The Nation Newspaper

Category: Fashion

  • Qubraz Academy opens in Lagos

    Yetunde Oladeinde 

    The Nigerian fashion scene has been witnessing a number of innovations and development, thanks to creative designers who have carved a niche for themselves all over the country.

    One of such designers is Yewande Hakeem-Habeeb, the Creative Director of Qubraz Designs and Fashion Academy.

    According to Habbeb, the new Qubraz Flagship Store/Fashion Academy will offer training on how to be a professional designer making use of modern tools and ideas.

    “At Qubraz Designs, we adorn luxurious fabrics with unexpected details, such as hand stitching and intriguing accents to add dimension and personality to each piece with an emphasis on shape and silhouette. We strongly believe that our customer satisfaction should be highly guaranteed. In addition, our core values at Qubraz Designs are we love what we do we, we work hard, we pay attention to details, we have fun, and we give back,” Hakeem-Habeeb said.

    READ ALSO: Access Bank lifts creative industry with N20b facility

    The store which will be opened on the 15th of December 2019 in a grand style is set to change the face of fashion. In addition, customers would be able to have unique luxurious outfits, bridals, wholesales, ready-to-wear outfits for retailers and end-users.

    “As part of our social responsibility at Qubraz Designs, scholarship will be given for three months or six months for tailoring and embellishments techniques to selected few. There would also be free gifts on every purchase made on that day.”

  • St.Davids celebrates 20 years

    Olaitan Ganiu

    One of Nigeria’s foremost footwear brands, St.Davids has marked his 20 years milestone in producing top quality footwear for men.

    Last weekend, a celebration was organised to celebrate the brand’s achievements. It was an atmosphere of music, foods, drinks and networking as it was well-attended by guests, family and friends.

    The management also seized the opportunity to open their new outlet in Lekki, Lagos state.

    Speaking at the event, Creative Director of St.Davids, Ibe David Okechuckwu expressed that he will continue to improve and keep his vision alive.

    “I would say improvement, progress and the vision is still alive. The vision was planted twenty years ago and today the vision is still the same,” he said.

    “The whole idea was to make us a global brand as it was a 25 years journey. We are twenty years now meaning we still have about five years to actualize our plans, which means we have five years to make it happen.”

    St. Davids

    Over the years, the brand has evolved from being a one man business into a household venture making use of the very best material and well-motivated staff to produce world class products and services at a friendly and affordable price range.

    READ ALSO: ‘Nigeria can produce quality footwear’

    According to him, the goal is to bring the footwear business to the everyday customer with great emphasis on brand products coupled with new designs being produced on a daily basis, focusing on fulfilling customer needs.

    St.Davids has offered first class service delivery to both local and international market when it comes to men footwear’s. With new designs being produced on a daily basis, the brand is focused on filling up her stores with quality products, making them readily available at a location where customers can find excellent deals and enjoy a great shopping experience.

  • Lola Alonge: Why I champion women and child survival

    She is a Nigerian child health activist. Over the years, she has spearheaded awareness campaign on breastfeeding through her organisation, Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI). She also won the 2017 Scaling-Up Nutrition award organised by the United Nations. Mrs. Lola Alonge, who is the Executive Director of CHAI, emerged the nutrition champion for Nigeria and was among the 18 shortlisted out of 50 nominations for the award at the UN global level. In this interview with OMOLARA AKINTOYE, she bares her mind on how she is championing the course of women and children, how she is playing  a vital role in moving nutrition and breastfeeding agenda forward through collaboration and support to government institutions, private sector, among others.

    Why did you focus on survival and development of women and children?

    As a mother, when I got married and started having kids, I developed interest in motherhood and by the grace of God I’m blessed with three of them. Actually, my background is communications, public relations. I have that skill, but I believe it all has to do with information and how well informed you are; this will help you in fulfilling your potential. Unfortunately in Nigeria, you discover that most young ladies are not adequately prepared for motherhood. There was a time we were advocating for that among youth corps members.

