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Wale Adeyemi; British Born, Nigerian Label, International Clientele

Written by Obe Lomo

Friday, 09 May 2008

Wale Adeyemi

Positively representing Nigeria on the International fashion scene is Nigerian born top fashion designer Wale Adeyemi. Currently based in the United Kingdom, Wale first appeared on the Fashion Radar when David Beckham stepped out in his signature graffiti jacket few years ago. With his ultra-feminine and high brow men’s collection, the Nigerian international designer has on his list of clientele top personalities in the music and sports industry in the UK.

We caught up with him during a visit to Nigeria, where he revealed his passion for his label, his vision for Nigerian youths and reasons why he endorsed Nokia First Chance project held last year. Excerpts

As a Nigerian resident in the UK, how was it breaking through the fashion industry, what were the challenges you encountered?

It has been a lot of hard work and it is still a lot of hard work. I think one of the most important things is having a dream and a vision and that you keep sticking to that dream. Remain persistent, don’t try to divert. Once you have a goal, just make sure you abide by it. It’s possible for anyone to achieve what he or she wants to achieve in life in any chosen path
as long as they are determined.

As a top Nigerian designer in the UK, what exactly has been your greatest achievement since you started the Wale Adeyemi clothing label?

I have won various awards notably The Nigerian Business Achievement Award and HiTV Multi cultural Award. But I think the biggest achievement for me is seeing a large group of people in the UK everyday wear my clothing everywhere; on the bus, in the subway, on the street, it’s a great feeling for me. I can’t really explain that feeling. Even now, I still get buzzed, I still get excited when I see some of those things around.

Did you have the support of friends, family? What exactly spurred you on?

Yeah, since I was young, I’ve always been into clothing and I just used to love buying clothes all the time. That was my thing, but I did not think about the business aspect. I used to think one day I’ll work in a really nice clothes shop and own my own label, but I couldn’t tell my dad, so I did little window dressing and I realized it wasn’t enough. Then someone
spoke to me about fashion design and I was thinking it was too far out of my reach, so I just kind of did it as a hobby, then turned it into a career, then business.

What makes Wale happy as a person and as a designer?

As a person, what makes me happy is being around good people and I know some fantastic people. I’ve been blessed to be around people like my family. Everyday I wake up and they are a blessing to me. As a designer, it is seeing people wear my own label.

Who are some of the celebrities on your clientele list?

Names like Craig David, Usher, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Victoria and David Beckham, Neo and so on and I’ve got my own clothing line in about 150 stores in the UK.

Talking of support, your support base in the UK, has it been more of Nigerians, British or a mixture of both?

It has not really been that many Nigerians, I’ll be honest. UK is a multi cultural place so it’s a mixture of people that love my designs and support me. I get lots of emails from Nigeria telling me they like what I do but I actually haven’t had many Nigerian clients. There are times when Nigerians look away when they see it’s a Nigerian label and rather buy a Ralph Lauren or something else and sometimes, that’s the kind of mentality you have to deal with, but I’m hoping this will change.
What I’m doing in the UK is making a difference and I am meeting quite a number of people. My parents wanted me to study law at Oxford, but I went to Oxford to give them a talk on fashion, so I’ve been there. Fashion has taught me a lot of things I
wouldn’t have done.

Why did you choose to support Nokia First Chance?

I think it’s something really important. I believe there is a lot of talent in Nigeria and everyone needs a platform of some sort to walk on, to get more chances to show their skills and their talents. I think quite a number of youths are frustrated with what they are doing. So for me, I think it’s a good opportunity to combine expertise and I’d like to see someone from Nigeria represent us around the world.

How far did you go to support the project?

Well, Jazz Black brought me into it because he knows I love music and I love working with music. Mostly, I do a lot of commercials and stuff as well. I also do branding with blue chip companies in the UK but my heart lies in music. If it’s about talents, I’ll back them all the way because it’s about what you have inside.

When next will you be coming to Nigeria?

Soon, for some project.

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Comments (1)

1. 13-05-2008 16:16

goshhhhh.

I read through your article in a magazine,since then ive buckled up to my dreams of becoming a leading designer as you are... am so proud to know that a nigerian like you has made waves round the continent.... hope to meet up with you some day. keep the good work rolling..

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