How an engineer worked up her charm on corporates the neatly-cut Ankara way
The question posed is not just about fashion; it is about cultural identity, modernity, and the evolution of the workplace dress code. Can Ankara be worn as a corporate outfit?
It has been 80 days since the last leap year, and the world continues its sink into unintended changes seen on multiple fronts. When the results start coming in, they either make winners or a demography that maybe rues its luck. Out of these, what room has been spared for an artsy couturier infiltrating workplaces with neatly-cut Ankara pieces? Off with Meiza Nigeria to the metropolitan Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T) to see it all happen.
Even though the vibrant patterns and rich colours of Ankara have shown to be a staple in African fashion, it is the traditional use that has been predominant.
Those who make an outfit from this do it for casual or when they need special attire during festivities, instead of what one typically sees in a corporate environment. But times are changing, and the Nigerian small-scale couture circle, where renewable energy engineer Elakeche Priscilla Oche pitches a tent, is at the forefront of this sartorial revolution.
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What she has been doing out at her base in the F.C.T capital Abuja is fusing interests in home automation and embedded systems with a tailor’s mind. That is how the Benue State native plans to inspire a shift in thinking when it concerns what works in a corporate environment.
The question posed is not just about fashion; it is about cultural identity, modernity, and the evolution of the workplace dress code. Can Ankara be worn as a corporate outfit? Absolutely, and here is how Engr. Oche has been making things happen.
For those who prefer a hint of colour, Ankara can be used as an accent on collars, and cuffs, or as a pocket square. Another tip is pairing an Ankara blazer with solid-coloured trousers or a pencil skirt. Together, they create a look that is both professional and stylish.
My work schedule as an engineer is pretty flexible, says the multiskilled professional whose list of passions is just what Nigeria’s policymakers want. They are desirous of seeing entrepreneurs blossoming as much as they care for the sight of foreign direct investment in the country.
I am currently attached to Intavalto Nigeria Limited and I chose freelance marketing because in the last 10 years, I have done hardcore engineering where I have sat down behind a soldering board and worked on hardcore appliances. But now, I am happy about the fact that I choose to market these products instead of having to wear a helmet and go to the site.
Basically, I focus on the marketing and technical aspects of my engineering job. I also get clients who come into my fashion workspace and we have conversations that can vary from inverter systems to making a proper load analysis, she said.
Challenging the notion that Western attire is the only acceptable form of dress in professional environments has never been so important. By incorporating Ankara, Nigerians can bring a piece of their culture into the workplace, fostering a more inclusive and diverse atmosphere.
One thing that African fabrics tend to do, according to the Smallsun dressmaker, is to down-tone the magnitude of how an outfit should look.
To fix this, I try to incorporate this Nigerian essence into the corporate setting, making sure that there is an edge to every Africanness you see in my designs especially when you look at my bubu outfits, Oche said.
The reception of Ankara in corporate settings has been overwhelmingly positive. Companies are beginning to recognise the importance of cultural expression and are adjusting their dress codes accordingly. This shift is not just happening in creative industries but across various sectors, signalling a broader acceptance of what professional attire can entail.
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In today’s society, she added, what people do is defined by what others are doing due to the norms, beauty and even fashion standards. For her, being too grounded in originality prevents her from copying.
Sometimes, I borrow ideas and tweak them to my taste. And considering my love for really comfortable clothes, you often find in my hub, loose-fitting, not snugly fit, more elegant, not-too revealing just to balance that whole idea of true womanhood and femininity with fashion as well.
So, I am inspired by being an ideal woman who is beautiful and confident. So, I pour my confidence into my designs, even though some might say my style tends to be defined as being overdressed, I really don’t mind. It’s better to be overdressed than under-dressed, Oche said.
Editor’s Note: The credit of this lifestyle-based article belongs to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and its stakeholder magazine for facilitating a discussion on the multi-fitting effect of Ankara wear around diverse modern workplaces, anchored by our journalist, Unbreakable Ruth Echewe and it was for the Local Content Digest December 2024 edition.
