Wura Falade-Adepoju is a fashion designer and the Chief Executive Officer of popular Vigold Creations. She tells Ademola Olonilua about her fashion sense
Who inspired your fashion sense in life?
That would be my mother. She has always been a seamstress and she inspired me because I used to watch her while she worked and created designs. I am sure that is how I developed my interest in fashion.
As a fashion designer, how would you describe the fashion industry in Nigeria?
I call Nigeria the centre of fashion in Africa because fashion in Nigeria is so different from what obtains in any other part of Africa. A lot of people look up to Nigerians for fashion trend in Africa and even in the world.
Do you think fashion is only about the way you dress?
No, it encompasses everything; your style, carriage and poise. It is all about who you are and not just about the clothe alone.
Would you say you are a fashionable person?
Yes, I am very fashionable. I have always been fashionable.
Are you saying this because you are a fashion designer?
Naturally, I am a fashionable person. Before I became a fashion designer, I had always been very fashionable. I worked for five years before I became a fashion designer. At my place of work, I was always the best dressed and it was like that everywhere I worked. I have always been a fashion oriented person and a lover of fashion even before I delved into the fashion world.
Where did you work?
I worked at Almaco (Aluminum Manufacturing Company of Nigeria). I also served with a construction company during my National Youth Service Corps programme. I worked with Almaco for about five years and back to back and I was the best dressed there during the period. I have always been a lover of fashion.
Is fashion all about dressing well?
It is not about dressing alone but every other thing including carriage. I was a trained secretary and being the first person you would see before seeing my boss, I had to look presentable. Everything about me is usually very different. For me, fashion is not just about my dressing but everything about me.
How often do you have time to make clothes for yourself?
It depends, sometimes when we are very busy, I don’t have time to make clothes for myself but when we are less busy, I could make as many as five clothes in a week for myself. Sometimes for about three months, I might not have time to make any clothes for myself except the occasion is very necessary like a family gathering and the cloth is an aso-ebi. I don’t really attend parties except they are very important.
It means that you have so many clothes…
Yes I do. I have a lot of clothes. I give out clothes to church as charity. Most of the time when I make clothes for myself and I wear them, clients would tell me that they like them and that I should make a replica for them. Most of the time when I wear my clothes, clients wish to have them, so I just sell to them.
Asides from clothes, are you a shoe freak?
I am a lover of shoes but I would not say I am a shoe freak. I love everything fashion. I have a lot of shoes as well. I buy what I need and what is necessary.
As a designer, would you agree that Nigerians love buying designer labels abroad than getting made in Nigeria products?
Nigerians buy a lot of imported things but basically we design bespoke clothes. What we do is customised to suit our clients. We design them, so it is not something you would see on other people. We do not mass-produce and the pieces we make are things people would come and tell us they want. Some people would tell me that they want something exclusive. It is possible for me to make 20 different aso-ebi and they would be different styles. People cannot do without the kind of fashion I do. Imported things have their place in your wardrobe and these kinds of customised clothes also have their own place. I don’t think it affects what we do. The type of fashion we do is different from what they do abroad.
Would you subscribe to Nigerians dressing in African attire to work?
It is possible but then the fabric has to be light. However, you would find out that our Ankara fabric is now being produced into lighter fabrics. With light fabrics, it is possible. Nigerians can dress African to work. It is just that most of our fabrics are really heavy. If they can be produced into lighter cotton-like materials, then we can.
When it comes to your hair, do you prefer braids or anything goes for you?
Because of the nature of what I do, I like braiding my hair.
What are the challenges you face as a designer?
Electricity is the major challenge. Fashion for me is passion. I love fashion, I have tried so many other things but I still find myself doing fashion. Fashion is the sole of my business; I am so passionate about fashion. It is difficult for me to do any other thing. Power has been frustrating.
What would you not want to be seen wearing?
I like clothes that suit my body. I don’t wear clothes that would expose my private parts. I don’t wear mini-skirts at all.
Didn’t you wear them even when you were single?
I didn’t. I don’t know why. I just don’t like them.
Can you design such clothes?
Why not? It is my job to do so. I can design for people but I cannot wear them. I wear short skirts but mini and micro-mini skirts are the ones I cannot wear. You can never find me wearing them.
But you can make clothes that reveal the cleavage?
I can for my clients. All I can do is advise the client and I am very diplomatic about it because when you advise some clients, they question why you should dictate what they must wear for them. I can design anything for anybody.
Can you wear cleavage revealing dresses?
I can. I think I have worn cleavage revealing clothes before. But if I must wear them, then I would have a veil with me.
Are you daring when it comes to fashion?
Yes I am. I am very daring when it comes to fashion but not when it comes to exposing my private parts. I am very daring but I have to be modest because I am a Christian. I dress very modestly but I am also very fashionable with it.
How do you apply your make-up?
I am not a make-up person. It is either no make-up at all or light make-up. I use light make-up when I am going out but when I am at work, I do not use make-up at all because I don’t have time and I am very busy. I am not just a make-up person; it is usually extremely light if I have to wear make-up.
What do you think about casual dressing?
I like wearing casual clothing. I love jeans and I wear them often because it is comfortable.
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