FashionWorking Lives

The Emergency Tailors of Lagos Island Nigeria: Specialists in All Styles

You have a party or an office function that requires you turn out in the same attire as everyone (aka so ebi). It is two days to the event and the fabric is still somewhere in your car or bedroom. Panic strikes. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, Lagos Island is where to go. There are tailors in places around Tinubu Square who can deliver your agbada, suits, kaftan, George, shirts, trousers, iro and buba, south south and skirts in two hours. They do a very good job at surprisingly lower rates than your current tailor is charging. Designers who sew for Nigerian celebrities are known to subcontract the actual sewing to these tailors.

The atmosphere is not great. But once you have had your measurement taken by any of these tailors, you can start sending fabrics to them to sew. Your office assistant, maid or driver will deliver your aso ebi to you. After just two hours. Good riddance to pompous tailors who overcharge, seldom deliver on time and often make mistakes you are forced to live with or keep sending back for adjustments.

We went to see some of them at work.

Emates Creation

Owner: Adeyemi Emmanuel

Contact: 22 Obadinu Street, Tinubu Square, Lagos Island, 08080453884

How long have you been in the business?

Since 1998 (21Years).

What challenges do you encounter? Poor power supply, noise pollution and lack of proximity to customers.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I see myself owning a big fashion school and several training centers.

What advice do you have for those that may want to come into the business? Know the job well before going into it, don’t be too money driven and be patient in your dealings with clients.

 How do you charge?

S/NDesignsCharges for kids (with fabrics)Charges for kids (without fabrics) Charges for adults (with fabrics)Charges for adults (without fabrics)
1Complete suitN8,000N20,000N15,000N45,000
2ShirtN1,200N5,000N2,500N8,000
3TrouserN1,500N3,500N2,500N6,000
4Atiku/NativeN4,000N10,000N7,000N15,000
5South-SouthN6,000N15,000N10,000N30,000
6AnkaraN3,500N8,000N7,000N15,000
7KaftanN4,000N10,000N7,000N15,000

Are the above costs negotiable?

Yes 

Pictures of Emates Creation

Jacket

 

Jacket

 

Also Read: Congolese Sapeurs: Africa’s Best-Dressed Men

 

Jacket
South-South

 

South-South
Chinos
Adeyemi Emmanuel at work
Adeyemi Emmanuel at work

Taywodippo collections

Owner: Taiwo Oladipo Ogunbayo

Contact: 22 Obadinu Street, Tinubu Square, Lagos Island, 08103192600 (IG: @taywodippo)

How long have you been into the business?

Since 2005 (14 Years).

What challenges do you encounter?

Poor power supply and lack of space for expansion.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I see myself as an employer of labour in the fashion industry and getting my brand to the international level.

What advice do you have for those that may want to come into the business? My advice is for them to stay focused, learn till they become good at it and just love what they do.

How do you charge?

S/NDesignsCharges for kids (with fabrics)Charges for kids (without fabrics) Charges for adults (with fabrics)Charges for adults (without fabrics)
1Complete SuitN15,000N20,000N25,000N40,000
2ShirtN3,000N4,000N5,000N7,000
3Pant TrouserN3,000N4,500N4,000N6,000
4Atiku/Normal nativeN3,000N5,000N7,000N15,000
5Niger Delta (SS)N12,000N16,000N20,000N35,000
6AnkaraN3,500N8,000N7,000N15,000
7KaftanN4,000N10,000N7,000N15,000

 

Are the above costs negotiable?

Yes

Pictures of Taywodippo

Tux
Trouser
South-South

 

South-South
Tux for kids

 

Taiwo Oladipo Ogunbayo
Taiwo Oladipo Ogunbayo sewing 

Becky Fashion

Owner: Adeshinu Titilayo Bukola

Contact: 22 Obadinu Street, Tinubu Square, Lagos Island, 08170768807

How long have you been into the business?

Since 2013 (6 Years).

What challenges do you encounter? Everyone experiences almost the same problems. For example, we spend a lot on fuel due to epileptic power supply.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

To be a global brand.

What advice do you have for those that may want to come into the business? Firstly, you need to really stay calm and patient while learning the job. Expect criticism and learn from your mistakes. Make sure you satisfy your clients and strive to add extra value always.

How do you charge?

S/NDesignsCharges for kids (with fabrics)Charges for kids (without fabrics) Charges for adults (with fabrics)Charges for adults (without fabrics)
1SkirtN1,500N3,000N3,000N6,000
2Iro & BubaN2,500N5,000N2,500N7,000
3Short gownN5,000N7,000N5,000N10,000
5AnkaraN3,000N6,000N6,000N10,000
6KaftanN4,000N8,000N7,000N10,000
7BlouseN1,000N4,000N5,000N8,000

 Are the above costs negotiable?

Yes, they are.

Pictures of Becky Fashion

Ankara Gown

 

Also Read: Fab Fabrics: Fabulous men’s fabrics at your finger tips

Ankara Gown
Gown
Corporate Gown
Adeshinu Titilayo Bukola

 

Adeshinu Titilayo Bukola

Nimat Fashion

Owner: Nimota Yisau

Contact: Elias Street, Off Obadinu Street, Lagos Island, 08177132756.

How long have you been into the business?

Since 2014 (5 Years).

What challenges do you encounter?

High-interest loans, congestion and poor power supply.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

To own a fashion house and training center.

What advice do you have for those that may want to come into the business? Be diligent and forward-looking. Don’t argue too much with your customers and be ready to be criticized.

How do you charge?

S/NDesignsCharges for kids (with fabrics)Charges for kids (without fabrics) Charges for adults (with fabrics)Charges for adults (without fabrics)
1SkirtN4,000N7,000N6,500N10,000
2Iro & BubaN3,000N6,000N5,000N7,000
3Short gownN7,000N10,000N6,000N12,000
5AnkaraN4,000N8,000N6,000N10,000
6KaftanN4,000N6,000N6,000N10,000
7BlouseN2,000N4,000N4,000N11,000

Also Read: Working Lives: The Market Porter Who Works for His Rent, Weed and a Babe(Opens in a new browser tab)

Are the above costs negotiable?

Definitely

Pictures of Nimat Fashion

Blouse

 

Ankara Gown

 

Corporate Gown
Nimota Yisau
Nimota Yisau

 

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