by ‘Ifreke Inyang

Loyaute Couture is the brainchild of two friends, Mowale Ajose-Adeogun and Ada Okwuonu. With their young fashion label, they are poised to take over the scene.

 

What is the origin of your label?
Our label originated from me and my partner and friend, Ada’s vision to show people that it wasn’t exactly rocket-science to look good in clothes.

What was the first piece of clothing you ever designed?
Mowale:  A dry lace monostrap top and a matching long skirt for my uncle’s wedding.
Ada:  A short skirt with ankara strips and buttons

What are the fabrics you like working with?
Mowale: I love the way chiffon flows and french lace is just too sexy.
Ada: Chiffon, silk, lycra and cotton.

Which international designer would you like to work with?
Mowale: Vivienne Westwood. She’s a legend.
Ada:  Definitely Vera Wang!

What matters to you most as a designer?
Mowale:  Making our customers smile by exalting their figures in ways they never imagined.
Ada:  Being able to express my artistic side and meeting the needs of my customers, making them look and feel good.

What are your accomplishments as a designer?
Being able to put together our pilot collection in just three days was a great accomplishment for us.

What inspires your designs?
The fabrics, our environment, our friends and family

What are the problems you face as a designer in this part of the world?
Difficulty in getting a variety of fabrics. Our textile industries don’t make some of these fabrics.

How would you rate the Nigerian fashion industry?
I would say over the years, we’ve come a long way and a large percent of our designers have attained world-class standards.

If you were not a designer what would you have been?
Mowale: An accountant/writer

Who are your favourite designers locally?
Jewel by Lisa, Mai Atafo and Tiffany Amber

Are you one of those who think government can support designers – and how?
Mowale: Wow, I never thought of that before. I guess they could by developing our local fabric industry, providing more avenues for fabric sellers to sell and also by reducing the costs of importing fabric.
Ada:  They could provide some form of copyright for some designs also  they could create more avenues for aspiring designers.

Where do you see your label in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see Loyaute Couture on the runways in London, Paris, Milan and our clothes in stores everywhere.

What do you say to aspiring designers?
Never let anything deter your dream. It sure as hell isn’t easy, if you believe in something don’t let it go.