₦airaland Forum

Let me be honest with you all.

I have seen so many talented Nigerian
designers on this forum and on Instagram
whose work is absolutely world class.

But somehow a woman in Houston
or London who desperately wants
authentic Nigerian fashion
still cannot find them.

How does that make sense? 😩

The talent is here.
The customers are there.
But the distance, the payment wahala,
the shipping stress always wins.

For designers who have tried
getting international clients —
how did you do it?
What worked? What nearly killed you? 😅

And for those who haven't tried —
what is the biggest thing
holding you back?

Because I genuinely believe Nigerian
designers deserve a global audience.

FTC for the first time, after 7 years.

Very good idea and perspective

Hunger oooooo oooooo oooooo

Person go just dey sit down, something go just chook am one finger for body, tell am say “look for someone to deceive you.”

😅😅😅

“Nigerian fashion designers”
“Customers abroad.”

Two very contradictory statements.


The fashion designers that have not conquered their territory, are trying to go abroad. You can’t name even ONE “fashion designer” in Nigeria with a brand that Nigeria relates with just as we relate with brands like “Burna Boy,” “WizKid,” “Davido,” etc.

At best what you have a glorified tailors like “Yomi wears” of those days who have no design, taste, class, etc. just to sew normal clothes and over price it to give it a presumed class and then hang around with celebrities for social validation.

“Nigerian fashion designers” indeed.
😅😅😅

Why Una Dey find abroad customers, I think say Una no rate abroad and people wey Dey abroad? But Una rate their money smh

Okay. Here to learn too from people

szczescie:
Why Una Dey find abroad customers, I think say Una no rate abroad and people wey Dey abroad? But Una rate their money smh

Before nko!

We get the unique crafts, them get the money.


Nigerian fashion has evolved to the point that skilled designers hardly mass-produce.
They just focus on making wearable art, even if one piece, that speaks volume.

Hummmmm I don't think I'd like to patronize anyone that is not within my reach anymore! Wetin all my tailors do me, mouth no fit talk am! The last one showed me ehnnn but I leave her to my dear Heavenly Father.

Ideas like this need partnership with those at home and diaspora. The Nigerians in diaspora are the bridge. The market and potentials are there, but the understanding, framework and infrastructure is non-existent.

What specific challenges is creating the bottleneck?

The biggest issue I see is the unavailability of a single or large e commerce website like Amazon, Alibaba Aliexpress etc.

Many of Nigerian vendors still prefer to sell on Instagram, facebook and other social platforms.

Many potential customers overseas do not log into Instagram, facebook etc to buy.

We need strong e commerce platform that’ll showcase our products to the world.

Create an intagram and twitter acc and post your videos. Partner with top Nigerian influencers to promote your brand and page by making a good dress for them for free.

Helinuse:
Person go just dey sit down, something go just chook am one finger for body, tell am say “look for someone to deceive you.”

😅😅😅

“Nigerian fashion designers”
“Customers abroad.”

Two very contradictory statements.


The fashion designers that have not conquered their territory, are trying to go abroad. You can’t name even ONE “fashion designer” in Nigeria with a brand that Nigeria relates with just as we relate with brands like “Burna Boy,” “WizKid,” “Davido,” etc.

At best what you have a glorified tailors like “Yomi wears” of those days who have no design, taste, class, etc. just to sew normal clothes and over price it to give it a presumed class and then hang around with celebrities for social validation.

“Nigerian fashion designers” indeed.
😅😅😅

What have you ever achieved in your life?

I'm very interested in this topic

Helinuse:
Person go just dey sit down, something go just chook am one finger for body, tell am say “look for someone to deceive you.”

😅😅😅

“Nigerian fashion designers”
“Customers abroad.”

Two very contradictory statements.


The fashion designers that have not conquered their territory, are trying to go abroad. You can’t name even ONE “fashion designer” in Nigeria with a brand that Nigeria relates with just as we relate with brands like “Burna Boy,” “WizKid,” “Davido,” etc.

At best what you have a glorified tailors like “Yomi wears” of those days who have no design, taste, class, etc. just to sew normal clothes and over price it to give it a presumed class and then hang around with celebrities for social validation.

“Nigerian fashion designers” indeed.
😅😅😅

Nigerians stylists do get customers from all over the world through networking, just try to sell something nice to one in a clique of friends in dispora and the rest may follow

I'm your favourite tailor.

Sheuns:
The biggest issue I see is the unavailability of a single or large e commerce website like Amazon, Alibaba Aliexpress etc.

Many of Nigerian vendors still prefer to sell on Instagram, facebook and other social platforms.

Many potential customers overseas do not log into Instagram, facebook etc to buy.

We need strong e commerce platform that’ll showcase our products to the world.

Honestly, you just explained the exact problem we’ve been tackling.

We’re building the platform + trust system that solves this same issue for designers and buyers.

It’s still early days, but this is the gap we’re focused on closing.

