AW WomenPreneur Series : Y.L.O Inspired By Yewande Ajiboye Omolola

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Monday, May 6th, 2019

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Above Whispers WomenPreneur Series is a platform to showcase amazing business women. Young women who have taken the bold step to start a business, fighting the odds surrounding entrepreneurship in Africa. We share in their journey, share in the challenges and growth process to inspire other women. We believe that when a story is shared, there is a leap in the heart of those struggling with doubts. The purpose of this to push that woman out there to engage in what she has been sacred of by reading through the inspiring stories of other women.

This week, Our guest is a talented fashion designer in Ekiti State, based in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti. She is the Creative Director of the Y.L.O Inspired Brand. Ms Yewande Ajiboye Omolola shares her journey into the world of fashion designing with us on AW WomenPreneur Series. We hope you would enjoy every bit of this interview.

AW : Kindly introduce yourself to us

My name is Ajiboye Yewande Omolola, I am in my twenties, a native of Odo- Ayedun Ekiti, Ikole local government area, Ekiti state. I am the second daughter of a family of six. My parents are civil servants. I am presently living in Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti state. I attended UNAD staff school for my primary education, federal goverment college Ikole Ekiti for my secondary, and Federal University Of Technology Akure, Ondo state for my tertiary institution. To crown it all I am a DRESSMAKER established in the city of Ado-Ekiti.

Ms Yewande Ajiboye Omolola. Creative Director, Y.L.O Inspired

AW : Why did you choose to go into this line of business?

God directed me into the fashion industry, it is more like a purpose driven reason. I didn’t realise this on time, I had started sewing before I remembered what God told me about it. So this reason gave me the passion, the inspiration, the zeal and the talent to go about it.

AW : What inspires you?

Nature, everyday life and happenings
AW : Tell us about your brand

The name of my brand is Y.L.O INSPIRED. It is a fast growing female apparel brand located in Ado-Ekiti, our services ranges from high end custom wears, bespoke to ready to wear pieces. We meet the clothing need of women not withstanding the body shape, size, prices, taste, and their fashion expression . Y.L.O INSPIRED has evolved over the years, there was a time we were called dauntless dame couture because I have an NGO called dauntless dame initiative, we saw that it was not suitable for the brand to share a name with an NGO knowing they have different purposes, we evolved to y.l.o couture until I knew what couture really means. Then we resolved to settling with Y.L.O INSPIRED having fully carved out our mission, vision, and core values. Y.L.O INSPIRED can be summarised into fit, functionality and class. Y.L.O INSPIRED has been around since 2013. We were fully established in the year 2017. We are proud of our growth over the years. When I look back at where I started compared to where I am , it encourages me to forge ahead better and faster. We started with a staff and no student, but we are now over 10 people(staffs and students). Business in Ado-Ekiti might not be as viable as other parts of the world but with consistency , perseverance and time we will get there.

Y.L.O Inspired
AW :Who are your role models?

my role models are Deola Sagoe, Olakunbi Oyelese, Mai Atafo for now.

AW : Have you ever felt like quitting?

No! I have never felt like quitting. I get discouraged sometimes, but since I know where God is taking me to and where I am going, I use all my discouragement as stepping stones to where I am going. Nothing good comes easy.

AW : How do you manage to keep yourself abreast with the different trends in the fashion industry?

I try to read often, I enroll in courses that I am lagging behind in. I learn from everyone no matter how little, I make the internet my fashion friend. Then finally I open my eyes and ears wide to see and hear what’s happening in the world .

AW : How do you keep your word as a fashion designer because we know that lots of fashion designers are used to disappointing clients.

I take integrity in this business as important as my brand name. I make sure I come out plain or true to my customers. If your dress won’t be ready in 2 weeks I will let you know, it will be your choice to wait or take it to another person. Or if your fabric is not suitable for what you have in mind, I will tell you so we either switch styles or fabrics. So, basically what I do is that I come out plain to my clients and tell the situation of things as it is, then contentment: I don’t do all the jobs that comes my way, I am contented with the ones that I can take considering the time and my manpower.

Y.L.O Inspired
AW : This is a very competitive industry, how do you step up your game? What makes you different?

I learn daily, then take risky designs with my personal clothes so in case it doesn’t come out well , it will be my cloth. What makes my brand different is our integrity, slay designs and the fact that we take our customers as priority .
AW : Do you think women and girls in Nigeria are the most fashionable in the world?

No ! We are very fashionable but not the most fashionable. Most fashionable goes to the likes of France, Italy because that is where fashion itself started from.

AW : Share your social media handles

Instagram -@y.l.o_inspired.

Personal face book – ajiboye yewande

Personal Instagram ‘-@missyewande.

AW : When people come to train, what’s the first thing you see when they walk through your door?

When people come to train the first thing I look out for is willingness to learn.

AW : What would you tell young people who are trying to get into the fashion industry?

What I will tell young people who wants to venture into fashion is, be sure it’s what you want and your passion for it. If it’s what you truly want I believe you will go all the way to get to where you have envisioned. Most people want to learn tailoring but they don’t want the pain and challenges that comes with it.

AW : Who’s your biggest mentor in the industry?

I can’t decide that yet maybe I will know as times goes on , but I know I have an undying love for Mrs olakubi oyelese of April by kunbi brand.

Lagos,Nigeria
Friday, November 29th, 2024