If you think running a fashion business, or any business for that matter, is easy, think again. Nevertheless, inspite of the many challenges for Nigeria’s fashion entrepreneurs: lack of infrastructure, lack of business skills and government support, among others, a handful fashion entrepreneurs have managed to run successful businesses.An example of success is the brand MOMO owned and managed by Abuja based designer Fati Asibuela. On December 2nd, 2009, Asibuela and the MOMO team will celebrate five years in the business of fashion.
In 2000, MOMO the brand began as a fabric designer/retailer selling fabrics to Nigeria’s fashion consumers. By 2004 MOMO had evolved into a lifestyle brand (couture, ready to wear, accessories, interior design) headquartered in Abuja. In addition, MOMO had gained so much notoriety outside the boundaries of Abuja that by 2007, Asibuela had to launch MOMO in Lagos. With increased notoriety, it was time for an international debut on a large platform. The opportunity came through ThisDay’s media mogul, Nduka Obaigbena and the ThisDay Music Festival.
In 2008 Asibuela showed her collection at the ThisDay Music Festival in Washington DC with Supermodels Liya Kebede and Alek Wek, among many, strutting in her designs. The exposure on such large platform caught the attention of several media houses, in the USA, including the very popular NPR.
Following the success at the ThisDay Music Festival, Asibuela had the opportunity to show again at the elite New York Fashion Week in February 2009 and shortly after at London Fashion Week, where she again received even more international media recognition.
Five years after the launch into ready to wear and couture lines, Fati Asibuela/MOMO which currently employs two hundred (200) people is still standing, and standing strong. The very ambitious and successful designer now plans to expand into international markets.
MOMO FIVE(5) Year Anniversary Celebration Details
Location: 1 Ontario Crescent
Maitama, Abuja FCT
Date: December 2nd, 2009
Time: 12pm– 7pm
Phone: (011) 234 0807.336.7554
Watch Fati Asibuela Ladybrille Magazine interview.
Read our sister site Ladybrille Magazine coverage on MOMO London Fashion Week.
Read our sister site Ladybrille Magazine coverage on MOMO New York Fashion Week.
~Article by Uduak Oduok
~Photocredit: MOMO
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
