₦airaland Forum

Nigeria famous Television presenter of Trends and Rachel aka the Piper yesterday engaged the fast rising designer Destiny Eke Okorie of HYLOOK FASHIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD to an interview after unveiling Amb. John Fashanu as the Fashion brand Ambassador. He was clothed for an exclusive photo shoot as Amb. Rachel Bakam listed him as one of the top trending brands showing on AIT 6:00pm on Saturdays then NTA ENTERTAINMENT 7pm same day. Repeats: NTA Entertainment  (Startimes)12:30:00pm tomorrow Sunday then Monday 4:30:00am&1:00pm, Wednesday  8:00am then on AIT 2:30am Monday.‎   ‎

This Exceptional designer is spotlighted on Amb Rachel Bakam\'s award winning Television programme TRENDS & RACHEL as THE TOP TRENDING BRAND TTTB. See the interview below: 
‎
A: My name is Destiny Eke Okorie. I was born and brought up in Alayi, a town in Bende LGA of Abia State. I am the CEO of HYLOOK FASHIONS INT’L LTD, which was established in 2010. We design and manufacture here in Nigeria some of the best men’s outfits in the world.‎
Q: what motivated you into fashion design?

A: I have always loved to dress well and to read. It was while reading Napoleon Hill’s book –Think and Grow Rich – back in the nineties that I learnt the idea that you should build your carrier around something you love or are good at. So in the year 2000, I started my first fashion business – making clothes in Aba and selling them to Nigerians in Cotonou where many of my relatives lived. I stayed in the business for about 2 years before I decided to join my brother in the importation of used clothing business. Importation of used clothing was thriving in Cotonou then, and my plan was to make big money and later invest it in the fashion industry in Nigeria. I later began to travel to the UK for used clothing business.

 It took a long time, but I did make lots of money in the importation business. Then something happened in 2010. I had invested in some bad businesses including a couple of companies that went bankrupt in the UK and I lost a significant chunk of my capital. With the little money I had remaining, fresh 5 years multiple UK Visa, and fresh 2 years multiple American Visa, it was a moment of decision. But I was already fed up with the used clothing thing. I was longing to create my own fashion brand.

Q: why the choice of made in Nigeria design?

A: well I thought of going to Italy, Turkey or China to buy new clothes or make my own branded outfits, but the idea I had was more than just another business. It was a vision to make world class clothing here in Nigeria and supply other boutique owners in Nigeria and Africa instead of them going abroad to source their clothes. And also to build a chain of my own fashion shops all over Nigeria and Africa. I wanted to make clothes that fit so perfectly. I believe that you feel so good when what you wear fits so well. So I wanted to be in total control of the production processes here in Nigeria. I also wanted to create unique African designs with international appeal, and what better place to do that than at home; while at the same time creating massive employment opportunities for our people as the company grows.   

Q: What kind of designs do you make?

A: At the moment, we are focused on African inspired designs with international appeal.

Q: Can you give an insight into some of your favorite designs and fabrics?

 We work with different fabrics like brocade, voile, Ankara, and suiting fabrics. But our favorite fabric at the moment is suiting fabric which is used all over the world. We use it for Nigerian suit (also known as senators’ suit), suiting caftan, and Nigerian safari suit.  Every man seems to be falling in love with the designs because they are elegant, easy to wear, good for offices and all occasions, suitable for our hot weather, simply classy. Business executives and professionals love them, politicians can’t have enough of them, and even foreigners are not left out.

Q: what are your challenges in the industry?

A: we all know the obvious challenges facing entrepreneurs in Nigeria – lack of steady power supply, difficulties in accessing loans, etc. But one of the major challenges we face is lack of highly skilled tailors. It’s amazing how many people are looking for jobs and yet very few are willing to master a skill.

Q: what are your aims and aspirations?

A: we make bespoke (custom-made) and ready-to-wear clothes. But our main vision is to have Hylook clothes sold in all major boutiques in Nigeria and Africa and to also have a chain of Hylook shops in major cities in Nigeria and Africa. Our long term aim is to have massive factories around Nigeria where we design and manufacture all manner of high quality clothing for Nigerian and international markets.

Q: do you have a mentor in the industry?

A: Amancio Ortega, the owner of Zara clothing brand, is one of my mentors. He has built a fashion company where they design, manufacture, and retail their own clothing brands. They have shops around the world. In some ways, I modelled Hylook on Zara.

Q: What else do you do aside fashion design?

