thefashionroundtable

How do you build a profitable fashion retail business in Nigeria? Where do you source your products, how much stock should you buy, and how do you keep your prices competitive while maintaining quality?On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Midewears to discuss the business of selling women's fashion, from sourcing products in China and managing bulk purchases to pricing, customer behaviour and running a profitable retail operation.We get into the realities of fashion retail, including finding reliable suppliers, dealing with slow-moving stock, preventing theft during pop-ups and deciding which sales channels actually bring in the money.Whether you're planning to start a fashion business or already selling and looking to grow, this conversation offers practical insights into the decisions behind running a retail fashion brand.Watch till the end and tell us in the comments: Would you rather source your products locally or travel to China to buy in bulk?Like, subscribe and share your thoughts in the comments.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction02:06 Do You Manufacture Your Clothes or Buy Them Wholesale?03:39 What's the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) to Get Those Prices?04:21 How Did You Start the Business?06:10 At What Point Did You Decide to Start Travelling to China for Stock?08:38 How Do You Sell at Those Prices and Still Make a Profit?12:02 How Do You Maintain Quality While Keeping Prices Affordable?13:09 How Do You Prevent Theft During Pop-Ups?13:44 Have You Ever Bought Stock in Bulk That Didn't Sell?14:43 How Do You Find the Right Suppliers and Decide What to Invest In?16:24 Why Do You Choose to Source Products From China?16:48 What's the Best Place to Source Women's Wear?17:45 Do You Worry About Other Brands Selling the Same Products?19:11 Who Is Your Typical Customer?20:23 Which Makes You More Money: Instagram, Your Website or a Physical Store?21:39 Can You Sell in Large Volumes Without Social Media?23:50 Are Nigerian Customers Too Dependent on Discounts?26:13 Did You Take a Loan to Run the Business at This Scale?27:04 How Many Times Have You Been to China?27:25 Do You Also Sell Men's Clothing?28:25 What Advice Would You Give Someone Just Starting a Fashion Retail Business?33:00 What is your Staff strength?36:51 What Kind of Marketing Do You Do? Do You Run Ads?39:25 Outro#FashionRoundtable #Midewears #FashionBusiness #FashionRetail #NigerianFashion #BusinessInNigeria #FashionEntrepreneurship #ChinaSourcingHow to Welcome to TheGbemiOO A channel where culture, fashion, business, and real conversations meet. From insights in the fashion industry to honest discussions on life, work, and everything in between, this channel gives you a front-row seat into my world.Let’s connect — follow me across all social platforms for more.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbemioo/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gbemioo?_r=1&_t=ZS-95BEyPb2vfM

What does it take to build a successful fashion business in Nigeria? Beyond beautiful clothes and a strong brand identity, there's the business of getting products in front of the right people, building the right partnerships and turning visibility into sales.On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Ozinna Anumudu, founder of Ozinna.com, who has worked with brands including Puma, Banke Kuku, Martell and Wanni Fuga.We discuss what makes a fashion brand powerful, how fashion platforms decide which designers to work with, the challenges of selling Nigerian fashion and what brands need to get right to grow.From brand partnerships and retail strategy to fulfilment, pricing and marketing, this conversation explores the realities of building a fashion business in Nigeria and connecting local brands with the customers they want to reach.If you're a fashion designer, brand owner, stylist, creative entrepreneur or someone interested in the business behind Nigerian fashion, this episode offers insights into the decisions that shape brand growth and commercial success.Watch till the end and tell us in the comments:** What is the biggest thing Nigerian fashion brands need to fix to sell more?Like this video, subscribe to the channel and join the conversation.00:00 Introduction01:40 What Made You See Business Potential in the Nigerian Fashion Industry?03:57 What Were You Brought In to Do at Fashion Week?04:31 What Makes a Brand Powerful? Lessons From Working With Different Brands05:38 What Would You Ask a Brand Before Signing Them to Your Agency?06:36 Did Watching Your Mum Influence Your Love for Fashion?10:16 How Can Nigerian Designers Get Their Brands on Ozinna.com?13:20 What Do You Look for Before Accepting a Brand on Your Platform?16:51 Can Fulfilment Work in Nigeria?18:07 What Happened to Shop Maji?19:22 What Makes a Brand Partnership Work? Why Do You Believe in Dialab?24:00 What Happens When a Fashion Brand Isn't Selling?25:52 The Common Mistakes Nigerian Fashion Brands Make28:00 What's the One Thing the Nigerian Fashion Industry Needs to Fix?29:36 Beyond Social Media: Other Ways to Market a Fashion Brand31:00 Are Nigerian Fashion Brands Pricing for Local Customers, the Diaspora or Their Desired Brand Image?33:14 The Puma and Davido Campaign: What Was Your Experience?39:48 What Advice Would You Give Someone Who Wants to Become a Stylist or Fashion Influencer?44:46 Outro#FashionRoundtable #OzinnaAnumudu #NigerianFashion #FashionBusiness #BrandStrategy #FashionMarketing #FashionRetail #FashionIndustryWelcome to TheGbemiOO A channel where culture, fashion, business, and real conversations meet. From insights in the fashion industry to honest discussions on life, work, and everything in between, this channel gives you a front-row seat into my world.Let’s connect — follow me across all social platforms for more.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbemioo/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gbemioo?_r=1&_t=ZS-95BEyPb2vfM

