'I would like a Western suit but with Nigerian colors and made by a Nigerian designer ....' Tim Kubart
Its actually a dream for every fashion designer within the globe to have his/her design worn at an important and unique event such as the Grammys Awards.From Red carperts to fashion runway shows,the RickDusi fashion brand is dominating the fashion world. Aftv Magazine had an opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Eromosele Patrick Eidusi (EE) the founder of the brand RickDusi. During the interview Patrick Eidusi tells us how he managed to become the first Nigerian designer to style and dress the award winning Grammy nommine Tim Kubart,during the 2019 Grammy Awards.He further tells us the story behind the collection which he showcased this year at the SA Fashion Week.
TR:Eromosele Patrick Eidusi ,you are a man of many talents. How do you manage your day to day life as you hold several positions such as being the editor, fashion designer and last but not the least the stylist?
EE:Thank you for appreciating my Talents. It’s been fun yet ,challenging but I am quite thankful to be busy and productive.
I was once a Fashion Editor for Accelerated powered by Access Bank Nigeria but not anymore presently.
I currently design as creative director for my brand RICKDUSI and also work as a Celebrity fashion stylist and it’s has been a beautiful journey because it keeps getting better.
keeping your mind in a very healthy state is required for productivity. One way to excel is to be focused, organized and give no rooms for distractions because my time is very important. And these has helped me a lot in working smart and not hard, planning, structuring , organizing my day to day activities.
TR:You are from Edo state and you Grew up in Benin city in Nigeria and later you relocated to Lagos state.What are the major differences of these states when it comes to fashion industry ?
EE:Yes you are right,I am from Edo state, and grew up in Benin city located in the South of Nigeria . Both cities are great places to live but that depends on some factors to be considered. Lagos is an upwardly mobile and very commercial unlike the ancient city of Benin.
It is the home of most of the headquarters of companies and businesses in Nigeria. It is a resources enabling environment, audience and workforce are largely concentrated in Lagos.
The developmental process and mega city vision of Lagos has not deterred local and small scale businesses from thriving which is a hallmark for a great city.
A lot of people come with the intent of establishing their own business with little capital at hand and they are able to succeed because the city has an environment that allows this.
In terms of entertainment Lagos is fast becoming the Los Angeles of Nigeria with its blooming entertainment industry . As it has become the go to place for business owners , actors , singers , dancers comedians and other entertainment performers to find a Successful platform .
TR:You are the brain child of the fashion brand RICK DUSI . How did you manage to come up with the name of your fashion brand .
EE:Lol!!!! (Laughing)I didn’t just want a name but a name that could stick in the minds of people, after my research on how names plays a vital role on brands. I came up with my brand name from the combinations of my names (PatRICK eDusi).
TR:Speaking about your brand you showcased this year your collection during SA fashion week. What inspired the material that you used for your collection ?
EE:The material used were damask , velvet , wool and cotton . What inspired the use of these fabric for the looks created for my spring summer 20. Was my keen and unrelenting eye for details in the fabrics used which has over time seamlessly fused my established and hard won aesthetic authenticity.
All of this can be seen in the collections fusion of ready to wear garments, balanced well with crafted bespoke suits and lastly the elegance mastered in creating a uniquely solid look and wilder color spectrum that has been attached to my brand .
TR:In your collection that you showcased during SA fashion week you collaborated with Dapmod . Why was it important to have their sunglasses as part of your collection for your brand ?
EE: Collaboration marketing is on the rise. If you take a look at the fashion industry you will quickly understand why.
Dapmod produces beautiful glasses. And also collaboration with Dapmod was a good decision because of the demographics I was trying to reach out to. Hence it was a collaborative strategy to grow an audience and enhance position within a specific niche of today's market .
In today’s fashion it takes more than just a good product to succeed leveraging on the advantages of digital and social media platforms which helps to genuinely connect with consumers in order to build a narrative around brand values .
TR. Now that SA fashion week is over, what is next for you?
EE:So many projects in the pipe lines and am thankful to God for these special projects .
I designed and styled the male uniform for the international route of a Nigerian airline this year and currently on production for the uniforms .
TR: Patrick you made history by becoming the first Nigerian designer to dress a Grammy nominee (what did it mean to you to style Tim Kubart and how did he reached out to you? )
EE:Styling an American Actor and singer, Tim Kubart a Grammy Awards winner for his second time nomination by the Grammys within a short time in my career as a designer and stylist gave me that assurance of been noticed and appreciated globally in my craft . It doesn’t matter what you do but how well you do what you do.
Tim reached out to me via a DM through my brand page on Instagram . He said this to me in his words as I paraphrase “I came to Nigeria last year to work with children through music and dance workshop with the US Embassy . It was a life changing experience. I was nominated for a Grammys and I am trying to put together suit for my big day. I would like a Western suit but with Nigerian colors and made by a Nigerian designer “ After consultations on what type of suit he would love to have on for the 2019 Grammys . I made it and the rest is history .
TR:What advise do you have to some upcoming African designers and stylist who want to reach out there to the world ?
EE:To the upcoming designers and stylist my advice would be to stay focused, be passionate about your career, More importantly grow, learning to follow due process there is no short cut to greatness. If you jump up you will come down, but if you grow up you won’t come down. if you are going to enter fashion thinking you are going to make money over night, please don’t because it’s going to be a whole loads of heartbreaks , tears and everything.
TR:Lastly, what do you think makes Africa’s Fashion brand more unique?
EE:The African fashion is unique because African designers are telling the African narratives from the African perspective. And they are doing it by infusing craftsmanship, culture and history into their designs.
Designers like Zainab Ashadu of Zashadu, is using leather sources from Nigeria, and the Nigerian native techniques to create beautiful bags, Laduma Ngxokolo of Maxhosa by Laduma is incorporating the South African Xhosa inspired rite of passage into his timeless knitwear pieces .
TR:Patrick thank you for your time.
EE:Welcome and thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell my story.
NB
Brand handles on Instagram : @Rickdusi
Personal / style page : @patrickeidusi
Interviewed by :Rubaya Tapiwa.
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