NAN-ELS-2
Materials
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Dec. 16 (NAN) Some fashion
designers in Lagos on Friday lamented over the rising costs of sewing materials and other accessories used in their line of business.
The fashion designers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in interviews said that the increase was a result of the prevailing high foreign exchange rate.
A market survey conducted by NAN revealed that a pack of threads which usually cost N150 now go for N200 or up to N250, depending on the colour.
A cloth lining popularly known as “Aba lining’’ which previously sold for N110, now sells for N150, and a pack of sewing needles which sold for N600 currently sells for N800.
Also, a yard of gum stall and padded material which usually costs N80 and N250, respectively, now goes for N120 and N350 in the market.
A pack of ordinary glittering stone which usually goes for N800 is now N1,100 while a pack of “original stone’’ is now N10, 000 against its former price of N9,000.
Sewing machines that were previously sold within the price range of N25, 000 to N30, 000 now go for N35, 000 to N40, 000 depending on the brand.
Sarah Afariogun, a fashion designer in Ikotun, told NAN that the development had made her to increase the amount she her charged her clients.
Afariogun added that some of her clients now preferred simple styles that cost less and affordable to them.
“Before, I used to charge N3, 000 to N4,000 for a skirt and blouse, depending on the style, but now, I charge N5000 and above to make the same styles.
“What most of my client request for now is a simple gown that will cost less,’’ she said.
Abigail Daniel, a designer in Ajegunle area of Lagos, said that the prevailing high exchange rate in the nation had taken its toll on the business.
Daniel added that in the past, most sewing materials were made in Nigeria and were easily affordable.
“The increase in the prices of sewing materials started about four to five months ago when this issue of naira exchange rate to the dollar started.
“Now things are just getting out of hand on a daily basis.
“Normally, towards the festive periods, there used to be slight increase in sewing materials but what is happening now is not pleasant.
“If we have companies here in Nigeria that produces these goods like what obtained in the past, they would definitely have had a positive impact on the economy,’’ she said.
In the same vein, Mudashiru Taofik, a unisex fashion designer in Mushin, told NAN that the situation was not encouraging for the business.
“Presently my profit has reduced because I now spend more money on materials than I used to , and there are other bills like rent and electricity.
“But at the same time, I don’t want to lose some of my clients by charging them too high,’’ he added. (NAN)
KOA/ERO/PIO
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Idonije Obakhedo)