What does it really take to build a couture brand? From creating technically complex garments to pricing your work and standing by your creative vision, fashion goes far beyond making beautiful clothes.On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Abelia, founder of Weizdhurm Franklyn, to discuss the business, creativity and challenges behind building a couture fashion brand.Abelia opens up about teaching herself fashion, discovering what makes her design perspective different, the most challenging pieces she has created and the decisions that have shaped her brand. We also get into the realities of dressing celebrities, designing for major red-carpet moments, protecting original designs and convincing clients to pay what couture is actually worth.If you're a fashion designer, creative entrepreneur or someone fascinated by the business behind luxury fashion, this conversation offers a closer look at what it takes to build a brand while protecting your craft and creative identity.Watch till the end and tell us in the comments: What do you think is harder: creating a couture piece or getting a client to pay what it's actually worth?Like this video, subscribe to the channel and join the conversation.00:00 Introduction02:16 What Did Teaching Yourself Give You That Fashion School Might Have Taken Away?03:10 Send App by Flutterwave03:37 At What Point Did You Realise You Were Different From Other Designers?05:05 What's the Strangest Thing You've Made or Been Asked to Make?06:07 When Did You Start Making Money?06:53 What's One Thing You Refuse to Compromise On, Even If It Costs You a Client?07:47 What's the Most Technically Difficult Garment You've Ever Made?08:58 What's the Longest Time You've Spent on a Particular Piece?09:49 How Do You Price a Garment?10:16 What Comes to Mind First: The Client, the Silhouette, the Fabric or the Story?11:33 What's the Difference Between Dressing a Celebrity and a Non-Celebrity Client?12:58 Has a Celebrity Ever Rejected a Designe You Absolutely Love?14:12 How Do You Create an Outfit for Someone Who Doesn't Know What They Want?15:27 What's the Most Expensive Piece You've Ever Made?16:26 Lush Hair Advert16:38 Who's Your Dream Celebrity to Dress?17:46 Would You Be Open to Editing Your Design for an A-List Celebrity Who Wants to Wear It to the Oscars?18:06 Have You Thought About Who You'd Love to Dress for the Met Gala?19:05 What's the Difference Between Inspiration and Outright Theft?19:55 Have You Ever Seen a Designer Make Something Suspiciously Similar to Your Design?20:25 If Someone Stole Your Design, Would You Call Them Out?21:40 Can a Nigerian Couture Brand Be Commercially Successful Without Becoming Less Experimental?22:40 What's More Difficult: Creating the Outfit or Getting Someone to Pay What It's Actually Worth?23:11 What's the Biggest Misconception People Have About the Price of Couture?25:17 Have You Ever Undercharged Because You Wanted the Client or Needed the Money?27:01 What's One Business Decision That Seemed Crazy at the Time but Changed Your Brand's Trajectory?30:36 Flutterwave32:46 What Has Success Changed About You, and What Hasn't It Changed?34:45 At What Point Have You Thought About Quitting?35:45 Have You Ever Turned Down Money Because a Client Wasn't the Right Fit for Your Brand?37:22 What Would You Create Differently?38:50 Outro#FashionRoundtable #WeizdhurmFranklyn #FashionBusiness #NigerianFashion #Couture #FashionDesign #LuxuryFashion #FashionEntrepreneurshipWelcome to TheGbemiOO A channel where culture, fashion, business, and real conversations meet. From insights in the fashion industry to honest discussions on life, work, and everything in between, this channel gives you a front-row seat into my world.Let’s connect — follow me across all social platforms for more.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbemioo/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gbemioo?_r=1&_t=ZS-95BEyPb2vfM

