Everyone Believes I'll Be A Successful Fashion Designer-- Sa’adatu Lawal Maccido

LA ROBE by Saamaccido is a fashion house located in Abuja. Its CEO, Sa’adatu Lawal Maccido speaks to TMG about her business.

TMG> Tell us about yourself.

Sa’adatu> My name is Sa’adatu Lawal Maccido and I come from Katsina State. I had my elementary education at Model Primary School Asokoro, Abuja, then I went ahead to do my secondary school at Government Girls Secondary School Dutse, Abuja. 
I graduated with a BSc in Business Administration from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger State.

TMG> How long did you nurse the dream of becoming a designer before it became a reality? 

Sa’adatu> I fell in love with fashion and designing back in high school and got the motivation to start designing through sketching and since I was a child. I have always wanted to dress up and look good. My mum and grandmother told me that finding clothes my size was difficult because I'm very petite. I guess spending such long hours with tailors because I had to adjust every clothing I purchased contributed to my love for fashion designing.

TMG> What is your area of interest: designing, tailoring or both? 

Sa’adatu> My area of interest is skewed in designing, tailoring would have been a plus but seeing that it is time consuming, I decided to focus on just designing.

TMG> Did you go to a professional school to acquire the skills and what credentials did you earn through the program?

Sa’adatu> Yes, I  attended a professional school called “Steam and Stitches", where I obtained a certificate of excellence and I was among the best students throughout the period of my learning!

TMG> What type of clients payronise you - men/women; old/young; Nigerians or Western?

Sa’adatu> I am more focused on designs that appeal to the young ladies at the moment, and we are not restricted to just Nigerians.

TMG> Is there a particular reason why you chose this set of clients?

Sa’adatu> Just that the younger generation are more fashionable and exciting to work with.

TMG> Tell us about the very first outfit you designed: Was it for you? What were people's comments about it and how did it make you feel?

Sa’adatu> The very first outfit I designed and created  was for me and it wasn’t easy at all but I made sure the finished product came out well. I was very excited and my instructor was amazed by the work and finishing. Back home everyone saw in me the potential of being a future fashion designer.

TMG>What inspires your designs?

Sa’adatu> Modesty, because I have always wanted to look good in an outfit yet modest, so I get my inspiration from my way of life.

TMG> What is your staff strength like?

Sa’adatu> I’m an upcoming fashion designer so right now I do not have staff of my own.

TMG> Give us an example of someone you have trained or mentored. Where did they start and where are they now?

Sa’adatu> None yet but hoping to do so in near future.

TMG> What challenges do you encounter and how do you handle them? 

Sa’adatu> Although there have been lots of other challenges aside from raising capital, designing has never been easy for me, even though I make sure I balance the two.

TMG> Tell us about your management style and how you handle your Customers?

Sa’adatu> Patience, patience patience!!! I make sure my customers are satisfied after every delivery for a better relationship.

TMG> Tell us about an accomplishment that you are most proud of in your career?

Sa’adatu> Well, I have been able to get myself additional work equipments and also just launched my debut collection “The Minimal Collection “I feel this is my greatest accomplishment so far while hoping for greater things soon.

TMG> Tell us something you would like to learn or improve upon?  

Sa’adatu> Fashion Sketching; although I’ve always known how to sketch, I want to improve on my sketching.

TMG> What other positions have you previously held before going into fashion?

Sa’adatu> I worked at a fashion house  as an assistant ..and also helped manage the entire fashion business.

TMG> Who are your role models and what inspires you about them?

Sa’adatu> My role models are Basma k and my late sister. I got my inspiration from them because of their fashion choice - modern and modest way of dressing at the same time.

TMG> What do you say to your peers in order to encourage them? 

Sa’adatu> To my fellow youths, the feeling of being an entrepreneur is everything; being your own boss, and independent is incomparable to anything else. We are the leaders of tomorrow, we can make a difference by getting involved in the development of the country by creating job opportunities for others.