A fast rising fashion entrepreneur, Olajumoke Mafolasire on Tuesday spoke about the importance of sticking with indigenous designs, as it could help put local designers on the world map.

At a time when the Nigerian entertainment industry, especially music and film, is at all-time high, gaining recognition across the world, Olajumoke, the CEO of JMK design believes that it is just as important for fashion designers to retain their genuineness in order to attain similar heights.

She says that Nigerian designers can showcase their indigenous designs by including their unique cultural materials and techniques during creation.

Olajumoke who has built a modest brand for herself, mostly infusing the Yoruba feel into her bridal wears, emphasises the uniqueness of locally-sourced fabrics.

“Our local fabrics have in the past been made into designs such as danshiki, boubou, agbada and kaftans.

“I think it is important that even as we look to appeal to foreign world, we must not neglect our past and culture.

“As much as possible, I also try to infuse it in my modern designs. Our culture should stand us out.”

The CEO, in the same vein, also called on the government to continue to invest in fashion festivals as a way of amplifying the works of local designers.

“Other state governors must look to emulate the annual Calabar Festival in their respective states,” she added.