Nigeria Fashion

AK Fashion House

My kinds of fashion oozes elegance, simplicity, comfort and class. I like creating pieces you could dress up or down from casual to occasional depending on how you style them.

My kinds of fashion ooze elegance, simplicity, comfort and class. I like creating pieces you could dress up or down from casual to occasional, depending on how you style them. My name is Nafisah Suleiman Uthman. I am originally from Kano state, Kano city. I am a sociologist in the making, and I had my early education within Kano – Abuja – then finally Bayero University, in Kano. 2. (Laughs) the initial AK stand for my three kids initials which each their names starting with A and their surnames with K, Aisha, Abdullahi and Abdulrahman – Kabir. 3. I grew up with a fashion designer as a mum, who's still my mentor. We have our house with two or three interns coming from Lagos and Ilorin to learn from my mum, so naturally, we find ourselves knowing how to use the sewing machine from an early age. I love cutting pieces of fabrics and making unique designs out of them. I have always styled myself, and sometimes, my sisters and cousin. Fashion designing is like breathing to me; it is my way of life. 4. I focused on school for a bit, then I got married, and after my second child, I dived fully into the Business of fashion designing. Still, from a young age, I had always known I can't escape it, my husband knowing this talent in me, pushed me and supported me to follow my dreams. 5. a. First of all, I had so much passion for what I do, so I spare no amount spending so much on quality, I do not compromise quality, and perfection is what I intend to achieve. With the mindset I have, I spent more than what we earn for the first year, and I had to reconcile being a fashion designer and a fashion entrepreneur. 5. b. I was a science student, so I knew little about putting structure into my Business. I had to undergo Business classes, from EDC, SMEDAN, and a few other online from the US and UK and Masterclasses from re-known designers to understands the business aspect better. 6. I love cooking; I am a proudly certified chef. I use to own a diner with one of my closest friends, we still do. Sunday's are only days off, so I use it for cooking for my family personally and some Saturdays for my staffs at the workshop (Lol) it's another talent I like to show off (Lol). 7. Fashion to me is a way of life. It's like breathing, bathing, feeding etc. we can't escape it, and we can't live without it. For every piece of clothing your wear, the design was carefully designed by a team of designers in a room somewhere as "Karl Lagerfeld" said, "fashion designers are the dictator of taste". 8. I have lived by this quote by Bob gill "I have never had a problem with a dumb client. There is no such thing as a bad client. Part of our job is to do good work and get the client to accept it" – Bob gill. In my case, I work better under pressure, and where people see demanding clients, I see challenges that result in me creating a masterpiece. 9. The fashion industry in Nigeria is an ancient one I must say. We have the FADAN, an association for fashion designers and entrepreneurs to prove that. Still, it has evolved in these past few years drastically, people are more fashion-conscious now, and we have put a lot of structures into the industry. We have 5-7 fashions weeks now every year in Lagos, fashion fairs in Abuja, and with every year we give Nigerians something new to look onward. We are currently on the right tracks; Nigerian designers are full of surprises.

10. My biggest fear was that people wouldn't grasp my kind of fashion. I love elegance, in a colourful, and vibrant nation where our styles are bold. But I am surprised that my clients get it, and are the perfect AK fashion Ladies. 11. My kinds of fashion oozes elegance, simplicity, comfort and class. I like creating pieces you could dress up or down from casual to occasional, depending on how you style them. But then we do it all bespoke designs, seasonal designs, corporate designs and now we are starting Bridal designs soon, so my kind of fashion keeps evolving. Lol. 12. Patriotism is a complicated topic to discuss for me because the nation at this time hasn't offered individuals reasons to be patriotic. Still, Nigeria has a lot of untapped opportunities, and if you work hard, you will succeed. 13. There was little convincing because I am very passionate about what I do, I had already targeted my market, and was accepted little by little, and now, here we are today. 14. Ha! Ha! my favourite part about being a designer apart from creating and seeing people wear my brand is that I get to get away with wearing anything (Lol) after all I am a fashion designer, we dictate the trend. 15. Nigeria has a lot of talents and untapped opportunities, it will be wise to establish and invest in it, countries like China, Singapore, Lebanon etc. need to come to invest in this county, there is something special about us. 16. I love and support working with Nigerian fabrics, like the tie and dye from Kano, Adire, Fulani (SAQI) fabric, are in vogue now for traditional weddings. The colours, and the rich culture they embodied, I am always in awe when working with it. 17. Nigeria is a beautiful country, with absolutely kind, friendly and super talented people, rich food and culture, fantastic sense of fashion and the, "No party like Nigerian party" they say, you can't afford to miss visiting here in a lifetime. 18. We have our designs identified as timeless pieces, we designed clothes you get to wear for ages and still Rock in it. That has always been our priority from illustrations of the designs to the final finished product of every piece. 19. The new designers need to enrol or instead invest in few entrepreneur courses, both physical and online. You have to be knowledgeable of your art or craft; invest in yourself, you have to show people you have something unique to offer before they believe in your vision, lastly, consistency if you are not consistent you will lose clients. Thank you so much ComeToNigeria, for having me.