Celebrated fashion designer, Frank Osodi, talks fashion and sundry issues with ’Nonye Ben-Nwankwo
You ought to have a clothing line now, going by the number of years you have been in the fashion industry.
I am not in the business of producing for the masses. I produce for few clients. We work by order. But come to think of it, do we really do mass production in Nigeria? We don’t have all the elements to do such and we don’t even have the factory to do such in Nigeria. In every way you look at it, we just produce a few numbers and put in the shop. Moreover, I am into premium products. They are different from casuals and such attires can’t be mass-produced. Everything in my workshop has been ordered and paid for. It is better for me. I like doing things that are unique and such works for me for now. Until we have the facilities for mass production, I might not get into it.
One other thing that made you more popular was the dress you made for Agbani Darego, which she wore during the Miss World beauty pageant. Do you still make clothes for contestants?
We still do. We made a dress for Miss Tanzania that she wore during the Miss Nigeria pageant. It is just that recently, we have not really been involved in pageantry. If you ask me, beauty pageantry is going down in Nigeria. A lot of these girls come in with money to pay; they don’t have the queenly materials. They can’t express themselves. They get into the contest because they just want to be seen. They only want stardom. Agbani’s time was just the climax. The contestants were hot. But now, the girls can’t even answer questions. Why would I want such girls to wear my brand? I would rather have personalities come in here and buy their clothes. You mustn’t even be a celebrity to come in here and tell us to make something for you.
Do you now make male clothes?
No. We only consult for the men and we make reference to clothiers.
So, who do you wear?
I am not really a dresser. I am absolutely not. I am a knicker and T-Shirt person. I usually wear my white T-Shirt which might be either round, V neck or polo. I am comfortable with that. Otherwise, I wear a pair of jeans. I don’t always attend events because I will need to dress up. When I attend event, just know that I was compelled to be there otherwise, when I think of getting into my wardrobe, I give up. I only like to dress people up. It is too much stress for me to dress up. I make efforts sometimes. I am a very shy person. I don’t like to be visible at every event. It has to be worth my while before I do it.
You must have a fashion craze.
There is really none. I cannot start giving you names. But I know that I am particular about fragrances. I love perfumes. I love Bvlgari. I always like to smell good. It is very important. I have a lot of perfumes and friends buy for me as well. Otherwise, I am very simple to the barest. I have to be comfortable.
Now that colours are in vogue, do you go for coloured pants?
I am not into colours. I am not completely against such. An artiste doesn’t have inhibitions. Though at a certain stage, some colours should not be seen on people. You wear what makes you pop.
How would you describe fashion?
Fashion is an expression of who you are and the mood you are in. If your spirit feels like bubbling, then you bubble. You express those feelings in your dressing. For some people, you might not know who they are until you come to their home. You will see they express themselves better in their décor.
Are you saying there is nothing wrong with somebody wearing a nightshirt to a mall?
There is really nothing wrong with that. It must be the mood the person is in. some women just love to show their cleavage, there is nothing wrong with it. It is a mood. But wearing such on a red carpet is wrong, it is distasteful. But there might be a reason why the lady is wearing such. Dressing up is the mood you are in at that point. Whatever you put on must be in consonance with your spirit.
How will you rate fashion in Nigeria?
In the whole of Africa, I must tell you that Nigerians are the best dressers. I must give it to our women. We copy and sometimes over do it. But it doesn’t matter. Americans do copy as well. We should not be left out in that regard.
Is fashion all about what you wear?
No way. Cloth is just an accessory. There are so many other accessories. Your home is even part of fashion.
Do you still do fashion shows?
I do. I have done quite a lot. But these days, once you are invited to a fashion show, you are just coming to entertain guests. I have stopped doing such for a while. I do shows here and I don’t get paid. They will pay the musicians and they will not pay me, meanwhile, all of us entertained the guests.
Can you remember the highest amount you have charged for a design?
I can’t remember. But I know that some of our blouses go for N350,000 to N450,000. We made a top for Helen Prest recently and it cost her N450,000. A lot of work is involved in making such blouses. They don’t come cheap. Our wedding dresses don’t come cheap either.
But some people still prefer ordering their wedding dresses from abroad…
It is allowed. Some women just like labels. However, things are changing.
TIPS
•You must understand the occasion, it determines what you wear.
•You must dress to suit your body type.
•Understand your spirit.
•Know the right fabric to wear at every moment.