A: Actually am a bit of a workaholic. Over the last 6 years all my life has been work. But as we continue to reorganize and restructure the company I’m beginning to create time for myself.

Q: are you married?

A: I hope to get married really soon.‎

Q: what stands you out from others?

A: We don’t just make clothes, we add values that are difficult for other designers in our field to replicate. Hylook stands for style and class, excellent finishing, perfect fit, quick delivery, elegant designs, world class quality. Our designs are simply unique and our clothes are specially cut for your perfect fit. The evidence is that Hylook clothes are always on high demand. We never have off season. Our work-force keeps expanding.‎

Q: Can u tell us some celebrities and personalities that wear your clothes?

A: over the years we have been so focused on product quality and customer satisfaction that we never had time to promote the Hylook brand. Our success has been solely depended on repeat custom and referrals. Celebrities like John Fashanu and Bob Manuel have literarily fallen in love with the Hylook brand since coming in contact with it. We make clothes for many past and present Governors like Gov. Liyel Imoke, Gov. Babangida Aliyu, Gov. Nyesom Wike, Gov. Rochas Okorocha to mention a few.  Also countless distinguished Senators and Honorable members of the Federal House of Representatives cannot go to the hallowed chambers without adorning their classy Hylook designs. Innumerable top business executives in Abuja and other cities are all loyal and happy clients of the Hylook brand.

Q: Who are your favorite Nigerian musician and Nollywood star? And why the choices?

Many of our musicians are on top of their game. They are so good they are taking over the world. But Timi Dakolo’s Great Nation is one of my favorite songs. We must love and believe in Nigeria despite all the challenges facing us. The veteran actor Olu Jacobs is a great man. He also promotes the made in   Nigeria designs.

Q: As Nigeria celebrates its 56th year of independence what message do you have for Nigeria and Nigerians?

A:  At 56 I think it is high time we Nigerians realized that we have all it takes to build a great nation. We should patronize Nigerian brands more and more. Look at the Arabs and Indians, what we will call their native clothing is what they wear as their official and corporate outfits every day. I will also thank our politicians for adopting Nigerian designs as their daily official wear.  Imagine our banking institutions, government institutions, corporate organizations, pastors and churches also wearing Nigerian ‘native’designs as their daily official and corporate outfits. Think of the amount of money we spend on the importation of western suits which is not even suitable for our hot weather. We should learn to be proud of who we are, our culture, and style; then foreigners who visit Nigeria will also be proud to join in dressing like we do.

 

Q: how do you relax?

A: well I love to read whenever my tight schedule allows me. I also play and watch football.

Q: what advice do you have for young Nigerians who will love to toe your line?

A: don’t go into fashion just because of money. Do it because you love it and you want to make a difference. Your passion and the big picture in your head is what will keep you going. Where there is a will, there is a way.‎

Q: where do you hope to see yourself and your designs in next 3 years?

A: currently we have 2 Hylook retailing outlets in Abuja. We also supply the Hylook brand to 8 independent boutiques in Abuja. In the next 3 three years we hope to become a house-hold name in Nigeria and Africa supplying our brand to many boutiques in Nigeria and Africa. We also hope to have more Hylook shops in more Nigerian and African cities.

Q: words of advice for Nigerian entertainment industry?

A: I will like our musicians to wear more Nigerian designs on their video shoots as this will help boost the appeal for made in Nigeria designs both locally and internationally.

Q: where is your favorite holiday spot?
  A: So far I only go on holiday once a year during Christmas. And no place beats my home town Alayi in Abia State. It is the place to be in Christmas- lots of cultural dance and fun activities. I also get to catch up with friends and relatives who travelled back from all corners of the earth‎
Q: Your last words?‎

A: Hylook clothes are not too expensive. Our target customers are men of discerning taste in fashion. You can check out our designs or place an order @www.hylookfashion.com or visit our flagship shop at 4 Lobito / Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2 Abuja Q: tell your name, about yourself, and the journey so far‎

The need to sanitise the industry is not only important but totally necessary as new owners and some existing brands downplay the pride, integrity and perception of a beauty queen or queens directly or indirectly. History of pageantry in Nigeria dates back to over 50 years ago when commitment, passion, discipline, determination and hardwork are the bedrock of any pageant owner or beauty queens vision 

Read below carefully;


• Some pageant organisers do not know the core value of a crown as such can no impact on the winners

•Some pageant Organisers venture into pageantry for gains and business neglecting the fundamental essence of the contest.

