If you want good wear, you have to pay good money —Aribisala, CEO, Versatile Bay

Itunu Aribisala, a graduate of Business Management at the University of Essex, London, is a model turned fashion designer. The Chief Executive Officer of Versatile Bay, Lekki, Lagos State, in this interview with TAYO GESINDE speaks on how she turned her hobby into a career.

How it all started

I actually have a flair for fashion designing, styling and shopping for people. If I go to a store and find something nice that is not my style, I will make sure I look for somebody who will fit into that. I used to model too. I worked with a fashion magazine as one of their contributors. I started modelling 15 years ago. The fashion aspect started while I was in London, I used to help people in Nigeria to do their shopping. If you are in Nigeria and you need some things, you can call me; I get them for you and send them home. After that, I ventured into buying and selling. I will buy clothes and send them to Nigeria. When I moved back to Nigeria, I worked at the fashion magazine for some time. It was when I left the company that I decided to start my own fashion outfit.

Role models

Diane von Furstenberg of DVF Label. I like her personality and her brand.

Challenges faced

Being new in a business is very challenging and working with Nigerians, especially tailors are frustrating because I cannot do everything on my own. You have to be there, if you are not there, they get nothing done and you need to check constantly check on them. Sourcing for fabrics was challenging as well, you have to make sure you get fabrics that are not too common. Light is another challenge. There was a time we were running generator from morning till night every day for a year. The rate at which dollar is fluctuating is also not helping matters. It keeps rising on a regular basis but we can’t keep changing our prices, customers are not willing to bend but we have been coping all the same.

Coping with competition

We have been able to create a niche for ourselves and we have been able to create our own unique pieces. Our pieces are different from other designers’ pieces. Customer relation is also key to us. We have a very good relationship with our customers so they keep coming back. Our designs are unique. I actually like to work with patterns; especially floral patterns and designs because they are versatile and you can get so many designs from them and do many things with them. I like to make pieces that are versatile that you can wear in many ways; it is one outfit that can be worn in different ways.

Why made in Nigeria goods are more expensive

If you want good quality, you have to pay good money. This is because, labour is very expensive, a good Nigerian tailor does not come cheap, for instance we have a designer who charges one million naira for bridal wear. When such a designer employs tailor, she pays them good money.

How government can assist the industry

Government should invest in the industry. We should have more textile factories in Nigeria as well as production hubs so that we can mass produce clothes.

Tips on how to succeed in the fashion business

First, love what you do. Be very patient because you will meet different types of people, if you are not patient you will end up having problem with everybody because we women have different temperaments so you have to be diplomatic when dealing with clients. You also have to pay attention to details and make sure your finishing is very good. When your finishing is good, even if your dresses are expensive your customers will be happy to pay because they know they are getting quality job.

Sense of style

Most times I am in casual because I am always out sourcing for fabrics or working. It is when I am going out that I try to stand out. I am obsessed with fringes, it is in vogue, I am obsessed with floral pattern and chains.

Fashion item every woman should wear

I think everywoman should have an easy to wear maxi dress that she can just throw on when going out. You can accessorise it, wear it ordinarily or style it up and just go.