Entrepreneur Spotlight : Tese Onaokala; A Lawyer Turned Fashion Designer :CEO Needlekraft Couture

Happy Sunday...welcome to another edition of Entrepreneur Spotlight

Tese Onaokala; a lawyer turned Fashion Designer, an ex-beauty queen, a wife and a mother of three adorable children. she grew up in Auchi and Lagos, born into a wonderful family, studied Law at Ambrose Ali University Ekpoma, Edo state, Nigeria. After graduation she followed her passion to be a Fashion Designer and style entrepreneur!

Venturing into the fashion industry?

I would always say that what I am doing today has its origins from the cradle. My mother will always remind me of hoe even as a toddler I was always designing our walls with crayons. How I would stand in front of the mirror and bath myself with her makeup and beauty accessories. I think that passion for fashion continued to manifest even during my days at the university. Back then I remember designing most of my outfits myself and I got several awards as the most Fashionable student in my class. While in school, friends, relations and fellow students would approach me to design outfits for them or advise them on what to wear at any given occasion. Over the years I found myself always gravitating towards the Fashion and Entertainment world, but the urge to launch full time into the fashion world was a lot stronger. It became irrepressible after taking a couple of Fashion programmes and tutelage under some prolific Fashion Designers in Paris and Milan. So in 2008 the Needlekraft Couture Label was born.

Past experience and fashion shows?

Talking about experiences, I will confess that the lord has favoured us. From a humble beginning of 5 customers to a current customer base of over 1000 within 3 years spread across the country & beyond. Interestingly we now have our customers who are reselling our designs in the European and American markets. Our client profile has also recorded first ladies and nollywood stars. Our fashion school has grown from 10 students to over 100 students within 1 year of operation.

Talk about Needlekraft Institute?

First let me say that the floating of the school was informed by my desire to give back to the society, more of a foundation than a business venture. I realized that professionalism was lacking in our fashion industry as evidenced by substandard designs and dress you see people wear out there. It is either skills or there were no standard fashion schools around. I also realized that not everybody would have the kind of opportunity I had of attending the best fashion schools in Uk and Paris and working with a couple of renowned fashion designers in the world. So as part of my contribution to the growth of the fashion industry Nigeria. I opened the school to transfer knowledge to young men and women desirous of building a career in fashion. Now, on the reason behind the growth of the school, I will say it is because of its unique nature:

-         The programs are structured to suit the time schedule of the student, from the corporate worker to the housewife. Hence we run part-time, fulltime, weekend & crash programmes.

-         The classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the look and feel is great, the ambience is refreshing with air conditioners blowing 24/7 making for easy assimilation of the teachings.

-         The training is carried out by practical oriented professional fashion trainers.

-         We also provide the students with links to Micro Finance Banks upon graduation for the possibility of accessing funds should they want to set up their own fashion house amongst others.

Personal style?

Style to me is simply an expression of your personality. Show me your style and I will tell you are. Dress the way you want to be addressed. It’s that simple.

My personal style is predicated upon comfort and convenience. Is it comfortable? Dose it fit? Is it appropriate for the occasion? If the answer are yes! Yes! And yes! Then we are so good to go

Style icon?

The fashion industry in Nigerian is getting better by the minute. We are setting fashion right redefine fashion statement and meeting up high standards. I must not fail to seize this opportunity to salute some of the icons who have paved way for us the younger generation. Top on the list is Hajia Abba, Folawiyo and Chief Mrs. Oprah Benson. Etc

Future plans for Needlekraft?

What I intend to achieve with my Grand is clearly encapsulated in our mission and vision statement.

The answer to that question is encapsulating in our Mission & Vision statements.

Our mission is ‘to enhance the beauty of the woman by providing high quality, beauty enhancing products & services in the most affordable manner’

Our Vision is ‘to become a first place of choice to all Women seeking quality beauty products & services, so I would say the signature design for Needlekraft’ cut across all women seeking quality beauty products & services.

However my future plans is to have outlets where you can pick up choice designs. Most of all is to have my collections in every mall all over the world. I will derive some fulfillment in that.

Advice to young fashion entrepreneurs?

Be sure it is what you want to do. Be sure you have the passion for it. Train, Train, Train!

Final words and appreciation.

I thank you for this interview opportunity and I thank my numerous customers for believing in me and I pledge to continue raising the bars and lead in innovations in my quest to revolutionize the fashion industry.

Please note : The purpose of this interview is to promote and encourage entrepreneurship among youths and we hope to spotlight more entrepreneurs both at home and in diaspora.

Cheers to a productive week