Rising Stars -"...I started with nothing, absolutely nothing"

So after about three weeks of scheduling and rescheduling, I finally met the very beautiful and busy person behind Teaze Couture. 25 years old Ayotunde Omitogun, our star for the month of May, is a young fashion enthusiast who is gradually carving a niche for herself in the complex world of fashion.

 At a time where an average young Nigerian looks forward to getting a good paying job in the unsteady ‘favor’ market after graduation, Tunde (as I like to call her) decides to chart her own course and in turn create jobs in the process.

Tunde’s tenacity in living her dream is very inspiring and the humility of her persona is simply enchanting (she is so ‘camera shy’, she hardly takes pictures of herself). 

In this interview with Seun of FreshHouse (FH), Ayotunde talks about her love for fashion and how she has managed so far in the fashion business. Excerpts:

FH: Tell me about yourself?

Errrm…how do I start…okay, I am Omitogun Ayotunde, I am from Ekiti state… (Laughs) ….and I am into fashion designing. I enjoy reading or writing at my free time.

FH: Your educational background?

Ayotunde Omitogun

Ok, I started school in Kenya before my family moved back to Nigeria. I completed my secondary school education at Mictec International School, Lagos. Then I proceeded to Nikki Africana Fashion School at Ikeja where I spent two years studying or should I say learning fashion. I am currently pursuing a degree in Business and entrepreneurial studies at the National Open University.

FH: So why fashion? You seem more of an academic person 

(Laughs) well, a lot of people don’t know that fashion isn’t easy. There is a lot to it than meets eye. Some people actually think fashion designing is all about cutting clothes but it is more than that. I work with patterns a lot and cutting patterns isn’t as easy as you may think. More so, fashion is very broad. It is in fashion you have fashion history where you study how fashion has evolved over time and to do that, you really have to read books. You also have styling, fashion illustration, make-up, modeling and so many others. The thing is that most people just see the glamour part; they don’t get to see the work behind it.

FH: What then does fashion mean to you?

Ok, fashion to me is a way of life. Fashion is everything. It is like the way I want to live, the person I want to be. You can be what you want to be through fashion. Today you can decide to be this; tomorrow you can be another thing. Fashion is a lifestyle, it is everything.

FH: When did you realize you wanted to be a fashion designer?

(Smiles) the reason is funny! I am a very tiny person, I actually wear a size 00 and I hardly get what to wear. Getting what to wear was always a problem and even when I eventually do, it is either it is too expensive or few. So I wondered why I couldn't make my own clothes –that’s when the desire was born. I actually got into fashion while I was trying to get admission into the University after secondary school. I said to myself “for the meantime, why don’t I do fashion at least, that will while away time”. So I enrolled into fashion school and my orientation for fashion changed. I wanted to do fashion to make clothes for myself and to while away time but I began to see it differently. Alas, I had begun to fall in love with fashion! When admission finally came, I wasn't motivated to abandon what I was getting at the fashion school –it was a difficult decision though. The thing I really like about fashion is that there is really no rule guiding you. You create your own rule. You can make or create anything. It is very flexible.

FH: Are you saying there aren't any fashion mistakes?

The truth is most trends you see today were actually termed fashion mistakes at some point. It is all about creativity. What you call fashion mistakes are those ‘mistakes’ that weren't generally accepted. Once it is accepted, then it is cool.

FH: What was the first clothing you ever designed?

I really can’t remember but am sure it was horrible (laughs). I really made a lot of horrible things back then in fashion school. The thing is I hate to sew so most of the designs that I did back then came out very horrible. At some point I feared whether I was going to finish fashion school.  I actually prefer designing and styling to sewing.

FH: So how long have you been into fashion professionally?

Professionally, that would be 2-3 years. After fashion school, it took me a while to begin professionally. I actually didn't know where to start from or how to start but am glad I took the step to start. I started with making clothes for friends and family, then the referrals came in and the story has been different ever since.

FH: A lot of youths with potential skills find funding their skills or ideas the major challenge. How did you surmount this challenge?

I started with nothing. Absolutely nothing! Like I said earlier, I started making clothes for friends and family. It was that step with a lot of perseverance that grew to what it is today. Just get your idea right and start, everything else will fall into place.

FH: What are some your accomplishment as a designer?

Annie's traditional wedding dress

Well, we have a clothing line now known as Teaze. The fact that we now have so many clients giving us recommendations about how satisfied they are with our work is a big accomplishment. Being part of TuFace’s wedding was also something I hold dear but nothing compares to putting a smile on my clients face.

FH:  Tuface’s wedding?

I designed Annie’s traditional wedding dress.

FH: So what inspires you?

I would say everything. Everything around me inspires me one way or the other, that’s why you would most likely catch me staring around everywhere I go.

FH: How will you define the style Teaze Couture exemplifies?

Simplicity! What you wear should be simple yet sophisticated and that’s what we try to encapsulate in our designs. I strongly believe that the cloth shouldn't wear you, you should wear the cloth. People should see you and not the cloth. In short, the dress should fit the wearer perfectly. Our designs are tailored towards this philosophy.

FH: Do you have any particular fabric, pattern or color you enjoy working with?

I think it actually changes. At some point, I liked Ankara then it moved to Chiffon. Recently, I find myself falling in love with Jerseys. Basically, I just enjoy mixing it up. For colors, I generally love bright colors but as a designer, I work with any color really.

FH: Your fashion goals in 5 years?

Well, I see myself having a clothing line that everybody can wear. A line that is trendy and that everybody can afford.

FH: What are some of your favorite fashion blogs, magazines, books and mentors?

I visit BellaNaija a lot. I like to read the Vogue or Queen magazine and I love watching fashion shows on TV –my favorite is Fashion Police. There is this book I am currently reading, it is about the history of fashion from the 17^th to 20^th century. I really love that book. The works of Bridget Awosika inspires me a lot. I like the way she cuts, her cuts are clean and simple. On the foreign scene, I love the works of Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs.

FH: If you weren't in fashion, what other area do you think you probably would be in?

That will be Media especially print media. I love writing though I don’t have any published work yet.

FH: Advice to young people who have special skills and talents but are timid in building a career around it?

Playing it safe doesn't always work; following your dream is the best thing that can ever happen to you.  People will discourage you but you shouldn't give up. Most importantly, you shouldn't wait for people to even encourage you; just go ahead and do it! It has paid well for me and it sure can pay well for you too.

FH: How can readers contact you?

They can visit our website www.teazecouture.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teazecouture, or follow us on twitter @teazecouture

FH: Finally, how would you rate yourself in five stars based on your accomplishments so far?

I will say one because I feel I still have a really long way to go.

I do hope this first edition of Rising stars inspired you. If it did, please leave a comment and share with your friends. If it didn't, please suggest ways you think we can improve. Thank you for reading.

Rising stars is a monthly publication designed to recognize and celebrate potential talents among youths. Each feature examines the life of a rising star (upcoming talent like they put it on radio and TV). We are not leaving any talent out so if you think you have got something special and you won’t mind us sharing it here on this platform so others can appreciate what you do as well as benefit from it, then this feature is for you. Send your profile and summary of what you do to nigerianpop@yahoo.com and we will consider it for publishing. You can also contact the editor on 08064365247, or follow @FreshHouseNG on twitter. 

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