If you are an Owambe person or someone who loves to wear good fabrics, you must have surely heard about fabric by Haloolas, the brand is as popular as the face behind it. Fabric by Haloolas is a household name in the fabric business, especially in Lagos. It is owned by London big babe, Honourable Habibat Lasisi.
The brand will turn 20 in few months. The luxury store deals in high-end exclusive fabrics and its clientele is very broad. They sell quality and affordable fabrics. They are also big-time players when it comes to Aso Ebi, week in, week out, you must sight their fabric on some celebrities at different parties be it in London, Nigeria or US. Honourable Habibat Lasisi is also one of the celebrity women who has dined and wined with the net worth individuals, no wonder, her store is a one-stop-shop for quality and luxury fabrics. She stock exclusive fabrics from Swiss, Korea etc. Beautiful, brainy are some of the words to aptly describe her. Her passion for fashion started since her younger days, she took her entrepreneurial skills and fashion sense after her mum, who is a politician. Her parents are big-time politicians. Her dad is late while her mum is the assistant for women leader in Mushin, Lagos State. She has also contested for the house of assembly in 2015. City People Society Editor, TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI caught up with this fine woman and she spoke extensively on how she built fabric by Haloolas into a big brand in 20 years.
What makes Fabric by Haloolas different from other brands?
Fabric by Haloolas is a brand that provides services of supplying fabrics ranging from Affordable to High-end clients, we are different because we source from the best merchants around the world. We are a luxury outfit whose passion for making people look beautiful and stylish in our fabrics is our main core. We love to put smiles on the faces of our clients when they adorn our fabric so we do not joke with such.
Your outfit will clock exactly 20 years in a few months, how have you been able to build it into a big brand.
Haloolas will be 20 years this year, To God be the glory, it’s been God and we’re nothing without our esteem customers around the world. Satisfying our customers is the main key. When one is happy, they bring another person, asides we sell exclusive fabrics which are not common. We have fabrics in different categories and we have been able to satisfy all clients according to what they need. In all, it is God that has placed us where we are, we are grateful for this and we also thank our customers, we appreciate them.
What informed your going into the fabric business?
My passion and the love for fabric business came to play through my mother who is a big entrepreneur, I grew up watching her manage her businesses. she’s had a shop in Oshodi market and Aswani market years back selling Ankara before she went into Active politics, she’s presently the Assistant for women leader for Lagos state( Mushin). I started business selling 18karat gold then I later ventured into sales of fabric. I opened my store in Ajao Estate, Isolo in the year 2000 selling casuals and fabrics for men. So that has been the journey.
Any ups and downs you have experienced in doing this business?
So far so good we can’t complain, it can only get better, though the exchange rate isn’t helping entrepreneurs at all but we’re all in it together hoping for the best.
How easy is it for you staying in London and controlling your business in Lagos?
it’s overwhelming especially because I have to work with 3 different time zone. It’s multitasking but it’s do-able, I am also blessed with a good A-Team. My PA and other staffs are a blessing and I truly appreciate them, Also we can’t overemphasize the influence of e-commerce, the power of social media is a blessing, Nowadays you don’t need a shop to do business, you can do your thing online and trust me it’s a blessing.
What do people need to know when buying fabric or choosing it as Aso-Ebi?
We are all about quality, we don’t sell fabrics that are not good or durable when a client buys from you for the first time, the quality of the fabric you sold to them makes them come back, so for me, I tell our customers to trust us, integrity is key. Be sure of what you are buying and make enquiries very well. So we tell our customers the quality of what they are buying which gives them a good value for their money. For our Aso-Ebi package, we work with the clients budget and give advice on total outlook on colour combinations to accessories and styling.
You are also very fashionable, how has that affected your brand positively?
Thank you for the compliment Tayo, I always say looking good is good business it’s never about the price tag, it’s all about sophistication, you must be able to figure out what colour soothes your skin tone and how to accessorize it… Basically fashion is my passion and it has reflected in what iI do. People see fabrics on me and they want to buy it.
Are there specific fabrics that you sell?
We stock different fabrics from swiss, Korea and Bangkok, we also do China for the aso package for the low budget clients.
How do you source for your fabrics?
I source for my fabrics by dealing with the Merchants directly. Haloolas is a brand name and we’re always in the news.
It’s been 20 years of Fabric by Haloolas, what is unique about the brand?
Consistency will always pay off. Integrity and trust.
What is your beauty routine?
My beauty routine is drinking a lot of water, I don’t have any special package and I don’t joke with moisturizers.
How did you coin the name fabric by Haloolas?
Haloolas is the combination of my name. I coined the brand name from Habibat Ololade Lasisi.
A brief profile about yourself?
My name is Habiba Lasisi Kuyoro, I’m an entrepreneur from Ogun State, An Ijebu woman. I’m a graduate from Edo state university ( Ekpoma). I’m also A certified dialysis Technician/ phlebotomist from Manhattan institute in New York. I am from a family of 5. my siblings live in the UK, I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers, my late father was the local government chairperson for Iwopin Ijebu East( NPN) during the Shagari regime like I said my mother is an active politician and I contested for the house of Assembly in 2015. this is where I got the Honourable title from.
Can you say selling fabrics to high net worth celebrities has helped your business?
Sure any business that has a good clientele base is doing pretty well, To God be the Glory. We will never relent in providing quality and Affordable fabrics to our customers around the world. My sincere gratitude goes to city people magazine as well for the support and the love I truly appreciate you, I can’t thank you enough.
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