Africa’s is one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Maureen, known as Morin.O in Nigeria, has joined their ranks. We had an opportunity to speak with her about her new venture.
Your designs are beautiful! You design and make your fashion in Nigeria. Tell us of some of the challenges you have faced?
Accessing the kind of skill-sets, to make our products with precision. Generally, there is a wrong mindset about finishing and being thorough. Training and change can be quite strenuous, at times.
Accessing the right kind of funding, at the right time. The terms and conditions can sometimes prove to be near impossible and a distraction to ones work .
Adequate Infrastructure. Inadequate and sporadic power supply has lead to a lack of a conducive work environment to create our products.
How do you overcome those challenges?
By not succumbing to the challenges and looking for innovative and cost-effective ways, to navigate every situation. Also, by constantly training workers and staff.
You recently opened a boutique. Tell us about the experience?
A dream come true! As to the enhancement of the Morin.O brand, the shop is located in an area that other Made In Nigeria brands are showcased. It gives us an opportunity to showcase Nigerian talent and creativity, not only to Nigerians, but to the world.
As a Nigerian fashion designer, what would you like to see more of?
More materials produced and enhanced in Nigeria that are accessible to be used for our designs.
Tell us about the materials you use. How has using materials from Nigeria benefited your country?
We use high-grade leather sourced from Nigerian tanneries. Additionally, we supplement our leather with leather from India and Italy. Our Insistence on using Nigerian leather has further created a renewed interest in how the leather value chain can be enhanced, to grow the Nigerian economy and promote non-oil exports.
What was your motivation to start designing?
I spent over 18-years promoting other crafters. I believed it was time to express my own creativity and abilities, to allow my own talent and passions to be nourished and grow.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change and why?
Hmmmm . . . the timing, strategy, and some aspects of the process.
What’s next in your career? Can you share any projects with us?
New lines and collaborations, with both local and international designers, and much more!
You can find Morin.O on the web and Instagram.
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