Lawyer turned Publisher Simi Esiri launches Schick Magazine with Superstar Actress Rita Dominic on the Debut Issue

Lawyer turned publisher, Simi Esiri, has officially launched her SCHICK Magazine which is set to be distributed in Nigeria and across Africa.

The magazine has been curated for the smart, stylish and successful woman, and SCHICK Magazine is designed to tell authentic African stories, through the lens of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

According to Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Simi Esiri, “I remember moving back to Nigeria in 2012 and realizing the wide gap between creative talent, especially fashion designers and we, the consumers. I knew then that we had to make a collective effort to close this gap and build our fashion industry further. I knew my experience, as well as my appreciation for luxury and affordability, could contribute significantly to bringing these two groups of people closer.”

The debut issue, themed ‘The Power Issue’, celebrates African women playing pivotal roles in shaping the fashion, beauty and entertainment industries across the continent. Page after page, the Spring edition, is an embodiment of all Africa has to offer and takes readers on a journey through fashion editorials, interviews with A-list celebrities and fashion designers, hot debates, beauty, travel and more.

The cover star for the debut issue is none other than Rita Dominic. After 19 years in Nollywood, starring in over 100 productions, as well as winning several prestigious awards, it comes as no surprise that Rita Dominic graces the debut cover. The beautiful, accomplished and celebrated star has played a significant part in the growth of the Nigerian film industry and has become one of Nigeria’s greatest style icons, making her the epitome of the SCHICK woman.

Here are excerpts from Rita Dominic’s interview below.

On dating in her 40s, sex and sexuality in Africa: “You know we have a hush-hush attitude towards sex in Nigeria. For me, sex is personal and not really something you should be screaming to others about; but, on the other hand, I don’t like that we are so hypocritical about [it]. We act like nobody is having sex but that is totally not the case.”

On being the ‘Queen of the Screen’: “We worked really hard on [76], so I am so happy about the record nominations. We ended up winning five awards that night including my ‘Best Actress’ award. Thanks to the fans that voted, I tell you. It was so surreal because I was backstage waiting to present an award and did not know that it was time for my category. Once I heard them announcing the nominees, my heart was beating so fast, I thought I would faint.  When I heard my name, it took everything within me not to cry. You don’t understand how humbling it is to be working on these kinds of projects after 19 years in the industry. I want to commend Izu Ojukwu and Adonai Owiriwa for believing in me and taking such a bold step to make 76.”

On being a powerful figure in her field: “Power is a word that is often used negatively when discussing it in relation to women in our society. Many equate power to being b*tchy or trying to dominate others, but not me. I feel powerful when I am able to affect other people’s lives positively. Things like getting jobs for others, helping young actors and filmmakers achieve their dreams, contributing to the success of my own personal projects, and making charitable contributions to those who need it, empowers me on a daily basis. Being inspired and passionate about what I do gives me so much energy – and you can equate that to power.”

Read more here.

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SCHICK Magazine is initially launching as a quarterly print and digital publication. In addition, the periodical will produce daily content on the digital front www.iamschick.com.

Creative Director of the magazine, Titi Adesanya, says “The aim of the publication is to bring a fresh voice that appeals to anyone who has any sort of interest in fashion, whether they are actively involved in the industry or not. Our purpose is to engage, inform and inspire people throughout the continent, in a way that’s relevant and palpable.”

For more information and updates, follow @SCHICKMagazine on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.