A fashion entrepreneur, Olajumoke Mafolasire, says sticking to indigenous designs can help put local designers on the world map.
Mafolasire, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JMK designs, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
She said it was important for fashion designers to retain their genuineness to attain similar heights as the Nigerian music and film industry.
She said that Nigerian designers could showcase their indigenous designs by including their unique cultural materials and techniques during creation.
The CEO, who had built a modest brand for herself by mostly infusing the Yoruba feel into her bridal wears, emphasised the uniqueness of locally-sourced fabrics.
“Our local fabrics have in the past been made into designs such as danshiki, boubou, agbada and kaftans.
“I think it is important that even as we look to appeal to the foreign world, we must not neglect our past and culture.
“As much as possible, I also try to infuse it in my modern designs. Our culture should stand us out,” she said.
Mafolasire urged the government to continue investing in fashion festivals as a way of amplifying the works of local designers.
“Other state governors should also try and emulate the annual Calabar Festival in their respective states to help project indigenous fashion designs,” she said.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria