By Damilola Fatunmise
Diplomacy, the art of winning war without firing a shot, is an age long strategy that has migrated to the boardroom.
As an astute entrepreneur, Ben Oladipo, the brain behind wave making fashion outfit, Ardor Hondo Enterprise Limited, is living up to this credo by utilising the art of diplomacy to win consumers and build his fashion brand.
Ardor Hondo Fashion House took the industry by storm 13 years ago as a company that aims at envisioning the fashion and designs of all individuals, making them a wearable reality.
According to Oladipo, he was inspired to be a fashion designer due to the creative energy embedded in him. “Since I could distinguish between colours, I have been a fashion designer for at least 13 years. I chose to be a fashion designer in order to be able to showcase the originality in both myself and other people,” he said.
With a mission to highlight client’s individuality through their apparels and accessories, Ardor Hondo has been redifining the Nigerian fashion landscape. Indeed, to Ardor, fashion and style encapsulate the individuality and originality of a person’s aspirations and thoughts. “My idea of creativity is influenced by originality and individuality,” Oladipo asserted.
Like most businesses, Ardor Hondo has had its highpoints and low moments, especially with difficult clients. But then, the company has been able to weather the storms through diplomacy. “By speaking in an honourable and diplomatic manner to the clients, I have been able to wriggle out of difficult situations,” the fashion strategist stated.
Oladipo, however, recalled his most frustrating and unpleasant experience as a fashion designer: “My most frustrating and unpleasant experience as a fashion designer was when the models, who were supposed to showcase my creations, got stuck in traffic and were unable to arrive at the location of the fashion show on time.”
With Deola Sagoe, Zizi Cardow and Vivienne Westwood as mentors cum role models, Oladipo’s dream is to build a global fashion brand. “At Ardor Hondo Fashion House, our ambitions include showcasing and having an impact on the international fashion industry. So far, the journey has been extraordinary, educational and inventive,” the fashionista concluded.