The fashion wall is evolving on a daily basis. Talking about the impact of the Nigeria fashion world, it is a string part of the global pop culture. One of the contribution is the creation of Job opportunities for citizens of Nigeria. Using Adire as an example, it is actually a traditional Nigeria textiles but these particular set of textiles has provided job for rural settlers. The Aso-oko, Adire, are specially worn by Yoruba men and women ,throughout the south Western Nigeria which include Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos and others. Weaving Aso-oke in Nigeria is a major job which is believed to have been originated from the town of Iseyin in Oyo state Nigeria.
It has also increased tourism in Nigeria. People from different and various part of the world can now visit a particular place for business or leisure to enjoy, make research and make new discoveries about the fashion world. The first idea of fashion tourism came from Charles, the llv of France in the early fifteenth century. He wanted attracting people to his land. Fashion tourism is important to every citizen because it contributes to the understanding of ourselves and our personal study based on our cultural background, environment. ‘ our personal style is our identity’
One of the major challenge of the fashion world in Nigeria is lack of funding, without enough funding, the fashion industry will remain stagnant. New innovation and new funding cannot be added to the fashion world. This explains why the fashion industry evolve slowly. When there is enough money, funding will not be an issue.
Also, lack of infrastructure is an issue in the fashion industry, there are little buildings where textiles and customs can be displayed for tourism purpose.
In an interview with a fashion tycoon within Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, he gave some of his experience, challenges and solutions he has faced in the fashion industry.
What’s your experience as a business tycoon?
I have gained lots of experience in the fashion industry. The love for fashion was not from the on-set, it was something I grew into while practicing, I learned to appreciate the creativity of top designers in the industry, and the ability to make something out of nothing still amuses me, sometimes, when I see make an outfit, I get flattered by what my mind can create and when I get applauded for a job well done, I feel like I’m living amid the stars.
I have learned several things in my journey as a designer, I’ve been criticized and downplayed, and there are times when I even considered quitting, but pure passion and determination kept me in going.
What’s your view on the Nigeria fashion word?
In all my experiences, I’ve learned to value mistakes. Mistakes as people say are inevitable, however, in the fashion industry, the mistake is the originator of a masterpiece. It is what unlocks the ability to be creative. There was a time when I mistakenly burnt one of my customer’s dresses, I was filled with terror and was looking for a way out of the situation, the fear and disappointment within me forced my brain into initiating a plausible solution, and in the end, the customer loved the aftermath. The fashion industry has taught me a lot about how life operates and how to communicate with people. Entering the industry is a decision I can never regret taking.
What’s your hope for the future?
I have got high hopes and expectations for the future. I’ve got a dream that is bigger than that of Martin Luther King Jr.’s. Even at that, I’ve learned to take things slow and let posterity take care of some things. I believe I will be better than I am now because I’ve seen myself grow massively.
Fashion is a broad and perennial industry, it also evolves as time passes, and I hope to remain flexible to flow with the wind of change.
The fashion industry in Nigeria has been and still growing massively, Nigeria has a lot of bright minds and people who are innovative, and this has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the industry in this part of the world. As a designer in Nigeria, you must be 99.9 percent creative to gain relevance, the industry is higher competitive and designers are everywhere, so you must give your “A” game. I believe that if given adequate resources, designers in Nigeria can compete with designers from any part of the world.
In conclusion, globally fashion has become the order of the day both young and old now want to be involved in the fashion trend.
– Oludare Dominion Olayinka
Mass Communication Department,
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.
