Why I dumped banking to make clothes

For many people, to get a banking job and stick to it is their ultimate desire. But not so for Mrs Ayotomi Rotimi, Managing Director of Xclamations, a Lagos-based fashion designing outfit. Mrs Rotimi two years ago dumped her banking job to make clothes full time. 
Before going to work in the bank, she was making clothes as a hobby and had continued it even as a banker. Today, she says she cannot equate her gains as a clothe-maker with her working in the bank. Already, her designs are making waves in the country as well as overseas just as she plans to open more sales outlets abroad and to etch her Xclamations in the minds of every Nigerian.
The beginningI worked in a bank for about three years before I decided to set up this business. I had always had a flare for designing and making clothes since I was in school. Even when I was working in the bank I still had that passion to do this. So, as at the time I left the bank I applied to a fashion school in England and did a course in Fashion Technology before I came back to Nigeria and started this business. This was about two years ago, going to three years now.Well, different people crave for different things. What is important to one person may not be that important to another. For me, fulfillment will be found in investing in this passion I have. I have had this passion for quite a long time. And I have laid my hand on it and have been successful.For me, the bank job wasn't fulfilling. I made a lot of friends there, I met a lot of people there and I'm grateful for the opportunity and experience, but the passion I have for what I'm doing now is more important to me.
ChallengesMy initial challenges in this business is one, finding good people to make the clothes to my standard. Then, managing the customers was another challenge and convincing people because what I'm doing is what I had wanted to do and people, like you asked, could not understand why I should leave a bank job to start making clothes. So, trying to convince people that this is the right thing for me to do is a major challenge. Finding customers wasn't really a problem because I have been doing the business as a hobby to an extent a few people already knew I was doing it. But managing the customers, getting fabrics and, of course, getting money to establish the business to my taste was also a challenge. But I thank God that everything worked out well.There is no fixed amount in starting the business. It all depends on the level you want to start. A lot of people don't want to start small. People want to start big, but I have always said that if you start big you make big mistakes. If you start small, you make small mistakes. This is because whether you start big or small, you are still a beginner and as long as you are a beginner, to mature you have to make mistakes from which you learn from. So, it is better to make cheap mistakes by starting small. But if you start from the top, you still have to make those mistakes down there. Even if you have the finance to start big, I would advise that you don't throw the money into one-big establishment. For me, I started small and I have always considered myself a modest person. And right now I have learnt a lot of lessons that have really helped me now to focus and maintain a good standard.
ExpertsWhat makes you an expert? Technical training is still part of it. Having skills, having talents is one thing and managerial training is another thing. Even at that, I still advise that you don't take in too much staff in the beginning, don't rent a very expensive shop. Take to advantage all the favours, start at a very low manageable level so that by the time you get up there you have learnt a lot.All my fabrics are sourced locally. I have a fabric supplier. He supplied fabrics to me on demand.The qualities are good and it took me a long time to get my source. I tried a lot of other sources before I got this particular one. So, my fabrics are mainly cutton-based. I only deal in casual wears, for now, easy-to-wear, versatile clothes. So, I use mainly cottons and linen. I don't really use synthetic fabrics.So these fabrics are available and my source of supply is quite consistent. I can order for the fabrics I want and get them when I need them.Nigerians’ taste for foreign goodsThat is another thing I really thought about before creating my line of clothes. Nigerians have desire for imported goods, but when it comes to clothes people really want things that fit well and look good. People want things that are unique, different and comfortable. If you meet all these, even when your products are not imported, you have your clients.And as you know a lot of people have gone into the business of Dubai, bringing in Dubai clothes. Most of my customers are not pleased with those imported Dubai things because they don't last, but my fabrics last long. And imported clothes, to the extent we do it in this country, people bring in mass produced clothes, clothes that are common and all that.So, Nigerians like imported things, but when it comes to clothes they are more particular about it being comfortable and lasting.
