Luxury, class and style. These words aptly capture Eziada Folashade Balogun, CEO of House of Sota and founder of Black History and Lifestyle Awards at first glance. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about life as an entrepreneur, and now mum who was a seamstress, challenges in oil and gas and more.
HOW did you get into the sector?
I have always been a fashionista and I have always been creative. All along I have been in oil and gas. But I knew that I had a passion for fashion. In 2015, my four kids were all in university and the first question I asked myself was what really takes money from me. That question was fashion because you know when you want to create a beautiful style and you go to your tailor, get fabrics, and pay for this and that. So, I said to myself I am going to cut down on this.
Then I said to myself, I would only be wearing Ankara, the Oleku style or whatever comes to my mind is what I would be rocking with Ankara.
So, the first thing I did was to get a machine, not the digital one. The local one and I got someone in the house. So, I started from my house and I started making my own clothes, Whenever I go to church or my friends see what I am wearing, they would say,” Oh! This is
beautiful, nice and that was it. The rest is history.
What were the initial challenges then?
To be honest, the only challenges that I saw then were the tailors. To get very good tailors has always been a challenge. It is tough to get them and when you eventually get them, they don’t stay. They are unreliable and I think that has been the most challenging part of my
journey into fashion.
Let’s talk about the memorable moments in the sector.
When I started making clothes for my big aunty, the only sister of the former Governor of Delta State, His Excellency James Ibori. She’s been amazing. Then when we had to make a wedding outfit for another friend of mine. The journey has been interesting. It has its ups and downs.
It is not as if it is a roller coaster. We just stick to it and take it one step at a time.
What inspires your design?
Should I say my mood? Sometimes, it’s my mood. I am not Joseph, the dreamer but I dream a lot. There was a time I dreamt and saw a design, I woke up and told someone to sketch the idea. I don’t know how to sketch but I can elaborate and they would pick it up. Sometimes, I
just see it as a vision.
How did your children come into the sector?
My son, who is my second child started before I even went into fashion. TJ started from school when he was in the university and he is working with his friend.
What inspired you to work on Black History and Lifestyle awards?
Black History and Lifestyle Awards started two years ago. We have a store In America, Florida. The store is located in a big mall where we have some big designers. Three years ago around February, they sent an email to inform us about Black History in February. So, I imagined
that there would be a lot of black people in the store for the event. But I didn’t see any activity that February to show and I kept wondering what was going on. If the government said it is black history month, why are we not celebrating? That got into me and I said if no one celebrates us, we have to celebrate ourselves. That was when I decided to register the name and every February, we have to start celebrating ourselves, our culture, heritage, and black achievements. That is how I started.
What was the first event like?
The very first one I got asked a lot of questions like what do you mean by Black History Month, why are you doing this. But, I said to myself, I have a dream and I have a vision, and that along the line they would see what I am trying to do. And here we are.
What happened to your oil and Gas business? What was the experience like?
That wasn’t my passion. It was a business. I would tell you categorically that Nigeria is a man’s world. It is sad but it is true. We just have to tell ourselves the truth. As of today, it is a man’s
world, so no business is going to be easy when it comes to women being in that field. When it came to oil and gas it wasn’t easy. You have the men challenging you in a lot of ways. Even when you want to deliver diesel to them, they would tell you it’s going to be this or that price. So, there are a lot of challenges. Even in fashion too.
And when you think you have gotten it all, you will see another person with this or that idea.
Would you say that they bullied you a lot?
Yes! I would tell you that I had this nasty experience with one of the GMs of Dangote then. I supplied diesel and I was heavy, and I went to get my cheque. The man said the cheque wasn’t ready and I asked when it would be ready I told him that it was cash and carry but he said don’t worry come back the next day. The man was not nice to me. As a matter of fact, he told his security to walk me out, despite the fact that I was heavy. But, guess what, I told him I would only leave if I got my diesel back. However, I still had to wait for one week before being paid.
Did you have any formal training in fashion?
My mum has always been a sewing mistress. But I wouldn’t say that I was paying attention to what she was doing then. But, I know that I am very creative and my passion is fashion. So, it wasn’t what I learned. I actually started with my own style, which was simple.
Do you wear just African designs?
No! I wear jeans, I wear leggings. I make sure that I rock House of Sota, all the time because that is the best way to sell the brand.
What is unique about your designs?
House of Sota is more casual. We do more casuals and ready to wear a lot. It is not a fashion brand that you can have designs like Boubou all the time. If you see a skirt or pants, you can call it Gen Z. Maybe because it’s me, I like to dress not my age. I call myself Sweet Sixteen. So, that is what I infuse in my designs.
How would you describe the fashion sector in Nigeria?
The fashion sector in Nigeria has grown. As a matter of fact, we are doing very well. We are doing better than other African countries. I can say that ten years ago, it was not what the fashion industry was then that you have now. We are a lot better. Even, globally we are getting recognised. Early this year, I met a Nigerian lady who tied gele for Beyonce in Los Angeles. So, you can see that Nigerian fashion has grown and you can see this in what we are wearing. I have been stopped severally, where can I get this?
So, are you ready for export?
I am 90 percent ready. The off-takers there have been good, and the experience is very encouraging and lucrative especially when it comes to menswear and the Senator outfit design. In my store in America, I see a lot of men there have even given them their own name, African
suits. We do up to 3X when it comes to sizes. You know they are big and usually don’t have their sizes. They only rock jeans and tee shirts.
What advice do you have for young people who want to come into the sector?
They have to be creative most especially they need perseverance. The youths these days are so much in a hurry. But in fashion, you cannot be in a hurry. You have to take it one step at a time. You have to be patient and determined. It is a journey and you have to dream of what you want your design to be. What you want to be known for, the most important thing is that you must be original to excel in your craft.
Was there any time that you felt like quitting?
Maybe because it’s my passion. I have never felt like quitting. Even when I was not making money. Never! I have never thought of it. That is why I tell the youths, you must have a passion. If you have a passion for something, you will be addicted to that thing.
Did you have role models in the early days as a designer?
Not really. I can admire your style but I would still tell myself that if you had added this or removed this, it would be better. A lot of the things that you see on social media are a façade. It is not what you see that you get. You will see somebody showcasing some clothes that he or she bought in the UK, Turkey, or China. And when you order it, what you get will be something else. So, you have to be original in your craft and be truthful to yourself.
