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.
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/N | Designs | Charges for kids (with fabrics) | Charges for kids (without fabrics) | Charges for adults (with fabrics) | Charges for adults (without fabrics) |
| 1 | Complete suit | N8,000 | N20,000 | N15,000 | N45,000 |
| 2 | Shirt | N1,200 | N5,000 | N2,500 | N8,000 |
| 3 | Trouser | N1,500 | N3,500 | N2,500 | N6,000 |
| 4 | Atiku/Native | N4,000 | N10,000 | N7,000 | N15,000 |
| 5 | South-South | N6,000 | N15,000 | N10,000 | N30,000 |
| 6 | Ankara | N3,500 | N8,000 | N7,000 | N15,000 |
| 7 | Kaftan | N4,000 | N10,000 | N7,000 | N15,000 |
Are the above costs negotiable?
Yes
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/N | Designs | Charges for kids (with fabrics) | Charges for kids (without fabrics) | Charges for adults (with fabrics) | Charges for adults (without fabrics) |
| 1 | Complete Suit | N15,000 | N20,000 | N25,000 | N40,000 |
| 2 | Shirt | N3,000 | N4,000 | N5,000 | N7,000 |
| 3 | Pant Trouser | N3,000 | N4,500 | N4,000 | N6,000 |
| 4 | Atiku/Normal native | N3,000 | N5,000 | N7,000 | N15,000 |
| 5 | Niger Delta (SS) | N12,000 | N16,000 | N20,000 | N35,000 |
| 6 | Ankara | N3,500 | N8,000 | N7,000 | N15,000 |
| 7 | Kaftan | N4,000 | N10,000 | N7,000 | N15,000 |
Are the above costs negotiable?
Yes
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/N | Designs | Charges for kids (with fabrics) | Charges for kids (without fabrics) | Charges for adults (with fabrics) | Charges for adults (without fabrics) | ||
| 1 | Skirt | N1,500 | N3,000 | N3,000 | N6,000 | ||
| 2 | Iro & Buba | N2,500 | N5,000 | N2,500 | N7,000 | ||
| 3 | Short gown | N5,000 | N7,000 | N5,000 | N10,000 | ||
| 5 | Ankara | N3,000 | N6,000 | N6,000 | N10,000 | ||
| 6 | Kaftan | N4,000 | N8,000 | N7,000 | N10,000 | ||
| 7 | Blouse | N1,000 | N4,000 | N5,000 | N8,000 | ||
Are the above costs negotiable?
Yes, they are.
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/N | Designs | Charges for kids (with fabrics) | Charges for kids (without fabrics) | Charges for adults (with fabrics) | Charges for adults (without fabrics) | ||
| 1 | Skirt | N4,000 | N7,000 | N6,500 | N10,000 | ||
| 2 | Iro & Buba | N3,000 | N6,000 | N5,000 | N7,000 | ||
| 3 | Short gown | N7,000 | N10,000 | N6,000 | N12,000 | ||
| 5 | Ankara | N4,000 | N8,000 | N6,000 | N10,000 | ||
| 6 | Kaftan | N4,000 | N6,000 | N6,000 | N10,000 | ||
| 7 | Blouse | N2,000 | N4,000 | N4,000 | N11,000 | ||
Are the above costs negotiable?
Definitely
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