I’ll like to Style Oprah Winfrey, Tiwa Savage
Yinka Thomas-Ogboja is a brand consultant with over 10 years industry experience. She is the CEO of D’Acero Limited, a creative agency based in Lagos. She is also the founder of Thomas O. Women Network (TOWN), a non-profit organisation aimed at connecting
We were just an average family...
WWell I would say I’m from an above average family which was a Christian home. My mum is a professor and my dad a Doctor. So education was paramount and we were just an average family. My primary education was in Ibadan as I was born and bred there, even though I’m from Ondo State. Then I proceeded to Federal Government Girls College, Akure for my secondary education; thereafter, I went to University of Ibadan to study Geography. After my NYSC in Port Harcourt, I went back to UI to do a Masters in Geographic Information Systems; then I got a job with Zenith Bank. After a few years, I went to the UK to do another Masters in Project Management; but now, I’m currently doing a Doctorate in Business Administration in the US. I really didn’t decide to go into fashion.... A lot of people just find themselves doing something in school because their JAMB scores could get them what they want. I wouldn’t say my JAMB score made me do Geography, but I just did it. My mum was of the opinion that the minimum qualification you can get is a Masters. Now what made me come into fashion wasn’t by choice; there was a need for me to do something that’s of local content that won’t make me rely heavily on importation and that was my plan for 2015. So, I decided to look inward for what I could do getting 70% of my raw materials locally and I began to research. Then, I stumbled on engagement attires for women. I got attracted by their pretty faces, geles, beads and all that and I knew that the pleats on the gele was just a major issue for women to achieve and I was like, why not I try this and the rest is history. So I really didn’t decide to go into fashion. What I was sure of was doing my own business... Initially I didn’t know what I was going to do but I knew my own business was key even when I was working in the bank and doing paid employment. I knew I was just buying time and to understand the structure, building my contacts. My main line of business is branding. I have been doing brand management since 2010 and it was when I stabilised the business that I asked myself what next? So for me, I like to do business; I start a business and see it’s good, I start another one leaving someone to manage it. I haven’t experienced any challenge... I wouldn’t say I would be able to pinpoint a major challenge coming from a situation my branding business which I rely on and then doing a business whereby you go to a local market and get materials. I haven’t experienced any challenge. I would like to say we do the first ever plaited gele and what we try to tell people is that it’s a gele you tie in one minute and there is none like it. That’s why we have gotten excellent feedbacks from Nigeria and Diaspora. It’s something that’s an apparent need for every woman as we would be seeing an average woman on the street wearing us. It’s a very creative product, innovative product because the geles are almost half the size of regular geles and all you have to do is tie it at the back. We are excited about it because it is creative and adding value. I wouldn’t say I know what’s next... What is important to us is that expansion will be based on customer feedback on demand, changing taste and trend, but one thing I know is that the hallmark of our products is that we are innovative and creative which can be seen in all of our pieces. So I am excited about the future. What makes us outstanding... Is that we are creative and we do a lot of things with aso oke. Gone are the days when people think aso oke is so boring. We play around with colours a lot and people are like, this is so creative. So that stands us out. I would like to style Oprah Winfrey... I would like to style Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey, because I love her. She is a hero and has achieved so much regardless of what anybody says. If I can be on Oprah’s show styling her with Asake or Arewa customisable beads that will be the bomb. Locally, it will be Tiwa Savage. She is also very hard working. I like women that are committed and hardworking.