    Yes, youth service is fine but I think government should incorporate a bit of parenting in their programmes. There is need to get both male and female prepared for that. While they are going for other community work, they should also be exposed to parenting. This will help them to develop, but notice that it’s like an accident. You just get pregnant one day and you are not prepared for it. I tell you that antenatal period is just too short for them to get the required knowledge needed. Also, I’ m interested in the development of women.

    As a woman, I have realised that women are not really that protected, they are not that supported especially in Nigeria and I believe they can do a lot better if given all the necessary support starting with things like girl-child education, empowerment access to good health care. Yes, things are changing and getting better but there is still a whole lot to be done. CHAI is a nongovernmental organisation. It was established 10 years ago, impacting lives, focusing more on the survival and development of women and children in Nigeria, maternal and child health. We also focus on nutrition; we look at issues such as family planning, immunisation, malaria, child protection as well as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), protecting the rights of women, among other things.

    Share with us your experience while relating with women over the years

    I think it’s been a passion for a very long time as far back as year 2000. I used to be a communication consultant with USAID on child survival. I realised that women need more support on information, so I think I started like putting together even the basic and simple rules on baby and child care. So, I partner with paediatricians, gynaecologists on how a woman should help herself, protect herself in pregnancies, and how the child should grow. We also organise seminars and workshops on courses in public health, all in a bid to help them to develop. And that has been like a journey and I have my own profession, which is public relations, as I said. And then the NGO was what I started and it was initiated by USAID.

    As I said, I was a consultant with them, there was a project we were working on and when it ended, we discovered that we seemed to have a lot of experience from private sectors skill experience and exposure. We also relate well with government. Why don’t we start a child advocacy initiative through which we can work together with government and look at ways of helping the women and the girl-child. That was how the NGO started. It was not funded. It’s just my own way of using my own personal fund for project.

    For Lagos State in particular, I’ve done a lot over the years. We use to champion the World Breastfeeding Week; that was nutrition. Then I was also a member of the maternal and child mortality reduction committee where we did a lot of awareness campaign on why mothers should attend primary health centres and not traditional birth attendants. Even beyond that, we are not only doing the campaign with govt. But we also support them by encouraging corporate organisations to donate items such as furniture, generators, to support most PHCs. We also organise programmes on our own by partnering with local government areas whereby we give awards and gifts to mothers and health workers to encourage them to do more. Over the years, CHAI has done so much in the area of child protection, immunisation, nutrition, among others.

    In the area of child protection, we partner with Ministry of Justice, the Domestic and Sexual /Violence Response Team (DSVRT). We were like technical partners, whereby we train school counsellors, the health teachers and some other health workers on the rights of the child and child rights protection and I’m happy to say that there are lots of success stories in that area. DSVRT is a very strong team today. We have been able to come up with a lot of policies and they are very effective in communities now. Child abuse is what a lot of people are scared of now; we done a lot in that area. We are actually the key partner training the DSVRT team.

    Also CHAI has done so much in the area of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). It’s a violation of the rights of the girl-child. I can tell that things are changing for better. It was a cultural thing. But we have been able to say that this is harmful to the girl-child and things have to change because the girl-child is affected psychologically, emotionally and her life is also at risk.

    So we are doing a lot of campaign in this area. We also partner with Osun State because the state has the highest prevalence and the Ooni of Ife has been of great assistance by condemning the act in communities. The campaign is also being taking to so many other states. We also partner with medical students to say ‘No to Medicalisation of FGM’; FGM should not be encouraged in the hospital setting. The Medical Students Association is already involved in the campaign and are also condemning the practice within the medical setting. Apart from stopping it in communities, it must also not be practiced in the hospitals.

    What are the challenges encountered?

    Finance is the major challenge. Because we wanted to do a lot but we didn’t have enough resources, so I was funding most projects with money from my business. We also partner with some corporate organisations to assist most primary health centres with furniture and generators. We have been able to look for ways of getting most projects executed. Also whenever we want to communicate with people regarding behaviour change and awareness campaign, we try to talk to advertising agencies to allow us to use the billboards for communication message instead of leaving them blank. We had to look for different strategies of getting things done without funds, and these strategies have worked for us several times. The other one is not a challenge per-se but supporting government, non-governmental organisations can just do their bit.

