Omoniyi Makun is the Chief Executive
Officer of the clothing line, Yomi Casual. Last of seven children, Yomi
is an Ordinary National Diploma holder in Fashion Design and Clothing
Technology from Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. He has designed for
celebrities including Ali Baba, Sammie Okposo, Kelvin and Elizabeth of
the Big Brother Africa fame, Chioma Chukwuka, Timaya, SeyiLaw, Elenu,
AY, J. Martins and Chidi Mokeme amongst others. Makun speaks to X2 on
the company he birthed in 2009.
Tell us about Yomi Casual
Yomi Casual is a fashion outfit that
specialises in making crispy African attire. We offer our clients the
confidence to express themselves in the 21st Century world of fashion
and make them different in any crowd. We bring out the celebrity in you.
What motivated you to go into business for self?
I choose to do business because I feel that’s what I am born to do.
Did you face any opposition when starting?
I never did because my parents were
very supportive when I started. My parents believe in being innovative
and also in handwork.
What are the upsides of running the business?
The business has been so rewarding.
Fashion is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I can
remember when I started but all of that is history now because this
fashion business has made me so comfortable I live in a well furnished
apartment; I have a car and a lovely showroom to go with.
What challenges have you faced over time?
My challenges in fashion is making
clothes for women, the problem I have with some of them is that they
don’t want to know how the style they have brought would look on them.
They just believe because it looks good on A and B it will look good on
them. Another challenge is making an outfit for an XXXL sized person.
Ever thought of packing up in frustration?
Never! Because I can see the future and I know it’s so bright and colourful.
What have you learnt that they don’t teach in books?
I have learnt a lot; no lecturer will
teach you how to be creative. I can still remember the jeans design I
came up with 2 years ago combining the everyday jeans stuff to
something different. I decided to make it different by adding a touch
of our normal African clothing-the damask, imposing it on the jean
which makes it look unique.
What projections do you have for the future?
I have so many plans ahead, apart from
the showroom I have at Surulere, I have plans of opening like two other
branches in Lagos this year. Also, I think Yomi Casual is due for a
fashion show, so I have plans of unveiling my 2011 designs on the
runway this year with the help of the media and sponsors.
What advice would you give potential entrepreneurs?
To be a good designer, first you have
to be creative, you first know rules then you break them. Breaking the
rules is very important in anything that has to do with creativity
because I so much believe that’s one of the biggest way to stand out
among the crowd. Another is that you must learn the tricks of fashion
so you can understand how to meet the needs of your clients and if you
really love fashion go the extra miles.
