Designer Of The Week: Aderonke Adeaga

TELL us about yourself, growing up, family background, education and all:

My name is Aderonke Adeaga. I hail from Osun State, in the western part of Nigeria. I was raised in Lagos State. I am from a humble family. The first child of my parents. I am a Christian. I’m married with 2 kids.

Growing up was fun-filled as I was provided with almost everything needed for a child to have a hitch-free journey to adult-hood. A holder of LLB and BL from Obafemi Awolowo University & Nigerian Law School respectively, alongside an Msc in Human Resource Management from The Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom and other professional qualifications. In all, growing up was what I’ll describe as an awesome experience.
What Else Do You Do For A Living?

I run a vocational training school called ‘’Tailornimi’’ (meaning I’m a tailor) for fashion designing. The school is of international standard, we also stock up sewing supplies for other fashion schools, and fashion designers.
Please Fill Us In On Your Rise To Fame And How Did It All Start?

It all started as a result of my thirst to be independent and to have my time to myself. Prior to starting ‘Tailornimi’, I worked briefly with a bank and subsequently, a real estate firm. I voluntarily quit my job as a manager partly because I had absolutely no work life balance. I woke at 4am and returned at 8-9pm. My job then sometimes took my weekends off me too. I thought if I give only half of the commitment I give to my employer’s job to mine, chances are that I will excel triumphantly. So I started identifying the things I liked to do and I narrowed it down to fashion designing.

At first, everyone around me thought it didn’t make sense. Why would you want to leave law and human resources and choose to be a tailor? I heard this so often. But then I knew what I wanted and stuck to it. I eventually went back to school to study fashion designing. My intention at first was to cater for client’s wardrobes and sew cloths that fit. But I soon realised I was really good at pattern making and teaching fellow students. So then again, I started narrowing down what aspect of fashion designing I’d like to follow through with, hence, the birth of “Tailornimi” academy.
Which Of Your Many Jobs Excite You The Most?

Teaching i.e running a tailoring school. Empowering people comes with a lot of self-fulfilment. It’s so wonderful when you see people you train come out successful. It generates a huge amount of positive energy for me. I love it.

What Other Areas Of Your Career Are You Looking To Explore?

Becoming a global brand in Nigeria for tailoring supplies. I want every fashion designer or student to be able to order any of their sewing needs online or walk into any of our stores to pick up with ease without having to go to the local markets and at a competitive pricing too. I’d also like to focus more on empowering youths and secondary school students with passion for fashion designing. Why study medicine, law, engineering and then return to fashion designing?

Corporate social responsibility is also key to my vision. “Tailornimi” has successfully trained gatemen and house assistants free of charge. I hope to do more of this. God willing.

You can check out my website: www.tailornimi.com for more information.