Founder of Kross Kulture, Olalekan Daniel Pedro, a Lagos-based fashion label, believes the adoption of Nigerian wear by major sectors, particularly the banking system, will accelerate its growth.
What will you say inspired you to become a fashion designer?
I have always been a fashionable person and love to look good. It started with friends and colleagues making inquiries about my plug for my outfits and disappointment from one of the guys I always recommend.
Is there any influence your background has on your designs?
I grew up on Lagos Island and if you are familiar with the Island people and Lagosians generally, they give attention to how they look. A typical Lagosian might not have a penny but will never want to be caught “unfresh.”
You are renowned for adding intricate details to your designs and creating eye-catching pieces. What inspires you into making these unique pieces?
I have worked with two organisations for eight years that allowed traditional outfits, Monday through Friday. I believe the easiest means of accelerating it is the banking system. Once we have one or two banks accepting it, it should grow faster.
Most of my designs are 80 percent reflections of my dress sense. I love to create what I can rock confidently. I love simple and detailed designs with catchy features.
How do you ensure that your wears are up-to-date? Who defines what should trend?
What I have realised over time about fashion trends is that they are never 100 percent new, and you don’t necessarily have to move with them. You can easily blend it into your existing clients’ preferences and not totally move along with it.
You focus almost exclusively on male fashion and then occasionally on Nigerian wear. Why the special interest in men’s wear?
As much as it’s sometimes tempting to do female fashion, we are not sure we have the strength to match our beautiful women’s energy. But I must tell you that close to 30 percent of our clients are females buying for their partners. We hope to start something in the ready-to-wear line for females soon.
How has your work evolved since you launched your label?
It is very important to grow with your customers in order not to be left behind. So, we try to stay close to the drawing board and move faster so our clients can catch up.
With the many challenges facing the country, from unemployment to the dwindling economy, which has led to frustration for many aspiring entrepreneurs and businesses, how have you been able to keep the business going?
I regret to say this, but the economy wasn’t built for SMEs to survive. It is the reason three out of every five small businesses do not go past the fourth or fifth year. The economy will strangulate you. For survival, you have to develop a thick skin and find a system that works for you
What skills are important for a successful career in fashion design?
Wow. This is a lot. To mention a few, good customer experience is key as a satisfied customer is a saved advert cost. The fashion business is wide. So, you must have an area of interest, your personal fashion interest should help with that.
The formal suit is gradually making a retreat from workplaces, replaced by smart Nigerian wear. What can we do to accelerate this retreat? Do you think the suit will always remain with us?
Yes, this is a growing trend. Luckily, I have worked with two organisations for eight years that allowed traditional outfits, Monday through Friday. I believe the easiest means of accelerating it is the banking system. Once we have one or two banks accepting it, it should grow faster.
How do you unwind? Do you travel often?
Yes, I travel for relaxation, sometimes. Ghana is my number one for that. And I must say that people in the fashion business integrate relaxation as part of the business.
What is next for you and Kross Kulture?
Fundraising! We are looking at the possibility of making shopping for kaftans as easy as shopping for other off-the-shelf fashion accessories. Also, we are trying to perfect the aspect of online consultation via a standard measurement chart for custom clothing and possibly reduce the necessity of having physical measurements.
The interview was conducted by Ololade Bamigbola, who is a PR practitioner advising multinational brands, a writer, and an avid follower of Nigerian fashion and arts. She is based in Lagos. The interview was originally published by Four Points Communications in NCDMB’s Local Content Digest magazine.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