•Some pageant director flag-Off pageants without considering ge‎tting the prizes or potential leadway to the winners entitlements or attract credible sponsor for that.

•Some Beauty Queens dwell more on the prizes to be won at the contest, without considering the one year long activities that can fetch more‎ money.

•Most Beauty Queens only end up visiting Orphanage homes, Taking Photoshoots and hosting birthday parties in a whole year.

•‎Several Beauty Queen Do not put up decent disposition in Clubs even with crowns on their head, they allow People to "rock" or touch them while dancing.

•Some Pageant Organisers have no business in the industry as they are only comfortable having ladies around them ( Winners) instead of using them as instrument to influence a generation positively.

•Few Selected pageants consider the integrity of their brands while others rubbish the pride of their pageant brands unconsciously or unprofessionally.

•Its shocking that anybody can be placed as a judge irrespective of the person's background or antecedents, in some pageants.

•Every girl or model wants to end up been a beauty queen, and desperate organisers make it work for them even‎ when they are empty and lack content.

•70% of our contemporary beauty queens can not stand or address a crowd confidently or interact with the broadcast media except so‎cial media posts.

•Most Beauty Queens consider winning as a show off paparazi so as to enrich their instagram pages ‎and facebook photos with sash and crown

•Some beauty queens fail to understand that a crown is an endorsement for fame and impressive opportunities if used well rather they wait to change overnight.

•A beauty Queen can end up being a prey to men's sexual satisfaction if she has nothing‎ to offer intellectually or poorly packaged project executions

• Some Beauty Queens believe all courtesy visits should attract money for them, forgetting that their content alone can make it possible.

•Men in General judge from appearance instead of reality as such only your charisma or personality as a beauty can change such impression.

• Some models dabble into pageantry as a way of getting to any man of their choice for immediate gains regardless of her worth.

• Some pageants end up recycling contestants, even crowning a contestant that was practically disqualified in one audition for poor presentations and appearance.

•Big Brands like Telecommunications, banks, Ministries etc are wary of pageants because of the some negative perceptions also caused by the players

• Most Pageants do not have structure or yearly plan for their winners, neither does the winners even established map to do projects that are impactful.

• Some pageant coordinators now make it possible for audience or passerby to predict winners before the finals based on their level of packaging

•Some pageants do not work very hard to get the best of contestants for audition as they feel their brands can attract models even when they have done nothing to guarantee that.

•It's shocking for a pageant to have about 13 contestants for a contest and end up crowning about 10 of them on stage!

• Most Beauty Queen Who do not deserve to be celebrated end up getting recognitions in major events after occupying almost all the seats for free in a paid show.

• ‎Some top Beauty Queens get embarrassed when classified along side "Mushroom" beauty queens who no man has ever said "You Are Beautiful" even before the pageant.

•Some Beauty Queen believe the best way to make it fast is to put away their organisers from their activities or hide sensitive packages from him or her.

• Most Beauty Queen celebrate when they see their pictures on blogs even when the blog does not have reach or network, provided they can send out links to BBM and Watsapp contacts.

• Some Beauty Queens have sacrificed their pride on the alter of quick money, with every Tom, Dick and Harry disposed to talk to her.

• The Good Images of past Beauty queens and activities ‎are continuously been rubbished by modern day unattractive pageant queens.

•Hmmm, some beauty queens are seen in Clubs more often than the owner of the club or lounge especially at Nights.

•Quality contestants are hardly seen in pageant auditions or big stage because directors hardly execute unique projects or activities that can easily lure models in a fresh edition.

•‎ When a pageant finds it difficult to get quality contestants in fresh edition, then the reigning beauty queen was not a role model, that means no lady or girl wish to wear her shoes or crown...let her consider the activities of her reign.

• Some beauty queen do not know that Karma exist, their activities are usually seen by people which usually attract negative comments on blog, though some comments are posted by mere haters.

•Some pageant owners expose the inexperience queens to environments that could easily consume them in self worth, packaging and low life offers.

• Some pageant director venture into the industry for lack of jobs, poor academic qualifications and to meet up to demands of their "clients"

•Finally, some beauty queens ‎tend to get distracted from school because of their crowns or uses it as an excuse for poor performance...forgetting that a reigning Beauty Queen Chichi Mbagwu made first in UK university and now works in top three accounting firm in America. (Google it)
                       {#FinishWork}

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Written By:
Alex Nwankwo
CEO Amity Global Network
     {#Alexreports}