From being a full
time housewife to a fashion designer, Folake Majin, mother of six and founder of
Schon Afrique, has a success story to tell with the numerous awards to her
credit. In this interview with Kehinde Falode, Majin talks about the
challenges of the fashion industry and what it has taken her to get this
far
WHAT does the word
fashion mean to you?
As a fashion
designer, I have a passion for fashion. Fashion encompasses trends in culture,
clothes, jewelry, architecture, music, dance, furniture and much more.
How would you rate
the Nigerian fashion industry today?
From a steady rise, the fashion industry in Nigeria has
exploded in recent times and it's no surprise that lots and lots of the younger
generation are caught up in this explosion. Graduates in all professions are
venturing into all areas of fashion such as modeling, photography, apparel
design, shoes and bags etc. The media have had a lot to do with the visibility
of trends in fashion. We even have many fashion magazines that feature only
glamorously dressed ladies at parties and events. Lots of fashion shows have
come up here and abroad and all these have created profound interest in fashion
in recent times, encouraging sponsorship deals by big companies
Tell us a little
about your background, education, career and how your fashion career started?
I was a full time housewife for several years before I
veered into the fashion business. From my university days, I always enjoyed
designing my own clothes because I valued my own unique look. I don't like to
ape trends. I always gave my dress makers my own designs to make. So, naturally
when I thought of a career after raising my six children, being a fashion
designer was the natural choice and I knew that I could make a success of it.
My mum went to missionary schools back then and they were taught to be ladies
and home makers. She made my clothes as a child. They were professionally made
and so, I knew that dress making was for the intelligent ones and not for
school drop outs as earlier believed.
Schon Afrique is the
name of your fashion label, what informed the choice of that name?
I speak French and some German. Schon in German means
beautiful and Afrique is the French word for Africa. So, I married the two
words which mean Beautiful Africa.
What inspires your
designs?
I aim for the visually stunning, the glamorous clothes fit
for royalty, captains of industry, media gurus, stars and lovers of high
fashion. I am inspired by what will appeal to my clients from lovely fabrics to
accessories, colours and other influences that I pick here and there.
What is your area of
specialisation and why the focus on that aspect of designing?
I focus on occasion
clothes, mainly clothes for that unforgettable entrance. Unique clothes, the
glitter, the dazzle yet understated. I absolutely detest gaudy outfits. I am
very comfortable with doing clothes for special occasions, because I make designs
that are painstakingly detailed.
Who are your target
clientele?
They are women who are not afraid of standing out or being
admired; women who love fashion and are thrilled with endless creativity; women
who love the one-offs created exclusively for them.
How do you deal with
the challenges you face as a designer?
It is definitely tough doing business in Nigeria and the
major problem is lack of constant electricity. Getting professionals is also
another area of challenge. Many designers have to import professionals, who are
more exposed and have better work ethics from the west coast of Africa and even
the far east of Asia to move their business forward. Our tailors, cutters need
to be patient enough to learn the job properly instead of rushing to establish
their outfits. At Schon Afrique, we train our staff in these areas of
specialization. When aspiring designers want to come to me for mentoring, I
tell them to go to training schools first. We have Nobel, Ginnani and a few
other training schools. They need to be professionally equipped with some
knowledge of pattern making, drafting etc. to succeed. Another area of
challenge is finance. To break into big-time fashion now demands capital.
Getting media attention, sponsors, professionals etc is not an easy feat.
Is it profitable
doing fashion business in Nigeria?
Yes and no. Without being equipped with the passion,
knowledge and skill, it can be an absolute disaster. Many have started the
fashion business with state-of-the art fashion equipment only to close down in
a matter of months. With skilled workers, creativity, passion for the job and
visibility, I can confidently say it can be profitable. Give your client what
they want, churn out creative, beautiful designs from time to time, keep their
interest going, give value for money and you will definitely keep your clientele.
And because beautiful clothes are self- advertising, you will get more clients
to keep the business going.
Do you have a market
for your clothes outside Nigeria?
I stand to be corrected, but I don't believe we have any
resident Nigerian designer that is truly international in the real sense of the
word. Do we have outlets in other countries like the Gucci or the Pradas. Are
we in major departmental stores like Selfridges, Macys. To compete with
international designers needs more than a rare mention in an international
magazine or participating in international fashion shows. It requires a
complete make-over of our fashion industry, proper structure, deliberate
government participation and huge finance. I am happy that Duro Olowu, a
Nigerian designer based abroad has been able to break into the mainstream
international fashion scene.
Your job must be very
time consuming. How do you balance your personal life and your job?
It is indeed very time consuming. But I strive to create a
balance otherwise work will be overwhelming and capable of creating problems at
home. I make a conscious effort to close early (latest 6pm) and rarely take
express jobs that overstretch me.
You have two
daughters who have followed in your footsteps. What was it like taking them
through to where they are right now?
I will not say that I tutored them directly. They have their
God given talent, which eventually got expressed. But along the line, they must
have been influenced by what I did. My daughter Patigi, referred to as Miss
Majin by many, created the Breathless Experience collection for the fashion
show, while my other daughter Gogo, created GM4FM collections. I am really
proud of them.
Now, let's talk about
your experience in the MTN sponsored Schon Afrique Fashion show. What inspired
your designs for that exhibiton?
It was a professionally rewarding experience. Doing a
collection with my daughters was a unique and interesting angle to the show.
This was not about hype, but about three related designers putting up distinctly
different collections.
What are your dreams
and aspirations for Schon Afrique
It will be really nice to have a company that will outlive
me; a company that is financially strong, with solid structures on ground; a
company that is not a one- man show; a company that will stand the test of time
and remain unshakeable, in good times or bad times!
Give us a peep into your vision for Schon Afrique five to
ten years from now?
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