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By Vivian Onyebukwa
Patience Igwe, also known as Pat of Patstitches, is not only a Lagos-based fashion designer, but also an entrepreneur and fashion tutor. The Ebonyi State indigene was born and bred in Lagos. She had her primary and secondary education in Lagos State before she proceeded to Ebonyi State University where she acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics Education.
As a result of her interest in fashion, she went to obtain a Diploma in Fashion Designing. Patience currently owns a fashion house/academy in Lagos State where she make unisex attire.
In this interview, she spoke about fashion and her journey into the business.
Tell us why you went into fashion designing?
I had a flair for sewing when I was very young. Then I used to make dresses for my dolls with needle and thread. So basically, I have always had passion for art, culture and sewing. Growing up, I decided to venture fully into fashion designing so as to achieve my lifelong dream for making magic with fabrics and make people look good.
How did you come about your label Patstitches?
Patstitches is a combination of my name, Patience and stitches. Stitches is joining pieces of fabrics into a wearable attire.
What fabric do you feel comfortable working with?
I feel comfortable working with different fabric, but as an African, I prefer working with African prints.
Why?
It’s because it brings out the beauty of African culture and its ability to adapt easily with whatever fabric choice and still turns out effortlessly beautiful. It brings out the work of art in fashion and most importantly, I am an African woman. I love to showcase how African fabrics can be styled in different amazing ways.
Everybody seems to be going into fashion designing now. Why?
Fashion designing can be quite rewarding and fulfilling at the same time.
How lucrative is the business?
It’s highly lucrative. This is because the industry is robust and modernisation has made it mandatory that people move around with their body covered. And over 95 per cent of the world population move around with their body covered with different types of clothes.
What do you think makes your design unique?
Firstly, I am creative, I pay attention to details. I have thorough knowledge of fabric sourcing as well as the style that would go with the fabric. I pay attention to body shape before I do my sketching and draft my pattern. I am very good at drafting patterns and I make sure I have a neat seam finishing.
What is your experience on the job?
Fashion business comes with a mixture of good and gory experience. But for us in Patstitches, we have barely had a bad experience aside the unstable electricity and cost of fuel. We are always detailed and honest and we always try to do only what is possible. We try as much as possible to deliver on record time.
What challenges did you have at the early stages, and how did you surmount them?
A major challenge every new business always has is getting customers to trust your work and have confidence in your art. What we did to gain customers confidence was to ensure we do go through basic cloth-making procedure without skipping any. We start by taking proper measurement, drafting, cutting before joining the fabrics. Adhering strictly to these procedures made our customers clothes to come out nicely and it didn’t take long before we became trusted and we began getting lots of referrals too.
Are skimpy dresses the best for ladies?
It depends on individuals. Just wear what makes you comfortable.
What about those who bare all just because of the saying that, “Flaunt it if you have got it”. Do you support the idea?
I am totally not against it, but just be moderate in all you do.
What makes dressing decent?
Covering up properly, wearing outfits that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
What is style to you?
The dictionary tells us that, “Style” and “Fashion” are the same thing. A style in fashion is expressing yourself through what you wear. It’s a kind of mode of dressing or way of organising your look.
What can you tell those who follow trends?
I will tell them to balance their proportion. Don’t overdo things. Know what fits your body shape. Make sure you are comfortable in whatever you wear, don’t just follow trends. Make sure you don’t look weird. Watch the colours you combine because that is what fashion is about.
Describe the Nigeria fashion industry
The Nigeria fashion industry has grown tremendously over the years. Though it’s still growing, it has been playing an enviable cultural role and it also contributes to the country’s economy, and with the rate at which the industry is growing and lots of Nigeria designers gaining international recognition, I totally believe that the future of Nigerian fashion industry is so bright and very promising too.
The African attire is beginning to dominate the fashion scene. Why do you think so?
That’s because African community in Diaspora are representing the African heritage through African culture. This was not common in the past but with the integration of African prints into a wearable art, African fashion is gradually taking over globally with Nigeria fashion industry at the forefront.
