‘I Thought They Were Scammers Until I Received Alert’—Says Nigerian Fashion Designer Selling Globally
From her small shop in Abuja to the international fashion market, Ifeoma Eze of Ifydor Apparels is evidence that African designers have a place in the global fashion narrative.
As African designs continue to gain popularity in the globalised fashion market, Eze, founder of Ifydor Apparels, is making waves with her unique blend of traditional African wear and modern fashion trends.
Ifydor Apparels, located at Area 1 Shopping Plaza, Abuja, found a growing audience beyond Nigeria’s borders through the power of social media.
Eze’s handmade garments are worn for various ceremonies, daily life, and celebrations.
In an interview with THE WHISTLER, Eze shared her journey, creative process, and the challenges she still faces as an emerging designer on the international fashion scene.
She also spoke on how she unexpectedly started selling to international clients.
“In designing a new collection, we sketch our designs, source for fabrics with the patterns that suit the design we’ve sketched, after which we bring the design to life through the cutting and sewing process, taking into consideration every detail in order to give our customers the very best they deserve.
“My designs are inspired by the prints on the fabric I intend to use and also from other notable designers I look up to. Incorporating traditional elements into modern-day fashion comes easy due to the versatility of our prints. One can create any design using Ankara fabrics, and the outcome is always mind-blowing.”
On how she started selling internationally, Eze said: “Interestingly, our African tribal wear thrives so well in the global market. Foreigners rank high in our market audience. So, evolution into the global market is pretty fast and a win to us Africans.
“These foreigners get to discover my work on social media. At first, I thought they were scammers until I received an alert to deliver the designs they chose. Such orders have been coming in ever since.
So, joining the clique of exporters of African products is a milestone for me.”
She added that while some Africans still prefer foreign outfits over indigenous designs, the narrative is slowly changing.
“Some Africans are yet to fully embrace their roots, as they prefer foreign outfits to the ones indigenous to them. But then, the narrative is gradually changing as one can still appear in contemporary fashion with a touch of African prints or accessories to go with it,” the designer added.
For Eze, her work is more than just fashion; it’s a commitment to cultural preservation. “My love for my culture led me to specialize in African tribal wear. I believe in our cultural heritage, and my contribution to keeping it alive is producing timeless outfits in African prints.”
‘I Thought They Were Scammers Until I Received Alert’—Says Nigerian Fashion Designer Selling Globally is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