    If you are passionate about an issue, you can work with them, advocate and convince them on better ways to improve things on ground; that is why I was part of various committees at the state level. Such as when we are talking about increase in health budget or timely release and complete release of the health budget. Many a time budget is not released on time to them until very late. Little wonder that when you get to most hospitals, there are issues that health workers are complaining about unpaid salaries, no fuel, no generator etc.

    But the good news is that concerning the 2020 budget which Lagos State government presented to the House of Assembly, it’s really a good step in the right direction because the health budget rose from 8.8% to 15% or thereabouts, which is about 58% increase; meaning that there will be a lot of revitalisation in the health sector. And the issue of health insurance scheme will also be addressed. We are also joining the campaign, because a lot of people still don’t know the importance of the scheme.

    Your educational background

    My background is Public Relations I hail from Osun State while my husband is from Ekiti State. I was born in U.K but my education is here in Nigeria. I had my first degree in English Language, had my Post Graduate Degree in Advertising/Public Relations, my second degree in International Law/ Diplomacy from the University of Lagos. I also had a lot of certificates on public health, nutrition, and I’ve been doing a lot on public health and nutrition with Lagos State government.

    So in 2017, I was nominated for the United Nations Nutrition Champion for Nigeria. It was done in 2017 but I’m still the current champion. This, to an extent, motivates me to do more. We also have a platform called “Nutrimums” where we have nutritionist, paediatricians, nursing mothers, pregnant women and some officials of the ministry of health. On a daily basis, we teach mothers and nursing mothers all about baby care and breastfeeding. They are also asking questions. All these came out of my being a UN champion.

  • Let your skin glow in mins for Xmas

    Kehinde Oluleye

    In this festive period, do you care for acne-free, wholly lucid, silky smooth and healthy looking skin, despite the unkind weather? Look no further! These do-it-your-self fruits mixtures are guaranteed to see you through this dry and dusty season.

    How healthy one’s skin is, is the first step towards an excellent supple body. But how you maintain your skin will determine how healthy it can go all year round, especially in this unpleasant weather period.

    It is very necessary that you take special care of your skin in order for it to look radiant and beautiful. So, you need to take extra measures to protect your skin against harsh weather because the dry and harmattan season brings about other problems for the skin.

    To keep your skin healthy and protect it against the harsh weather, you must make sure it is supple and full of moisture to avoid cracking and dryness.

    Drink plenty of water as this will hydrate the skin

    For oily skin

    Squeeze the gel from one clove/leaf of Aloe Vera, mash it and mix with one tablespoon of olive oil.

    Dry skin moisturizer

    Mix the fleshy part of an avocado pear with one tablespoon of honey; grind the mixture until it becomes smooth; apply the solution on the skin and leave for 20 minutes. Then wash it off.

    All skin type moisturizer

    Add two drops of lavender essential oil to one ounce of jojoba oil and massage into the skin.

    Honey and tomato cleanser

    Mix tomato mash with honey; mix together and apply to the skin after you must have showered, Then rinse with water

    Velvety cleanser

    Mix equal amounts of jojoba oil and coconut oil and then double the mixture with water. Shake thoroughly before use. The cleanser will emulsify the dirt without stripping your face’s oils.

    Egg yolk and honey mask

    Mix one tablespoon of almond oil, one tablespoon yogurt and one egg yolk and apply on the face.

    Banana facial mask for dry skin

    Crush a quarter of a ripe banana and mix with half a cup of natural yogurt and one tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture on the face and neck and leave for 20 minutes. Then wash with water.

    Exfoliant

    Simply mix finely ground oats and almonds or almond oil with enough extra virgin olive oil for the mixture to fuse without crumbling.

    Rich toner

    Simply add honey to tomato juice until it becomes sticky and then apply this to your face and neck for between 25 to 30 minutes. The result will be a cleaner complexion with improved skin tone.

  • NEZA MASOZERA: I give to my fans the real me

    Neza Patricia Masozera is a Rwandan Afropop singer based in Canada. Recently, she’s been making waves in the Nigerian entertainment scene. She’s known as girlfriend to Nigerian rapper and singer, Skales. In 2017, she bagged the All Africa Music Awards “Most Promising Artiste in Africa. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she opens up on early life, passion for music, inspiration, why she sings about heartbreaks and more.

