Funke Fabeku is a
popular fashion designer in Lagos. She is the CEO of Shoge Exquisite Fashion
House. She coined the name from a Yoruba word Se Oge, which defines a
fashionista. Call her one of the hottest fashion designers and you won’t be
wrong. She has been in the business for
more than 13 years and she designs mainly for women. No wonder, she is one of
the most sought-after designers and stylists patronised by Lagos
celebrities. She does Bespoke and
ready-to-wear clothes. And she has Nollywood stars like Funke Etti, Funke
Adesiyan, Kemi Afolabi Adesipe to mention a few on her list of patrons.
In this interview with
City People’s Society Reporter, TITILOPE OGUNLEYE, she reveals her journey into
fashion designing and what has made her relevant. She also spoke about how her
mother groomed her before she died and how she has been able to train her
siblings.
Shoge Fashion House is
right now one of the fashion houses in vogue.
How long have you been
designing?
I have been designing
for about 13 years.
How did you start the
journey into designing clothes?
My mum was a designer.
So, after I left the university and I was awaiting my result to come
out, I decided to keep myself busy and that was when I started sewing. Though,
the passion has always been there, but I started fully after school and I moved
to Lagos to improve on my skills and here I am.
Aside the fact that
your mum was in fashion designing, has there always been a passion, in it for
you?
At first, I was not
interested in fashion designing, but later I developed a passion for it. After
my university education, there was no job, so I decided to follow up on fashion
and after a while, I found out that it was something I really wanted to do and
as we speak ,I don’t think I want to do any other thing. I just want to improve
on my skill and get better every day on it.
Can you list a few
celebrities that you have styled?
I have styled Funke
Etti, Funke Adesiyan, Emmanuella Rolapo.e.t.c.
How expensive is your
brand?
Our designs are very
affordable.
We are sure that there
must have been challenges in 13 years of establishment. What are those
challenges you faced while starting up the brand?
Staffing is one major
challenge. Getting good people who will work with you when there is pressure
because certainly, I can’t do everything by myself. Power supply is our major
challenge because we just have to run the generator when there is no
electricity supply. Getting a space is also challenging. You know accommodation
is very expensive in Lagos, I actually started in a shop, then I got another
shop before I moved to my apartment , so it has been a gradual process.
Lagos is a big city and
we have a whole lot of fashion designers. Who was that person you styled that
gave you a breakthrough, many referrals, or brought you to the limelight?
Smiles. I have styled a lot of people and they have
always brought new clients to me, but I will mention Emmanuella. She has
brought a lot of clients to me. Anytime I sew for her, she brings new client
for me.
Are you married?
Not yet
What has kept you
relevant in the fashion world?
I would say our
originality, passion and creativity.
What are those
challenges young designers face out there?
It is mainly staffing.
Getting good people who will stay with you. Mostly, we get people who will
demand for so much money, but give them an assignment, and you will find out
that they can’t meet up with the standard and value of the money they are
demanding. Mostly they can’t even handle simple work when you are not there.
So, you have to be there to always monitor them else you would be so
disappointed.
Let us talk a little
about your background.
I am the first of 8 and
my parents are late. I studied in Ambrose Alli University before coming to
Lagos.
The fashion business is a
big business, would you say that you have any regret going into fashion
designing?
No, I have not
regretted doing it for once. It has even helped me a whole lot especially when
I lost my parents and I had so many responsibilities being the first child and
having to train some of my sibling in school. I even taught some of them who
showed interest in fashion designing. About four of us are sewing and they
learned from me and now they are also independent.
In your organisation,
do you just style people or you also train those who want to be fashion
designers? We do both.
Who are your mentors in
fashion designing?
I love Deola Segoe
because her designs are unique and they give you something to look forward to.
I also love Maya Tafo. I met Uncle Mike once at an event, but his designs
inspired me a whole lot.
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