Lanre Da-Silva’s Ingenuity
If anyone had told Lanre Da- Silva- Ajayi in her growing up days that she would grow up to be a force to be reckoned with in the fashion design world, she would have dismissed it with a wave of the hand.
Da Silva- Ajayi, who holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Coventry University, had wanted to be a banker, but destiny had another thing in stock for her.
After several unsuccessful attempts at getting her dream job, the basic knowledge in sewing came to the rescue. Almost immediately after she opened her shop, LDA, she began to shine like a glittering star. The business, which started like the mustard seed in her parents’ sitting room a few years back, has now grown into a reputable empire of sorts.
Even in the face of the stiff competition in the industry today, LDA is still a leading outfit in the industry, thanks to her ingenuity. She is able to combine pattern, print, exquisite and even traditional fabrics to produce day wear, evening wear, gowns and cocktail dresses. She is into formal and casual wears and enjoys designing the formal wears more, as they are tailored for more elaborate events and show more couture which the LDA brand is all about.
The first of three children, Da Silva- Ajayi hails from the Popo Aguda, Brazilian Quarters of Lagos Island. Her father, the late Babarinde Da Silva, retired as the Secretary to the Lagos State Government many years ago.
She has showcased her talent at the Milan Fashion Week, where she featured as the only Nigerian at the Vogue Talent Exhibition. Besides, she featured at the THISDAY Fashion event in Cannes, France in 2006; the Africa Rising Festival London in 2008; Arise Africa Fashion Festival South Africa in June 2009; and the New York Couture Fashion Week ( September 2009); Arise Fashion Collective in New York in September, 2011; The Pitti Immagine Florence in 2012); London Fashion Week in 2012) and GTBank/ LFDW Ndani showcase at Selfridges London UK 2012, among others.
In recognition of her creativity and contributions to the fashion world, renowned designer, Roberto Cavalli and Franca Sozanni, Editor- In- Chief of Vogue Italia and Goodwill Ambassador of Fashion 4 Development, visited the LDA’s flagship boutique to view her collections during their trip to Lagos.
But if you think her high- flying career has robbed her of her duty as a wife and mother, you are dead wrong. She remains a dutiful wife and a caring mother.