+ And For The VP SHETTIMA
Recently honoured with a national honour, OON by President Buhari is Abuja celebrity designer, Seyi Adekunle popularly called Seyi Vodi. His creative prowess, eye for details and excellence is second to none. Seyi is the go to guy when it comes to everything on men’s apparel. He is the most sought after ‘tailor’ as he fondly calls himself by the rich right now. He sews for the rich and most of his clientele are billionaires so to say. He also has many middle class patrons who are mostly showbiz stars. He has etched a name for himself in the fashion industry that many topshots never mind to visit his store. As seen from his Instagram posts back to back, Seyi has played hosts to many of this topshots who have visited his store. He has also been a regular caller at their houses.
One of the most recent post was when he visited President Tinubu and wrote how he has impacted hiis life and supported him. He was seen prostrating for the president while congratulating him on his victory. Several other recent posts has also shown many other top shots like the Vice President, who visited his store, former Lagos Commissioner and presidential ally, Dele Alake, Globacom Chairman, Mike Adenuga, Governor, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, Governor of Chad and Sokoto State Governor. on his clientele lists are also National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, ex-Gov, Oshiomole, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Edo State Speaker, Star Actor, RMD, Chief Ayiri, Obi Cubana, Senator Dino Melaye, Hon. Leke Abejide, Chief Dele Momodu, Tonye Cole, Olowo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Ogun socialite, Ibrahim Dende, AY Comedian, many Warri and Niger Delta big boys and host of others.
When Seyi started, his road was indeed rough. At a point, many thought he was going to be swept off by the business tsunami and typhoon but with doggedness, consistency, and prayers, there was light at the end of his tunnel. Today, his Abuja office is always filled up to the brim as customers troop in and out every second.
Two years back, Seyi Vodi celebrated its 20th anniversary as a full-fledged fashion business conglomerate. Seyi is indeed one of Nigeria’s most sought after traditional menswear fashion designers. The Chairman of Vodi Group of Companies once narrated his eventful journey. According to him …….”On 8th July 2001, exactly 20 years ago today, I planted a seed. To the glory of God, that seed has become a giant tree”,.
Known for his distinct pose while showing off his crisp pieces inside his new office complex, Fashion Hub, located in the heart of Abuja, you can no but be wowed at his topnotch designs. The entrance of the architectural masterpiece office complex is designed with a gigantic sewing machine which is a symbol of fashion. All the office wares were reportedly imported to give it a lovely fitting and make it a lovely ambiance for all fashion lovers. The five-story-building complex also boasts of a luxury private penthouse office with a relaxation spot and a private swimming pool for visitors.
Seyi Adekunle is a luxury and premium Fashion Enterpreneur no doubt and remains one of the largest male fashion label in Nigeria. In 2001, Seyi registered his company as Testimony Fabrics but eventually changed the name to Vodi in 2003 as he wanted a name that sounded shorter and more African. In 2002, Seyi Vodi failed a bank test and had his application declined by the bank he applied to. He attributed this failure to what motivated him to take his craft more seriously. He started with sewing shirts and boxers for his colleagues who were his first clients. In 2003, Seyi eventually got a job in a bank but left to pursue a career in fashion designing. At that time, he had no shop but traveled around with a go-bag to buy materials, sew from home and deliver to his clients. As his business progressed, he expanded his company to what is now known as Vodi Group. Today, Vodi Group of which Seyi is CEO, includes Vodi Clean, Vodi Training Institute, Vodi Debo and Vodi Textile.
The July 19th, Lagos State born hails from Ile-Ife in Osun State. He grew up in South West where he attended basic school. Thereafter, he moved to the University of Maiduguri in Borno State, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geology in 1999. In the early 2000s, he was posted to Akwa Ibom State for his NYSC. It was during this time that he picked an interest in tailoring.
While having his NYSC, Seyi began sewing shirts and boxers for his fellow Corps members until 2001. Since 2001, Vodi Tailors has redefined style by using African fabrics to create unique designs, adding a contemporary twist to the traditional form, unifying the classical tenets of bespoke tailoring with strong vibrant colours and rich textures.
He is happily married to hiswife, Bunmi Alade-Adekunle, in 2011. Together they have three children; a girl and two boys, and live in Abuja.
After 22 years of hardwork, he got a national award and said, in a statement released by his office, he felt humbled by the fact that he was considered for such a very high National Honour. He added that the greater surprise was that the fashion industry which he belonged to is getting the kind of recognition it deserved through him being giving an honour of OON.
“I am so humbled by this honour by my country. It is the highest anyone could ask for from his own fatherland. I am also humbled by the fact that my industry, fashion, is also being recognized. A recognition that came in appreciation of our little contributions to the society,”
Speaking further, the fashion entrepreneur who employs over 300 Nigerians, said it is high time Nigerians believed in their fatherland and give their best.
“We have to believe in this country and make it great. The National Honour of OON can only spur someone like me to give more and do more for the greater benefit of the country and the upliftment of her people.”
-TAYO OYEDIJI
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