Dayo Abubakar is the Creative Director of DAIO Fashion and\nApparel. He is one of the best fashion designers based in Abuja. Due to his\never creative and timeless pieces, City People Fashion reporter, Tobi\nOgundeji, had an interview session with\nhim where he discussed his style, fashion, his journey and what he looks to\nachieve with fashion. Below is the excerpt from the interview. Remember, it\u2019s\nCity People Fashion column, Have a\nblissful read!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long have you been in the fashion business? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve been in the fashion industry since 2018, that\u2019s 2 years\nnow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you been able to achieve a lot within the short period you joined the Fashion industry? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I wouldn\u2019t say I\u2019ve achieved a lot really but yes with the\nlittle I\u2019ve achieved this short period, I\u2019d say it\u2019s God and referrals. I try\nto meet a lot of people and make new friends. And when I make an outfit for\nsomeone, I ask them to refer me. And I try as much as possible to not\ndisappoint so they always come back and refer people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At what point did you realize you really wanted to be a part of the Fashion industry?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I think fashion chose me. It all happened late 2017 in my\nAunty\u2019s living room. I was trying to sketch a cloth for a tailor to make for\nme… then she said, don\u2019t you think this is your way? I never looked back since\nthen plus I really love to dress, to look good, to look different so I just\ndecided to start and I\u2019ve never looked back since. It\u2019s been amazing ride!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve become a style icon, making many trends your own. Do you often incorporate your personal style in your design process?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I wouldn\u2019t really say I\u2019m a style icon yet. But I think I\u2019m\ntrying my best to be up there with fashion greats. Yes, I do! Sometimes when I\nsee people\u2019s design that I really love, I try to recreate while adding my own\ninto it.. like what musicians called doing \u201ccover\u201d for another artists music. I\nbelieve style is relative…what it means to me might be different to what it\nmeans to you.But I think I just want to make clothes that speak for itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speak for itself in what way? What message do you want people to perceive just at a glance of your design?<\/p>\n\n\n\n You know, I used to say in a world where you can be\nanything, be stylish! When people see my outfits, I want them to see bravery,\nboldness and style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How would you describe your style?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Different, exquisite and urban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How has your brand evolved since its inception?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s really hard being a startup in Nigeria but I\u2019d say it\u2019s\nbetter than it was a year ago. Gradually it\u2019s evolving, clients are getting\nbigger and the business is growing little by little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s the most valuable lesson you\u2019ve learned as a designer?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Never stop learning!<\/p>\n\n\n\n From where do you draw inspiration for your designs?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of things really. I\u2019ve once seen a design in my sleep.\nSometimes it might be an art. Sometimes it might be some other works I have\nseen and I\u2019ll be like \u201cthis can be better\u201d. Other times I just wanna be okay\nwith colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How did you create the name \u2018DAIO\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I just removed the \u201cY\u201d in Dayo and replace it with \u201cI\u201d I no too get the strength to define the name <\/p>\n\n\n\n What stands DAIO out from other fashion brands?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I think it\u2019s the enthusiasm I put into the work. When you\nare excited doing a particular thing, it comes out different. There\u2019s just\nsomething special about the Daio brand that makes it unique from every other\nbrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where do you see your brand in five years?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Better than where it is right now. I\u2019m excited about the\nfuture, I can\u2019t wait!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you look forward to achieving with DAIO?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything there\u2019s to achieve in the fashion industry. I\nwant it to be a name on everybody\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you want your brand to be perceived globally?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As one of the best in Africa. I\u2019d love my brand to be the\nWizkid of fashion. Putting AFRICA on the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your brand gender restricted?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n No. I make clothes for both genders and all ages. I recently\nfell in love with female clothings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are there great Men and Women who you would love to see in your timeless designs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes!! Wizkid, Ebuka if possible, John Boyega, Lupita Nyogo, Genevieve Nnaji etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n