My marketIt is quite large. In fact, I am expanding now because I need to meet more demands of my customers. The kind of clothes I make are clothes that are very versatile, clothes you can wear to different occasions. I don't make suits, I don't make natives. I make casuals in my own designs. And the designs are such that people of various ages can find something for themselves. I say that my designs are ageless because whether you are 16 or 60, in fact, that is the range of customers I have. I have customers who are in school. I have grandmothers that wear these clothes. So, I don't make them to appear so exotic that people will start complaining. I make them very, very simple and comfortable that people of different ages can wear them. At the same time I make them in such a way you could wear them to different kinds of occasion. You could wear them to a naming ceremony, to church, to social clubs, to the office on Fridays and to everywhere. A lot of people like them because they can invest certain amount of money on them and can wear them to different places. They don't need to buy again special clothes for church or other occasions.Well, I'm proud to say that we are not cheap. It's not my aim to make cheap clothes because that would affect the quality of the clothes. But all the same, our clothes are affordable. Like I said I have students buying my clothes which tells you my clothes are not only for the upper-class.Can somebody with N10,000 buy your clothes?Of course, easily. You may not leave with a suitcase load of clothes but you will definitely leave with something reasonable. And we make different kinds of clothes. So, you could buy just a shirt, trousers, there are different kinds of clothes and they are priced accordingly.I have a factory. I have tailors that work for me, I don't contract out my clothes. I have my tailors so that I can supervise them to my own taste and standard to satisfy my customers.Well, I don't have a retail outlet for now, but my customers come to meet me at home. However, some people buy from me in bulk to resell, both here and abroad. So, a lot of people get in touch with me here and order for their clothes. I do sell on wholesale price to those buying from abroad so that they can also make a reasonable profit margin. So, definitely my retail and wholesale prices are a little bit different. The responses from sales abroad is quite good and I'm quite impressed. It is just that they have this weather factor over there that affects the order. Once it's winter sales go down because the clothes are really summer clothes. But when it is summer sales go up. For instance, last summer was quite a long one in England and the sales there was fantastic.
ProfitabilityI'm still in it and I'm not doing badly. So, It's not bad. Anything that has to do with creativity you put your price on it. So, that's why one person's price can be so low while another is high, it depends on the value you put on your creativity.The reward is not just money-wise. In terms of monetary reward, I will say I prefer now to when I was in the bank. When I was working the salary was fixed and except the management decides to increase your salary, which does not happen often, you don't have anything in addition. And no matter how hard you worked you are getting the same pay. But now I can give myself a target. I can strategize, I can change my marketing style, everything is in my hand and under my control.As a business person, the first thing you learn about business is that you do not determine the profitability of the business based on how much profit you are making on individual clothes. But what you consider primarily is your turnover, how much sales you are making and how much money is passing through your hand.When you are working in a bank or whatever establishment, your costs are different from when you are on your own. Right now, I don't spend much on clothes like I was doing then. I don't spend much on petrol like I did then by moving around everyday. And even I don't spend as much on hospital as much as I did then. So, there are so many costs that have gone off my books. So, the value I get in terms of my time – the time I can now use to take care of my family, my husband, my son – that is a shield value that I can't put money on.
DreamI want to make Xclamations to be a household name. And I would want my export market to be much bigger. I would want my Xclamations to go abroad. I would want to have more shops to stock our things there. Equally, I will like to expand my sales here, I want Xclamations to be a household name in Nigeria.
EducationI went to the University of Lagos. I have a B.Sc. in Business Administration. And I'm currently almost completing a Masters Degree at the Obafemi Awolowo University. And I also took a course in Fashion Technology at London Central Fashion Studies.

