To many who are familiar with his background, education and upbringing, Evans Akere’s path in life seemed clear and unobstructed. With a famous lawyer father and himself having studied law at the University and having attended Law School in Lagos and Called to Bar, one can conclude that he had completed the motion. And it was a foregone conclusion that he would live life a lawyer. But he took a radical step to becoming a fashion designer. In this interview with thelaurel.com.ng, he took his time to explain his “long walk” to fame as a creative designer, why it was easy for him to turn his back on the prestigious practice of law and how Lagos lured him as a youngster.
When did you embrace fashion?
That was when I was studying law. I found out that something was not right. I found it difficult to fit in as a law student because I was too elaborate in my dressing. Back then as a law student, you have to dress corporate in black and white but I like to express myself in my dressing. I like colours. I remember when I was in Law School during my compulsory court attachments. I was walked out of court by a Senior Advocate because of the way I was dressed. I wore a purple shirt and a purple tie to court. The judge wanted to take it up that I will not graduate from Law School. I never practised law or go to courts. I finally made up my mind to do fashion after my Call to the Bar. I did not practice.
How was your early stage as a designer?
My brother was my first client. I was living with him at Yaba. I sketched designs. I was scared; I didn’t know how to start. I didn’t even have a mentor, I didn’t even know what to do (it was even after I had established that I went to a fashion school.) My brother just got tired of this sketching every day and asked me what I needed to start. How much would it cost? That was how I started.
I made stuff for him and when his friends asked him, he told them ‘Lawyer made it’. That was how I started through referrals and the rest is history. After a while, I discovered I wasn’t as passionate about the female line. I had to streamline and focus on men’s wear. I was doing suits, jackets, trousers and shirts.
I discovered that I was getting more patronage for traditional wears than the English wear. Traditional wear is where the money is coming from. After a while, I focused on the traditional wears and that’s why the brand is called Urban African Wear.
Given the brand’s prominence, do you mentor people or have a fashion school?
Yes. We have a mentorship program in place. Most of these young designers come around. There are lots of young female designers that settle for men’s wear. I deal one-on-one with them but I don’t have the time now. I think we have done two mentorship programs now. Last year was twice and now the demand is high.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Benin. I had my education there, secondary and university education. I attended Law School in Lagos and after graduation, I just stayed back in Lagos.
From a lawyer to a designer, were you at some point stubborn or rascally growing up?
My dad says I was because we were always having issues. The issue then was that I was too independent. I needed freedom from an early age, I wanted to be my person and do my own thing. In terms of being rascally or violent, I was not. Back then, he wanted me to stay behind when my brothers were going out. He wanted me to help out in the law firm. During holidays, he would want me to go to work with him since I was studying law. But I had other plans because I wanted to be in Lagos.
