To read Denise’s work is to witness a masterclass in intimacy. As the Editor-In-Chief of Marie Claire Nigeria, she bridges the gap between global impressions and the vibrant, productive reality of African womanhood.
Her editorial vision, highlighted in her celebrated work with Lisa Folawiyo and Toke Makinwa, goes beyond the “tea” to find the “why,” searching for the deeper meaning in every story she tells.
But Denise is more than her impressive resume; she is a woman of quiet hours, red lipstick, and fierce authenticity. In this Herstory feature, we explore Denise Eseimokumoh’s origin story—from makeup school in Port Harcourt to the heights of media leadership—and learn why she believes that “intensity is not intimacy.” Get ready to meet a woman who stands firmly on her own ground.
Hi Denise! Please Can You Introduce Yourself To Us?
Hi. I would start by saying that I’m very direct. In many spaces I enter, people might have already encountered my work because I’ve been in the industry for a decade now. In a corporate setting, I introduce myself as what I am: the Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire Nigeria.
But beyond that, I am someone who loves to connect with people and tell their stories. I’m interested in finding the deeper meaning behind the things we do. I never look at things on the surface; I always want to go deeper and understand the why behind our actions.
Ten Years Is An Amazing Milestone. How Did You Get Your Start In The Media Space?
It’s a funny story that started when I was 14. I woke up one morning with an overwhelming urge to go to makeup school. I was a teenager interested in colorful things, but this felt different—I wanted to go pro. So, I enrolled in the House of Tara makeup school in Port Harcourt, because that’s where I grew up, and I spent my summer holidays learning. I was great at it, and it’s a skill that has stayed with me.
I even had a little business doing makeovers. Funny how I’ve always been a bit of a strict girl, insisting on advance bookings. If you wanted an urgent appointment, you’d have to pay extra because I wasn’t rearranging my time around anyone’s disorganization. I think I’ve always been that sort of person.
When I was 16, I took a gap year from school because I was going through a transition and felt overwhelmed by school. A friend, Michael, heard that Zaron was hiring an intern and encouraged me to apply. He helped me organize everything to move to Lagos for the job. I met with the team and the CEO, who offered me the job on the spot, along with other benefits that literally changed the trajectory of my life.
I moved to Lagos for six months and worked as a social media manager, sales representative, and in R&D and business development. It was a 360-degree role and my first real exposure to the media world. I was backstage at the AMVCAs, at pop-ups with people like Ozinna and Denola Grey, and behind the scenes at runway shows. That was my entrance.
After I finished school, I moved back to Lagos and continued at Zaron for a while before deciding I wanted something more aligned with my growth. I went on to work for The Makeup Fair, Arami Essentials, and then spent two years as a content analyst at Art X, followed by two years as a content manager at Chowdeck. It’s an impressive resume that cuts across culture, which is why I say if you’ve been in Nigeria, you have likely come across my work.
Now You’re Editor In Chief Of The Powerhouse Marie Claire Nigeria. How Do You See The Magazine’s Role In Shaping And Reflecting The Narrative Of The Modern Nigerian Woman?
At Marie Claire Nigeria, we look beyond just the Nigerian woman to the African woman. As the only Marie Claire on the continent, we serve as a bridge between the Western world’s impressions of African women and the reality of what we’re actually doing—the trails we’re blazing and the value we’re offering on a global stage.
The work we do is incredibly important. African women are one of the most productive demographics in the world, yet we are poorly represented, especially in leadership and economic roles. We have a strong invisible economy, and the work we do at Marie Claire is to make that visible. Life as we know it would be very different if women did not achieve, invent, and evolve processes.
