thefashionroundtable

What does it really take to build a couture brand? From creating technically complex garments to pricing your work and standing by your creative vision, fashion goes far beyond making beautiful clothes.

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Abelia, founder of Weizdhurm Franklyn, to discuss the business, creativity and challenges behind building a couture fashion brand.

Abelia opens up about teaching herself fashion, discovering what makes her design perspective different, the most challenging pieces she has created and the decisions that have shaped her brand. We also get into the...

What does it really take to get a fashion brand noticed? And why do some brands spend millions on events only for nobody to talk about them?

On this episode of Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with PR experts Liz Osho and Njideka Akabogu for an honest conversation about the realities of fashion PR, brand visibility, media attention and reputation management.

From the cost of hiring a PR consultant to the truth about getting featured in Vogue, we unpack what brands need to understand before investing in publicity.

We also put Liz and...

In this episode of Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Sharon Ademefun, founder of Body Politix, for an honest conversation about building fashion businesses, understanding the Nigerian woman, global sizing, pricing, markups, privilege, money and knowing when it is time to change direction.

Sharon takes us back to her early days in business in 2011, sharing what she got right, what she got wrong and the gaps she noticed that eventually shaped the business she wanted to build.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Introduction

01:36 – Looking Back at Her 2011 Business: What Did She Get Right and Wrong?
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In this honest and inspiring conversation, Derin Fabikun opens up about building her fashion brand from the age of 19, navigating slow seasons, overcoming health challenges, and finding the courage to keep going when giving up felt like the easier option.
She shares the realities behind the evolution of her brand, why quality fashion comes at a cost, and the opportunities many emerging designers are missing.

Whether you're a fashion entrepreneur, creative, or anyone building something from scratch, this episode is packed with practical insights and lessons on resilience, growth, and staying the course.
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00:00 – In...

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Nonye, founder of That Thing Called Fashion, to discuss the realities of being a fashion content creator in today's digital world.

From creating content before influencing became mainstream to building a business, assembling a management team, negotiating brand deals, and navigating the pressure of social media, Nonye shares the lessons she's learned from years in the industry.

We also talk about the pressure to appear glamorous online and the truths about influencing that most people never see.

Whether you're a...

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Style Infidel for a candid conversation about fashion, styling, weddings, Fashion Week, pricing, and the realities of working in the Nigerian fashion industry.

From styling brides and grooms to helping shape some of fashion's most memorable moments, Style Infidel shares the lessons, challenges, and hard truths that many people don't see behind the glamour.

We discuss why many people resist paying stylists, whether Nigerian fashion is truly expensive, who holds the most power in the industry, and what needs to change for Nigerian fashion...

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Veronica Ebie, founder of Vanestyle, for an honest conversation about styling, fashion business, personal branding, and what it really takes to build a successful styling brand in Nigeria.

Veronica shares insights from her journey and the lessons she's learned along the way from navigating client expectations, celebrity styling, pricing, trends, and the realities behind the scenes, 

Whether you're a stylist, designer, fashion entrepreneur, or simply love fashion, this episode is packed with valuable insights and real industry experiences.


00:00 – Intro
01:54 – How she g...

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Noble Igwe for an honest conversation about fashion and personal style.

From movie premiere themes to BBNaija styling, online criticism, men’s fashion, and working with upcoming designers, this episode dives into the realities of fashion in entertainment and media.

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00:00 – Intro
1:45 – Why Ebuka doesn’t like being called a fashion boy
4:06 – Knowing what he wanted to do
7:58 – Pressure around outfits and public opinion
16:20 – Last time they both repeated an outfit
23:14 – Styling plans for shows like BBNaija

On this episode of The Fashion Roundtable,we sit down with respected fashion entrepreneur and creative director, Sola Oyebade, popularly known as Mr Mahogany.

From producing some of the biggest fashion shows in Nigeria and Africa, including GTB Fashion Weekend, Music Meets Runway, Africa Fashion Week London, and more  to building platforms for emerging designers, this conversation dives deep into the business, creativity, and impact of fashion production across Africa.

