BEVERLY HILLS, March 15, (THEWILL) – Today is Mother’s Day and what’s better than featuring a mother and her daughter in the same line of business! While Funmi Ajila-Ladipo is a two-time president of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, (FADAN) and a highly accomplished professional, her daughter, Salewa Ajila, is not only towing her footsteps, she has succeeded in putting a modern spin to the business, repositioning it to compete favourably in today’s digital world. They both speak to Ivory Ukonu about doing business together, having a seamless working relationship, motherhood as well as their Mother’s Day wishes.
Why do you own a separate brand, Ajila Ready-to-Wear, different from your mum’s brand, ReagaliabyFal?
Our brand designs are both unique in their own ways, they appeal to different audiences. Having my own brand gives me the opportunity to express my creativity independently.
You studied Human Nutrition Science but today you are towing your mother’s path as a fashion designer. Why the switch?
Well, even though I studied and I perform in the professional field of international development, fashion designing is what I was born into. I still remember having to sleep under my mother’s cutting table while she worked all night. I remember being brought to the factory on some days after school, because mum needed to ensure I didn’t cause any trouble to distract the workers. I was taught and given tasks to design something in the factory. I started using my first sewing machine when I was 10 years old and I held my first needle and thread long before then. The art of fashion designing is in-built and there’s no way I wouldn’t use the opportunity I have been given, to share my creation with the world.
What informs your choice of design and does your mum sometimes have an input in your designs?
Anything that inspires or speaks to me influences how I create my designs. It could be the environment, my mood, certain colours, or fabric. The things that influence me are truly endless, I find inspiration in many things and I am fluid when it comes to my designs. My mum sometimes has input in my designs. What is the use of having an expert if you won’t take advantage of it? She has a large role to play in reviewing and fine tuning my designs. It takes experience to know what would work and what would not.
What three lessons will you say you have learnt from her that have helped you in managing your own business?
I have learnt people management skills especially in areas of patience with the tailors. I have also learnt proper detailing and finishing of an outfit, this is something my mother doesn’t play around with, she always says the inside must always be as neat as the outside. Another lesson I’ve learnt is to always make a sample. Sampling before large production is the only true way to achieve design success. Sometimes I sketch and I like it but after making a pattern and creating the sample we see that it only looks good as a sketch but not an actual design.
How do you resolve disagreements since both of you work in the same space and you use your mum’s design factory?
Disagreements are something we rarely have; we have different perspectives, and we are both aware. When disagreement arises, we try to look at it through each other’s eyes, maybe not in the heat of the moment but we always ensure we review afterwards. Sometimes you just can’t disagree with experience.
What happens when she retires, do you hope to take on her own side of the business or will it be shut down since you both run different labels?
I can tell you for free that my mother has no plans of retiring from the fashion industry and that is the joy of doing something you are passionate about. If the environment is conducive, a person’s profession looks less like a job and more like something brings genuine happiness. We have never spoken about retirement, but she has built a brand that will outlive her. RegaliabyFAL is here to stay.
How would you describe your mum?
My mum and I are very close. We talk every day. She’s someone who is always filled with so much love and genuity in her heart. She is always willing to go the extra mile for people without expecting anything in return. She is very innovative and works hard. My mum is someone who always has a way to turn things around for good, she is a solution giver. She loves her family and she loves God and every day she does something to make the lives of the people around her better.
It is Mother’s Day today. What special wish do you have for your mum?
My one true wish for her is that all her heart desires are fulfilled and she lives long enough to reap the reward of her hard work and see me live up to my true potential.
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