EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
‘I Modeled for Over 25 Years’–Frank Osodi, Nigeria’s leading famous Fashion Designer
…Won African Model of the Year
* Untold Story of How He Produced First Black Miss World
* Designs in Hot Demand on Local and International Scene
*Reveals His Source of African Fabrics
*Plans West African Fashion Week coming up soon
*Why he Had Wanted to be a Recording Artist
*PLUS: Unpublished Childhood Aspiration to become ‘Micheal Jackson of Africa’
FRANK OSODI RICHARD is a familiar face in most homes of elites in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. Having modeled successfully during his youthful days for over 25 years and won award as ‘African Model of the Year’, he has taken his ambition higher by bringing to life HOUSE OF BUNOR CREAZIONI which has become the most famous fashion designing firm in Nigeria where celebrities easily identifies. In this Exclusive Interview, this widely traveled Nigerian designer whose work is being celebrated on several local and international fashion shows talk about how he made Agbani Darego, then Nigerian girl to become First Black Winner of Miss World, success behind his designs, achievements and many others.
BY RICHARD OLANREJU/Fashion Staff Writer, Abuja
Q: How will describe the Fashion Industry in Nigeria?
The Nigerian fashion industry has evolved over time despite all the challenges the industry has been facing with respect to government support regarding production, international marketing and exposure.
Q: Will you say professional fashion designers under Fashion Designers
Association of Nigeria (FADAN) are immune to the prevailing inflationary
economy?
I wouldn’t say that you are right , however some designers are still fully in business while a whole lot are struggling with orders as you know, Nigerians are beginning to prioritize as far as the spending goes these days.
Q: In the last one year, how will you describe the success achieved by House of Bunor Creazioni?
Well, I must say that we are also feeling the pinch but by God’s grace we have been able to maintain our clientele base and won a few good ones too.
Q: Can you take us through the high-points of your Fashion Career?
Well I must say that I have been blessed enough to dress some of the most beautiful women in this world. That includes honorable first ladies past and present, international and local beauty queens, socialites, business women, elegant and fashionable mothers and girls too. My design outfit is recognized locally and internationally. We have featured in top fashion shows and fashion weeks all over the world. I have had the opportunity to work with the best hands all over and I have also had to dine and wine with those that matter in this world. So I have really enjoyed my job as a designer.
Q: How did you make the First Black Miss World, Agbani Darego, a Nigerian
to have won that prestigious award?
She (Agbani Darego) happens to be a contestant I took a particular interest in as an ambassador of goodwill while she was in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant camp. That is to say that I already had thought of what would fit her most before she won and was handed over to me by Mrs JOAN IGBUSO who was the pageant manager then, to groom and costume her for the international pageants.
I groomed and dressed her up for the MISS UNIVERSE, where she won the BEST CONTESTANT ON THE INTERNET AWARD and when she got back we continued the grooming in the areas of catwalk, composure, question and answer sessions for the MISS WORLD. We came about the green dress as a result of the fact that she was very young and stunning, just like a virgin land with a lot of great prospects and of course she was representing her homeland Nigeria. We tried hard to make sure that the silhouette of the dress does not take away from her naturally endowed features.
Q: How do you source for African materials for your designs?
I sincerely source for my fabrics everywhere, locally and internationally. There are a lot of African fabrics that does not come into Nigeria but you can find them out there. Just like there are some fabrics produced locally that are not for export.
Q: Have you ever modeled, since you have the looks?
I modeled for over twenty five years!! I was a celebrated model in Africa! I won the AFRICA BEST MALE MODEL AWARD in Africa from the FAWAZ PEOPLE IN PICTURES’ Africa model awards, which was presented to me by the then Africa’s most glamorous actress BARBARA SOKY.
I was the face for MACLEAN TOOTHPASTE, KESSING SHEEN HAIR PRODUCTS, JEANS PERFUME, ABC WAX PRINT, and a host of other brands. I have also modeled for top fashion designers like PRINCESS INTERNATIONAL, MAUFECHI, LABANELA, DAKOVA, SUPREME STITCHES, BIMBYLADS, BOBOGEE, LAUREL FASHIONS and a whole lot more!!!! I paid my dues in that industry so now I run my own premium model management company known as BUNOR MODELS.
Q: What led you into embracing fashion design as a career?
I never thought I would be a designer. I was influenced by my Mum as a teenager when she used to make me and my immediate siblings join her when she is making her personal working dresses. However I was very artistic growing up. I used to draw on everything and every space I saw. So working closely with my Mum got attracted to the sketches on the patterns she used to buy and bring home. In no time I was already selling my sketches and helping to get some tailors to bring the designs to life.
I was given an opportunity to work with princess international designs. When I left, some of the costumers started searching for me and then one of them located my home, dropped off some fabrics and good money and says I don’t want to know what, how and which way you will get them done as long as you get them ready. The money was very tempting even when I had told her I was not going to go into sewing cloths. After she left, I looked at the money and, the very beautiful and exquisite fabrics she left behind, I knew right there and then I have to get these sorted. Since then I never looked back.
Q: Then as a young boy, what were your aspirations in life?
As a young boy all I wanted to do was be the next Michael (Jackson) in Africa. I could sing, I wrote a lot of songs, I wanted to be discovered so badly. I still have not forgotten the desire to have my voice out there.
Q: The Award Committee members of NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER marking its
4th Year Anniversary revealed that you, David Kolawole Vaughan (Dakova) and Kese Jabari are now finalists as ‘African Fashion Designer of the Year’, if you win this award, what will be your message to Nigerians and African fashion lovers?
I will thank the Almighty God for blessing me this much and tell the government to invest time and money into giving Nigerian designers’ textile manufacturers’ international exposure. The government must set up a body whose job should be to monitor standardization of production. I will also like to thank the organizers of the award for recognizing professionals and their impute towards putting Nigeria on the international map.
Q: What other Fashion Projects are you working on presently?
I am currently working on WEST AFRICA FASHION WEEK which I have registered over the years. We are sourcing for sponsors supporters. By God’s grace we should debut early next year
Q: Who is Frank Osodi outside the Fashion Industry world?
Frank is just a simple man. I love everything in their simplest and natural forms. My second religion is LOVE. I appreciate people a lot and I like to be appreciated. I love music too and I love to host my beloved friends.
Q: Finally, what lessons has life taught you?
Life has taught me that prayers, simplicity, humility, hard work and focus are the key to fulfillment and success.