Our role is to share those stories and champion advocacy. Women across different cultures still deal with draconic laws that try to take away their agency and their voices. At Marie Claire Nigeria, we are passionate about championing everything that concerns women: the wins, the challenges, the empowerment. And we do it with a uniquely African voice. There is an implicit intimacy of shared experience when an African story is told through a grounded African lens, and that is where Marie Claire Nigeria shines. We understand what it feels like to be an African woman on the continent and in the West, navigating prejudices and expectations. We help position the women who are truly moving the needle, as well as the causes that are important to them—from femicide and harmful AI regulations to outdated reproductive and gender policies.
What Would You Say Is The Most Challenging Cover Or Story You’ve Navigated, And What Did It Teach You?
I wouldn’t say I’ve had a truly challenging cover yet, but there have been incredible opportunities for growth. My first cover as Managing Editor was with Lisa Folawiyo. It was a unique time for the publication, as we were in a transition period, and I felt there was a lot to prove. Our team put so much brainpower into the concept.
Lisa is a beautiful, generous woman who made the process seamless. She had some reservations about interviews due to past experiences, but I assured her that we are not a sensational publication. We’re not looking for “the tea”; we are looking for the intimacy of the journey. I’m so happy she trusted us. The cover coincided with a big anniversary for her brand, and we collaborated with the amazing photographer Kunmi Owopetu, who gave us so much grace. The final cover was a hit—bold colors, beautiful pieces. It was a testament to collaboration and trust.
You’ve Built A Career That Is Both Powerful And Soulful, Refusing To Be Put In A Single Box. What Tips Would You Give To A Young Nigerian Woman Who Wants To Do The Same?
First of all, know yourself.
It’s also very important to have downtime. I have daily quiet hours where I do nothing but take stock and let my thoughts surface naturally. It helps me understand where my energy is flowing and why. We are constantly overstimulated by social media, with everyone screaming into the void. You need to be able to curate your own fortress of peace—a place you go to receive quiet and recharge your soul. If you constantly depend on external things for that recharge, you will always be at a disadvantage. Life flows from the inside out, not the outside in. You can only put out what you have within you, so if you’re not taking the time to fill your inner well, you’re going to be running on an empty cup.
Have hobbies. Your work is very important, but it is not the totality of your being. Have things you enjoy, things that inspire you, things that are easy. When you recognize what is easy for you, you can extrapolate that ease to other areas of your life. My hobbies are reading, watching and rating movies, and finding a kickass documentary. I also love a good laugh, so I enjoy reading things and reading books, articles that give me a bit of comic relief.
I also love to enjoy myself. On my Instagram, I call myself the “honorable minister of enjoyment” because life is meant to be enjoyed. I don’t believe in constant, unending hustle culture. You don’t always have to “get this bread”; sometimes, the bread can also come to you.Lastly, you have to be very militant about the kind of partner you choose. You cannot afford to partner up with someone who will make you small. You need someone who recognizes your power and potential, someone who wants to build alongside you—not over you or under you. This is about alignment. You need to be with someone who views fear, courage, power, and authenticity the same way you do. If there’s no alignment, you will struggle. When you’re being your authentic self, they might tell you you’re “doing too much.” When you surpass a challenge they fear, it can build resentment. People will resent you for exercising your power.
The person you partner with, date casually, or even have sex with can contribute to your life in meaningful or detrimental ways. I have gone through phases of being completely celibate for one or two years because I wanted to lock in and I didn’t have the bandwidth to explain my process to someone who wouldn’t understand it.
Don’t chase the highs and the butterflies. Intensity is not intimacy. A relationship has to be reciprocal. Ask yourself, “As I contribute to this person’s life, what are they giving me in return?” There is so much more to a partnership than just a dopamine reaction.
You’ve Described Yourself As The “Siren Of The South.” Our Stories Are Often Shaped By The Women Who Came Before Us. Who Were The Matriarchs Or Mentors Who Instilled Your Passion And Spirit?
