By Meet Folashade Thomas Okoya Nigeria’s Fashion Pioneer
Many have asked who the person who started the boutique business in Nigeria was. The answer to this is Shade Thomas. Folashade Thomas Okoya, Victoria Omoronike Aduke Folashade Okoya, was the Pioneer of Nigerian Fashion and Boutique enterprise.
Folashade Thomas, daughter of the popular business mogul, Okoya Thomas was born on September 22, 1933. In one of many interviews Shade Thomas granted, she narrated on her journey into the fashion world.
Upon arriving in London, she reached Edgware Road and was captivated by the mannequins and diverse fashion displays. According to Shade, the experience felt like destiny to her. She knew instantly that this was her calling, and she resolved to bring the fashion she saw back to Nigeria, setting up the first Boutique in Lagos Nigeria.
Returning home on July 7, just in time for the independence ceremony on October 1st. A period fashion was still new in the country, and she established herself by organizing fashion shows to raise funds for various charitable causes, such as aiding the blind. She was more than happy to contribute in this way.
Princess Margaret was there to see the glamorous presentation. The Nigerian look, a mixture of traditional and modern that were made for each other. Behind the scenes, Nigerian designer Shade Thomas assisted with the production which brought to London some of the world’s top models representing commonwealth countries.
What's your reaction?
Excited
0
Happy
0
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0
