Goodluck Raphael @ Swanky |
|
|
What is your background?
I grew up in Lagos, but my family are from the South-South area of Nigeria and that has really inspired my design work. My father also set up a fashion company and I was always giving my friends styling tips. While I was studying at the University of Benin, I started own business sourcing vintage styles from Lagos and selling them to students at my university. I started with vintage ties and then added socks and shirts, before expanding to other schools. This is where my brand Swanky developed. In my fourth year of university I learnt how to design and sew myself and created my first collection. Since then I’ve expanded to create a range of bespoke shirts and ready-to-wear t-shirts and shirts, partnering with other designers. I’ve also recently launched a fashion start-up and app, Seams, an online marketplace that helps to solve the problem of finding reliable tailors. Seams was selected by Forbes and Global Startup Ecosystem for their 2020 Digital Startup Accelerator. |
© Goodluck Raphael, Swanky
|
Who is your typical client?
I design for businesspeople with a youthful style, they’re future leaders, entrepreneurs, and start-up founders. My clients are currently based in Nigeria, Ghana and the USA. As Swanky started at universities, a lot of my clients are also university students.
I design for businesspeople with a youthful style, they’re future leaders, entrepreneurs, and start-up founders. My clients are currently based in Nigeria, Ghana and the USA. As Swanky started at universities, a lot of my clients are also university students.
© Goodluck Raphael, Swanky
How would you describe your style/design work?
I’d describe my designs as being urban classic and youthful. They are well fitted and designed to boost the confidence of the wearer. I draw a lot of inspiration from the UK, USA and Asia as well as Africa. My designs express
Nigerian culture and take pride in the diversity of cultures in Nigeria.
What are your ambitions?
I want Swanky to develop into a global brand that promotes Nigerian culture on a global scale and helps to reduce unemployment. My dream is to be the first fashion brand in Nigeria to go public. I also want to see the fashion sector in Nigeria become more stable and expand globally. I’m a climate advocate and my hope is for the fashion industry to be more sustainable, so that fashion in Nigeria and Africa has a positive impact on both the economy and the environment.
I’d describe my designs as being urban classic and youthful. They are well fitted and designed to boost the confidence of the wearer. I draw a lot of inspiration from the UK, USA and Asia as well as Africa. My designs express
Nigerian culture and take pride in the diversity of cultures in Nigeria.
What are your ambitions?
I want Swanky to develop into a global brand that promotes Nigerian culture on a global scale and helps to reduce unemployment. My dream is to be the first fashion brand in Nigeria to go public. I also want to see the fashion sector in Nigeria become more stable and expand globally. I’m a climate advocate and my hope is for the fashion industry to be more sustainable, so that fashion in Nigeria and Africa has a positive impact on both the economy and the environment.
© Goodluck Raphael, Swanky
What has been your biggest career achievement?
My greatest achievement is firstly being able to survive through the pandemic and lockdown, both for myself and my business. This was hugely challenging for us in the fashion business and for one's own mental health. On top of that, our work at Seams, which is solving the biggest problem in the fashion industry in Nigeria and Africa, was recognized globally by top and respected organizations including Forbes. That has given us a lot of motivation to continue to make our society better and less problematic.
What advice would you give to a designer just starting out in Lagos?
The piece of advice I would give all new entrants is to really understand who their target market is before setting out into the fashion space. Also, as fashion designers, we are creative and our pieces/designs are an embodiment of art. However, we should design something that people can buy, else it's all going to negate growth. They should learn how to effectively run a business as fashion is absolutely business.
My greatest achievement is firstly being able to survive through the pandemic and lockdown, both for myself and my business. This was hugely challenging for us in the fashion business and for one's own mental health. On top of that, our work at Seams, which is solving the biggest problem in the fashion industry in Nigeria and Africa, was recognized globally by top and respected organizations including Forbes. That has given us a lot of motivation to continue to make our society better and less problematic.
What advice would you give to a designer just starting out in Lagos?
The piece of advice I would give all new entrants is to really understand who their target market is before setting out into the fashion space. Also, as fashion designers, we are creative and our pieces/designs are an embodiment of art. However, we should design something that people can buy, else it's all going to negate growth. They should learn how to effectively run a business as fashion is absolutely business.