Definitely the women in my family. I had a very different upbringing, and I recently called my mom just to thank her for it, because I see how it has impacted every area of my life today. My mom is resilient. She dealt with her parents’ divorce in the 70s and later lost my dad when I was nine. She had her challenges with grief, but she always showed up. She has been my constant support system and instilled in me some of my favorite things about myself: my love for fashion and red lipstick, my fearlessness in speaking my mind, but also my kindness and my ability to transmute any situation in my favor. She encouraged my curiosity, buying me up to 400 books a year and paying for my makeup school.
I like to say I’m not self-made; I’m love-made. That love has been the fertile ground for everything that has grown into this beautiful life, my life. My paternal grandmother, who passed in 2018, was love personified. When I was struggling during my internship, she would call or text me every single morning without fail, just to make sure I was okay. She would tell me she was proud of me and that my pen would take me places. When I became Editor in Chief, I cried, because I remembered all those conversations I had with her.
My maternal grandmother is the same. After my dad passed, we moved in with and she took good care of my siblings and I. I have received so much love in my life that I have no other choice but to be successful. I cannot waste the fertile ground I’ve been given. That’s what moves me and keeps me grounded.
Across All The Facets Of Your Life—Editor, Artist, Siren, Astrologer—What Is The Core Message You Hope To Put Out Into The World?
I’m here to show everyone that anything is possible. Your dreams are not some esoteric thing that can only be achieved if the stars align. You are the vehicle through which the universe achieves your dreams with you. People tell me I’m lucky or blessed, and I am, but I am also aligned. When my spirit tells me to do something, I don’t hesitate or overthink it. I go with it, even when things seem bleak.
I want to remind people that you have the ability to live exactly the life you want, without compromise, if you’re willing to dedicate yourself to it in spirit, mind, and body. Everything in my life has culminated to this point. Nothing for me is an accident. I’ve been aligned with this frequency for some time. So, I will tell people, live in alignment. Don’t be afraid. And if you are afraid, do it afraid. Friction is not a bad thing; sometimes you have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death to get to the table waiting for you. You need to have that grit.
As An Astrologer, What Is One Zodiac Sign Stereotype That You Secretly Find To Be Hilariously And Undeniably True?
Libras lie. It is what it is. You can’t spell Libra without “liar”.
What Has Been The Most Significant Barrier You’ve Had To Overcome In Your Career?
For me, most of the things I’ve had to overcome are personal. One of the first was perception. When I started my career, the industry wasn’t as cool with piercings and tattoos. I had to get over what I thought female leadership should look like and tell myself that it’s okay to be myself. You don’t have to be one-dimensional. You can be sexy, you can love tattoos, and you can still be a leader. You don’t have to fit into the “godly woman” paradigm if that’s not you.
Another challenge has been imposter syndrome. I’m 27 now, and I’m typically the youngest person in many rooms I enter. Sometimes a sneaky thought creeps in: “Are you supposed to be here?” But the answer is always yes. If I wasn’t supposed to be here, I wouldn’t be.
Finally, there’s evolution. You change as you grow, and you have to hold space for the old version of you while the new version takes over. What the old you liked and what the new you knows is good for you, aren’t always the same thing. So now, things like eating healthy and fitness have become a priority because I want to live a long, healthy life.
Alright Denise. I’ve Read Your Articles And They Are Impressive. I Need To Know Who Inspires Your Pen. You’re Hosting A Dinner Party. What Three Writers, Dead Or Alive, Who Are You Inviting?
Number 1 is Nikki Giovanni. The way she writes about love and intimacy is just too beautiful. Her poetry has so much depth, and she’s a huge inspiration.
Next is Rick Riordan, I had a huge Percy Jackson phase, and I’d love to understand his thought process. He wrote neurodivergence into his characters because his son is neurodivergent, creating a world where these traits are part of what makes them special. I admire the perspective he brings to inclusion.
Last but not the least, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She is brilliant and has a lovely sense of humor. I’ve read everything she’s put out since I first discovered Purple Hibiscus in tenth grade. I love how independent of a thinker she is. She’s never shrunk from controversy; she says what she says and sticks to it. We all need to learn how to stand on our shit like that.