By CHIDI NNADI

Interview with Nigerian top model, Ndidi Odogwu

 Ndidi Odogwu is half-Cameroonian, half-Nigerian from Delta State. She has worked with several brands and done numerous fashion shows including, Maki Oh, House of Nwocha, Vogue, Mango, Grey, Iamisigo, House Of Marie, Sleek, This Day Style, Complete Fashion, Total Wrap, Imperial Leather, Diamond Bank, Elite model look 2009, Arise Fashion Show, Lagos Fashion and Design Week, Music Meets Runway, Complete Fashion Show, Clan Fashion Show, Copa Lagos, Vlisco, Virgin Atlantic Show, to mention a few. Click to read more about the beauty.

OmogeMura: What inspired you into modelling?
Ndidi: I’ve always loved fashion and every time I watched fashion on TV and saw the models on the runway, I always wanted to be one of them but then my agent at the time said I wasn’t tall enough and I wouldn’t make it and that just made me want it even more. So I met a top model (Aisha Danjuma) while I was in school and she hooked me up with Elohor (Beth models) who signed me up on the spot.

OmogeMura: What was your first break in the industry?
Ndidi: My first break was when I was selected for the Elite Model Look Nigeria 2009

OmogeMura: You graduated from the University of Lagos how has studying Creative Arts aided your modelling career?
Ndidi: Creative arts has helped not only my career but also every area of my life as it not only made me an independent person but it taught me to give 100% in whatever I do. It has also geared me into thinking outside the box and this made my modelling abilities flow naturally.

OmogeMura: What have you struggled with the most in your life?
Ndidi: Nothing really, I thank God it’s been good so far.

OmogeMura: What are you proudest of in your career?
Ndidi: I’m proud of how far I went even though I wasn’t as tall as the other girls, I’ve worked with a lot of top designers in the country and it’s been really good so far.

OmogeMura: You’ve worked at some of the industry’s most illustrious places. What did you learn at each place and what were some of your favourite memories?
Ndidi: Every photo shoot is different, different designers want different things and I always learnt more after every shoot or fashion show, I learnt to fight my shyness and work on my confidence and I got better after every job. My favourite memory was when I did the Elite Model Look, it was so much fun and that was when I became one of the models I always watched on TV. Arise Magazine Fashion week 2011/2012 is another memory I hold dear because I was on the runway with a lot of international models and I met and worked with a lot of designers, it was a beautiful experience. Another good memory was my Vogue shoot with Reze Bonna, it was challenging but was worth it.

OmogeMura: Who are some of your favourite all time models and for what reason?
Ndidi: I like Kate Moss because she’s inspired me to keep pushing, regardless of what anyone said. She’s not so tall as well and she made it and it was that thought that kept me focused. I also love Naomi Campbell. I love her walk and her attitude on the runway, how she sells herself as a model and at the same time sells the designers outfit, also Heidi Klum.

OmogeMura: What do you see as the qualities that will help models make it?
Ndidi: People think being a successful model is about how tall you are or how skinny or how pretty, it’s not; it’s about how well you can sell a designers outfit whether you like that particular outfit or not. Your confidence, how u walk, your grace, your carriage, your charisma, your facial expression and also your character because if you have a bad character, designers that worked with you before wouldn’t want to work with you again.

OmogeMura: Who’s your favourite designer?
Ndidi: My favourite designer is Maki oh. I love everything she makes. She’s so talented and she’s a really nice person too.

OmogeMura: Who’s your favourite photographer?
Ndidi: That will be Reze Bonna. He is the nicest person ever and he is a super talented photographer.

OmogeMura: What’s your favourite perfume?
Ndidi: I love Chance by Chanel.

OmogeMura: What do you most dislike about yourself?
Ndidi: I can procrastinate for Africa..loooool.

OmogeMura: Who is the person you most admire in the world?
Ndidi: My mum 

OmogeMura: What is your biggest regret?
Ndidi: I have none.

OmogeMura: What personal possession do you most value?
Ndidi: I value every single thing I have, from the smallest earring to my most expensive shoe.

OmogeMura: Your favorite color?
Ndidi: I love white, anything white to me is beautiful.

OmogeMura: What is your biggest fear?
Ndidi: My biggest fear is not achieving my dreams, going for it and not being successful.

OmogeMura: If you could change the world, what would you change?
Ndidi: I would stop corruption, especially in our country Nigeria. Corruption is killing us slowly. We are suppose to be the giants of Africa but what do we have to show for it?? Nothing!!

Interview done by Funmi Ishola.

Oluchi, Nigeria’s contribution to global modelling

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By OKEY OBIOZO

When beautiful Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi won the maiden edition of the M-Net Face of Africa (now Nokia Face of Africa) competition in 1998, it was like a dream to her friends and family members.

