For Gift Osarobo, who unveiled her all-skirt fashion line, Giew House, last Sunday in Lagos, skirt is naturally sexy and feminine. She says skirt essentially defines women and their curves.
“I chose skirt because it is feminine and sexy. It identifies a woman and defines her curves. By nature, skirt is a big deal,” Osarobo notes.
Though she modelled in England for about a decade, she admits that she actually learnt designing in Nigeria.
Feeling homesick, Osarobo, the all-skirt fashion designer and enthusiast, says she had to return to her country of birth after strutting her stuff in fashion runways across the globe. “I modelled for up to 10 years. Now, I have to put the creativity and experience I have gathered into setting up the Giew House.
The motive is, first, I am from Nigeria. I have traversed many countries, but I can’t call any of them my home. I told myself that I must go home.
So, starting up overseas is good, but I need to impact my immediate society. Starting here will also accord my family and friends the opportunity to guide me,” she says.
Osarobo further says she ventured into the business to create employment and empower young people willing to learn the skills.
I chose skirt because it is feminine and sexy. It identifies a woman and defines her curves. By nature, skirt is a big deal
“I am looking forward to get to that level where several jobs shall be created through Giew House. I am already getting calls and demands from potential customers and others who want to either work with me or get the training. But I don’t like to rush things,” she says.
Osarobo adds that she’s not new on the Nigerian fashion turf, having taken her time to learn over the years. “I have adapted to the system here, having worked with ECOWAS. So, I’m not new,” she says.
She, however, thinks government needs to do more in supporting the fashion industry, especially through the resuscitation of the nation’s comatose textile factories.
“We are sourcing materials locally, which I was thinking will be very easy. Walking on the streets of New York and picking up your materials is not the same as visiting the Balogun Market in Lagos. For few weeks I did it, I was like, I needed to soft pedal and get the best options on how to source the materials. I will keep pushing. It is a lot to source fabrics.
“So, this government has to support us, especially by bringing back and revamping the dying textile companies. The fashion industry in Nigeria has to be the number one in Africa,” she maintains.
