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Omotola Oni is the face behind NinetoNine Clothing, a fashion house located in Lagos, Nigeria that produces practical and fashionable pieces made from locally sourced fabric.
Omotola started NinetoNine Clothing over 12 years ago while in college, buying clothes and sending to family and friends in Nigeria to help her sell. But her business took a big hit during the foreign exchange crisis of 2016 – it became quite difficult buying clothes overseas to sell in Nigeria. Not one to give up, she decided to start creating her own designs in Nigeria using locally sourced fabrics and employing skilled tailors.
Despite being able to source fabric locally and having skilled tailors, Omotola admits that doing business in Nigeria is very challenging. Lack of adequate power supply, staff attrition and meeting client expectations are a few of the many challenges she has faced and is still facing.
In addition to running NinetoNine Clothing, Omotola is a Lawyer and works as a Company Secretary/Legal Officer at a property development and management company in Lagos.
One thing Omotola wishes they had taught her in the University and Law School is that law as taught in school is different from law practice. This is because lawyers are usually taught at the University and Law School to think in a particular way, but actual practice requires some form of reorientation and relearning.
On whether law and fashion are related in any way, Omotola says, “Everything is related to law to be honest. I would definitely say my knowledge of law has equipped me to structure my fashion business. I earned a masters degree in E- Commerce, Privacy and Telecommunications Law and I have been able to apply the knowledge I acquired to my business. Being a lawyer in the fashion industry certainly makes you a different kind of designer”.
Her advice for anyone who is a Lawyer and wants to follow his/her passion is, “Make sure you have the right structure in place so you are not distracted by your side hustle, because once your side hustle starts to distract you from you full time job, it is only natural you feel the need to choose between the two.”
