Latest Fashion in Nigeria

Understanding The Fashion Business in Nigeria.

2013-04-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Presently, Fashion industry is international with designers, manufactures and consumers scattered around the globe. The fashion industry is divided into the creative and sales function i.e. Production design like tailoring, fashion design, fashion institution and sales and distribution consisting of fashion retailers, fashion PR, advertisement agencies and marketers. The modeling agencies, models and fashion magazines also play an important role in the fashion industry. Fashion designing is the focus point and the most important in the structure of this industry because they set the platform for every other fashion activities.

Fifteen years ago, fashion designing in Nigeria was a vocational job like shoe making and tailoring. Anyone would be mocked at if taken as “A serious career”. Agriculture and

Crude oil was the center point of the economy. Presently, the fashion market in Nigeria is big enough with over 150 million people with needs of clothing and diversity in style. Recently, Nigeria has over 5000 registered designers including the international designers like Lisa Folawiyo, Deola Sagoe, Folake Coker and many more. Over the past 8 years, Nigeria has experienced tremendous growth in the fashion industry. Previously, the retail stores in Nigeria were only stocked with foreign design brands like Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and many. Now, aside from the flagship stores, there are a few more retail stores like Leila fowler and Temple muse stocked with various local designs. Nigeria designer brands now display their collections on International runways and Patronized by celebrities all around the world. Fashion events are taking more serious and glam has never looked better on the Nigerian red carpet. Big things are happening and the biggest is yet to come.

Undernet the “fabulosity” and the result of achievement on the runway, there are difficulties and obstacles responsible for the pace we move in. Yes! It can move faster. For decades, the textile industry has been frowned on while the clothing industry assumes to be zooming off. Forgetting bread taste better with spread, fashion industry would perform to a great deal with a good foundation of textile industry in Nigeria. Statistics shows that Nigerian designers major in only two kinds of production which are Pre-ta-port(ready to wear) and Haute Couture while Mass production still remains an untapped mine. We often blame the Chinese for the downfall of our textile industry forgetful we play a major role to its contribution. People often want to be styled by “professionals in the business”, fashion designers export their designs to the Chinese for finished production instead of utilizing the labor and textile factories in Nigeria. According to Local designers, Nigeria lacks reliable skilled workers and do not meet production deadlines. Who blames them! 80% of Nigerians involved in the fashion industry concentrate their forces in the creativity and are interested in “after produce”, show me 5 fashion related individuals, I would show you 3 designers, 2 models and 1 tailor or non. Aside that, the government contributes a great deal as there are outdated equipments, poor power supply and bad infrastructure. These are why Chinese import and second hand goods (bed down select) are choices made by the typical Nigerian individual because of the high cost of purchasing finished goods. Even the magnificent FADAN (fashion design association of Nigeria) isn’t as magnificent as they do not perform to satisfaction.

For every problem comes a solution and follows a responsibility. The government can start by giving more attention to the agricultural industry as they play major roles in the textile industry, collaboration of clothing and textile industries should also be practiced, improvement of infrastructure like electricity and transportation. Introduction to better ban policy of imported raw materials and produced, and most especially, financial support should be given to upcoming designer as there are no such things like “too many designers in the business” in a population like Nigeria.

In addition, comparing Nigeria fashion industry to its foreign counterparts, Nigeria stands a chance in becoming the first African country to make the top 10 list of fashion countries in the world. If improvements could be taken with precaution, The fashion industry would contribute even better to the economy in Nigeria.