What does it really take to get a fashion brand noticed? And why do some brands spend millions on events only for nobody to talk about them?On this episode of Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with PR experts Liz Osho and Njideka Akabogu for an honest conversation about the realities of fashion PR, brand visibility, media attention and reputation management.From the cost of hiring a PR consultant to the truth about getting featured in Vogue, we unpack what brands need to understand before investing in publicity.We also put Liz and Njideka on the spot with difficult PR crisis scenarios to find out how they would advise their clients when things go wrong.If you're a fashion designer, creative entrepreneur, brand owner or anyone interested in the business behind fashion, this conversation is for you.Watch till the end and tell us in the comments: Is it better to have no publicity or bad publicity?👍 Like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share your thoughts in the comment.00:00 Introduction 01:18 What Do PR Consultants Actually Do? 03:03 Why Do Some Expensive Events Get No Attention? 04:24 Can You Manufacture Virality? 06:04 Publicity vs. Relevance 07:40 Common PR Mistakes Brands Make 10:25 Does Vogue Do Anything for Free? 11:17 Is Nigerian Fashion Getting Enough International Media Attention? 13:26 Send App by Flutterwave 13:54 What Nigerian Designers Get Right and Wrong About PR 17:44 What If Your Brand Doesn't Have a Deep Story? 21:04 PR Is a Lifestyle: You Have to Look the Part 23:21 Can Great PR Save a Mediocre Brand? 26:53 Lush Hair Advert 27:13 Have Influencers Made PR Easier or Harder? 31:16 What Makes Someone Influential? 34:40 Paying for Celebrity Features vs. Organic Editorial Coverage 39:06 How Much Does PR Really Cost? 42:10 What If You Want to Be Featured in Vogue? 43:05 Managing Clients Who Ignore Professional Advice 46:52 The Biggest PR Disaster 51:02 Is No Publicity Better Than Bad Publicity? 52:35 Send App by Flutterwave 55:07 Does Traditional Media Still Matter? 01:01:19 A Designer Accused of Copying: What Do You Do First? 01:03:34 A Celebrity Scandal Before a Major Brand Launch 01:05:09 Handling an Offensive Client Statement and Online Backlash 01:05:54 When an Influencer Gets a Paid Post Wrong 01:07:06 Liz and Njideka's Advice for the Hosts 01:12:11 Outro#FashionRoundtable #FashionPR #PublicRelations #FashionBusiness #NigerianFashion #BrandStrategy #FashionIndustry #CrisisManagementWelcome to TheGbemiOO A channel where culture, fashion, business, and real conversations meet. From insights in the fashion industry to honest discussions on life, work, and everything in between, this channel gives you a front-row seat into my world.Let’s connect — follow me across all social platforms for more.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbemioo/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gbemioo?_r=1&_t=ZS-95BEyPb2vfM

In this episode of Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Sharon Ademefun, founder of Body Politix, for an honest conversation about building fashion businesses, understanding the Nigerian woman, global sizing, pricing, markups, privilege, money and knowing when it is time to change direction.Sharon takes us back to her early days in business in 2011, sharing what she got right, what she got wrong and the gaps she noticed that eventually shaped the business she wanted to build.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Introduction01:36 – Looking Back at Her 2011 Business: What Did She Get Right and Wrong?06:10 – Were You Making the Dresses Yourself?06:40 – What Gap Did You See That Made You Say, “This Is the Business I Want to Build”?11:46 – Send App by Flutterwave12:14 – What Is Body Politix About?16:18 – Is Having Money and Access Enough?18:52 – If You Were Not From a Privileged Background, Would You Still Have Become an Entrepreneur?23:31 – What Have You Learned About Nigerian Women, Their Bodies and What Fashion Brands Don’t Understand?24:50 – Lush Hair27:55 – What Did Selling Hair Teach You That Selling Clothes Didn’t?31:06 – Do Nigerian Consumers Want Affordability, or Do They Want the Feel of Luxury at an Affordable Price?32:48 – What Is the Price Range for Body Politix?33:35 – Website, Social Media or Physical Retail Store: Where Did You Sell the Most?36:40 – How Do You Know When to Fix a Business, Change It or Walk Away?39:59 – Flutterwave Advert41:00 – When Do You Know It’s Time to Leave a Business?48:12 – OutroIf you are a fashion entrepreneur, creative, designer or business owner trying to understand what actually makes a brand work, this conversation is for you.Watch till the end and tell us: What do you think makes a fashion brand fail?Don't forget to like, subscribe and share this episode.#FashionRoundtable #SharonAdemefun #BodyPolitix #FashionBusiness #NigerianFashion #FashionEntrepreneur #FashionBrands #BusinessInNigeria #NigerianDesigners____Welcome to TheGbemiOO A channel where culture, fashion, business, and real conversations meet. From insights in the fashion industry to honest discussions on life, work, and everything in between, this channel gives you a front-row seat into my world.Let’s connect — follow me across all social platforms for more.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbemioo/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gbemioo?_r=1&_t=ZS-95BEyPb2vfM

