In a city teeming with fashion enthusiasts, Opeyemi Adebayo stands out as a trailblazer. Her journey from finance to fashion is proof to her unwavering determination and passion.
Born in Ilorin, Adebayo’s fascination with fashion designing began at the age of 15.
However, her father’s wishes for her to prioritise education led her to study finance at the University of Ilorin.
“I wanted to learn fashion designing at the age of 15, when I was unable to gain admission to the University of Ilorin. I couldn’t continue with it initially because my late dad, Prof. Adebayo Abdulganiyu, valued education so much that he enrolled me in Kwarapoly Technique. I completed my ND at Kwarapoly when I was admitted to the University of Ilorin, but my love for fashion designing never changed. I wanted to learn more about the craft, so I enrolled in another training program for fashion designing. However, I found it difficult to focus on the training since I was busy with school, and I also didn’t have enough practical knowledge to use it to make money,” she began the story of her incursion into the world of fashion designing.
Despite the initial detour, Adebayo in an interview with iGEN News, said her passion for fashion only intensified.
Adebayo said: “Throughout my academic journey, I developed a strong passion for finance and business, but I have always been deeply interested in creativity and fashion as well.
She spent countless hours sketching designs, reading fashion blogs, and experimenting with different fabrics.
The experience sparked a passion for fashion designing, and Opeyemi soon realised she could earn money and make a name for herself in the industry.
“Over time, I received a job offer to sew a wedding dress for a bride, even though I didn’t know how to cut and sew. I decided to work with my boss by outsourcing the cutting and sewing to him—I’d pay him for his work and then post the dresses as if I had done the cutting and sewing myself. From there, people began appreciating my work and started giving me more jobs. My love for fashion designing grew even stronger as I realized I was earning money and making a name for myself, which made me happy. However, it saddened me that the profit wasn’t very high since I was relying on someone else to do most of the work while I took the credit.
“So, I made the decision that when I started my service year (NYSC), I would learn fashion designing properly. Once I was assigned to Ibadan for my NYSC, I searched for a nearby institution and discovered one of the best Fashion schools in Nigeria. There, I was taught how to cut and sew from beginning to end. I studied at the school for a year and earned my certificate,” she said.
The training she received at the fashion school gave Adebayo the confidence and skills she needed to take her brand to the next level.
She graduated from the school and began building her brand, “Immediately after graduating from the fashion school, my initial plan was to start a ready-to-wear business and earn money from it. However, my elder sister, Adebayo Ifeoluwa offered me her space in Lagos to use for my business. I decided to create a mini shop there, where I focused on sewing trendy designs and outfits. That’s when I launched my ready-to-wear brand, 7elevenluxe,” she said.
However, the journey was not without its challenges, she faced numerous obstacles, from finding reliable stylists to managing the business side of her brand, to clients backlash for a job not well done.
According to her, a pivotal moment in her journey as a fashion designer came when she faced criticism from a client whose expectations weren’t met.
She said the setback led to the loss of several clients, a harsh reminder that her skills still needed refinement and rather than becoming discouraged, she channeled this experience into a catalyst for growth.
“I recall a time when I was criticised by a client because I didn’t meet her expectations for a garment she wanted me to sew. This experience led to the loss of several clients, as my skills were not yet perfected.
Determined to improve, I invested in my growth by enrolling in various online classes, reading numerous fashion-related books, and practicing diligently. I even attended a three-day master class to enhance my abilities. Now, my clients leave with smiles, satisfied with the garments I create for them”, she said.
She added: “It wasn’t easy in the beginning, so I decided to hire a stylist to assist me. However, over time, I realised that most of the stylists I employed ended up being students rather than assistants—I was teaching them more than they were helping me. Many of them weren’t fully committed to the work, which made things even more challenging.”After experiencing down times, she took the brave step of owning her own Fashion house that has trained numerous students, providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the fashion industry.
