Young Akwa Ibom entrepreneur and special effects artist, Emilia Iwatt, has launched the country’s first-ever mobile makeup studio — a revolutionary concept that brings professional glam and special effects services directly to film locations, events, and clients’ doorsteps.
The official launch of the Bangie Mobile Studio was held on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Tobas Apartment, John Ebiye Haven (100 Housing Units Estate), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The well-attended event drew friends, family, creatives, and admirers of Emilia’s ingenuity. Attendees were visibly impressed by the creative innovation, hailing it as a landmark development in the Nigerian beauty industry.
Emilia, CEO of Bangie, is no stranger to the creative hustle. Starting out with little more than a makeup kit and folding chair, she honed her skills in modest spaces, catering to friends, neighbours, and brides-to-be at weddings, birthdays, and photoshoots. Today, she is recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading special effects (SFX) artists in Nollywood, with a brand synonymous with artistry, professionalism, and vision. But her newest venture sets a whole new precedent.
The Bangie Motor Studio is a custom-built van, fully retrofitted with industry-standard lighting, storage, workstations, and sanitation facilities. Designed to meet the demands of high-paced film production and on-the-go glam, the studio eliminates the logistical challenges makeup artists and production teams often face on set — from transporting equipment through difficult terrain to working in poorly lit, uncomfortable spaces.
Speaking during the launch, Emilia shared that the innovation was born from years of personal frustration. “It can be very challenging moving heavy kits from one location to another, sometimes under tough conditions. I saw time wasted and artists overstretched. There were days we’d lose precious filming hours just waiting for makeup to be set up properly. I knew there had to be a better way — and so I created one.”
The Bangie Motor Studio is already being hailed as a game-changer in Nigeria’s entertainment sector, offering on-site efficiency and creative convenience, particularly for remote and time-sensitive shoots.
Beyond the innovation itself, Emilia’s story is one of perseverance, courage, and vision. She has become a symbol of what is possible when creativity meets tenacity. Her journey reflects the resilience of Nigerian entrepreneurs, especially women in underfunded creative spaces. “In a world obsessed with overnight success, Emilia Iwatt reminds us that true greatness is sculpted by creativity, hard work and refined by purpose,” one guest remarked. “She didn’t just build a studio — she built a statement.”
As the wheels of the Bangie Mobile Studio begin to turn across the country, Emilia is not just delivering makeup; she’s delivering a message of bold innovation, self-belief, and the power to redraw the map from the margins. With this launch, Emilia Iwatt is not only changing the face of beauty delivery in Nigeria — she is inspiring a generation.
