Fashion Week is finally here! In celebration of the behind the scenes work as well as the countless roles and industry insiders it takes to bring Lagos Fashion Week to life, we’re profiling inspiring people from across the industry and asking them to share their Fashion Week Prep routines, their tips and tricks, and productivity secrets. Consider this your sneak peek into the insider knowledge and a mini handbook into the business of fashion from your fave fashion insiders, From stylists to publicists, models to editors and more check out what the secret sauce for a successful fashion week is! Following our chat with Royce Samuels, Creative Director of Ceezys Styling, and Veronica Odeka of Vane Style and Vane Polish today we speak to Tosin Ogundadegbe.
Tosin Ogundadegbe – Fashion Stylist & Designer, CEO The Style Infidel and The Style Infidel Studios
BNS: Why do you go to fashion week ?
To be honest, most times it’s work for me but also I find it as a great time of fun and ‘feferity‘ to reunite with colleagues and the entire fashion community.
BNS: Do you go to all three main fashion weeks (Lagos/GTB/Arise)?
I do just two . Lagos Fashion Week and Guaranty Trust Bank Fashion Weekend.
BNS: How do you determine what shows you absolutely have to see?
Determining what shows to see is possible (many thanks to technology) but often times very impossible on this side of the planet because the shows are scheduled to happen under a tent at the same venue. So for we that are vested in fashion, we have to stay put to see the entire show from start to finish .
Save my staple fashion week favorites like Bridget Awosika , Ituen Basi, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Orange Culture and Meena , I am a huge fan of seeing new talents with a very unique point of view .
BNS: Do you have clients attending shows this week?
One or two of my clients will be showing up for very specific shows .
BNS: How do you prepare for fashion week beyond fittings and planning out your schedule?
For the past years, there was absolutely nothing because my mind mostly got fixated on getting work done and making sure the clients show is as thorough as the runthrough.
BNS: How do you keep track of looks you might want for celebrity clients in the future?
So sometimes I get the privilege of seeing the collections before the show . Other times I take pictures while the show is on or when I’m backstage. To appreciate the garments better is to spend time with them so I take the time to make appointments with the designer to have a more personal experience .
BNS: How quickly after a show do you let brands know you’re interested in their runway looks?
It’s a very busy period regardless fastest fingers first , so I do an email and direct Instagram message or a call a day after .
BNS: What events are on your mind currently?
MAZELLE STUDIOS off schedule show which is happening right after Lagos Fashion Week and GTBANK FASHION WEEKEND , it’s always a memorable experience.
BNS: What do you think is the biggest misconception about what stylists do at fashion week?
That it’s easy and fabulous. That it’s just putting looks together . As true as that may seem it’s a lot of work to tell stories with clothes and ensuring that the mood of the collection comes to life. Deliberating from the first design preview to editing to styling to finalizing the looks that make the show and the entire direction can be very exhausting but cos we love what we do it’s the fun type of exhaustion
BNS: What’s the first thing you do when fashion week is over?
When fashion week is over I keep working. I take out a little time to rest with my family at Christmas. Fashion week is fun so work resumes right after it.
BNS: Are there any designers whose collections you’re particularly excited to see this season?
Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Ituen Bassey, Meena, Bridget Awosika. Assian, Kenneth Ize Orange Culture
BNS: What goes into styling a runway show ?
A great budget and an open mind goes into the proper styling of a show