In this honest and inspiring conversation, Derin Fabikun opens up about building her fashion brand from the age of 19, navigating slow seasons, overcoming health challenges, and finding the courage to keep going when giving up felt like the easier option.She shares the realities behind the evolution of her brand, why quality fashion comes at a cost, and the opportunities many emerging designers are missing.Whether you're a fashion entrepreneur, creative, or anyone building something from scratch, this episode is packed with practical insights and lessons on resilience, growth, and staying the course.__00:00 – Introduction01:49 – What did you start with as a 19-year-old?03:57 – How did Fabling by Derin begin?05:03 – Was it easier to start a fashion business then or now?06:16 – There was a time your business went quiet—what happened?11:37 – Credit Direct Hype12:29 – Did you ever think, "I'm not doing this anymore"?17:40 – Where is the brand today: ready-to-wear or bespoke?19:00 – What does your pricing look like today?19:30 – What do you say to people who ask, "Why can't it be less expensive?"20:42 – What advice would you give to upcoming designers?22:48 – What opportunities are designers not taking advantage of?24:45 – Giveaway 🎁25:53 – OutroIf you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share with someone building a creative business.#DerinFabikun #FashionBusiness #NigerianFashion #CreativeEntrepreneur #ReadyToWear #BespokeFashionWelcome to TheGbemiOO A channel where culture, fashion, business, and real conversations meet. From insights in the fashion industry to honest discussions on life, work, and everything in between, this channel gives you a front-row seat into my world.Let’s connect — follow me across all social platforms for more.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbemioo/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gbemioo?_r=1&_t=ZS-95BEyPb2vfM

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Nonye, founder of That Thing Called Fashion, to discuss the realities of being a fashion content creator in today's digital world.From creating content before influencing became mainstream to building a business, assembling a management team, negotiating brand deals, and navigating the pressure of social media, Nonye shares the lessons she's learned from years in the industry.We also talk about the pressure to appear glamorous online and the truths about influencing that most people never see.Whether you're a content creator, fashion entrepreneur, aspiring influencer, or simply curious about the business behind social media, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest conversations.00:00 – Intro01:38 – How she started04:44 – Was content creation always the plan?06:15 – When she started making money08:15 – How she knew what to charge09:09 – The platform that has worked best for her09:02 – Biggest challenges she has faced16:00 – Credit Direct Hype16:47 – How important is Fashion Week for fashion creators?18:20 – The pressure to look glamorous online21:07 – What happens when a brand you don't like reaches out?26:47 – Staying authentic in collaborations29:12 – Building a management team31:44 – What people don't realize about being an influencer33:06 – Advice for aspiring creators34:33 – Giveaway 🎁35:12 – Outro#Nonye #ThatThingCalledFashion #FashionInfluencer #ContentCreator #FashionBusiness #FashionCreator #InfluencerMarketing #AfricanFashion #NigerianFashion #TheFashionRoundtableWelcome to TheGbemiOO A channel where culture, fashion, business, and real conversations meet. From insights in the fashion industry to honest discussions on life, work, and everything in between, this channel gives you a front-row seat into my world.Let’s connect — follow me across all social platforms for more.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbemioo/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gbemioo?_r=1&_t=ZS-95BEyPb2vfM