     

    HOW did you get into music? What are you working on at the moment?

    Music has always been part of my life. I grew up in a home full of music lovers. My mother used to play music around the house when I was a little girl and my siblings are also huge music lovers, so that’s how I was first introduced to music.

    Professionally, it started when I recorded a hook for a local rapper in Toronto and the song got massive airplay on one of Toronto’s major radio stations, that’s when I realised that I wanted to pursue it as a career.

    Right now, I released a single titled “Killa” Prod by Pimp. The video is out now and it’s available on all good digital platforms. I also plan on releasing a body of work early 2020.

    What gives you inspiration to do the things you do? 

    I get inspired by everyday life; what I go through and sometimes what people around me are experiencing. Wether it’s relationship or just life in general.

    Most of the songs I sing about are about love, especially heartbreaks. My best songs came from pain I’ve felt in my past relationships.

    Let’s talk about some memorable moments as a singer 

    Going on my first US tour in 2017 was definitely a highlight. Also performing in different cities around the world, like Haiti, Mayotte, Uganda, Ghana, just to name a few, is a dream come true. I’ve recorded music with some of my favourite artists which I can’t disclose any names at the moment. But as soon as they are released, I’ll be able to share the good news with my fans. Be on the look out!

    How did you get into Nigeria?

    I was offered a record deal early 2017 from a label that is based here in Lagos. I left my full-time position working for a government agency in Ottawa, Canada, called OSFI (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions) and relocated to Lagos to pursue my music career full time.

    What are your memories growing up in Rwanda?

    Unfortunately, I only lived in Rwanda for three years when I was a little girl. My family relocated to Kigali after the Rwandan genocide that happened in 1994. I attended different schools (primary and secondary), then moved to Canada in 1998.

    What were some of the challenges encountered on the job?

    Getting my music to reach a wider audience. Not having a big budget to help fund some of the projects. Being in a city that isn’t my home and not having my support system around can be hard sometimes.

    Tell us about your career. When was the turning point for you?

    It would have to be coming to Nigeria to pursue my music career. That was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I’m creative and sitting at my desk from 9-5 was the hardest thing for me. I felt like my life was passing me by and I was missing out on my true calling (making people feel good through my music). I wouldn’t change the life I live now for anything in the world. I feel fulfilled!

    What lessons have you learnt on the job?

    To trust my own instincts and stay true to myself. When I moved to Lagos, almost every decision with regard to my music was made for me. From the type of music I should make, down to my image and it did not work out well. So now that I’m independent I’m in charge of what I put out and so far, the feedback has been great. I get to give my fans the real me.

    Let’s compare when you started and now; what has changed?

    I would say what’s changed is the people behind me now. When I first started, I didn’t have much support. I pretty much did everything myself. I juggled a full time job and pushed my music career on the side. There was management or PR team, but now I have a wonderful team that’s dedicated to help build my brand and take it to the next level.

    What are some of the changes that you would like to see in the entertainment sector?

    More women being celebrated, there is room for so many more queens to shine. But it’s either no one wants to invest or not enough light is being shone on them.

    What is your definition of style?

    Style to me is another way I can express myself. As we all know, fashion and music go hand in hand. I enjoy creating looks for my stage performances, the red carpet and everyday life.

    How would you assess Nigerian designers?

    I strongly believe that Nigeria has some of the best designers in the world and they need to be more celebrated.

    What are some of the items that you treasure most in your wardrobe?

    My shoes! I have been collecting shoes for a few years now. Love me a cute pair of heels. I’m a short girl, so cute heels are a must-have for me!

    How do you relax?

    It’s a mix of Netflix, documentaries on YouTube and my favourite TV shows: Flat mates, Real housewives of Atlanta, Love and Hip Hop Hollywood and sometimes Keeping up with the Kardashians).

    What are the other things that occupy your time?

    I’ve recently joined a team of people who are building a primary school in Makoko (a community in Lagos that lives on top of water). They need funds to finish building the school and they are also in need of uniforms for the kids, books, pencils and other school supplies, so I’m helping to create awareness and raise as much funds as possible for the community.

