Starting Out As A Fashion Designer In Nigeria

The “I am not a tailor, I’m a fashion designer” is one conversation I’ve heard one-too-many-times. I think because of the connotations of the Nigerian people about tailors, even tailors do not want to be called tailors again. Everyone now go by the name “Fashion Designer”. 

I don’t see anything wrong with everyone changing their profession to fashion designers in Nigeria, even though being a tailor should also be honorable. 

I think it will be best we get to know what the role of fashion designer is and how one can successfully become a fashion designer in Nigeria. 

Fashion design is a form of art. To work as a designer, you should have an artistic and creative personality. You also have to be good at drawing and able to express your ideas in sketches. 

You don't necessarily have to be a great artist, but you must have some special skills for combining colors, tones and shades. You also have to be able to work with fabric and use textiles in a creative and original manner.

A fashion designer is the creative mind behind any item of clothing, be it a high fashion runway garment or your regular pair of jeans or tee shirt.  They conduct research, develop a concept and vision for the type of person they would like to dress, create a visual image of their concept through sketches and oversee the various design and production processes that bring their sketches or designs to life in the form of a three dimensional garment to fit their intended market.  

The tailors on the other hand, directly take measurement of the client and stitch the clothes according to the design given by the client

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Now, it doesn’t mean that a tailor cannot be a fashion designer. In fact, it makes the whole process easier, if a tailor also has the skill of fashion designing.

To become a good fashion designer in Nigeria, you need to leverage on these rules;

Develop your skills. Successful fashion designers have a wide array of skills, including drawing, an eye for color and texture, an ability to visualize concepts in three dimensions, and the mechanical skills involved in sewing and cutting all types of fabrics.

Decide which designing field is your principal interest. For example; 

·         Women's wear

·         Men's wear

·         Sportswear/fitness/leisure wear

·         Outdoor, adventure, outerwear

·         Bridal wear

·         Accessories

·         Casual

Ask your customers what they need.  Keep it simple and realistic. Extravagant sketches are nice on paper, but great native wears, casuals, shirts, pants or suit are better simple and classy. Simple designs remain the ultimate sophistication.

Assess your skills and personality honestly before pursuing a career in fashion design. You may love clothes but clothing is only part of the story when undertaking fashion design. You'll also need excellent communication skills, a willingness to work very hard, an ability to cope with stress, openness to having many different clients and/or bosses, an acceptance that there will be loneliness or isolation on occasion and an ability to be a self-disciplined self-starter.

Get educated about the business side of fashion.  Being a successful fashion designer not only requires talent and creativity, it also requires a sound knowledge of the business and marketing aspects of the fashion world.

Look for fashion design jobs. Or start your own fashion label but be prepared to be financially astute.