Introduction
Starting a ready to wear clothing brand in Nigeria was not something I planned from childhood.
It began with frustration.
If you are searching for:
- how to start a ready to wear business in Nigeria
- how to build a ready to wear clothing brand
- ready to wear fashion brand story
- how to start an Ankara dress brand
This is my honest journey.
From Corporate Job to Ready-to-Wear Fashion Designer
Before starting Daisy’s Wardrobe, I worked in a financial institution in Lagos.
It was not a regular 9–5 job.
It was long hours.
Very demanding.
Very structured.
We had to dress corporate every day.
But on Fridays, we could wear African attire — and that changed everything.
Falling in Love with Ankara Fabrics
On dress-down Fridays, many people wore traditional African outfits.
But I wanted something different.
I loved Ankara fabrics because:
- They were vibrant
- They were colorful
- They were bold
- They had personality
I did not want the usual big tops and wrappers.
I wanted fitted, structured, stylish dresses made with Ankara that I could wear confidently to work.
But there was a problem.
The Frustration That Sparked My Ready-to-Wear Idea
At the time, I had a tailor who came to my office to take measurements.
Every single time:
- The fit was wrong
- The bust was tight
- The hips were off
- The waist didn’t sit properly
It became exhausting.
I had deadlines.
I had meetings.
I didn’t have time for constant alterations.
I started asking myself:
“Why can’t I just walk into a store and buy ready-to-wear Ankara dresses that fit properly?”
That question planted the seed.
Identifying a Gap in the Nigerian Ready-to-Wear Market
I realized I was not the only one experiencing this.
Many corporate women in Lagos:
- Wanted stylish Ankara work dresses
- Did not want back-and-forth tailoring
- Wanted something structured
- Wanted something modern
That gap became my opportunity.
I decided I would build a ready-to-wear clothing brand that focused on:
- Structured silhouettes
- Proper sizing
- African-inspired designs
- Ready-to-buy dresses
Starting My Ready-to-Wear Clothing Brand with My Savings
I did not start with investors.
I did not take loans.
I started my ready-to-wear business with my savings from my corporate job.
That decision changed everything.
I found a small retail space.
I set up a workshop.
I bought industrial tailoring machines.
I started small — but I started properly.
The First Year of My Ready-to-Wear Business
The first year surprised me.
I had:
- A tiny shop
- A small workshop
- Few staff
- Limited inventory
But customers came.
Women loved the idea of:
- Buying ready-to-wear Ankara dresses
- Trying them on immediately
- Taking them home the same day
It was the beginning of what is now
Daisy’s Wardrobe
Leaving My Job to Focus Fully on My Fashion Brand
Balancing my corporate job and my ready-to-wear business was difficult.
I had just had a baby.
My priorities changed.
Eventually, I made the decision to leave my job and focus fully on my ready-to-wear clothing brand.
It was scary.
But it was necessary.
And it worked.