    Let’s talk about the people you admire and role models

    My older sister is my role model. She brought me to Canada at a young age on her own and taught me that in life you must always progress and I try my best not to let her down.

    I also admire Beyoncé’s work ethic. She is what a lot of us strive to be like and she’s such a great humanitarian.

    If you had to advise young people, what would you tell them?

    Have faith in yourself and trust yourself. Do something you love. If you are doing something you are passionate about, you are just naturally going to succeed, and a lot of other things will happen that you don’t need to worry.

  • Two-tone trend

     Kehinde Oluleye

     

    TWO-TONE trend seems to be hot on celebrity fashion lists this season and there are a number of styles to choose from. Here we have Rita Dominic, Veronica Odeka, Viola Davis and Jessica Nkosi, all showing off their fabulous figures and two-tone designs.

    As for Rita Dominic’s outfit, it’s so classy and sexy. She is wearing a two-tone garb and animal skin handbag. Colour-blocking has always been an eye-catching and creative way to style an outfit. This season, however, colour-blocking has changed into matching two hues together for a unique look. It’s an easy way to add a dose of instant cool to any outfit.

  • Collection 2019: Ademola Arewa unveils La’mode clothings

    Collection 2019: Ademola Arewa unveils La’mode clothings

    A remarkable fusion of African heritage and modern sophistication, crafted by the visionary Ademola Arewa. A prominent figure in the fashion realm, Ademola seamlessly integrates the essence of African culture with contemporary elegance, creating a collection that both celebrates tradition and embodies style.

    In the midst of the dynamic Afro-fusion movement, Ademola Arewa emerges as a luminary in the world of style. With La’modeClothings, Ademola elevates fashion to an art form, crafting wearable masterpieces that encapsulate the very soul of Africa. Serving as a fashion maestro, Ademola orchestrates a symphony of culture and elegance through his captivating creations.

    Within the realm of La’modeClothings, imagination and fabrics coalesce to form harmonious brilliance. Ademola ‘s visionary touch melds the vivid hues of Africa’s landscapes with the sleek aesthetics of modern urban fashion. The “Afro-Fusion” Collection 2019 effortlessly bridges the gap between tradition and modernity, highlighting the evolution of culture while maintaining its essential core.

    The collection’s designs weave a tapestry of African heritage, with each thread representing a homage to the continent’s diverse history. Ademola ‘s artistic prowess intertwines these threads to craft designs that recount captivating stories of Africa’s past and present. From casual wear reflecting the vibrancy of everyday life to evening attires exuding the allure of African nights, each piece becomes a canvas that breathes cultural narratives to life.

    Imagine garments that transcend mere clothing, La’mode’s casual wear embraces freedom and movement, empowering wearers to navigate urban landscapes with confidence. As day transitions to night, evening attires emerge, draping the wearer in an aura of elegance.The meticulous craftsmanship bestowed upon each piece by La’mode transforms fabrics into sensory experiences. Each stitch serves as a testament to his relentless pursuit of perfection, paying homage to the beauty found within intricate details.

    Empowerment takes centre stage as wearers adorn La’mode’s creations, with each piece inviting the expression of individuality. Lamode’s designs empower wearers to convey their essence to the world, transforming fashion into a celebration of self-expression. Every ensemble encapsulates a unique narrative, poised to be shared with the world.

    In the realm of contemporary Afro-fushion, Ademola Arewa shines as a luminary who marries inspiration and artistry. La’mode’s creations transcend clothing, encapsulating Africa’s history, culture, and spirit. Each stitch captures the rhythm of the continent, weaving threads into narratives that embrace both the past and the future. As the sun sets and city lights twinkle, each La’mode ensemble becomes a celebration of heritage and style. Lamode’s legacy extends beyond clothing, residing within the stories and hearts of those who wear his creations. In the symphony of Afro fushion, La’mode’s designs echo as a melodious celebration of a continent’s soul and the transformative power of creativity.