If you don’t mind, check what we’ve done so far and share your thoughts — farroots.com

Hypnotise:
Ideas like this need partnership with those at home and diaspora. The Nigerians in diaspora are the bridge. The market and potentials are there, but the understanding, framework and infrastructure is non-existent.

What specific challenges is creating the bottleneck?

"Understanding, framework and
infrastructure is non-existent"

You are 100% right and that
is exactly the gap we are building for.

farroots.com — early days but
would genuinely value your feedback.

platforms like https://ojalink.com/ can help sell your craft to international audience.

Wonder2501:
Let me be honest with you all.

I have seen so many talented Nigerian
designers on this forum and on Instagram
whose work is absolutely world class.

But somehow a woman in Houston
or London who desperately wants
authentic Nigerian fashion
still cannot find them.

How does that make sense? 😩

The talent is here.
The customers are there.
But the distance, the payment wahala,
the shipping stress always wins.

For designers who have tried
getting international clients —
how did you do it?
What worked? What nearly killed you? 😅

And for those who haven't tried —
what is the biggest thing
holding you back?

Because I genuinely believe Nigerian
designers deserve a global audience.

I buy on Etsy. I agree, there are many talented Nigerians out there. One major problem with the Nigerian folks is delay n getting your dress delivered. I do patronize the Ghanaian folks more, as they seem to work out their logistics better.

Been happening for over 20 years.

If you need ideas for a business, make the right consultations.

No designer would come here to tell you how they run their show.

PS
I'm not a designer, but I have friends who don't make clothes for the local audience.

Wonder2501:
"Understanding, framework and
infrastructure is non-existent"

You are 100% right and that
is exactly the gap we are building for.

farroots.com — early days but
would genuinely value your feedback.

I’ve checked it out, it has nice aesthetics. What is the intention? are you collating the contacts on Nigerian designers?

Also, would you like access to international market?

FutureFocus:
Nigerians stylists do get customers from all over the world through networking, just try to sell something nice to one in a clique of friends in dispora and the rest may follow

Click of friends.
Most my Africans as well.

By they are not “fashion designers.”

In fact, fashion designers although meaning someone who designs wears, but more ambiguously correct to the definition of a “known brand.”

So Calvin Klein don’t necessarily design a new “style” of T-shirt, but just new prints and colors with their brand name.

SyrusdeHansome:
What have you ever achieved in your life?

I was the best in the class where me and your dad were mates.

I do my best to advise people…if you are a fashion designer, reach out. You give to take. I won’t charge you but pls be good and be honest

Wonder2501:
Let me be honest with you all.

I have seen so many talented Nigerian
designers on this forum and on Instagram
whose work is absolutely world class.

But somehow a woman in Houston
or London who desperately wants
authentic Nigerian fashion
still cannot find them.

How does that make sense? 😩

The talent is here.
The customers are there.
But the distance, the payment wahala,
the shipping stress always wins.

For designers who have tried
getting international clients —
how did you do it?
What worked? What nearly killed you? 😅

And for those who haven't tried —
what is the biggest thing
holding you back?

Because I genuinely believe Nigerian
designers deserve a global audience.

Helinuse:
Click of friends.
Most my Africans as well.

By they are not “fashion designers.”

In fact, fashion designers although meaning someone who designs wears, but more ambiguously correct to the definition of a “known brand.”

So Calvin Klein don’t necessarily design a new “style” of T-shirt, but just new prints and colors with their brand name.

Can you see the perfect you, I even noticed within secs and corrected myself before you quoted it , the fact that you couldn’t quote the mistake you tell you something, peace ✌️

you don’t have to be narrow minded ,
I have a sister who design stuffs and most of her customers are abroad , I don’t know it all but I know what I’m saying in this context

Majorities of those trying to benefit from this thread are not necessarily fashion designer, Taillor as you narrowed it down but creative hardworking Nigerians in fashion industry hunting for customers worldwide , fashion is very wide, not necessarily printers along as you insinuated

Helinuse:
I was the best in the class where me and your dad were mates.

I've always known you're one bitter nobody sitting behind the keyboard to drop rubbish upon rubbish every day.

They can sell on Amazon!
Where I have sold up to $2000 of fashion and beauty products.
A customer in Nigeria even purchased shoes for $36 in 2019.

They can promote their designs on LinkedIn.

They can attend Beauty Eurasia
2 - 4 September 2026 • IFM (Istanbul Expo Center) , Turkey.

The biggest opportunity is to showcase their designs at the annual Cannes Film Festival.

Hypnotise:
I’ve checked it out, it has nice aesthetics. What is the intention? are you collating the contacts on Nigerian designers?

Also, would you like access to international market?

Thank you for checking it out

Right now we are in early stage, collecting our first verified designers and diaspora clients on the waitlist.

The vision is a fully managed platform where everything — matching, design approval, payment, shipping — happens in one place.

No more payment wahala. No more disappeared designers.

And yes — would love to hear more about the international market access you mentioned.
Sending you a message now.