Vanguard Allure

Top Menu

  • Vanguard

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
  • Vanguard

logo

Vanguard Allure

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Hilda Baci: The Rising Star of Nigerian Cuisine

      March 25, 2023
      0
    • Female Influencers Cashing Out

      March 19, 2023
      0
    • IWD: Young Women Driving Tech

      March 12, 2023
      0
    • Buogo Obi-Oloketuyi: The Chic Carpenter

      March 5, 2023
      0
    • BOLANLE AND BUNMI NINALOWO: To Love And To Hold

      February 14, 2023
      0
    • Vanguard Personality Of The Year Awards 2022

      January 29, 2023
      0
    • Ruky Ogbetuo: From Fashion Writing To Prolific Designer

      January 21, 2023
      0
    • Bisola Alabi: Tech Savvy

      January 15, 2023
      0
    • Wumi Jubril - Providing Ultimate Wellness Experience

      January 13, 2023
      0
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
    • Porsche Executive reportedly divorcing partner of 16 years due to dementia

      Porsche Executive reportedly divorcing partner of 16 years due to dementia

      March 23, 2023
      0
    • 'Teni made people criticize me on social media' - Monalisa Stephen

      March 21, 2023
      0
    • Renowned English guitarist, Mick Slattery dies at 77

      Renowned English guitarist, Mick Slattery dies at 77

      March 21, 2023
      0
    • Whitemoney to sue BBN, real estate company over unfulfilled promise

      March 20, 2023
      0
    • Stop making statements that are oppressive and divisive -IK Osakioduwa urge Nigerians

      March 20, 2023
      0
    • How my dollar cash was stolen at Delta hotel -BBNaija's Phyna

      How my dollar cash was stolen at Delta hotel -BBNaija's Phyna

      March 17, 2023
      0
    • Olu of Warri, wife, joins world leaders to celebrate Commonwealth Day in ...

      March 16, 2023
      0
    • Amandla Ebeye reveals why she is changing name

      March 14, 2023
      0
    • Mercy Johnson's husband dedicates his Certificate of Return to her

      March 13, 2023
      0
  • Chimamanda Adichie set to release her first children’s book

  • Soni Irabor celebrates wife, Betty at 66

  • Hilda Baci: The Rising Star of Nigerian Cuisine

  • Mack Zuckerberg, wife welcome third child

  • I make 40k$ from YouTube monthly – Broda Shaggi

Allure MagazineInterviews
Home›Allure Magazine›Abah Folawiyo: The Doyen of Nigerian Fashion @75

Abah Folawiyo: The Doyen of Nigerian Fashion @75

July 17,2017
Share:

By Yemisi Suleiman

Abah Folawiyo

Abah Folawiyo

Abah Folawiyo is one of the iconic names that headlined the Nigerian fashion industry back in the ‘70s, spearheading a fashion revolution that embraced the beauty of our local ankara fabric that has, today, become a favourite for all. Famously known by her brand name then, Labanella, no designer’s work and personal style is as synonymous with glamour as Aunty Abah’s. As she turns 75 this July, she relives her past experiences and challenges as a designer, life as the widow of late business mogul, Wahab Folawiyo, and her expectations for the fashion industry, amongst other things.

You’re turning 75 this month. How do you feel?
I feel the same by the grace of God. The way I felt when I was 50, 60, 70, and now 75. I feel the same, nothing has changed.

How do you take care of yourself now, in your diet and health?
Well, I have changed my diet. I no longer eat all the things I used to eat before now; things like garri and all. This diet change has also helped me to lose so much weight, which I like, as I am now quite light. I do not eat eba and pounded yam anymore. And, I eat twice a day; I have my breakfast and dinner. I take my dinner is as early as 7 p.m.

What do you like for breakfast and dinner?
For breakfast, I can eat anything. I don’t eat eggs; sometimes, I eat potato, boiled sweet potato, boiled yam or kenke, fried fish and pepper.

Do you go to the spa?
Well, I was not a spa and beauty person so nothing has really changed. All I do is take a good bath. I don’t believe in spa and all the beauty treats.

So, what is life like after your husband’s death? How has life treated you?
Well, I thank God. I am still alive and I am still looking very healthy, so I thank God. But, I miss him a lot. I really miss him because he was a good husband to me; however, his children have taken over. They’re really taking care of me. So, I don’t have any cause to complain but I regret that he died.

