allure 27022022

INTERVIEW
Folashade Balogun:
Showcasing African Fashion Globally
Words By - Yemisi Suleiman
The launch of her fashion brand House of SOTA, about six years ago, saw Folashade
Balogun boldly stamp her arrival on the Nigerian and international fashion scene.
Discovering her creative flair earlier in life, Shade as she’s simply called did not follow her
gift, until, after a stint in the oil and gas sector. Launched with the aim to promote African
clothing globally, House of SOTA designs depicts a rich African cultural heritage, influenced by
African and western fashion. With stores in the US and different cities across Nigeria, she services a
diverse range of clients addressing their needs both domestically and internationally, while feeding
the diaspora market with the much sought-after African wears.
She shares with Allure her passion and love for the African brand, her very humble background,
and breaking new grounds.
You recently celebrated; Black History Month with
the launch of your spring collection. Does it have
any correlation with Black History Month in the US
and the UK? What does it mean to you?
Yes, it does. Actually, Black History Month is
celebrated in America, Canada, and the UK in October.
It is all about celebrating us, our historical background,
and a more formal time, to remember and honour those
who came before us. It is a very significant event for me
because; I believe we should celebrate ourselves as
Africans. If we don’t celebrate ourselves nobody will.
I have been in this business for the past six years.
We have a store in America, and over the years, I found
out that white Americans love our brands, what we do,
and what we wear. As a matter of fact, the Kaftans that
our men wear here are called African suit, and I have
white clients who come to my shop to buy them.
As blacks, we do not appreciate what we have. I
took it upon myself to always rock African attire
whenever I am travelling, and whenever these people
see me in my Ankara, they are like, “oh wow, this is so
beautiful”. Two years ago, I was wearing one of my
designs made with adire and aso oke, I was on a flight
from Orlando to Las Vegas when I stood up to use the
toilet, the air hostess followed me to the toilet, just to
appreciate what I was wearing. She asked where I got it
from, I told her it was from me, she went on-site and
bought it. If these people want to be us, and we are
trying to be like them, then I think something is wrong
somewhere. So Black History month for me is so
significant. I love what we have and I have to celebrate
Africa proudly. I do not believe that any other foreign
brand is better.
So what is it like running a business in Nigeria and
the US, how would you compare both, marketwise?
Lots of bills, believe me, we are really enjoying in
Nigeria. In America, you have to pay your tax, you have
to pay your rent, you have to pay lots of bills but, guess
what; the market is there. That is what has kept us going.
People love what they see, they love what we are selling.
However, it has not been easy, especially with the
exchange rate.
So how do you deal with the exchange rate issue?
As I said, it is not easy but we try to strike a balance.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
Sometimes, it could be around me, when I see
someone, for instance, what you are wearing is a
beautiful style, and it could be nice in Ankara or Aso-ebi,
then I could twist it a bit. Sometimes I could be watching
a movie and I get an idea. My inspiration comes from
anywhere and everywhere. So it is just a gift from God.
What do you love about being a designer?
I love the fact that I make people happy, and
comfortable with what they wear. Most of our designs are
casuals, but even in our casuals, you look chic and
trendy. Anywhere I walk into, even if it is a birthday, or a
wedding, party there is always a wow factor. Again when
people say they love what I am are wearing, that makes
me happy. I love putting smiles on people’s faces.
What could be the most uncomfortable about the
job?
I don’t like it when I am trying to make a client happy
and the client would not have it or just refuses to be
happy. You know that there are some clients that are like
that. They complain about everything. That is why most
of the time, we don’t do bespoke. I only make bespoke
for people very close to me, people who understand
what we do. I prefer you to go to our store to pick what
you want, with that; we don’t get to have problems.
Before fashion you were into oil and gas, why did
you leave oil and gas for fashion?
I am still into oil and gas. I have a filling station. The
oil and gas industry is not really as lucrative as when I
started. When I started oil and gas, it was very profitable.
But right now, a lot has changed. Again, it is about
following my passion. I have a strong passion for fashion
and decided to fulfill my dream.
What was growing up like for you, especially coming
from two different ethnic groups?
I speak Yoruba and Igbo very well. My mother is
from Ondo State, while my father was from Imo state. He
died during the war. He was a naval officer. My mother
single-handedly, trained all of us.
And what in your upbringing informed the woman
you are today?
Growing up was very tough, it wasn’t easy because I
lost my father early. And in those days, the Igbos were
very strict with their widows. When a husband dies, they
strip the woman naked, they take everything away from
her and she is left alone. That was the same thing that
happened to my mother. So my childhood wasn’t really
interesting, we were all living in a one-room apartment
and she had to do so many things, just so she could take
care of us. She used to sew. She has a chemist, she is
still alive. My mom is very creative too, and she loves
fashion too. I can say I got that from her, looking at her
then as a teenager, inspired me a lot. I grew up in
Mushin, and I must say that the Mushin in me is really
helping me. It is good to be street-wise. When you are
streetwise even when you are facing any challenge you
look at it as one of those things. My upbringing has really
impacted my life greatly.
What is the most memorable thing that comes to
mind anytime you remember growing up in Mushin?
4 / February 27, 2022