search.
The AFW offered Lagosians four days of undiluted fun, fashion, and more fashion.
It’s the season of selfless giving. Therefore, we should reach out to those who really need succour – the vulnerable in society. Remember these and reach out; touch lives. While giving to others, you also should plan a special ‘something’ for your arm candy. Yemisi Suleiman went round the metropolis. Here is what she found.
Embrace the season! Enjoy!
#BRING BACK OUR GIRLS!
By Jemi Ekunkunbor
Credits
Hair: TJ Hair
Make up: Blessing for Zaron
Photo: George Okwong
Styling: Rhoda Ebun
Creative Director: Nelly Mesik
Cover outfit: Helen’s own
Inside outfit: Ejiro Amos-Tafiri
Accessories: Tamris Boutique
HELEN PREST-AJAYI: Style Icon on Style
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