I’ve always loved art—particularly African art and history. The beauty of African masks has fascinated me for years. Their shapes, the intricate designs, the way they symbolize different facets of life—all of it resonates deeply with me. But as much as I admire these masks, I enjoy them primarily in an ornamental way. I love their geometries and the multiple forms that come together to create something so striking.
When I set out to create the DOLA Mask, I wanted it to be unique. It was important to me that it wasn’t tied to any existing spiritual or historical stories. As a Christian, I wanted the design to be entirely my own, a symbol that stood for something beyond tradition—something that spoke to my personal interpretation of African excellence and adornment.
The eyes of the mask are marquise-shaped. This shape is significant to me and to the brand. The marquise cut is my favorite stone shape—you’ll never catch me without my marquise diamond studs. It’s become part of my signature, and I wanted that same elegance to be reflected in the DOLA Mask.
Next came the crown. Crowns represent royalty, excellence, and timelessness, which is what DOLA as a brand stands for. Being a Nigerian brand, the crowns also reminded me of Bantu knots—another powerful symbol of beauty and pride in African culture. To me, a woman’s hair is her crown and glory, and even though I’m bald as I type this, I believe every woman deserves to feel like a queen. For those of us who don’t have hair, we still carry ourselves with that same sense of regal elegance—because the crown isn’t just on our heads, it’s within us.
Of course, our mask needed to wear earrings. After all, she represents a jewellery brand. The earrings aren’t just for decoration; they symbolize adornment, self-expression, and individuality. Every woman deserves to feel adorned and beautiful, and these earrings are a nod to that truth.
Then, there’s the nose ring. The nose ring adds an edge to the mask, a little something extra that makes her stand out. It’s a statement of strength and boldness, a finishing touch that rounds out her character. She’s not just a symbol of beauty—she’s fierce, confident, and unapologetic.
In the end, the DOLA Mask became a collection of things that I believe are good and pretty. It’s a modern interpretation of African art, a piece of my own vision brought to life, and a representation of the essence of adornment. Through this mask, I hope to celebrate the beauty, strength, and individuality of every woman who wears DOLA jewellery.
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