If you’re interested in fashion, production, entrepreneurship, or the African creative industry, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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Sarting a footwear brand sounds exciting… but what does it really take to build one? 👀

In this episode, we sit down with Funmilayo Abodenyi founder of dshoecollector, to talk about her journey of building a footwear brand from the ground up. From finding the right manufacturers and dealing with quality issues, to pricing, marketing, and navigating challenges like the pandemic — she shares what it truly takes behind the scenes.

If you’re thinking of starting a shoe brand, fashion business, or any creative venture, this conversation is packed with real, practical insights you don’t want to mis...

What really goes into creating the looks we see on screen? 👀
From building a character’s wardrobe to working with tight budgets, handling production demands, and navigating credit in the industry — this conversation dives deep into the world of costume design for film and TV.
In this episode, we sit down with Yolanda Okereke, an 8-time AMVCA nominee, who has worked on major productions like Blood Sisters and Something for the Briggs. She shares what it really takes to bring characters to life through fashion, the business side of styling for film, and the behind-the-scenes realities most people...

What does it really take to build a successful shoe brand from scratch? 

From starting to navigating challenges, funding, trends, and even the emotional side of the journey, this conversation gets real.

On this episode, we sit down with Eze David to talk about his journey into shoemaking, what inspired his designs, the business side of things, and what the future looks like for his brand.

If you're a creative, entrepreneur, or just curious about the fashion industry — this is one you don’t want to miss.

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 0:00 – Intro
 1:43 – How he got...

We sat down with a seasoned top model Ruth Vader to talk about what it really takes to build a career in modeling  beyond the glam.

From how she got started, to handling rejection, navigating body standards, and the realities of pricing and agency representation, this is an honest and unfiltered conversation every aspiring model and fashion lover needs to hear.

She opens up about wearing outfits she’s not comfortable in, and what brands need to understand about models  especially when it comes to representation and plus-size modeling.

If you’ve ever wonder...

In this episode of The Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Renike, the co-founder of Bawsty one of the fastest-growing fashion brands known for selling out designs almost instantly.

We dive into their journey from starting small to building a high-demand fashion brand, and what it really takes to scale, stay consistent, and keep up with overwhelming customer demand.

 She also share how the brand started from a real problem — not being able to find the right sizes that fit properly. As bustier women, they struggled with options in the market,and that gap became the...

In this episode of Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Ajide Daniels (the founder of Aso)  to unpack the real journey  from unexpected beginnings to building a ready-to-wear brand that challenges the idea that affordable fashion has to look cheap.

We talk about the defining moments, the struggles, the costly mistakes, and the mindset behind creating a brand with identity, structure, and long-term vision in the Nigerian fashion industry.

If you're a fashion entrepreneur, creative, or business owner trying to build something meaningful, this episode is for you.

✨ What you’ll learn in this e...

In this episode of the Fashion Roundtable, we sit down with Nkiru Achukwu, the powerhouse founder of Zephans & Co and this conversation did NOT hold back. From struggling to find clothes in her size, to surviving COVID, to scaling past 35,000 pieces sold, Nkiru shares the raw, unfiltered story behind her brand.

Whether you're a fashion lover, a business owner, or someone building from scratch, this episode will inspire and challenge you. 



00:00 - 2:00 — Intro
2:00 - 9:00 — How It All Started
9:00 - 11:00 — How COVID Solidified the Brand
11:00 - 12:45 — Pricing Strategy
12:45 - 16:00 — Website Route
1...

Ever wondered what it really takes to dress celebrities?
In this episode, we sit down with top celebrity stylists to break down the reality behind the glamour—how they started, how they work with clients, pricing, industry pressure, fashion emergencies, and what really goes on behind major events like the AMVCA and Fashion Week.

This is not the surface-level conversation you’re used to—this is the real, unfiltered truth about celebrity styling, the challenges, the business side, and what it takes to stand out in a highly competitive industry.

Whether you're a fashion lover...