  • Why We Should Only Use Organic Skincare Products

    It is undeniable that there has been a serious shift in our lifestyle-related thought process over the last few decades. Now, most of us are continuously looking for ways to live a lifestyle that is healthier. Some of the most important aspects of a healthier lifestyle in today’s context are eating more greens, buying organic, and adding in more exercising intervals.

    When it comes to skincare, the way forward is definitely using products derived directly from nature and its endless resources. Also, while choosing a natural skin care product, it is important to remember that all these products are not created equally.

    In today’s skincare market we frequently come across products with labels such as “natural,” “organic” and even “chemical-free”. Lets us first understand the meaning of these terms.

    Natural Skincare: A natural skin care product may be defined as one made of ingredients that are by-products of a plant, mineral or animal. However, this term is often used by companies for marketing purposes because no governing authority is responsible for regulating these products. Therefore, a product containing some natural ingredients may claim to be natural, even if certain synthetic ingredients are also present in the product.

    Organic Skincare: This term refers to how an ingredient or ingredients used in a product were farmed. The ingredients in the best organic skincare products must be grown without using any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, or growth hormones. Organic skincare products are manufactured using plant-derived ingredients along with some other organic materials. They are not made of genetically modified ingredients and are not tested on animals. Also, these products are minimally processed and do not contains additives or petrochemicals.

    Mentioned below are some of the most important reasons why we should only use organic products.

    • The products are manufactured from plants and other natural ingredients grown without any synthetic fertilizers, GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals or additives. Therefore, all the materials absorbed by the body are real, and not harmful.
    • By opting for organic products, we can choose ingredients that are capable of working in tandem with the skin’s sophisticated natural systems to provide the extra attention and care it deserves.
    • It has been observed the quality organic products are much more effective compared to others. Therefore, this is a priority for anyone in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. Ideally, a good skincare product should be gentle, yet effective, and free of harsh chemicals and sulfates.
    • Most of the ingredients found in non-organic products may produce quick results, but they also cause adverse effects that may show up later. Naturally, whatever material is absorbed by the skin makes its way into the bloodstream and gets carried through the body. Prolonged exposure to these materials may weaken or damage the skin beyond repair.
    • Using natural and organic skincare products allows us to enjoy the nutritional benefits of ingredients such as honey, coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, and many more. Though these products may take time to work, they are gentle on the skin and cause no harm to our body.
    • Most of the organic skincare products available these days contain powerful antioxidants with significant capabilities to slow down the process or aging and making the skin look younger. Compared to 5-10% in synthetic products, about 95% of an organic product may contain active ingredients.
    • With organic skincare products, there is almost no likelihood of irritation, inflammations, or allergic reactions because they do not contain harsh chemicals.
    • By using organic products, you can also raise your voice against the use of innocent animals for product testing. These tests are not required for organic products because they don’t contain any harmful chemicals.      

     

  • I have my eyes on fashion business, says fashion blogger Ambsrowan

    I have my eyes on fashion business, says fashion blogger Ambsrowan

    Our Reporter

    Instagram influencer Amber Rowan, known as @ambsrowan on Instagram has hinted at future plans to transform from a mere fashion and fitness blogger to a fashion entrepreneur.

    She said: “At the moment, I am a content creator, this has pushed my creative boundaries and widened my vision on spotting opportunities on helping businesses grow. But I have something in the pipeline that I am working on along the fashion line, ” she said.

    This disclosure was hardly surprising for some of her fans and acquaintances who already knew that Ambsrowan has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and therefore, consider a transition from a blogger to an entrepreneur a possibility.

    Ambsrowan further unveiled the big lessons of life she had learned in the past few years. “Life has taught me the importance of being resilient, being able to keep going especially in challenging times or situations. Secondly, I have learned to look for opportunities in any situation, and now, I know that how you react influences the outcome of any situation,” she said.

    On how her upbringing influences her choice of career direction, she said: “My family has entrepreneurial traits and this has influenced my attitude towards the opportunities I have come across.”

    Her Instagram posts speak volume of a widely-travelled person and a persona with an adventurous spirit. “My parents have always been home-birds, I have more of an impulsive streak in me,” she affirmed.

    What’s more, her lifestyle seems to be driven by her philosophy of life which she summed up as “enjoying what I have, welcoming change and believing what I see, not what I hear.”

