“Growing up with a computer at home, from Toronto to New York, Folasade Adeoso found creativity and comfort in making digital art. While currently working as a web designer, her creativity extends to many other forms. Whether it is through her self-care ritual of traveling to Nigeria and Senegal or designing her own clothes, there are no boundaries to making art. Folasade’s next project includes a fast casual dining experience at The Africa Center in Harlem.”
ON HER MORNING ROUTINE
My alarm clock goes off around 7 AM. A couple days a week I’m at yoga or Peloton by 8 AM for my morning workout. On most days my boyfriend, Noah, will make us a delicious oatmeal cereal and Moringa latte. I like to get out personal emails before I head out to Dumbo House to get some work done.
on growing up in Canada and moving to new york city
Although I spent my childhood and teenage years in Canada, my parents raised me and my sisters as Nigerians. We’ve always had a strong sense of culture and identity. Growing up in Canada was a lot of fun. I learned how to swim, ski, and ice skate at school. My family and I lived in Edmonton, Alberta (one of the coldest places on Earth) for about five years, but I never noticed the cold. Going up to Banff National Park is one of my favorite childhood memories.
We left Toronto at the end of my junior year. I was excited to move to New York. I was having problems in school with kids who would bully me, so I felt like the move was an opportunity to start over, make new friends, and focus on graduating high school. We moved to Staten Island, but it was difficult settling in, considering everyone already had their group of friends. It didn't help that I was shy and quiet. For my senior prom, my parents flew me out to Toronto which was pretty special.
on how she started making websites
My family had a computer at home, and I was good at using it. I knew that I’ve always wanted to work with computers in some capacity. I took a web and graphic design class in high school which sparked my creativity because I never thought of myself as a creative person before that. Then I started making digital collages on Photoshop and coding my Myspace page, which led to designing websites on my own.
“Know your client well. It is very important to know who you’re making the website for and what their website needs. Be organized and set expectations for both you and the client.”
on her process and how she gets clients
Clients come to me by filling out my inquiry form on the website. Then I begin the on-boarding process which is a "thank you for your inquiry" email followed by a complimentary 30-min web consultant call or video chat. After, I send an in-depth questionnaire. It is important in order for me and the client to understand what the website needs. Once the questionnaire is complete, I send a mood-board, proposal, and contract. I create custom templates on Squarespace. It’s easy for my clients to make tweaks to their website without having to code. Part of my services includes add-ons like branding. If a client doesn't have a clear idea of what their brand should look and feel like, I help create a brand book for their business which includes the brand’s colors, logos, and typography.
on setting up her pricing
There’s a lot of easily accessible information on the internet. I research what others are pricing, and I go to New York City Small Business Solutions workshops. These are free business workshops for entrepreneurs in New York City. I’ve learned so much at these workshops.
on her personal style and shopping habits
I’m making a conscious decision to buy my clothing from women designers in Africa. I also design my clothes myself, and have them produced and tailored in Africa. I buy my basics from Zara, but for every item bought at a fast-fashion company, I donate a piece of clothing from my closet.
on discovering Zadie Smith
In 2017, I was living at an art residency called THREAD in a town called Tambacounda in Senegal. The heat is unforgiving there, and people retreat indoors or find shelter under a big mago or baobob for shade. I'd do the same in company of a book gifted to me, Swing Time by Zadie Smith. The novel had an impact on me, from identity, womanhood, race, sex, to cultural exchanges.
Outfit designed by Folasade in Dakar
“The biggest challenge I’ve faced in the past ten years was losing my dad to cancer. It was a very rough time for me, my mom, and sisters. I’ve learned so much during this process. I used to blame myself for not spending enough time with him while while he was sick. I’m still learning how to forgive myself.”
Outfit designed by Folasade in Dakar
on her self-care routines
Traveling home to Nigeria or Senegal is a big part of my self-care ritual. To be surrounded by family, eating healthy foods that are indigenous to my Yoruba roots and being fully immersed in my culture is important to me. I call Dakar home as well because my heart is so full there. The Senegalese people are some of the kindest people. They have amazing food, beautiful beaches, and tons of neighboring towns that are worth visiting. I always come back from my West African trips feeling supercharged and inspired.
I also love cleaning my room. I listen to jazz, African music, or Anderson Paak. If my room is not in order, it affects me emotionally. A clean room allows me to find refuge from the everyday hustle, think clearly, and get my thoughts organized.
on her skincare routine
Less is more. I’ve gotten rid of so much makeup and stayed with basic essentials: Lancome concealer, Iman BB creme in Earth Deep, Glossier’s Lash Slick, Avon highlighter and Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen. If I’m going minimal with makeup, then I’ll put on a bit of concealer under my eyes, mascara, and my favorite red lipstick, MAC's Russian Red. When removing my makeup I use Super Facialist's Skin Renew Cleanser or coconut oil, then I do a second cleanse with Neem Turmeric Clarifying Facial Cleanser by Alaffia, a sustainable and purpose-driven skin care company based in Togo. Profits from their products go to resources that help empower African communities. Then I wash and lotion my body with natural products like Origins Original Skin Essence Lotion, African black soap, shea butter, and coconut or olive oil. Some nights I use Origins' Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay. I also love Aesop Immediate Moisture Facial Hydrosol.
on her haircare routine
I shave my hair myself whenever I feel like it. Sometimes I let my hair grow out to a mini afro before shaving it. I prefer having no hair. I moisturize my scalp daily with coconut oil or shea butter. I'll shampoo and condition about once a month.
folasade's favorite books
Swing Time by Zadie Smith, Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi, Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and You Look Beautiful Like That: The Portrait Photographs of Seydou Keita and Malick Sidibe.
folasade's favorite movies
My all time favorite movie is Crooklyn, by Spike Lee. My sisters and I were about the ages of 7 to10 and living in Toronto when my dad introduced us to the movie. We were so in awe to see a film with an entire Black cast. We loved seeing all the beautiful people in the movie. Crooklyn takes place during the summer of 1973 in where I now live, Bedford Stuyvesant. I discovered so much about African American soul and funk music from its amazing soundtrack. I also love Darjeeling Limited by Wes Anderson, followed by Moonlight by Barry Jenkins and La Boheme by Robert Dornhelm, which is technically an opera, but it’s one of my favorites to watch at Lincoln Center.
folasade's favorite places IN new york city
Harlem has an amazing African community. I like to go out dancing to African and Caribbean music at the Shrine or at Silvana.
My favorite African restaurant in Harlem is an Ivorian restaurant called La Savane, and in Brooklyn I frequently go to a Senegalese restaurant called Cafe Rue Dix.
I’m also super excited to announce that I’ll be working with Senegalese chef, Pierre Thiam, to help open a new West African fast casual restaurant called Teranga! We’re opening this August at The Africa Center in Harlem on 110th St. and 5th Ave. The Africa Center is a new cultural center focused on Africa and the diaspora. We’re going to be serving up traditional West African comfort food, and I can’t for people to experience this.
Jumpsuit by Tongoro ; Bag by Leye Lesi ; Earrings by Shekudo ; Mules by Shekudo