Her winning the competition was remarkable because considering her humble background and disposition in life, nobody gave her a chance.

However, with the encouragement of people around her, she was able to prove significantly that where there is will power, there must be breakthrough. Her success story has remained an inspiration and motivation to many who are aspiring for new accomplishments around the world.

She was born on August 1, 1982. She grew up in Ojuelegba, a suburb of Lagos, with her two brothers and sisters. Her father was a civil servant and her mother a nurse.

Oluchi, as she is famously called, grew up ordinarily like every other child in her neighbourhood. So, from inception, there was nothing special about her to indicate that she would later in life make the spectacular success that she has become.

As luck would have it,when Onweagba was 16 years old, she won the “Face of Africa” contest. Like her first name that means God’s work in Igbo dialect, her ethnic background in Nigeria, she truly was portrayed to be seen as God’s masterpiece of creation, a feat that helped her to emerge winner in the contest. Name, they say, imparts destiny and in Onweagba’s case, it was proved to be true.

However, she was urged by a family friend to enter for the M-Net “Face of Africa” preliminary screening at the M-Net office in Victoria Island, Lagos without any prior grooming about modelling. It was the agency that brushed up her to be one of Nigeria’s entrants for the 1998 competition.

This was despite the fact that, growing up, she had maintained a relative ignorance towards fashion and modelling, but with the support of her family and friends, she decided to compete in the first-ever continent-wide modelling competition organized by the South African channel M-Net in collaboration with Elite Model management.

Courageously, she won the competition at just 17 years old. The fame of her heroic achievement made the Elite Model management to award her a three-year modelling contract.

The contract gave her the required exposure to mount the world stage and showcase her talent to the admiration of great fashion designers and international modelling companies that quickly saw in her raw talent waiting to be tapped.

She, thereafter, took modelling as a full career striding so many run-ways across the world. In order to attract the appropriate clientele needed to project her career, she relocated to America.

After moving to New York City, where she still lives, Onweagba graced the covers of Italian Vogue, I-D, Elle, Untold and Surface magazines; she also was featured in Nylon, Marie Claire, Allure, and other national editions of Vogue around the world.

She became the face of campaigns for Gianfranco Ferré, Gap, Express, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor, as well as working for Victoria’s Secret.

Onweagba’s runway experience has been with John Galliano, Christian Dior, Costume National, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani, amongst others, in London, Milan, Tokyo and Paris. She has worked with such notable photographers as Steven Meisel, Nick Knight, and Patrick Demarchelier.

Beyond modelling, she tries to serve as a role model for other aspiring talents in Nigeria, especially young girls. She volunteers her time and her image for such NGOs as LEAP Africa, an entrepreneurship incubator and NIPRO. She also is continuing her higher education, having studied for an associate’s degree in the New York City educational system.

After her three-year contract with Elite expired, she signed with DNA Model management. The highlight of her career so far was when she was featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue four times, from 2005 to 2008.

In 2008, she launched a modelling agency in South Africa, O-Model Africa, with offices in Johannesburg and recently in Cape Town. The 2008 winner of M-Net Face of Africa, Kate Tachie-Menson, was awarded a US $50,000 modelling contract by O-Model Africa.

In August 2005, Onweagba married her long time companion, Italian fashion designer Luca Orlandi and the union has produced a son.

The supermodel currently runs her production outfit, LuLu Productions, which will produce the African version of the America’s Next Top Model reality show. It is a show that is gaining acceptance across Africa and is billed to bring up more raw talents from the continent to the world.

Complete Fashion magazine editor Franca Asindi Left for Blanck Digital

Franca Asindi Chiedi, the lady who turned Complete Fashion magazine around and made it the highest selling glossy magazine in Nigeria, has left as the mag's editor. Franca (pictured left) left the position about a month ago after relocating to the UK to join her husband.

Dumebi Agbakoba, (pictured right) of Side View magazine has taken over as the acting editor.

Franca is now the editor of Blanck Digital - a digital fashion, entertainment and lifestyle magazine

Do You Want To Break Into The Modelling Industry?

Modelling Advice From 

Nigeria's Number 1 Modelling Platform.

