When it comes to Nigeria’s homegrown fashion, there are a lot of upcoming brands to choose from. Makioba Bob-Manuel Olugbile is the Creative Director/ CEO of her ‘made-in-Nigeria-women’s-wear’ fashion brand,
Makioba. In a chat with LEADERSHIP Weekend, she
recollects her journey into the fashion industry and lauds her choice to be brave enough to follow her passion.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Port Harcourt. After my degree, I worked in Oil Servicing Companies in Rivers State and Logistics Firm in Lagos for some time before deciding to be bold and take on chasing my dream of being a Fashion Entrepreneur.
How was MAKIOBA conceived?
MAKIOBA started in 2009 the day I enrolled into the Fashion and Arts Academy to study Fashion Designing. Though I got my diploma that same year, I did not go into it full time until 2013. But before 2013 it was work, sew, work, sew.
Your brand targets plus-size women, is it intentional?
To me, I really did not choose to be a plus size designer, I guess it chose me. My kind design is for the everyday woman that loves elegance and style no matter her size. Initially, I was up for all sizes (which I still am anyway) focusing on mostly the slimmer built body. But, then I would make outfits, fit them on the mannequin and take pictures. After all my hard work, when I looked at my creations, they weren’t coming out as I envisioned them while designing the outfit. It occurred to me that I needed a full body figure to achieve that, so I started making them in my size to model them. You could say that in my case, I was my best muse! Nevertheless, since I am a curvy diva, I guess that started attracting ladies with the fuller figure ladies to look out for me.
How do you come up with new creations, designs?
Absolutely anything inspires me! My inspiration can come from anywhere, anything and everything around me inspire my designs. It could be flowers, the fabric, trees, the sky or even a groundnut seller’s cheap dress can inspire me.
How do you promote Makioba?
I wear my brand every day, apart from denim. I make use of digital platforms and social media to showcase my creations. But my brand speaks for itself. Most people like to wear good and well-made clothes. So when celebrities seek my designs, it means I am doing something right. Personalities like Taje Prest, Dami Elebe, Dayo Amusa, Toolz ‘Tolu’ Oniru, Latasha Ngwube among many others love and feel comfortable in MAKIOBA. I really feel good seeing my clothes and designs on people that do not even know me personally talk-less of celebrities and notable personalities.
What kind of Challenges do you face and has the business been gainful?
I would say that the major challenges we budding Nigerian Entrepreneurs, Fashion Entrepreneurs face is Power and Capital. These two play a key role in the growth of the business. You can have great goals, and want to expand and have really good business ideas but can’t seem to lay hands on finance that will put it in motion and take the business where you want it to go. To top it off, we spend so much on production. The production cost is just too high and sometimes I wonder if I am just playing! But then I love my job, so I just have to keep pushing until someday there will be a break-through.
Do you have any advice for upcoming Fashion Entrepreneurs?
You know whenever I am asked this question I get this butterfly feeling in my stomach, am I not upcoming too? Well, I feel blessed knowing that I inspire people out there. What I will say is, Stay focused and believe in ‘you’. Do not let all the social media hype of others, get to you. Nothing is gotten easily. Don’t be in a hurry, take your time and calculate your expenses, income. Make sure your production cost is very low with good quality products and finishing, this will take you far in the fashion industry.
What is next for Makioba?
To build, build and keep expanding! I will love to have a production warehouse, though this is not so visible in today’s Nigeria because of the power issue. Also, different showroom outlets nationally and internationally, franchise my brand and add other things like accessories under Makioba.
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