SO WHAT IS WRONG WITH BUYING NIGERIAN?

TAYO IN THE FAB HOUSE

Hello my FAB people,

So being my first blog, I pondered on what to share and the one thing that kept recurring in conversations, meetings, shoots was the “Buy Nigerian Campaign”. So the “Buy Nigerian Campaign” is a www.stylehouefiles initiative encouraging consumer culture in Nigeria and supporting locally made goods and I must say that they get my vote a 100%.

ITUEN BASI

So we all know that there is no money in the fashion industry - or is there? Most “creatives” are driven by their passion and making money usually takes second place. But then having said that, this is a multi-billion dollar industry that has made some people very very rich. We Nigerians play a large part as research shows that we are listed as one of the top five spenders on Bond Street and Selfridges in London. So why do we not spend on our fashion at home?

AIMAS

There have been several debates on the issue; some being extremely supportive of the initiative while others just think it a waste of time.  So yesterday, I was having a chat with one of my favourite Nigerian designers who truly flies the Nigerian flag high with her creative genius and her attention to detail.  We were speaking on the quality and the finishing of products made in Nigeria and how it is difficult to compete on the international scene with such badly produced goods. Then the suggestion of producing abroad in other low-income countries came up and it made me think if that would still be considered “Nigerian”?

ZASHADU

The whole idea of this campaign is to improve the industry here, which includes design, production, distribution, quality control, finishing etc so the reality of the project became apparent. I thought to myself what makes Nigerians different from Chinese, Indians or Turks? Is it our mindset? Is it our lack of integrity? Is it our poor work ethics? Because if you really think about it, there is absolutely no excuse for Nigerians producing sub standard goods to a bunch of fashion savvy people. So while I am super excited about the campaign, I know that we still have a long way to go!!!

ELEGANCE WITH AN AFRO TWIST: FASHION DIRECTOR TAYO SHONEKAN

Name: Tayo Shonekan

Age: 35

Born and bred in: Lagos

Role at FAB/title: Fashion Director

FAB part of your job: Seeing an original idea come to life and working with such a creative and dedicated bunch.

Least liked but still FAB part of your job: Going from store to store sourcing clothes for fashion shoots.

Aspirations/goals: To build a successful fashion brand not only within these shores but abroad as well, to touch lives and leave my kids with a worthwhile legacy.

Inspirations: I am inspired by the journey of life, the ups, the downs and the in-betweens. I am also inspired by different cultures around the world and strength of the human spirit.

Hero/Heroine: My late Dad... He was the epitome of humility mixed with integrity. He had the perfect balance of discipline with a healthy dose of love and he had a gentle strength that took him right to the top.

FAB motto/saying: You are only as good as your last gig.

Best piece of advice you can offer: Keep on keeping on because where there is life there is hope.

Your kind of music: Neo soul

Your kind of book: Motivational and self-help titles tend to grab my attention span a little longer...

Dream destination: I would love to visit the Far East as I am totally fascinated by the culture and their way of life.

Your style in a nutshell: Eclectic individualism with an Afro twist.

Kryptonite: Fashion, chocolate, fashion, chocolate, fashion, chocolate... Did I say fashion and chocolate?

Pet Peeve: Double standards and people who still think women are the inferior sex – aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhh!

Your USP: I am a total bundle of contradictions!

Log on to my blog if you like: African fashion and lifestyle with a unique twist.

Tayo Sonekan is the creative director of Aimas, a label that produces hand-decorated T-shirts, hand-finished bags and accessories. She has also contributed as a fashion and style consultant for several publications like True Love and Today’s Woman, and was resident stylist for Elan the style magazine for the Sunday Next Newspaper. She is currently the Fashion Director of FAB magazine.

She was born and raised in Lagos, a vibrant city rich in culture, which is strongly evident in her designs and her style. She is a graduate of engineering but a lover of all things beautiful and stylish. Her personal style is creative with a hint of eclecticism.