Image of Tolula Adeyemi from Julia Clancey editorial campaign.
Tolula Adeyemi a British LA based model, actress and celebrity DJ who has fronted in major campaigns for the likes of Vivienne Westwood. The darling of the fashion world has long been celebrated as a style icon having been featured by the likes of Vogue Italia and recognised in Harpers Bazaar UK's best dressed list. Djing for the best events, I spoke to her on everything from her beauty tips to planning the best parties. Read on for her thoughts.
Hi Tolula thank you for granting me this interview. You are an actress and model who has been the face of Vivienne Westwood, you starred in Dustin Hoffman Last Chance Harvey and have DJed for a host of brands. Your career has been diverse as a model and actress, what are you currently working on?
Hello Marian, you're welcome! I'm working on a few things. I wrapped a movie at the end of 2017, top secret indie film. Also I am featured in the new campaign for Seven 7 Footwear (trom the Seven 7 Jeans family) which I'm very excited about. I'm got a music / DJ project in the pipeline. Plus I'm writing a web series, currently working on the trailer. I know it's a lot and a little vague! But perhaps that happens when you're juggling many things. I do try to stick to one thing at a time though...
What are your future projects?
I have a Seven 7 Footwear campaign coming out this year, Julia Clancey campaign, some appearing on Modus Operandi as part of her Made-To-Order collection. Have a print and video commercial coming out. Also working on a top secret project this Spring in LA.
As an all around artist and performer what films, TV Shows and actors have you currently excited.
What’s inspiring you right now?
I just looked at a trailer to Black Panther and I'm super excited, number 1 for the obvious reasons, literally just surpassed the $1Billion dollar mark which is a HUGE achievement and definitely a signal in regards to actors and entertainers of colour. I'm not sure we have had a mainstream action movie feature some of the top class African American, black talent of all ages as well. Also it looks baddass, features my two favs Angela Bassett and Lupita plus lots fun and the reviews have been great across the board. I was thinking Lupita is becoming so iconic that she can be like Madonna or Cher with the one name haha. She's a real inspiration to me. So is Angela Bassett who is such a versatile, intelligent actor who takes risks in her performances. I love some of these young actors coming out now as well as the legendary ones, such as the Stranger Things kids, or the children in The Florida Project, gain recognition. I love seeing breakthrough talent such as Timothee Chalamet, Daniel Kaluuya from Get Out and Black Mirror. I am loving Black Mirror and it has managed to cross over to the US as a cult UK TV show, with the help of Netflix. I love seeing small projects explode and then showcase and support new talent. I am always inspired by theatre, that is one of the things I really miss about
London, the brilliant theatre scene and also the fact you can easily access theatre and the high quality of West End to Fringe theatre. The Theatre scene in LA is small, but it is still good. I have actually been to some great shows in LA, but really it is the land of the Silver Screen.
You have DJed at some of the most exclusive parties. What’s been the best one for you yet and what is your tip for wowing at a party?
I would have to say the various Oscar parties and Coachella parties that I have DJ’d at, have been unreal. Such as Interview Magazine with Guns n Roses Duff McKagan hosting, at a beautiful home in
Palm Springs during Coachella, when GNR headlined. Also I have DJ’d some legendary Oscar parties in LA for Amy Sacco with CAA a few times. A notable one is when I opened for Diplo when he played the Bungalow 8 x CAA Oscar party on the rooftop of The Roosevelt, I spun the opening DJ set.
Another Oscar party hosted by Oscar winning actress Hilary Swank. Also a pop-up Morrocan themed pop-up pool party at The Merv Griffin Estate during Coachella produced by Soho House. I opened for one of The Major Lazer Boys.