What do you miss mostly about him?
That will be his sweetness, kindness and his care. He took care of me very well. He didn’t joke with me; he pampered me a lot. He was not a troublesome husband and was very quiet.

You started the fashion industry years back with some of your contemporaries. How would you describe the industry then and now?
When I started, fashion was not very much in vogue. People were not appreciating fashion designers then. They were importing clothes; ready-made clothes were coming in freely. Then, I started making designs with our local prints. I started with our prints and cotton but they were not appreciated until Obasanjo banned importation of ready-made fabrics and clothes. That was when people realised there are designers here and they started patronising me.  That was when the business started booming. I am very pleased that things are different now.  There are lots of designers now who work with our prints and they are doing very well in Nigeria.  I appreciate all the designers and dressmakers.

We still have an issue with making fabrics in Nigeria because a lot of people will rather not patronise Nigerian fabrics because they are low quality. What do you think?
No, the fabrics are excellent now; they are fantastic. There are well made-in-Nigeria fabrics but many people don’t appreciate it. You know, Nigerians like importing things. They should stop because we have a lot of stuff here in Nigeria. The prints they make here are sold for N1,000 to N1,500 but they would rather buy Hollandis for N30,000, N50,000; that means they’re original. They don’t know that you can use the same inexpensive print to make the same design and it will look even better. Which is what I do a lot; I use lots of cheap fabrics. If you’re a designer, you should be able to use any material, no matter how cheap. Nigeria is trying; same with designers. It’s just that people don’t appreciate what we do here.

So, if you want to advice the government on ways to improve the fashion industry to create revenue for the country, what would you tell them?
Well, I must say the government is not doing enough. They are trying but they are not doing enough. I know that FADAN (Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria) has been all over the government; to get them to help the industry one way or the other but they have been very adamant about it.  
They do not take the fashion industry seriously at all; they would rather pay attention to the music industry, which is wrong. So, I would advise that the government should focus, just a little bit, on the fashion industry because it is a money spinner. Other countries make lots of money from their fashion industry. They make lots of money with designers. My hope is that, someday, government will appreciate and support the industry and take it beyond what it is now.

Do you still sew your clothes?
I do sew some of them; I do make them. I have a lot of designers that I groomed and they all love me so, whoever I pick to make a dress that I love, they will make it for me. Sometimes, I give them my design and tell them to make it for me and they do.

Abah Folawiyo

Abah Folawiyo

Speaking about designs, do you still have inspirations? How does it come?
Of course, I do; that will never go. I don’t know where I get inspirations from, they just come. When I see fabrics, straight away I know what I want to do with them. It just comes naturally.

When you are not working, how do you love to relax?
I watch Nigerian movies; Yoruba and English movies. I watch movies a lot. They help me to relax. When I wake up, I do my prayers and get my breakfast ready. When I’m having my breakfast, I watch movies and learn from them. They teach you facts about life.

How did fashion design begin for you?
It started with my mother. All my family members are dress makers; my mother was an outstanding designer in Ghana, so I got it from her. It is in-born. It runs in the family. We are all into designing. My grandchildren make designs for me. I make them and sell in my factory. Even the boy, he also designs clothes for me to make and I make them and sell them in my shop.

Tell me a bit about growing up, the fun memories you have of your youth.
My childhood was beautiful. I enjoyed myself. I liked going clubbing. I like dancing a lot. So I am a happy person.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Ghana and then I came over here to Nigeria. I have been in Nigeria since then. I got married here and Nigeria is my home.

How do you like your jewellery?
I like everything that I can wear and will make me look nice, whether it’s gold or costume jewellery or whatever. I wear anything that suits me.

I’ve seen you at some fashion shows. What do you have to say about the crop of designers whose collections you see on the runways?
Many of the designers are good and very creative from design to finishing. Yes, most of them are very good and I appreciate them.

There has never been a time you saw clothes on the runway and you were disappointed?
Yes, of course! A lot of occasions but they are all trying and growing and learning.

We hear you’re planning to launch a book for your 80th birthday. Tell us about it. Who’s writing it?
Your editor, Remi Diagbare. She is the same person who wrote for me when I was 70; I intend to use her again in writing this new book.