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Style Infidel for a candid conversation about fashion, styling, weddings, Fashion Week, pricing, and the realities of working in the Nigerian fashion industry.From styling brides and grooms to helping shape some of fashion's most memorable moments, Style Infidel shares the lessons, challenges, and hard truths that many people don't see behind the glamour.We discuss why many people resist paying stylists, whether Nigerian fashion is truly expensive, who holds the most power in the industry, and what needs to change for Nigerian fashion to earn greater global recognition.If you're a designer, stylist, entrepreneur, fashion lover, or simply curious about the business behind the industry, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.___00:00 – Intro01:44 – How he got into fashion03:00 – How he landed his first gig08:10 – The story behind the name Infidel09:04 – Brides and Grooms of Infidel11:18 – Why every couple should have a stylist12:50 – Matching the bride and groom's looks15:56 – The biggest fashion mistakes couples make16:50 – What he does during Fashion Week24:10 – Why people resist paying stylists in Nigeria29:57 – Is Nigerian fashion expensive?41:02 – Credit Direct Hype41:32 – One uncomfortable truth about Nigerian fashion50:57 – Is the fashion industry properly structured?54:48 – Who holds the most power in Nigerian fashion?1:04:44 – What must change for Nigerian fashion to be taken seriously globally1:09:36 – Ready-to-wear and fast fashion brands1:11:54 – Giveaway 🎁1:12:00 – Outro#StyleInfidel #NigerianFashion #FashionBusiness #FashionStylist #AfricanFashion #FashionWeek #WeddingFashion #BridalStyle #FashionIndustry #TheFashionRoundtable

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Veronica Ebie, founder of Vanestyle, for an honest conversation about styling, fashion business, personal branding, and what it really takes to build a successful styling brand in Nigeria.Veronica shares insights from her journey and the lessons she's learned along the way from navigating client expectations, celebrity styling, pricing, trends, and the realities behind the scenes, Whether you're a stylist, designer, fashion entrepreneur, or simply love fashion, this episode is packed with valuable insights and real industry experiences.00:00 – Intro01:54 – How she got started03:55 – The story behind Vanestyle08:36 – When she realized it could become a business09:55 – Matching personality with style11:25 – Navigating conversations about revealing outfits13:00 – Why prices aren't always included in captions14:26 – What the backend of a styling business looks like17:07 – Clients who want styling without her posting them.18:48 – The hardest season of her career20:30 – Does she style male clients?21:20 – What she looks for in designers featured in her showroom23:01 – Why she models many of the looks herself23:59 – Credit Direct Hype24:26 – Do stylists get enough credit?25:17 – When clients get dragged for their outfits26:10 – Working with clients who love showing skin27:24 – What she would do differently if she started again28:20 – Why she hasn't launched her own clothing line29:20 – One styling rule she lives by29:51 – One trend she doesn't want to see again30:50 – One thing every Nigerian woman should invest in right now32:25 – The average cost of clothing at Vanestyle34:00 – Giveaway 🎁34:20 – Outro#VeronicaEbie #Vanestyle #FashionStylist #FashionBusiness #NigerianFashion #StyleTips #FashionEntrepreneur #TheFashionRoundtable #AfricanFashion #WomenInBusiness

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Noble Igwe for an honest conversation about fashion and personal style.From movie premiere themes to BBNaija styling, online criticism, men’s fashion, and working with upcoming designers, this episode dives into the realities of fashion in entertainment and media.____00:00 – Intro1:45 – Why Ebuka doesn’t like being called a fashion boy4:06 – Knowing what he wanted to do7:58 – Pressure around outfits and public opinion16:20 – Last time they both repeated an outfit23:14 – Styling plans for shows like BBNaija25:51 – How new designers get to style Ebuka and Noble29:43 – Credit Direct Hype32:50 – Always wanting to style people38:50 – Let’s talk about dragging57:08 – Looking back at old fashion moments 😭1:00:03 – Men’s fashion (Gbemi’s take)1:05:29 – Why Ebuka hasn’t started a fashion line1:07:49 – Outro1:08:25 – Giveaway 🎁#Ebuka #NobleIgwe #MensFashion #BBNaija #FashionNigeria #CelebrityStyling #AfricanFashion #TheFashionRoundtable #FashionBusiness #PopCultureWelcome to TheGbemiOO A channel where culture, fashion, business, and real conversations meet. From insights in the fashion industry to honest discussions on life, work, and everything in between, this channel gives you a front-row seat into my world.Let’s connect — follow me across all social platforms for more.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gbemioo/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gbemioo?_r=1&_t=ZS-95BEyPb2vfM