Tips for throwing a party, greet all guests as they arrive, I know it’s formal but it sets the pace for the evening. Get the best DJ your budget can afford. Think of the music first, majority think of the DJ last then panic and then if the music is not great then what are guests going to do? Nobody will dance! Music is so important, helps to set the tone, atmosphere, vibe of the party and get people dancing. People always remember dancing at a party to great music and not really the cocktails or food. Unless it’s a foodie party or something. But I cannot emphasise enough how important music is to a party, the DJ! Also I would have small bowls of cigarettes or vapes / electronic cigarettes in the outside area. I would also have soft lounge style chairs for in between dancing sessions. Lots of flowers and lovely fragranced candles as guests enter. A list of cocktails displayed clearly. Lots of canapes or Hors d’oeuvres, champagne and spirits to keep the party going late.
What style and beauty tips do you go by?
If in doubt red lipstick and high heels. I have always lived by this since a teenager. Even if you have nothing to wear and just throw on your nicest jeans and high heels and red lipstick you will still look presentable and chic, plus your favourite jacket. A little bit of glitter on the eyes or even cheeks or sequined item of clothing goes a long way. A white shirt, red lips, something shiny be that sequins, pvc skirt or trousers. Or a long dress with white converse or fun flats and red lips.
I like wearing odd occasional wear together as well like an evening dress with converse. Or sequins during the day with a wool jumper/sweater. What I love about LA is any style goes, you could literally turn up at a party wearing anything and everyone tends to really appreciate your efforts. The only thing I miss is a good Autumn or winter coat with boats and a hat. The stuff you can only really wear in the cold months in Europe or NYC.
As a Brit based in LA, what is in your little black book? What are the must see places, venues and must visit spots?
There is a cafe near my place called The Butcher, The Baker & The Cappuccino Maker. It’s very clever and very well down, it has that carefree European feel, with bright white clean lines, but still cosy, well made dishes and has a great outdoor area. It is very well designed and always busy, there are lines of people outside on any given day especially brunch. But it is actually very good food.
Everything is well thought out and perfect for the Instagram, influencer generation, as it’s bright and light to take photos great social media photos haha and to be scene. Honestly I battle the pavement to walk past on a daily basis. Actually the whole area is exploding with cute eateries because of the hotel developments and general development of the area. The only thing I am sad about is the small businesses who cannot afford the rents and the housing going up too. I love the hiking trails of Los Angeles, Fryman, Runyon being the obvious one. I still need to visit Griffith Observatory, I am waiting for a date night I think! I have been to some amazing events on studio lots like Paramount, as well as working on the lots, you get a feel of the real Hollywood, old hollywood.I love the Fairfax Flea Market as I call it or the official name being Melrose Trading Post which is on every Sunday, great celeb spotting and it is a great way to support local Californian artists and designers. A known secret is that a lot of stylists and shop owners go there and buy bulk and re-sell for a higher price or they copy designs or find inspiration, if you like. There are other markets in Venice and The famous Rose Bowl, but I always come back to Fairfax and Melrose, probably because it’s local and I find the prices are not as ridiculous as the other locations, plus you can haggle here and I know a lot of the sellers through buying furniture,vintage, plants pretty much everything in my house.
Twitter or instagram? Who are hottest people to be following now?
I am biased but I love designer Julia Clancey’s page and also one of her muses Aureta, this lady has such an eye for composition, style and design and a pretty amazing lifestyle jetting to many different destinations. So Aureta’s account is fashion, style, travel and art. I follow a lot of art pages like Watts. Place & Love.Watts and galleries and artists like Juno Calypso who are truly wonderful. Also (feminist?) Illustrators Amanda Oleander. Also the classic fashion ones like Bryan Boy, who I remember from way back and is still going strong so good to see. There are some great fashion, lifestyle and travel influencers with really pretty pages whose names escape me, there are so many!
Also I love the nostalgic cinema and 90s Instagram accounts with there dreamy posts and filters. For me it is about the visuals rather than the “Likes”. I love discovering new visually stunning accounts.
But mostly I really like to follow and like my friends and collaborators accounts.