Princess Oghene: Entrepreneur grooming Nigeria’s next generation of designers

Princess Kelechi Oghene is a fashion designer and director of GMYT Fashion Academy, a centre where young fashion designers are trained and groomed to become the next generation of Africa’s icons.
Princess was inspired to establish a fashion academy by her long-term desire to groom female entrepreneurs that would take over the Nigerian and African fashion space in the next decade and more, equipping them with skills in sewing and designs.
Also, the fashion designer was inspired by her mother. The achievements and advice of Princess’ mother motivated her on a daily basis, forcing her to set up a fashion business in 2004.
“My mum was multi-tasking. She ensured we learnt at least one skill in my house. So, I started fashion in my house. I was quite young then and when I left the house, I decided to go into accessories but still following that same fashion line,” she said.
Despite learning sewing at a very early stage, Princess still had to improve her skills by taking fashion classes after her tertiary education.
“I went to the Lagos Business School (LBS) so that I could continue learning and improving myself. If you do not know how to manage yourself on the basics, then how can you manage your staff let alone other people?” she asked.
Since starting the GMYT Fashion Academy, Princess has trained about 60 female entrepreneurs in sewing and designs.
Most of the graduates from the academy are already owners of big fashion houses and brands in the country such as Lb Stitches, Alypse, Akwa_Oma, Sophisticated Kloset, Nifferscrecitions, House of Dm, Pgtrend, Houseofvee, and Floxy Fix amongst others.
She started out by selling clothes and fashion accessories while still an undergraduate student of Lagos State University.
“As at 2003 and 2004, I decided to start selling clothes. Then I rented my first shop at Ojomu. The business grew over the years such that I had enough money to get a bigger shop,” the designer said.
Speaking on how she came about the name, ‘House of GMYT,’ she said the name of my company was carved from God’s Might, which is her name.
“I think that is the name that is working for me because a lot of people are working even twice as much as I am, but so far, I think grace has brought me here. I also think that if you are just sitting in your house and thinking that God will do a miracle because you know how to pray, I don’t think it will work. When you have a passion and you give whatever skill that you have a shot, I think miracles will happen.”
She noted that the cost of production has continued to be a challenge for fashion designers in Nigeria.
“As entrepreneurs, I think every business is different. With the class of service I offer, a lot of people that are not giving that much service are probably charging more because of the bills they are paying.
“You don’t know the structure they have or how they are balancing their accounts. Whatever salaries I am paying or services I am offering, I am still not running at a loss because whatever figures I am giving out is based on the staff strength or whatever services I am giving.”
“I know how much we spend on diesel. People outside the country are not facing this. Cost of manpower in Nigeria is high and no one is giving me money but I have to pay all these people. I have never owed. It is not easy running a business and sustaining it in Nigeria.”
The fashion entrepreneur said what has been working for her is good finishing and the quality of what she produces. “I am indirectly partnering with my students that already have their own businesses. If I have jobs and they can give me the finishing, I will split the jobs. If other fashion designers have mini factories like I do, by now, it will have been a lot better,” she disclosed.
Oghene disclosed that she has been successful in the business because she has identified her target market and advised entrepreneurs to do same.

IFEOMA OKEKE