Breaking in to the industry... 

Everybody wants to model, but not everyone has the potential to model. The key is to find out if modelling is right for you before you decide to approach anyone and everyone out there.

Aside from being scouted there are only two ways of getting into the modelling industry: either by joining an agency, or working as a freelance model. For either way you will need a portfolio of professional pictures to promote yourself with. You can’t model without a portfolio

A models portfolio should be suitable for the type of model you are. Your modelling portfolio should highlight your good angles; show versatility, ability and scope. It is an essential tool of the trade without which no model can find work.

In a competitive industry Nigeria Models provide you the opportunity to work with industry professionals to create your model CV (portfolio) to present yourself as a professional model to model agencies and companies that are looking for new faces.

Once you have a professional modelling portfolio you can start marketing yourself straight away.  

Modelling agencies

There are hundreds of agencies around the UK. It is important to approach the right agencies that are looking for the type of model you are. Therefore matching the requirements before making an application and getting disappointed.

Model agencies find work for their models by representing/presenting them to clients such as designers and photographers. Your agent will promotes you and finds modelling jobs, and takes a percentage of 20% - 33% from your earnings.

Before you start approaching agencies you will need to establish the type of modelling you are best suited to given your look, age, height and body type.

A Model’s Personality

Modelling is very fun and very glamorous and there is certainly good potential for earning a lot of money in a very short amount of time however it is not that easy.

Modelling is a life style and as a model you need to be able to groom yourself all the time. Looking after your skin, your hair, lots of beauty sleep and consuming lots of water and no alcohol or smoking which can affect your skin.

You will be marketing yourself to lots of different agencies and companies and it is important to understand that some agencies will like your look and some will not. This does not mean you cannot model. You need to be able to have thick skin and get used to rejections.

There is a constant search for new faces and every season they will be looking for different looks depending on the trends and depending on the fashion industry.

The most important thing is to be determined, focused and keep on applying.

Remember, the hardest part is the first stages of getting yourself in to the modelling industry, once you start modelling it gets easier and easier as you will be more recognized within the industry and understand how it works.

Akpoobaro Model From Nigeria

Meet Akpoobaro – A Beautiful Female Model from Nigeria

I’m always impressed by girls and guys who have clear goals and have decided to go after their dream of modeling. I want to introduce Akpoobaro and share her stunning pictures with you. Please encourage her with your comments below this post. – 

From Akpoobaro:

Name: Akpoobaro Erhu
Country: Delta state, Nigeria.
My statistics: 34-26-36.
Age: 19years old.
Facebook name: Akpoobaro Erhu
Instagram and twitter is @ErulObaro
I really commited to get started in modelling January last year and I have really progressed since then.

I love the modelling industry as it is a very fun and creative area. I am a runway model who has walked for designers like David Tlale of South Africa, Lisof of South Africa, Sunny Rose of Nigeria among others.

Thank you.

Thanks for viewing these female modeling pictures and I hope you’ll come back real soon!

Introducing Lazer™ Clothing’ Fashion Design Specialist

Lazer™ Clothing’ is a fast rising fashion design Specialist that has been on the ‘cards’ For some years back… Its Running and Management is by a Young enterprising Nigerian.. - See more at: 
https://www.facebook.com/loyal.lefty?fref=ts

Going through their collections… its evident that they blend traditional designs with the modern trendy outfits in order to suit all kinds of people !!! Available in stock for them are; - See more at: https://www.facebook.com/loyal.lefty/photos_all

Custom made Shirts, Ankara Stylist shirts, Animal print shirts nice looking, Jalamia and a whole lot of others. Good news is… They have got sales reps all over The Nation and can deliver anywhere, Anytime… To confirm the authenticity of what they are offering to the public.. They have some celebrities like 9ice, Ara, and lot more endorsing their brand.. You wanna get any of these fashion items ?? Very easy.. Just reach them on: +2348027274306 or BBM: 27F91F0E If you are also interested in marketing the products in your region, Holla at them with the contact details above !! See some pictures below !!! - See more at: https://www.facebook.com/loyal.lefty/photos_all