Books serve as significant sources of information and play a crucial role in intellectual development. During childhood in Ikeja, my brother and I frequently purchased a diverse range of books from Julie Pharmacy and Masco Supermarket. One memorable title was “The Irish Famine” by Elizabeth Byrd, which provided a poignant account of starvation in Ireland. The breadth of our reading material enabled us to engage in regular discussions and reviews together.
My love for books eventually led me to another passion: fashion. Building on my childhood reading experiences, I pursued studies at a design college in Manchester, where I devoured everything I could about fashion designers, especially the legendary French couturiers. After graduating, I found joy in exploring bookshops like Waterstones, Daunt, and Foyles, as well as department stores such as Selfridges on Oxford Circus, always on the lookout for beautiful coffee table books on fashion and style. No matter where I traveled, visiting local bookshops was always a highlight.
Kinokuniya bookshop in Dubai mall, My favourite hunt for fashion books.
Book on African textile “Adire”
As I immersed myself further, this deep dive into fashion literature, reading fashion biographies, provided substantial insight into the personal and professional challenges and achievements experienced by designers during their career development. These accounts demonstrated early on that a career in fashion is inherently demanding.
When i worked as a costume designer and art director on a UK film, I dashed into Daunts to buy a book by Chinamanda to have it displayed on set.
Waterstones, Piccadilly London
Inspired by these stories, I noticed parallels with my own journey. Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino benefited from business partners who managed their companies, allowing them to focus on design. In contrast, securing financial investment for my own fashion lines proved challenging, despite numerous promises of capital. Consequently, I reinvested all profits into the business, a process that required significant discipline. Reading about American fashion designer Calvin Klein provided a valuable perspective on the necessity of combining creative talent with business acumen for success in the contemporary fashion industry. This understanding prompted ongoing attention to financial management alongside design responsibilities.
The indigo bookshop in Toronto, Canada. They have a beautiful facility, where you can sit down and read any book you like.
Outside Sag harbour bookshop, the Hamptons, New York.
Barnes and Noble another favourite hunt, long island, New York.
Books often reveal valuable insights from designers, which can be both uplifting and inspiring. In the mid-1990s, collections were sold to department stores in the United Kingdom, usually in small quantities per store after buyer evaluations. Although larger orders were preferred, it was necessary to accept the available opportunities. At that time, there were few, if any, Black designers selling collections, yet the garments produced were of high quality and had international appeal, helping entry into the market. The brand name “Ade Bakare” was kept despite buyer reservations, as one buyer noted that the distinctive style would appeal to clients. Recent readings indicate that when Valentino introduced his ready-to-wear line to the American market, initial orders from retailers like Saks, Henri Bendel, and I. Magnin were also limited. This comparison suggests that the experience was not unusual.
Mood fabrics shop, Manhattan. They always have a nice selection of fashion biographies.
Sadly, we do not have books on fashion designers, especially in Nigeria; the few on African designers are written by the West. We need to tell our own stories so the next generation can learn from our mistakes and successes. Instead, what you see on the bookshelves here is “how to become a millionaire“ or get rich quick reads.
With the hostess with the mostess Tundun of Jazzhole bookshop,a brilliant bookshop in Ikoyi Lagos. Great ambience.
I recently wrote a book on Aso Oke, which was inspired by the 1st lady of Lagos State. Dr Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. At a fitting one day in the state house, marina, she quipped Why don’t you write a book on textiles like Aso oke you use often. I guess, as a medical doctor and intelligent, she knew the benefits of such an endeavour. The book took a few years to finish, and she was kind enough to order copies, which she gave out at her Esco annual event in Lagos, as gifts to the guests. It is a well-detailed book that took some staff, friends, and me on a journey to Iseyin, Ibadan, and Abeokuta. It will be available next month in Jazzhole bookstore and Quintessence in Lagos, Nigeria. The book is also currently available on Amazon.
Book I wrote on the fashionable african textile “Aso Oke”
