The recent trend in fashion has taken elegance, poise, style, and class to a new level of creativity and innovation in clothing, and Nigeria’s distinct position in this industry stands out across continents worldwide.
One of Nigeria’s fashion designers, Toluwani Olasegiri, CEO, TOLUIN COUTURE, in this interview with Patrick Aigbokhan talks about opportunities, fortunes, and prospects that abound in fashion business, especially as it relates to the Nigerian market.
Excerpts:
What inspired you to enter the fashion business, and when and how did you kick off with the business?
My fashion inspiration came from my passion for creativity and beauty, and my desire to create something that makes people feel confident and distinguished. I have always been fascinated by how clothing can transform a person’s appearance and communicate personality, culture, and status. I started my fashion journey gradually, learning, observing, practicing, and building my skills through experience. What started as a passion eventually became a serious business, and that journey gave birth to TOLUIN COUTURE.
I didn’t start with everything figured out. I started with what I had, learned from my mistakes, improved with every client, and remained committed to becoming better. Today, TOLUIN COUTURE has grown into a brand focused on quality, creativity, professionalism, and customer satisfaction.
What have been your likely business challenges since you ventured into the fashion industry, and how have you been able to overcome those challenges?
Like every business, the fashion industry comes with its own challenges. Some of the major ones I have experienced include managing customer expectations, maintaining consistent quality, dealing with difficult deadlines, sourcing quality materials, managing staff, and staying competitive in an industry that is constantly changing.
Another major challenge is understanding that running a fashion business is not just about knowing how to sew. You also have to understand customer service, marketing, financial management, branding, production, and people management. I have been able to overcome these challenges by continuously learning, improving my systems, listening to constructive feedback, and being willing to correct my mistakes. I have also learned the importance of proper planning, clear communication with clients, and surrounding myself with people who understand the vision of the business.
Most importantly, I have learned to remain patient. Growth takes time, and every challenge has taught me something that has made both me and the business stronger.
How can you rate Nigerian fashion among the trends of fashion in the world?
I believe Nigerian fashion has earned a very strong position on the global fashion scene. Nigerian designers are creative, innovative, and deeply connected to our culture, and that gives our fashion a unique identity. Our traditional outfits, fabrics, embroidery, embellishments, tailoring techniques, and contemporary interpretations of African fashion have attracted attention both locally and internationally.
However, I believe there is still a lot of room for growth. Nigerian fashion can become even more globally competitive through better production standards, stronger branding, improved fashion education, technology, international collaborations, and consistent quality. The potential is enormous, and I believe Nigerian fashion has a future that can compete even more strongly on the international stage.
Could you briefly expatiate on the category of fashion designs you specialize in, and the kind of services that you render to your clients?
TOLUIN COUTURE primarily specializes in men’s fashion, particularly premium traditional and contemporary African menswear. We create outfits such as Agbada, Kaftan, Dansiki, shirts and trousers, as well as specially designed outfits for occasions such as weddings, celebrations, ceremonies, and other important events. We also offer custom embroidery and monogram services, including personalized designs for caps, Agbada, Kaftans, and other garments. We work with different types of fabrics and also allow clients to bring their own fabrics for customization.
Beyond clothing, we provide selected fashion accessories such as caps, beads, shoes, sandals, wristwatches, and other complementary pieces that help clients complete their look.
Our goal is not simply to make clothes. We want every client to have an experience that reflects quality, attention to detail, good finishing, and personal style.
What means of advertising do you deploy to showcase your products, create awareness of your services and attract your existing and prospective clients?
Social media has been one of the major ways we showcase TOLUIN COUTURE. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other digital platforms help us display our designs, completed jobs, embroidery work, client transformations, and new collections. We rely heavily on referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations because customer satisfaction is very important to us. A satisfied client can introduce your brand to several other people. We also use professional photography, videos, models, promotional materials, branded content, and direct customer engagement to create awareness.
For me, advertising is not only about telling people that you exist. It is about consistently showing people what you can do and giving them a reason to trust your brand.
Have you ever had any regrets about this business since you ventured into it till date?
I wouldn’t say I regret going into fashion. There have certainly been difficult moments when I felt tired, frustrated, or questioned some of the decisions I made, but those experiences have also contributed to my growth.
Every challenge has taught me something—about business, people, patience, leadership, money, customer relationships, and even myself. So, instead of looking at those difficult experiences as regrets, I see many of them as lessons. They have helped me become more intentional about how I run TOLUIN COUTURE today.
What should fashion designers pay attention to if they want to stand out in the fashion business?
Fashion designers need to understand that talent alone is not enough. You need quality, consistency, creativity, professionalism, good customer service, and strong branding. Designers should pay close attention to finishing because the little details often distinguish excellent work from average work. They should also understand their target customers and develop a recognizable identity instead of simply copying what everyone else is doing.
Another important thing is continuous learning. Fashion changes constantly, so designers must be willing to learn new techniques, study trends, understand business, embrace technology, and improve their skills.
Finally, designers should build trust. Deliver what you promise, communicate properly with your clients, respect their time, and maintain the quality of your work. A strong reputation can take you much further than advertising alone.
What should we expect to see about Toluin Couture in the next ten years?
In the next ten years, I see TOLUIN COUTURE becoming a much bigger fashion brand with a strong presence both within Nigeria and internationally. I envision a well-established fashion house known for premium African menswear, excellent craftsmanship, embroidery, custom designs, ready-to-wear collections, and exceptional customer experience. I also see the brand expanding into more fashion categories, developing stronger production structures, collaborating with other creatives and brands, and reaching customers across different parts of the world.
Most importantly, I want TOLUIN COUTURE to become a brand that people associate with quality, elegance, culture, confidence, and professionalism. I don’t just want to build a business that makes clothes. I want to build a lasting fashion brand and a legacy.
What advice do you have for the youths of our generation who are looking for shortcuts to riches, and the upcoming fashion designers who are aspiring to attain the height you have gotten to and beyond, in the world of fashion?
My advice to young people is simple: don’t let the desire for quick success make you abandon the value of patience, integrity, and hard work. There is nothing wrong with wanting to become successful or financially independent, but people need to understand that sustainable success takes time. Social media often shows the results without showing the years of struggle, sacrifice, failures, and learning behind them.
For upcoming fashion designers, start with what you have. You don’t need to have everything before you begin. Learn the craft properly, practice consistently, study the industry, understand your customers, and learn the business side of fashion. Don’t be afraid to start small, and don’t despise your early stage. Every successful brand was once an idea that somebody decided to take seriously. Also, don’t build your journey around competition. Learn from other people, but develop your own identity. Let your work speak for you. Most importantly, remain teachable, disciplined, honest, and consistent. Success may come slowly, but when you build something on knowledge, character, quality, and perseverance, you are building something that can last.
My own journey with TOLUIN COUTURE has taught me that the goal is not simply to become successful; it is to become better every day and to build something that will outlive you.
