Female-Dominated Industries Where Men Are Making Waves

By Victor Akinwade

Over the years, various men have made a name for themselves by toeing the line of catering to women in a female dominated business. From hairstyling to makeup, some of these male owned businesses are being patronised by women who have more confidence in the men delivering satisfactorily on the job over patronising their fellow women .

In the past, some of these men were termed “awkward” but now it is actually “awkward” to know there is a male figure running a business in a certain sector and you are not patronise him. These men are skilled in various craft of making women look exceptional. Spread world over in the beauty, life style and fashion industries,  It is however, interesting seeing a man design elegant jewellery for a woman ,  make her up exemplary well , knot her gele in the most dramatic way , style her and have her slay effortlessly at any public function – Her entire Glam team being men

Below are some of these men involved in women’s business.

Gbenga Art Smith

Gbenga Ayo-Dada is a notable personality in women’s business he is popularly called Gbenga Art Smith following his profession as a jeweller. He is usually called the King of the Nigerian jewellery industry. Gbenga is the founder and CEO of Artsmith Collections.

Artsmith collection has been the song in the mouth of mostly women since its creation. The brand has won a lot of awards. It is not a surprise that celebrities and women in high places wear his brand. Some of his piece have been seen on Adesua Etomi-wellington, Kate Henshaw, Hon. Funmilayo Atilade among others.

Oluwatobiloba Ogunbiyi

It is a popular belief that male hair stylist makes women hair better than female hair stylist. We don’t know how true it is, but Oluwatobiloba Ogunbiyi has made his brand Tobbie’s Touch exceptional. He is a male stylist and there has been wonderful testimonies about his work. Tobi has been a hair stylist since 2006 and he is the grand stylist of his brand. Approximately he has been in women’s business for over 14 years.

He has a passion for the African woman’s hair. He sees them as beautiful beings and like to create hairstyles that suits their unique facial structures.

The amazing thing is that Tobi gets his inspiration from cartoon and animation characters like Elsa in “Frozen”. Isn’t that sweet?

Ugochukwu Igbokwe

Ugochukwu Igbokwe is another hair stylist with a beautiful touch. He is a celebrated stylist and his hairdressing salon “Make Me place” has hosted First Ladies, celebrities and many female and male clients from all walks of life.

His works are an extension of art as he transforms his clients into beautiful beings. Ugochukwu is making waves in the beauty industry with the help of his wife, little wonder why he knows how to beautify women. Ugochukwu is beyond just a man in women’s business he is a role model to many.

Ohimai Atafo

Ohimai Atafo is another designer passionate about women clothings. He is however, known as aa unisex outfit designer. He is the founder and creative director  Atafo. His ability to design male and female outfits has attracted a lot of customers to him.

He is also the brain behind Atafo Bridal Atelier, this is in order to create beautiful wedding attires for couples. This move has also attracted couples to his brand.

Olajide David Okerayi

Olajide David is a one unique Nigerian make-up artist. His works are elegant and beautiful. It is surprising as he is said to be a self-trained make-up artist. He is the CEO of St Ola make-up studio based in Abuja. Ola David has inspired series of beauticians in the country.

Taiwo Adebiyi

What do you think of when you are told a guy is going to tie your gele? It makes you surprise right? Taiwo Adebiyi is that guy. He is known as the “Gele King”. He is the CEO of Taiwo’s Touch which is involved in making and creating beautiful gele for women. He is known for his works as he had tied gale for various celebrities including the wife of the vice president of Nigeria Dolapo Osinbajo.

The “Gele King” take tying gele as a serious Job and makes money from it. He has made women’s business his business.

Edwin Okolo

Edwin is a crochet designer. He makes beautiful knitwear outfits. He is a lover of inimitable styles who loves the Idea of making a dress from scratch. Edwin is the CEO of Studio IMO. The brand is part divided into two one focuses primarily on offering personalised clothing in knitwear and the other offers traditional tailoring to some particular clients which includes; Dakore Egbuson Akande, Adekunle Gold, Temi Otedola and others.

Tobi Olamide Alabi

Tobi Olamide Alabi is famous for his knowledge of coaching models on how to walk on the runway. It is not a surprise that he is popularly known as Thecatwalkcoach. Since he started his coaching career, he has been able to enlighten various models and beauty Queens on the importance of catwalk, etiquette, poise, posture and charisma among other.

He has done a lot in the industry, through his vast knowledge of modeling. He groomed the current MBGN Ecowas’19, The Nigerian Queen (1st runner up). He is the first catwalk instructor for a model competition in Lagos, Nigeria. Tobi’s experience in the act of modeling is outstanding as he started his career as a model in Accra, Ghana in 2014.