     

  • Deola Kamson: Talent is not enough

    Deola Kamson is a designer and CEO of Delabique Garments and Accessories. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she opens up on how she took interest in arts and crafts while growing up, making things from clothes, paper, shells and scrap as a child. She recalls a memorable moment when she produced 30 outfits from black bin bags modelled during the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant shows.

    What inspired you to go into the fashion sector?

    It was more of a love of art and a love for making things, not really fashion per se. I have always loved fine things. I have always loved arts and crafts from a tender age.

    I remember I loved going into Quintessence at Falomo, Lagos, with my mum and just getting myself lost in the store. There was always a lot to see and admire.

    I have always had a good eye for detail. And my love and admiration for seeking out fine, colourful objects, art, making things from pieces of cloth, paper, plastic, shells, scrap eventually led me to fashion.

    What was it like at the beginning?

    Learning the art of dressmaking with patternmaking was more or less a piece of cake for me. What I did was enrol for a few short courses at the London College of Fashion every few weeks for about a year. I had no difficulty with that.

    However, I had a lot to learn about breaking into the fashion scene in Lagos at the time. I needed to learn the ropes seriously. It was a ‘No, you can’t sit with us’ kind of scene back then. I also had a lot to learn about the business side of fashion. I’m still learning this.

    What were the challenges encountered?

    The main challenge for me when I started was getting skilled labour; it seemed an almost impossible task to accomplish.

    We eventually were able to overcome this with a training programme we put in place for our machinists.

    There is a non-availability of skilled pattern-makers/ pattern-cutters even up till now. Most workers are unwilling to subject themselves to the rigours of learning patternmaking/pattern-cutting.

    Tell us about your designs, how do you infuse culture into what you do?

    Our designs are for the winning woman who wants to stand out in style. We design, produce and retail women’s clothing, and leather handbags. The unique thing about our clothing is the fact that we have chosen to fuse our cultural heritage with modern fashion. We create exquisite outfits from beautiful batik and tie-dye fabrics made from age-old traditional art forms indigenous to the women of South-western Nigeria.

    Choosing to use batik and tie-dye fabrics to manufacture our garments, gives us the enablement to empower the women in the communities where these fabrics are made.

    These women are able to remain in business; and can pass on the beauty, processes and values of these traditional art forms to the next generation. They become economically empowered to take decisions, and make financial contributions to the upkeep and wellbeing of their families.

    Overtime, there has been a decline in this art form and we want to make a conscious effort to preserve those cultural art forms; that is why we have chosen to use only batik and tie-and-dye fabrics.

    In doing this, we are making sure that the beauty processes, and the values of these art forms are passed onto the next generation. It is a deliberate attempt at culture preservation. So, that is how we are able to infuse culture into our designs. And the designs now have a modern twist. So, we are using age-old traditional fabrics with art forms to produce contemporary modern fashion. There are motifs that are indigenous to the batik itself. You see the motifs, you see the designs and it is just linked to batik. These motifs are passed on from generation to generation.

    What has been your memorable moment as a designer?

    One very memorable time that comes to mind, for me, was in May 2010. The event was the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant hosted by Silverbird Production. There was a segment of the show where the girls were representing a cosmetic company. The producer of the show wanted us to make it special and unique. So, she requested for outfits made in Nigeria. It was 30-piece collection or more. It was a collection with a strong 50s and 60s influence, inspired by the glamorous full skirt of the 1950s.

    Each piece was adorned by each of the 30 contestants for the cosmetic segment. And I thought it was so great, something special to have been able to produce 30 outfits from bin bags (polythene bags). We cut them up, put in lining, trimmings and other accessories. We made them up into beautiful evening and cocktail dresses. It was a bit overwhelming but I was very impressed with myself. I was quite impressed that we were able to achieve that feat. It was a challenge and I was happy that I was able to stand up to the challenge and come up with beautiful outfits.

    Tell us about your bag designs and accessories, what makes them different?

    Hand bags are a big deal for women. They are more expression of fashion and personality than even functionality. Hand bags are sacred and it is for this reason that they are a big deal. A woman’s hand bag says a lot about her and it is a sacred thing.

