There have been several efforts by reputable fashion designers in the country to set up workshops, seminars, webinars, and events for the purpose of impacting budding designers. Many of these seminars rightly discuss fashion ideologies like the preservation of the African fashion heritage, while the workshops mostly train on the use of machines and the application of technical skills that are mostly in tune with modern tailoring tools. Titilope Adeniyi’s brainchild, The Tiwa n Tiwa Skill Acquisition project, takes a different approach. The program is open to upward fashion prospects from the ages of thirteen, but the idea is to train them on handcrafting skills that date to the olden days. We are talking about the handmade embroidery of Northern Nigeria, fabric/cloth weaving, hand knitting, and batik making.

Titilayo explained, “In trying to make promote our textile sector and preserve our fashion heritage, we cannot decide to dispose the fundamentals that set them in motion. There is no doubt that the use of advanced technological design and sewing equipment enable proficiency, however, it is arguable whether they enhance traditional aesthetics like handcrafting does. Northern needlework for embroidery for instance tends to add more flair and cultural renaissance to any piece they come on. They are not just programmed details executed by a machine, the skill is intuitive and an expressive form of creative art. Now take into consideration the hand weaving of Aso-oke, sweater knitting and other skills that introduced us to a delightful sense of fashion, and the edge they give us against other fashion industry or cultures. This is the essence of this project – for continuity, and to show upcoming fashion designers that there are different areas they can specialize in.”

This project is a testament to Titilope’s passion for the art and her efforts to diversify fashion from a cultural point of view. The Tiwa n Tiwa Skill Acquisition project has already begun in a few rural secondary schools, with Tittilope collaborating with local fashion vendors and handcrafters to train students who have shown interest. The project will travel across Nigeria, and each applicant will be part of a group mentorship program that will prepare them for the fashion industry. This is such a remarkable scheme. It is a show of leadership and boldness by Titilope, whose journey in the industry is one year shy of half a decade.

It is a delight to experience such ingenuity and realize that Tolulope’s mission will uphold the upward trajectory of the fashion industry and contribute to the artistic aspect of talent development in the industry. We are excited about it and look forward to seeing how this shapes the future of design in Nigeria and across Africa.