Monsurat Shobayo
Q: How did you delve into fashion?
A: I have always had a flair for fashion
ever since I was in high school. I always had an idea of how I wanted
to be dressed and knew a lot about fabrics and appropriate styles.
Every time I came to Nigeria on holidays, I made clothes which I sold to
friends in New York. After I graduated from St. Francis College in New
York, I became a full-time designer, although my educational background
is in aviation and business.
Q: How long have you been a designer?
A: I have been doing this for almost 10
years. After I completed my education abroad, I returned to Nigeria and
no job was forthcoming. My mum advised me to embrace designing for the
time being since I had a flair for it. Within a space of about two or
three years, the business experienced a boom. I had my fair share of
challenges and I am still battling some of these challenges, but things
have gotten better with time. I am not in this business to make money,
the passion I have for fabrics and creating beautiful designs is what
keeps me going in spite of the numerous challenges that I have
encountered. Over the years, I have had issues with my workers and
clients; Nigerians believe that once you are doing my kind of job, then
you do not have any educational qualification. Some would call you a
tailor because they want to humiliate you and I get disrespected from
time to time. I used to get upset but not anymore.
Q: Do you have another business that fetches you money?
A: I have a store where I sell
embellishments. It is nice to have multiple streams of income as long as
you have people supporting you. Because I am particular about the way
things are done and I cannot be at two or more places at the same time,
one business will suffer at the expense of the other.
Q: Did you go back to study any fashion-related course?
A: I do not have any background in fashion; I have always relied on my innate skills.
Q: How did you come about the name Monash?
A: Monash is an abridged version of my first and last names, Monsurat Shobayo.
Q: What structures have you put in place to deal with competition?
A: I am not in this business to compete
with anybody.All my life, I have never been the type that sees anything
or anybody as a competition. I set my own time and go at my own pace. It
takes a lot to be successful in this industry. Some people went to
school to study fashion and they still have the same challenges I face.
What I have succeeded in doing is ensuring I am involved in every stage
of creating an item of clothing. I do not leave anything to my workers. I
do what some people might consider to be an odd chore so don’t be
suprised if you find me ironing a client’s outfit.Also, my designs are
unique and uncomplicated.
Q: What inspires your creativity?
A: Fabrics do, and comfort always comes
first too. Every fabric has its own history. Not every fabric goes with
every style. Most times when you see a dress that does not sit properly
on the body of the wearer, the problem may not lie with the style but
the fabric which was used to make a badly-chosen style.
Q: How should a woman dress?
A: Like I always say, less is more. Our
bodies are different and people dress without considering their body. A
woman should wear what suits her body. A style might look good on others
but may not complement your silhouette. Colours are very important too.
As women, we should strive to stand out, be simple, classy and elegant.
They should never be overdressed or underdressed but I would rather be
overdressed. Simple outfits can be accessorised properly. Outfits and
accessories must not be too loud. One has to complement the other, and
should not be worn in a tacky manner.
Q: Which designers inspire you?
A: Jean Paul Gaultier and Elie Saab have
always been my favourite designers. What I realised about them is that
they do not have complicated styles and designs. They always stand out.
Q: What is your definition of style and how do you like to dress?
A: Fashion is a lifestyle and style is
what you are comfortable in. I am not a last-minute person. Because I am
very organised, I always have a picture of what I want to look like for
every occasion, in my head. Sometimes, I like to dress light and at
other times my mood, weather and environment dictate what I wear.
Q: What are your favourite accessories?
A: I love shoes, bags and jewellery.
These days, I wear fewer or no necklaces. I prefer large earrings that
would highlight my facial features. I think age has affected my
preference.
Q: What trends do you think should go?
A: I do not follow trends; I like
classic and timeless things. I have fabrics that I bought 20 years ago
and I still receive compliments when I wear them. Nothing should be old
fashioned. It actually depends on the individual and the way they wear
it. I do not see reason why I should spend money on anything that would
go out of fashion soon. New things always spring up but nobody sets
trends. I like to get my money’s worth.
Q: How do you combine your role as a wife, mother and designer?
A: I just make sure my family does not
suffer. They are my number one priority and thank God I have a
supportive husband who sometimes feels I work too hard and allow my
staff get away with murder. Also, because I work from home, it makes
things a lot easier and nothing escapes my notice.
Q: How have you been able to maintain your figure?
A:I have not always looked like this. I
was a US size 18 when I had my last son 10 years ago. I did not realise I
was that big until an old friend made a funny remark about my body when
I visited Nigeria. He made me realise that having kids was not an
excuse to grow fat. I went on a detox programme to lose the weight and I
trained my body to eat healthy. Psychologically, I trained myself to
know and understand the content of every food or drink that goes into my
mouth since I am lazy with pills and cannot keep up with them. That
way, I have been able to control my diet.
credits
No comments:
Post a Comment