Many Nigerians have a love - hate relationship with Lagos. But, even in the face of the traffic, stress, and the seemingly endless hiccups, many of us are still deeply in love with it. Lagos is a vibrant, electric and beautiful place, full of energetic, ambitious and enterprising people who love life and enjoyment.
One woman has chosen to document her experiences in Lagos, in order to highlight the uniqueness of its places, people, products, and businesses. Deinte Dan-Princewill is the author of The Beauty of Lagos book. As a passionate and multi-talented architect, designer, and entrepreneur, Deinte has a keen eye for detail and a love for travel and photography. She graduated from Cornell University, and went on to work at some of the worlds’ most renowned design and architecture firms in Texas, New York and Paris. She then relocated to Lagos where she started her design firm and established a social hub for professionals at The Metaphor. In honor of the release of her coffee table book, we spoke to Deinte about her experiences in Lagos and the process of creating this incredible book.
1. In your own words, please describe what The Beauty of Lagos book is.
The Beauty of Lagos is a coffee table book. It is a visual and verbal documentation of Lagos, that showcases an extraordinary perspective of its art, culture and lifestyle.
The book contains over 200 exhilarating and vibrant photographs with several thought provoking and inspirational quotes. It transports readers to each destination, giving them a glimpse into some of the city's well known sites, as well as its hidden gems.
The Beauty of Lagos highlights the uniqueness of Lagos, its people, its products and its businesses. It showcases Lagos in a different light, one that takes a more purposeful stance in exploring the serenity within this fast city.
2. What inspired you to create this book? What was the process like?
I think it was a combination of my professional background in architecture, my eye for design, and my love for exploring and adventure-seeking. I love to travel and discover new things. While I was at Cornell, I was just constantly trying new things, and documenting my adventures. When I moved back to Lagos, I brought this same spirit with me.
I was doing all the little things that Lagosians might not do often or at all. I remember once I went kayaking in Epe Mangrove, and I posted about it, and so many people sent me messages to ask how I found out about that, and if I was really living in the same Lagos that they were. There are two sides to everything… it is all about perspective. What we see in the media can be very one-dimensional; we see the same narratives over and over again.
I am a very creative person, so I decided to be even more intentional and purposeful about documenting the interesting sides of Lagos, and the hidden gems and activities that even Lagosians rarely see or engage with or experience. The coffee table book came alive from the photographs I took, and from the conversations I began having with people about Lagos. All of these different experiences and perspectives all culminated into this book.
3. When did you first fall in love with Lagos?
I don't think I can pinpoint an exact date or time. I believe it is a continuous process of falling in love. I had a lovely childhood in Lagos. We didn't watch much tv, but we did a lot of activities - cooking class, tennis, knitting, swimming, etc., this was my first layer of love for Lagos.
Then I left Lagos for the US, and began to consistently come back for the ‘December in Lagos’ period, which is a whole experience in and of itself… that’s another layer, and what’s not to love? The December season is full of celebration, family, love, events, and exciting things to do.
Moving back as an adult allowed me to experience Lagos in a new light - with fresh eyes. I fell in love again in a different way.
Above all, Lagos is home. I feel like my most normal self when I’m here, and I think that really is the foundation of everything.
4. When were these photos taken?
I began intentionally documenting in 2018. All of the photos in the book were taken over a period of 3 years, from 2018 - 2020. I began majorly putting the book together in 2020.
5. Why is this book so important?
The importance of telling our own stories cannot be understated. I think it’s important to continue to show new perspectives. The media tells a very one-dimensional story, but there is so much more - it’s all about perspective. My goal is to present another side of Lagos, a look into the serene parts, hidden gems, and activities. I want to highlight Lagos in all its beauty and complexity.
6. How did you get the quotes in this book? Are they excerpts from conversations?
The quotes are actually my favorite part of the book, they are all excerpts from conversations. I enjoyed having real and honest talks with a variety of people… Lagosians who have always lived here, those who just moved back, etc. There were lots of different perspectives, and a lot of real and raw takes on life in Lagos, things that I think a lot of people will find relatable. I was very intentional about capturing the integrity of every perspective in the quotes I chose for the book… they’re very honest, and I love that.
7. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you since moving back?
I think a lot of what one experiences in their daily routine in Lagos can be seen as funny, so it’s hard to pinpoint one instance that was the funniest. But I do have something that happened to me recently that was hilarious.
I had to renew my passport, which meant I had to do my NIN. So I went through an entire week-long process of going there every day, filling forms, waiting, and just trying to get everything done. After all that, it was finally time for capture (to take my photograph) and obviously we’re in a pandemic so I’d been wearing my mask all day, each day. So I took off my mask for this photograph and the guy said to me “ahhhh madam!! You should have taken your mask off since!! I would have helped you! I didn’t know you were fine!!”
I literally just had to laugh. I felt a combination of disbelief and also understanding that this is one of those things that is classic Lagos.
8. What is your mission with BOL as a company? What do you hope to accomplish?
The Beauty of Lagos itself is about highlighting and showcasing extraordinary perspectives on Lagos’ arts, culture and lifestyle. This book is our first project, and we want other things to come from that. We want to explore Lagos through the lens of other things like food, fashion and art, for example, but there are also other locations to explore, and I look forward to uncovering the beauty and hidden gems all over Nigeria, from various perspectives.
9. What do you hope people take from this book?
I want people to focus on the positives. There are so many negative things that can happen in life, not just in Lagos, but everywhere, so I want to encourage people to focus on the good. I think challenging yourself to be positive will help you live a much better life.
On the days that are particularly stressful or overwhelming, I hope that people will open the book and have their spirits lifted. I want this book to help people to fall in love with Lagos again and be inspired to explore.
10. What advice do you have for people wanting to put out a fresh perspective on their communities?
I would say be intentional and deliberate about everything you’re doing, go for it and commit. I also believe that it is very important to be a positive person wherever you find yourself. Positivity radiates.
You can keep up with Deinte and The Beauty of Lagos on Instagram. To order books, visit www.thebeautyoflagos.com or visit The Metaphor on Younis Bashorun Street in VI, Lagos.
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