Ankara
Placing stones on clothing materials such as Ankara, Kampala (tie and die), guinea and lace material is now the latest trend in Lagos.
Almost every cloth worn by ladies around the Lagos metropolis is being bedazzled with stones.
Mrs Abosede Olajide, revealed on the latest fad that she started the business of selling readymade traditional wears in 2009, with sales of “embroidered Kampala’’ tie and die material.
She told NAN that she purchased the material in bulk from Abeokuta and brings them to Lagos to sew into different traditional styles with embroidery.
“Before bedazzling of Ankara and other materials which we referred to as stoning became the trend, I was bringing in our locally made tie and dye materials from Abeokuta to Lagos.
“When fashion and trend started changing, I had to change with the trend and supply my customer’s demands.
She said bedazzling of Ankara materials was currently the “hot cake’’ in fashion, a trend which every class had fallen in love with it, the working class, students, youth and even market women.
The entrepreneur told NAN that she had travelled far and wide to buy original Ankara material in Nigeria and took to Senegal to sew and stone.
“I take the materials to Senegal to sew and stone because the Senegalese have the time and patience that is required in the art of stone placing.
“Ten to 15 of them can surround one gown to place stones on it.
“Two years ago the materials were not expensive but because of our exchange rate everything in the market has been inflated because of the high cost of production and transportation.
“We use to sell a stoned Ankara or Guinea top for N1,000 but now it goes for between N1,500 and 2,000, the gowns were N3,000 and now they are N3,500.
“The top and wrapper which were N6, 000 before, now we sell them for N7, 500 and the prices are still rising.
“Sometimes, I have to sell some materials a little below cost price and augment it with sales to another loaded customer.
“I also make my shops and wears attractive so that my shop will be the first any customers will want to enter because we are more than 20 selling the same thing,’’ she said.
Mrs Kikelomo Alabi of Maxi Clothings said that she inherited the business from her mother who was also selling tie and die readymade clothing then.
“This new trend of stoning of material has not left out the pregnant women in fact they clamour for it more
“One of my clients once told me that whenever she puts on one of my well designed stoned gowns, she feels less bloated with pregnancy and feels gorgeous and beautiful,’’she added.
Shes aid in addition to operating from her store she also took her wares to offices and banks in search of prospective customers.
“We are up to 20 selling the same thing in this market so I don’t sit in the shop waiting for customers; I go to corporate organisations to advertise my wares.
“I sew and stone all my materials in Nigeria, I have about seven tailors I employed to sew for me and 10 others who place stones on the material, which ranges from Ankara, Guinea and lace.
“I pick out materials, sketch the design to be sewn and how they are to be stoned and my employees take it from there.
“I prefer patterned material so that the stones will accentuate and bring out the pattern, I love what I do, and it gives me joy to satisfy my customers.
“The major problem in this business is the epileptic power supply because we make use of the industrial pressing iron which will only function well with the normal voltage.
“On several occasions, we run the generator to be able to accomplish a day’s work and that will consume diesel which will in turn reflect on the cost of production and sales,’’ she said.
Mrs Olivia Matins of Budismo Fabrics said she had been in the business of sales of bedazzled fabrics for two years.
She said she did not only deal in the sales of stoned Ankara materials but also in the stoning of head gears and turbans.
Martins said that stoning of Ankara and other fabrics started about two years ago when many women fell in love with glitters.
“Few people actually liked bedazzling their fabrics until it became the trend but now it’s the choice of every woman.
“Most women want their Ankara stoned irrespective of their level of education and occupation.
“It is not only Ankara, Guinea and Lace fabrics that I stone and sell, but also bridal head gears such as Aso-oke gele, Sego gele and turban,
“I cater majorly for brides who will want their head gears for their traditional wedding to be uniquely decorated with stones, pearls and sequins,’’ she said.
She added that economic recession had not affected her business because most of her clients were brides and were always willing to pay to make their engagement attire unique.
“Couples are getting hooked every weekend, brides will always go to any length to look breathtaking because it’s their day and it’s a once in a lifetime occasion.
“They don’t mind spending their last dime to patronise me to make their attire and that of their Asoebi girls look unique, so I’m always in business,’’ Matins said.
Meanwhile, Miss Taiwo Olajuwon, an end user, who also spoke with NAN, said that placing stones on materials, especially Ankara was a trend she had fallen totally in love with.
“I always request my tailor to help me place stones on my Ankara materials, especially ones with patterns; it adds pizzazz to the outfit.
“People cannot help but notice what you are putting on, especially on a night out with friends. It makes the outfit look more expensive than its original price,’’ she said.
In the same vein, Mrs Peju Oyewo, said: “The trend of stoning of material infuses life and light into dull and unattractive material.
“Some materials are not just colourful and attractive but we have to buy them all in the name of Asoebi.
“I ensure that my tailor place stones on such materials to make it busy and attractive.
“I love this new trend because the stones are not expensive and you can also place the stones yourself.
“I place the stones myself whenever I have the time, all you need is the stone and a hot iron and your outfit comes out lovely, “Oyewo said.
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