Inspiration Behind The Fashion Roundtable
Gbemi’s passion for fashion has been lifelong. “I have always been a fashion enthusiast,” she says. She also runs a women’s footwear brand that has existed for over 11 years. “I would sit up way before social media existed to watch red carpet broadcasts of international award shows.”
Last year, she created a social media fashion series called Women’s Fashion Series, where she would visit a brand’s store, try on pieces, and showcase them. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Viewers began seeking outfits, following events, and asking for more content. “People started sending me clothes and paying as well because they saw the traction it was getting and wanted that attention for their brand,” she recalls.
After working with over 50 brands, Gbemi noticed a recurring pattern. Conversations with founders and behind-the-scenes staff revealed insights she had never known. “There are no actual fashion-based talk shows. No show is zeroing in on the fashion industry in Nigeria,” she says. With international attention increasingly focused on Nigerian fashion, Gbemi saw the opportunity to tell the stories of the people powering the ecosystem, not just the designers.
Challenges Facing Creatives
Based on her conversations, Gbemi identifies multiple challenges. For founders, funding is a major hurdle. For non-founders, such as stylists, the lack of training opportunities is a concern. Models face a different set of challenges: breaking into the industry, expanding their careers, and gaining international recognition.
She highlights the peculiar difficulties that Nigerian creatives encounter. “We have had situations where models have done very well, and they want to enter modelling competitions abroad. But the Nigerian passport is not as respected. Infrastructure in Nigeria also adds challenges.”
Yet alongside challenges, Gbemi is keen to showcase successes. She recalls a brand owner who initially sold 25,000–35,000 outfits annually but later surpassed 250,000. “Nobody knows these stories,” she notes. The Fashion Roundtable aims to provide a closer, deeper look at fashion beyond aesthetics, highlighting both triumphs and struggles.
Beginning Her Creative Journey
Gbemi’s footwear brand was inspired by personal experience. “It was difficult for women who were bigger than a size 41 to find shoes,” she explains. Being in that category herself—she wears size 43—she began sourcing shoes during travels and eventually created her own designs. Today, her brand offers shoes up to size 47, filling a market gap and giving women stylish options previously unavailable.
Her media career, which began in 2005, spans radio, TV, and digital platforms. Merging this experience with her fashion business made launching a content platform like The Fashion Roundtable a natural evolution. “As an entrepreneur, I know the pain points, and I am willing to hear more,” she says.
Advice for Young Creatives
Gbemi stresses the importance of mentorship and learning the business side of fashion. Funding is challenging, and institutions often require a track record before providing loans. Young creatives should consider interning or working with experienced professionals in their field to build both skill and credibility.
She notes that while knowledge is crucial, young Nigerian creatives also face unique challenges tied to local economic and infrastructural realities. Navigating these hurdles successfully requires guidance, resilience, and practical experience.
Sustainability, Recycling, and African Fabrics
Gbemi also weighs in on sustainability and fabric use. She points out that many fabrics considered “African,” such as Ankara and lace used for Owambe events, are imported. However, local innovators are now producing and printing fabrics in Nigeria, offering exclusivity without relying on foreign suppliers. “One of the guests on the show creates fabric from scratch in Nigeria,” she shares.
Regarding recycling and upcycling, Gbemi sees a cultural shift. Younger Nigerians, especially Gen Z, are creatively restyling fabrics inherited from parents or purchased previously, often showcasing them on social media platforms like TikTok. She sees this as a positive movement toward sustainable fashion and cultural expression, which The Fashion Roundtable will explore further.
Policy and Industry Growth
Gbemi emphasizes that fashion is not just creativity but also a key economic sector. Research she has reviewed suggests that Nigeria’s fashion industry contributes nearly $6 billion to GDP, yet there is room for growth. She calls for policies that educate entrepreneurs on financial management, business scalability, and industry best practices.
“We need to ask: what policies should we put in place? How can the government help? How do we educate fashion entrepreneurs to make wiser financial decisions?” she asks. She highlights the balance between creativity and business acumen, noting that fashion must be both expressive and profitable.
The Future of Nigerian Fashion
With The Fashion Roundtable, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi aims to provide a platform for unsung heroes of Nigerian fashion—designers, stylists, models, and fabric innovators. By highlighting their stories, successes, and challenges, the series brings accountability, insight, and depth to an industry often judged solely by aesthetics.
Gbemi’s vision is clear: Nigerian fashion can achieve global prominence if creativity is matched with business strategy, mentorship, sustainability, and policy support. Through her platform, she is shaping a narrative that celebrates not just the glamour of fashion but the work, innovation, and resilience behind the seams.