Five questions with designer Oge Ajiba

Oge Ajiba is a Vancouver fashion designer with a focus on inclusive sizing and creating eco-friendly pieces. We sat down with her for a rapid-fire Q & A. She covers what she wished she knew before starting her fashion brand and what she's learned since launching.

What did you wish you knew before starting your own line?

One thing I wish I knew before starting a business is the real cost of fashion. The fashion industry is so glamorized that the work that goes into it is not talked about enough. There are prototypes, different methods, and a raft of trial and error that go into every garment you own. From inspiration, design, fabric sourcing, pattern making, grading, and multiple sample making, to fittings, model sourcing, and photoshoots — the list goes on. I believe showing and talking about all these processes will encourage people to appreciate their clothing — to love each and every garment for all the effort put into making them — and support small businesses.

What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned since you opened your line?

The greatest lesson I have learned since owning my business is growing patience, staying consistent, enjoying the process and prioritizing my mental health and that of my team.

What is your design process? How do you come up with and implement your designs?

I love colours and I love patterns. The more the better. While the silhouette I want to wear depends on my mood, I do love gathers, ruffles and large puffy sleeves (a mainstay in my label). I love playing with the opportunity to have multiple looks from one garment. So they can either be worn in many different ways or can be styled in different ways depending on the weather.

What Inspires your work?

Achieving comfort in one’s body while still being fashionable is the ethos of my brand. After graduating from Design School, I wanted to focus on slow fashion. And that meant whatever I created must cater to different seasons, and different occasions as well as be comfortable. While I can’t name a brand or designer as an inspiration, I can say that everyday people are those who drive me to create these pieces. My studio space has a window that faces a busy street and just observing the people outside allows me to understand the needs of the people and what they like in their existing apparel.

What is the most important skill you need as a business owner in a creative field?

Here are a few important skills I will advise anybody in the creative field to have. Problem-solving, communication skills, business management, strategic thinking, and most importantly, the ability to plan ahead.