Latest Ankara and Lace Fashion in Nigeria

2013-04-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

Ankara fashion so beautiful; Nigeria is at it again, but this time around it is about fashion wears designed with local fabric called Ankara and Lace. This two clothing materials has been in use in Nigeria for decades and it has been used by many tribe within the country and outside the country. But one thing that is so captivating now the way in which these cloths are designed and that is to let you know that Nigeria cannot be left behind in the fashion world. Below are the hottest and the latest fashion trend with our Ankara and Lace outfits. Just imagine our creativity in all of these photo shots:

ASOEBI-2013

2013-02-27T22:30:00.000-08:00

Aso Ebi on display at the engagement of Late Pastor Mrs Bimbo Odukoya's engagement

2012-11-03T03:32:00.002-07:00

Tolu Odukoya is the daughter of late Pastor Mrs. Bimbo Odukoya of Fountain of Life Church. Her engagement ceremony to Olumide Ijogun held yesterday Thursday November 1.Their white wedding will hold tomorrow November 3rd at Fountain of Life Church by 11 am. Reception will hold immediately at Haven Event Centre, GRA, Ikeja. More photos after the cut...

Coulld this be fashion or display

2012-10-03T20:09:00.003-07:00

LACE MATERIAL FOR ASOEBI

2012-09-11T03:58:00.001-07:00

Lace material for asoebi in town

Naija ASO EBI's styles

2012-08-09T08:44:00.001-07:00

Got so many requests for asoebi styles (designs from the same material)….so here’s what we have so far for you. There’s more coming definitely…don’t wanna overwhelm you with too much all at once. Picking that perfect style is a dedicated process.

They are from different designers.

The Latest AsoEbi Outfit

2012-08-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Looking regal and quite brilliant

ASO EBI on dispalys @ Murtala Muhammed Airport School Valedictory Service

2012-07-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

ASO EBI MANIA

2012-07-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

Aso-Ebi Mania

2012-07-15T21:11:00.001-07:00

These days, with so many gorgeous fabrics available, in colours that span the spectrum, it's easier than ever to pick winning aso-ebi combinations for your dear friends and family. The term 'aso-ebi' directly translated means "relatives clothes" in Yoruba, and it is common place at weddings and other celebrations to have designated fabrics for a selected group. There are a couple of things that are vital to keep in mind when selecting your wedding aso-ebi

Happy 78th birthday to a great icon, Prof Wole Soyinka

2012-07-13T01:35:00.000-07:00

The author, poet, playwright and Nobel Prize winner was born 13th July 1934. There's a lecture at the Muson Centre today to mark his 78th birthday. Wishing him many more happy years ahead!

Gorgeous Aso Ebi styles

2012-07-12T20:18:00.001-07:00

Aso-ebi Face-off: Pattern Perfection

2012-07-12T20:13:00.002-07:00

Which one of these pretty ladies rocked it best?

Aso-ebi Face-off: Red Haute and Blue

2012-07-12T20:02:00.002-07:00

These gorgeous ladies were recently photographed at an engagement ceremony. Who do you think wore it best?

ASO EBI OUTFIT OF THE WEEK

2012-07-10T23:36:00.001-07:00

I absolutely love the bubble sleeves on this aso-ebi outfit. I think it adds a certain amount of flare. With a cinched belt and cute black heels, one is sure to look outstanding. Enjoy!!!

This dress is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

And what can you say about this, whao!!!

Anatomy of an 'Owambe' Party

2012-07-10T02:26:00.001-07:00

If you ever happen to visit the southern parts of Nigeria and Lagos from Fridays through the weekends, you are bound to come across this interesting phenomenon popularly known as the ‘Owambe party’.

According to a renown journalist, so common was the ‘Owambe’ among the Yoruba that other Nigerians who seemed to be more restrained soon began to organize owambe parties too: the oil boom had made easy money possible, and for years, Nigerians really lived it up. One contemporary English dictionary, describes the Yoruba as “the fun-loving people of West Africa!”

Aso-Ebi MADNESS! – A Personal Encounter

2012-07-10T02:20:00.002-07:00

I’ll start by clearing up some things; I’ve never been married and I am not engaged so I write this purely from one side of the aisle. I’ve reached the age where everyone around me seems to be getting engaged and even a chronic non-wedding goer like me is forced to attend a few. So imagine my discomfort when I reluctantly decided to attend the wedding of an old school friend and she mentioned that she would send her driver to drop off the aso ebi. Aso- Ebi literally means clothes of the family and I concede that it has evolved to include close friends as well, but I mean, I was not one of her close friends anymore and I felt and still feel that aso ebi should be for your inner-circle of friends.

