Nigeria fashion industry needs more attention to create jobs – Solomon
Gabriel Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of Russel Fashions on Friday described the Nigeria fashion industry as one of the “very progressive’’ industries in the world.
Solomon, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the industry needs urgent attention from government and stakeholders for it to create jobs for the youths.
“Nigeria fashion industry is going global very fast and good for youth’s involvement. It is a great feeling to know that we are recognised in the world.
“We are not just where we are yesterday; we are selling very fast and going with speed.
“Our fashion industry is not about Adire, Aso-Oke and Ankara alone, we are talking about using our contemporary art to do western prints,’’ he said.
He noted that engaging in western prints has propelled the Nigerian fashion industry to go into other countries to show case what they have and make waves.
“Because of what the industry is doing, we are given recognition worldwide. We have seen Nigerian designs winning international hearts, even American First Lady wear some of our designs.
“It is a great feeling to know that we are not just progressing here we are also progressing in Africa, United Kingdom, Paris, U.S and other countries.
“Everywhere you go, you hear about Nigeria fashion industry, the world has reckoned with it,’’ he said.
The fashionista further stated they receive invitation to many exhibitions abroad, like Paris fashion week, South African fashion, London fashion and a host of others.
“We also organise exhibitions in Nigeria, more than seven times in a year.
“We are very busy, sometimes we get slot to showcase our fashion, other times you just go to see what is happening in other fashion industry and learn something new,’’ he said.
Solomon, however, observed that in Nigeria, the fashion industry is being grouped with the entertainment industry on the wrong notion that the two go together.
“If you talk about all arts, film and the music industry, they interwoven, that is why they are all under the entertainment industry and they are all progressing,’’ he said. (NAN)
