By Yinka Oyekunle
In 1998, Folake Folarin-Coker launched Tiffany Amber, revolutionizing the Nigerian fashion industry. Born in Lagos, Folake schooled in Switzerland, England and Scotland; then relocated to Nigeria in 1998 to become a lawyer. Despite holding a masters degree in Petroleum Law, her love for fashion reigned supreme over all. Having spent most of her childhood in Europe exploring different cultures, she successfully translated her passion to the foremost fashion brand in Africa with outstanding global recognition.
In 2008, in addition to her main line, Folake extended her creative borders by adding two more lines under Tiffany Amber Nigeria; TAN by Tiffany Amber (Diffusion Line) and Folake Folarin (Couture Line). Each line is distinctive but together represents the designer’s iconic style.
In 2008, Folake for the first time, showcased at the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week in New York. The collection was heralded by such rave review that Folake was invited to showcase for the second time making her the first African-based designer to showcase for two consecutive seasons at the New York Fashion Week.
Folake Folarin-Coker won designer of the year at the African Fashion International (AFI) in 2009 in Johannesburg. The AW 2011 Fearless Luxury collection won “Fashion Brand of the year” at the Arise Magazine Fashion Week. The brand is, without a doubt, fast becoming the premier African lifestyle brand.
Her brand has clocked 15 and as a means of celebration,Folake Coker unveiled 15 Women of Vision in partnership with Diamond Woman at Exclusive Event on Saturday October 11, 2014. They are inspirational women who have all strived to make a mark in their individual fields, on the list are Ife “Cuppy” Otedola, Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, Funke Opeke, Ola Orekunrin, Eku Edewor, Peju Alatise, Uche Majekodunmi, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Adenike Ogunlesi, Oluchi Onweagba Orlandi, Maryam Augie, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Omoyemi Akerele, Uche Pedro and Jumoke Oduwole.
They are to mentor selected Nigerians on business and the campaign is expected to run for the next five years. After a year-long period, the mentees shall graduate from the scheme and will be assisted in spearheading their dream careers.
Folake Coker spoke more on the campaign and her luxury brand.
“This is a very difficult business to do, before now people believe women should stay indoors and a stitch clothes, make dresses. Now we have multinational companies investing in the business, every street now has tailors working, it’s one of the biggest main stay of world economy it’s just that we don’t write down what we earn. Fashion is a huge business in Nigeria; we are hiring South Africans and other nationals.
I didn’t do my 10th anniversary, when I started Tiffany Amber in 1998 I was a young girl with a dream, over the years I became a woman with a vision, now I am very clear about where I want to take the brand to that is the reason for the 15th anniversary. We might even do 16th or 20th. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the brand, I thought to myself I should give back to the society and what occurred to me was this women of vision programme. One of the most fulfilling moments of my career has been the incredible women I have come across in my journey, they have mentored me, encouraged me, empowered me and I thought I needed to share them with the world.
The choice of the women we want is that we want those within our control, I can’t choose a minister or a local government chairman; they already carry a lot of loads on their heads. I choose Jumoke Oduwole because of education; she is a lecturer at the University of Lagos. I think she is someone special a lot of people are looking up to her. It is the first edition we are still learning, It is a long term project. If 50 people comes out successful and we have another 50 we will be proud of ourselves.”
She mentioned two major qualities the mentors would be looking out for in the protegees- potentials and seriousness. “People want to make quick money nowadays and there is no short cut to success. They will also be looking for individual talents, if you don’t have any talent, it will be a waste of time for the mentors and the mentees. We hope a lot of people will come out from this programme successful.”