Nigerians are known for being fashionable, with fabrics tailor-made in classy designs. However, this is gradually changing due to the increase in the prices of fashion accessories nationwide. Not a few Nigerians are downplaying their fashion sense by cutting their coat according to their cloth.

Recent surveys within the Lagos metropolis and chats with designers and their customers revealed this.

The prices of tailoring materials have significantly increased. A stop at the popular Oshodi Market, where both wholesalers and retailers usually get materials, reveals that the prices of items like thread, zipper, dull face, taffeta, and Aba linings increased by over 50 per cent.

Dull face and taffeta, sold for N500 and N800, respectively, now sell for N700 and N1,100, while a pack of thread, which sold for 500, now sells for N800 to N1,000, depending on the brand.

The price increase was similar to that at the popular Idumota Market, which sells tailoring materials and various trimmings. Some fashion designers expressed views on the impact of the price increase in tailoring materials.

Yvonne Ideho, the creative director of Yvonne’s Place, Ketu, Lagos, said the price increase had reduced the profit margin in clothes making.

Ms Ideho said, “With this current situation in the country, the profit in clothes making is not what it used to be, compared with 2022 and early 2023. I don’t overcharge my customers in order to remain in business, which is better than not having any income.”

Similarly, Omotola Gabriel, a fashion designer in Ikotun, said patronage had reduced in the last two months.

Ms Gabriel, who owns Shiloh Stitches Fashion, specialising in female and male clothing, complained that the number of jobs she got in April and May was not encouraging, owing to the monthly bills she paid.

She added, “Business has not really been encouraging for some months due to the increase in the prices of tailoring accessories. Many customers, who sew up to five or seven clothes a month, could only make one or two outfits.

“Some customers I called to find out why they had not made any outfits in the last few months said they had more pressing needs. I am hopeful that things will get better in the country.”

Joseph Azubuike, who also sews clothes, noted that patronage from his female clients had reduced.

Mr Azubuike, who runs a fashion business in his apartment in Igando, said the few female clients who patronise him now opt for styles with lower charges.

Mr Azubuike said, “My male clients still patronise me as regularly as before, but I make more money by sewing female outfits because of the styles involved.

“Now, my female customers prefer to sew simple styles like boubou that won’t cost more than N5,000, unlike when I charged them N20,000 and even more based on the accessories on the dresses.”

Meanwhile, Taiwo Oduwole, an accountant, said she had reduced the number of clothes she made monthly.

According to Ms Oduwole, her main priority is ensuring her children are well-fed and paying their school fees promptly.

“The last time I took any clothes to my tailor was four months ago because I used to like clothes with accessories, which cost between N15,000 to N30,000 to make. The cost of buying rice, garri and pepper to feed the home is my main objective right now, not sewing,” said Ms Oduwole.

Also, Yewande Adekunle, a banker, said she no longer made sophisticated clothes because of the charges.

Ms Adekunle said, “I still patronise my tailor, but I do more of simple outfits these days. The cost of sewing beautiful and well-accessorised outfits is high.”

(NAN)