Adebayo Owolabi is a fashion designer and the CEO of Jolly Fashion. The fashion designer, who has the who-is-who in Kwara State as his clientele, speaks to JIMOH SUSAN on his foray in the world of fashion.

What motivated you to go into fashion business?

I have been interested in fashion since childhood. Before I went for my apprenticeship, my elder brother asked me what skill I am interested in acquiring? I then requested that he should guide me and he said I should go for fashion designing because of the potentials he saw in me and that it is a business that will not go out of season as long as people wear clothes. Thank God I don't regret that decision.

How did you come about the business name?

We were two that decided to start the business together then, my younger brother advised us to use the name Jolly. It has become a household name today.

Since when have you been in this business?

Well, it is more than 30 years.

What inspires your creative ideas?

Designing clothes is inate; it is what God has deposited in me. Customers don't like common things and thus don't like choosing styles from magazine. I get ideas in my dream in the night. I also get ideas from designs that I see at occasions.

How much do you charge for your service?

It depends on the design. Some people believe there are no fashion designers in Ilorin, but we try in our own way to change that notion. Our charges vary depending on the clients' status and taste. Some customers have taste for good designs, so we give them what they want and charge them accordingly. Some clients even pay more than what they are charged after they see the design of their clothes.

What is the highest amount a customer has ever paid you?

I can't remember, but it must have been between N10,000 to N15,000 Do you have high profile clients? If any, can you name one or two? Yes, I thank God. I have the likes of Alhaja Sarat Adebayo (APC Women Leader in Kwara State), Justice Titi Daibu, JMK, Alhaja Bolanle Yusuf (Kamwire) and many more.

Who are your targeted clientele?

I sew for male and female, young and old. But I have more female customers than male.

What are the challenges you are confronted with in this business? My main challenge is electricity because IBDEC rarely supply electricity and I have to rely on generator so as not to disappoint my customers. Generator does not have the same capacity as electricity supply by the company. If the issue of epileptic power supply is solved, then things will improve for most fashion designers.

What should your customers expect from you this year?

They should expect new designs because some will bring ten clothing materials for finishing and they wouldn't want the same style for all. With God's help I hope to make my customers happy.

Are you a member of tailoring association? If yes, what are the benefits of the association to members?

Yes, I was the immediate past chairman of Taiwo zone for four Years. I am a member of the association at the state and national level. In our association, we contribute money to buy tailoring equipment for members in need of it to ensure they work effectively and the beneficiary will pay back in instalments in such a way that it won't be burdensome. We also settle disputes between members. We also enlighten one another on how to move our profession forward.

There is the belief that this profession is for school drop- outs and semi educated people, what is your take on it?

Thank God the government now encourages graduate to acquire skills. Making use of the brain and passion for the profession is the requirement. Here in my shop, I have graduates under my tutelage.

How do you hope to expand your business?

It is all about money. What is being sown in Dubai or any part of the world can be made here because we have the expertise. I am working towards having a fashion school where students will have the privilege of graduating after six to eight months of learning. This will require a whole lot of money. There is someone who trained under me and now has a fashion house in Lagos. He had even invited me to come in April to lecture his students.

What do you think government can do to assist artisans?

We were given money sometime ago, but the amount is small. Some people are enjoying huge largesse from government. We want government assistance to be far reaching. Also, government should provide loan for artisans so as to boost their businesses.