Here’s How Lanre Da Silva Feels When People Mistake Her For A Man

Fashion Designer Lanre Da Silva Ajayi recently sat down with Punch to discuss starting out her career, family, and beauty routine.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

With multiple degrees in finance and business, what prompted the switch into fashion?

Upon completion of my studies in the UK, I moved back to Nigeria shortly afterwards to kick-start my career. With a background in business administration and a master’s degree in Finance, the ideal job I was looking for at the time was in investment banking or the Nigerian stock exchange and I applied to various banks and institutions in Nigeria. During the waiting period, I decided to keep myself busy by designing clothes for myself, family, and friends. My passion for fashion designing has been there since my teenage years as my mum recalled and it was further heightened whilst I was in the UK. I developed my love for vintage couture from shopping spots like Portobello market, London Vintage Fashion, Textile and Accessories fair at Hammersmith Town Hall. I also attended short fashion courses in the UK.

I was so thrilled and happy with the positive feedbacks I was getting from friends and family about my creative designs, that they were unique, different, glamorous and beautiful. Eventually, I got job offers from banks and other institutions in Nigeria but the timing was not perfect as I was already pregnant and travelling, so I had to defer my position.

Meanwhile, the positive feedback I was receiving propelled me to start up a career fully as a fashion designer and let go of my banking aspirations.

How would you describe your university days, were you a bookworm or you socialised a lot?

I have incredible fond memories of my time at Coventry University in the UK. I made friends with people from different parts of the world, different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, shared experiences and learnt new ideas and ways of doing things.

I would describe myself as a balanced and focused student that partied, socialised and studied very hard to achieve good grades.

 

 

Your job sometimes involves you working under pressure, how do you cope with the tension?

I have a good team of staff that work with me. We are prepared at all times to manage any emergency that might arise from our customers. We pride ourselves in delivering good customer service and we work at improving ourselves each day. The natural problem solver that I am is able to work under any condition with ease until the storm blows over.

How do you deal with angry customers?

I exercise a great deal of patience, listen attentively to the customer’s complaints and try to resolve the problem as soon as possible to make the customer happy.

What are some of the challenges you faced while building your brand?

There were definitely challenges as a beginner in the fashion industry in Nigeria. For instance today, there are haberdashery stores all around importing good zips and trimmings. At the time I started, I was using local zips and would panic and pray nothing happened to the client’s zip. Zips are so important to a finished garment, I am very happy to see changes today.

Another challenge is training the tailors, which is crucial to me as a designer. Pattern makers are hard to come by, a lot of the tailors around were machinists that needed so much training and supervision and patience. All these experiences made me wise up quickly and learn faster as I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me.

 

Many believe Lanre is a man’s name, have you ever been mistaken for a man?

Many times over, especially with people I am meeting for the first time, I can literally see the surprise shock on their faces when they realise the Lanre they are looking for is a woman. It’s always a delight for me.

 

 

How have you been able to maintain your beauty?

I use Argan oil on my face. The oil is light and absorbs fast. It keeps my face refreshed, soft, and hydrated. I also try to get enough sleep as much as I can. I indulge myself with spa treats too.

 

Looking at your resume, many would believe you are a workaholic. Is it right to assume such?

I am a perfectionist and would go the extra mile in achieving the desired outcome I want. What is most certain is that a lazy person cannot work with me. This will be impossible.

 

Due to your busy nature, how often do you go to church?

I am never too busy to go to church. I rarely miss Mass on a Sunday.

 

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