Mai Atafo says Nigerian fashion industry now of international standard

Mai Atafo, a popular brand in the fashion industry, says that the industry is currently at par in creativity, design and durability with those from other countries.

They are now of international standard and will compete with their peers from other parts of the world, Atafo told our reporter.

It was reported that Atafo carted home the highest award at the just concluded Lagos Bridal Fashion Week held at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos.

Atafo, who specialised in designing, styling and construction of fashion wears said that that the Nigerian fashion industry was outstanding in terms of creativity and garments.

“I had travelled across the globe and can proudly say that what we produce in the country is as good as those produced in other parts of the world,” he said.

Atafo, who had bagged the ”Best Designer of the year” in not less than ten fashion shows between 2009 and 2015 said designers just needed a boost from the government to improve on their productions.

“Our products are competitive, we only need support from the government to reduce our cost of production, which will in turn reduce our delivery cost.

“No business man will like to operate at a loss, the government needs to provide the enabling environment in terms of power, good road network and access to funding,” he said.

“If we get a reasonable support from the government, we can produce goods that can compete favourably with their peers across the world.

“Nigerians are quite creative, all we need is a little boost to complement our manpower,” he said.

It was reported that Atafo, earlier while interacting with some young designers had charged them to concentrate on original creativity rather than plagiarism.

“I do not support copying other designers’ styles especially when you decided to dub it verbatim. We should concentrate on making money from our creativity,” he said.

Atafo said that his works were not easy to be imitated because of their unique styles.

He said that the styles were challenging to come by adding that this should be every designer’s dream.

Atafo, however, noted that if other designers admired your work to the extent of copying it, then, it was a quality label to be reckoned with.

“I see it a privilege when my designs are copied like hot cake, but the only setback is that others will make money from your creativity,” he said.

He advised up-and-coming designers to use local fabrics in creating African unique designs.