What will be the difference between the two books?
I don’t know; just documenting my life from 70 to 80 years. But I haven’t decided. I haven’t sat down to know what will be in it.

What is your advice to young designers out there? What would you tell them about the industry, their career? What do you think they should keep in mind?
Well, what they should remember is that designers are strong-minded and hard working people; you design, you sew and it is not easy. It is all in the head. You will be working round the clock, thinking what design you’ll be making with the fabric at hand. It is tough work but, at the same time, it is a straight forward thing to do. So, they should concentrate on what they’re doing but work hard.

What do you like to wear when it comes to parties? Relaxing? What are the kinds of clothes you like to wear?
I like casual wears, kaftans. Sometimes, I wear long dresses; maybe, it’s because I am a Muslim. I don’t like showing my legs so I don’t wear mini-skirts and all but I wear clothes that suit me. I wear more of ankara. I love prints; I love our ankara. It’s my favourite.

When you look back at life from when you started, is there regret? Anything you think you should’ve done that you didn’t do?
I don’t have any regret at all. I thank God for everything and if I come back to this world again, I would want to live the same way I have lived. I would want to be myself.

TagsAbah FolawiyoAllure CoverAnkaraFADANFashionLabanellaWahab Folawiyo
Previous Article

10 Minutes With Antonia Ally

Next Article

Boyfriend, sisters showers actress Ruth Eze with ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Allure WomanCelebrationFashion & StyleFashion FlairNewsStyleTrending

    Nike Okundaye receives appointment as ambassador for 2030 World Expo

    August 22, 2022
    By joy onuorah
  • Fashion & StyleNews

    Kunle Afolayan to showcase new clothing line, KunlesKembe at AFWN

    September 11, 2018
    By RITA
  • Fashion & StyleLifestyle

    How Well do you Care for your dread lock

    December 3, 2019
    By Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele
  • AccessoryFashion & Style

    5 Tips on how to rock accessories

    February 11, 2019
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineFashion & StyleLook Book

    Amaebi Fashion showcases latest collection

    December 13, 2016
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineFashion & Style

    How to spice up your handbags with scarfs

    August 25, 2016
    By allure1
0

  • News

    Why marriage is a complicated institution – Actress, Mary Njoku warns

  • Celebration

    Nollywood actor, Nosa Rex, and wife celebrate 4th wedding anniversary

  • Joke Silva joins AGN Board of Trustees
    Allure WomanTrending

    Joke Silva appointed lead Tinubu/Shettima women’s campaign team

  • 5312
    Followers
  • 12744
    Likes

Timeline

  • March 25, 2023

    Chimamanda Adichie set to release her first children’s book

  • March 25, 2023

    Soni Irabor celebrates wife, Betty at 66

  • March 25, 2023

    Hilda Baci: The Rising Star of Nigerian Cuisine

  • March 25, 2023

    Mack Zuckerberg, wife welcome third child

  • March 24, 2023

    I make 40k$ from YouTube monthly – Broda Shaggi

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Chimamanda Adichie set to release her first children’s book

    By Temitope
    March 25, 2023
  • Soni Irabor celebrates wife, Betty at 66

    By Temitope
    March 25, 2023
  • Hilda Baci: The Rising Star of Nigerian Cuisine

    By RITA
    March 25, 2023
  • Mack Zuckerberg, wife welcome third child

    Mack Zuckerberg, wife welcome third child

    By joy onuorah
    March 25, 2023
  • Chioma Jesus, Sammie Okposo, Midnight Crew set for #THUGGLA2018

    By RITA
    April 24, 2018
  • American rapper, Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer prize for 2017 ‘Damn’ album

    By RITA
    April 17, 2018
  • Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti drops new album titled ‘Black Times’ 

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018
  • Actor, Yul Edochie declares intention to run for presidency

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018

Entertainment

  • March 24, 2023

    I make 40k$ from YouTube monthly – Broda Shaggi

  • March 21, 2023

    ‘Teni made people criticize me on social media’ – Monalisa Stephen

  • March 21, 2023

    Singer Davido returns to social media, announces date for new album

  • March 21, 2023

    ‘Never give up’ – Yul Edochie writes open letter to Funke Akindele after election loss 

  • March 16, 2023

    Burnaboy to perform at Champions League final in Istanbul

Follow us