Anyway, I decided to buy it to support her and since she mentioned that it was Ankara and Aso Oke, I figured it wouldn’t cost me much. I couldn’t have been more WRONG! After her driver dropped it off, I called to find out how much it cost so I could send the money over and she said “Ah just 17 k, I didn’t want to pick expensive asoebi like other brides I know”. I was dumbfounded. 17,000 Nigerian Naira for ankara and aso oke??? What really baffled me was that she thought it was cheap. I returned her aso ebi and explained that I couldn’t make the wedding anymore because of family commitments but I did use part of the 17,000 I would have spent to get her a gift.
Can somebody please tell me why brides feel because it is their special day it is everyone else’s as well? For real? Boo, you are a princess to your man alone. Please don’t bankrupt your poor friends because you want to top person X, Y or Z’s aso ebi. My irritation with this issue is well known and I keep hoping someone will tell me something different but instead I hear outrageous stories of 50,000 naira asoebi and even asoebi as high as 80,000.
I’ve been told that the sale of aso ebi is a way for some brides to raise money for the wedding. To those brides I say: please have the type of wedding your family can afford. DO NOT have your friends pay for your wedding. What is really wrong with our society? Why do we keep turning beautiful aspects of our culture into perverse displays of our greed and fake lifestyles? Aso Ebi was born in the tradition of family members wearing similar clothes to show support for the celebrant. It is not a money making scheme. Remember, not everyone in a family can afford exorbitant prices for clothes and I am sorry (I know I’m going to get heat for this) but it takes away from the whole point when you see two levels of asoebi in one family; one for the rich folks and one for the poorer relatives. I am not referring to situations where there is aso-ebi for young people and one for the older folks; I’m talking about when your cousin Shola or Nneka’s mum is wearing the aso-ebi you picked for members of your staff because the one you chose for so called “family members” is too expensive for them.
It is only fair that I say something to the people who encourage this behaviour. To all FRIENDS, it is okay to tell your friend that her aso-ebi is too expensive. In fact, tell her that I said you will not be bullied into spending half of your salary for her aso-ebi in addition to buying her a bridal shower gift and wedding present. I understand that we get caught up in the euphoria that our friend is finally going to the Promised Land (her hubby’s house) but as friends it is important to call each other to order. For those who go along just to belong… your issue is one for another post.
So, to my yet to be married ladies, please remember that though your wedding day is important, your marriage is most important. Do not bow to pressure from your mum or one of your aunts that sells lace or anyone else for that matter. When picking asoebi, remember that your friends can only wear it for one day. They love you and want to celebrate with you so reciprocate that love by being considerate of their finances.

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ASO EBI (ASHO EYBEE)

2012-07-10T02:17:00.000-07:00

Nigerian outfits made from matching fabric to be worn by a group of people to a party, wedding, or funeral as a uniform. Wearing a certain aso ebi identifies the group of wearers. For instance, at a wedding, all the bride's friends might wear blue and gold, the bride's family might wear white and gold, and the groom's friends might wear black and pink, and so on.
Usually at weddings, the various fabrics for the aso ebi are decided by the bride, and are then announced to all the guests months in advance so they can prepare their outfits. Guests are usually expected to buy the aso ebi from the bride, but close friends and family members and certain prominent individuals may be presented with the aso ebi as a gift. Aso ebi for parties and funerals are generally simple, but aso ebi for weddings may involve many complex changes with entirely different aso ebi for different days of the wedding, and for the reception.

Aso ebi colour blocking. Too cute...:

2012-07-10T01:29:00.002-07:00

So so lovely!!!