    For us, it is all about the proportion of the bag, the shape, its line, finish, fabric, hardware and all about balance.

    For us, it is all of those that make our bag unique: Proportion, shape, material, finishing and the fabric, especially the hardware.

    What other things occupy your time?

    I love to read and I also love to teach. I am constantly teaching classes on pattern making. I teach my staff and some people also register for training. I always want to do more. Also, I am constantly reading. There is something I am reading every day; it is either a new book or an article. Those are some of the things that I use to occupy myself. I also like building projects and there is a project that I am currently working on. It is about making more impact in our communities. It is in the works and we let it out as soon as we finalise all the little details.

    Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?

    The most influential people in my life have always been the people closest to me. My family is small but supportive. My parents taught me and my siblings strong work ethics. To aim high, work hard and value our relationships. My parents nurtured me, guided me in the right direction and they held the opinions that I trusted the most. They constantly inspired me to achieve more. My dad is late now but my mum is still very much around.

    What are some of the lessons you have learnt in life?

    One of my earliest life lessons was that you become who you hang out with. And this doesn’t change when you get older. I have always tried to be friendly with everyone I meet but at the same time, I have also become pickier about who I spent the majority of my time with. I have learnt to spot certain qualities in people and so I seek these qualities out in my associations. I have also learnt to avoid other characteristics.

    What I have learnt is that the people closest to you would influence you in many ways. So, I think it is important to be selective.

    One should surround oneself with people who inspire you and make you a better person. Some friends come and go but the ones who have stayed have a huge impact on my decisions and my happiness. They have supported me and cheered me on. And they have shaped me into this person that I have become. These are female game changers; women who support other women. Clearly, collaboration is the new currency for sustainable women-owned businesses. In connecting with other women, there is a sense of togetherness and a reminder that anything is achievable if you work for it.

    Tell us about the women you admire

    I admire strong women who would stand up for other women. Who would be in their corner and support and give a helping hand to the next woman. I particularly admire Dr. Bibi Bakare Yusuf; everything she stands for, I admire and hold in high esteem.

    If you had to advise Nigerian designers, what would you tell them?

    I would say talent is not enough. Talent is essential but you need to hone your skills, develop them and take them to the next level. You also need to start thinking of the business side of things; how to truly establish yourself as an entrepreneur.

    Not just as a production person but as an entrepreneur. How to move the business to the next level of sustainability with the right structures and processes in place, so that our businesses get to outlive us. This way, our businesses become what they are meant to be and stand the test of time. At the end of the day, bottom line increases, profits increase, jobs are created and all the numerous benefits to be gained from establishing a business, setting up a business would be realised.

    So, I would say get adequate training, which is essential to being able to run a business successfully. It is not just about how talented you are. It is also about good management.

    Where do you hope to see your brand in the next few years?

    We hope to become a truly global brand. We want to stop thinking local but global. So, our slogan now for this next phase is ‘Stop thinking local, think global.’ Or simply put, ‘think global’.

    We are working on getting our products exported to international destinations. We want to be seen alongside with international brands. We want to be able to enter the US and European markets, in addition to having it become a household name in Nigeria.

    We want to have our stores in every major city in Nigeria. One good thing that would change the way fashion is being done in Nigeria would be to have a fashion hub. A creative fashion hub with illustrators, pattern makers, machines and the designers. A hub where the different elements and components of the production line are well represented and every major part of the production unit of fashion is well represented with skilled labour appropriate to carry out the different tasks that will give us the perfect finished outfits and of course retail and PR companies, so that the items produced are sold.

    What we need is good production and marketing. The way they have it in the western countries, is that the retail companies do the job. The job of the designer is to get the products ready while the retail professionals take over from that point. If we have this covered for us in Nigeria, then it will be a very lucrative fashion landscape.

    What are the things that you love to do every day?

    My daily resolve is to be more and to accomplish more in the world of good. I take each day as an opportunity to make my contributions to the enablement and growth of my environment. I see each day as a chance to build meaningful and impactful relationships in my associations with my contacts. I see each day as one more opportunity to make my contribution to the goodness and well-being of the world.