I just couldn't give up on ME - Esther Yaji

The Fruit Tree Magazine
Nov 29, 2017
7 min read

Updated: Sep 30, 2022

Please state your full names and tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Esther Yaji, Tiv by tribe from Benue State. I am a graduate of theater Arts, Benue State University. I'm also the founder and creative director of Esther Yaji Designs.

ON HER PERSONALITY

What were your hopes and dreams growing up as a child?

Growing up in a town like Makurdi, I never really had dreams and hopes other than just becoming a graduate and getting married as most little girls dream. But as I got older I realized there was more to life than just that. I noticed I had the love for designing pieces and making people look good. I don't know about guys but for ladies, when you put on a good outfit it boosts your self-confidence. That was when I knew that my hopes and dreams were to be a fashion designer.

What other passions do you possess

I also have a passion in acting (though am very shy lol) and modeling. Although I feel like I am bigger than the regular model size. My love for designing I guess has overshadowed the others but if push comes to shove, those two is what ill probably be doing.

What instigated your fashion career?

Growing up I have always loved to wear beautiful clothes and back then tailors found it very difficult to bring out my designs or as usual, disappoint when you need to wear the clothes. Plus, the need to make every Esther Yaji lady feel as confident as ever.

Confidence is the new beauty you know. I saw that it is also a lucrative business venture so I decided.

What are the challenges you’ve faced as an aspiring designer?

My challenges just like any other business varies with time, initially it was finance to start up, then getting a space to build, then it was getting a bigger space as my clientele increased. So, it basically just varies like life. There is always a challenge at each turning point but having the ability to push forward makes all the difference.

How did you overcome them?

I never stopped, I kept pushing and praying. My sisters also have a role to play. We are very close and each time I get frustrated and just want to stop everything, they always give me words of encouragement.

How did you find the experience and exposure?

I got my experience and exposure working. I worked for a couple of years with fashion designers, I got to learn a lot about the business side of fashion which is deeper than just making outfits. Working gave me a whole lot of exposure to things I never knew while I was still learning in fashion school.

Was there a time you wanted to give up?

Yes, there were definitely times i wanted to give up , after I resigned I got a place with the little I had saved and started my own clothing line but few months later i was robbed and they took everything , at that point I gave up and went back to Benue. But back home I was not satisfied, I felt like a failure and so I prayed and then returned back to Lagos and started all over again. Wasn't easy though but worth it

In view of all your difficulties, what kept you going?

My faith in God and my determination in my dreams kept me going. My Mum is also one of the reasons I never give up, thinking of how difficult it was for her to pay my fashion fees, I was determined to do her proud.

What’s the one thing people do not know about you?

I'm not as tough as I look and act. I am actually quite emotional and soft hearted.

If you could change an aspect of your life, what would that be?

I won't change anything about my life, though there are a couple of situations I would have wished happened or I handled differently but then everything I went through only made me stronger and a better person.

Due to some very obvious reasons, the youths of today are lacking faith in our educational system. How has your educational background played a pivotal role in helping you succeed?

Education gives you an edge in whatever you do because you are more informed than the next person without an education. So my advice is, whatever you want to be In life you still need a solid foundation which is education. Education is not just about studying, going through the system teaches you etiquettes, courtesy, human relations and a lot more that will make you stand out.

ON HER CAREER

What inspires you as a fashion designer and are there people you look up to?

I get my inspiration from our indigenous environment and culture, most of my works are a mixture of English and our local fabrics (Ankara, adire, Benue local knitted material). These colors combine to make my work stand out. There are a few people I look up to professional, my former boss WanaSambo, LanreDaSiva, Style Temple.

Which of your designs would you consider as the most inspirational to you?

Please give reasons.

I think it would be my recent collection T0AK2017. It was very personal to me as I made sure every detail on each piece had a meaning or represented the struggles I had faced starting up the business.

Tell us about your fashion label.

The name of my fashion label is EstherYaji, it's actually my full names, I chose that name for the brand because it represents me which is elegant, confident and sexy. Every of my pieces represents an elegant, confident and sexy lady. We deal in ready to wear and bespoke lady’s’ wears ranging from corporate outfits, casual, traditional and evening dresses. The brand focuses on the quality of our products and the comfort of our clients.

What episode of your fashion career would you term as the most challenging?

The most challenging for me is having Monitor production and at the same time deal with other pressing jobs, most times I have to do everything by myself, not that my staffs are not good but no one can bring out your designs better than you . So, I multi-task myself to doing everything within a limited time.

In working with some of Nigeria’s celebrities, what’s the one thing you cherish the most?

Seeing my pieces on them is something I really cherish but what I cherish more is getting good feedback. When a client loves what you make is the best feeling ever.

With all you’ve achieved so far as a fashion designer, would you say you’ve had a satisfying career?

I have achieved quite a lot but I still have a whole lot I need to achieve moving forward. So, I would say I have worked hard but there is more to be done which is for the world to know that I was here, want to leave a footprint for others to follow.

Would you say it’s harder being a female designer in Nigeria and does it come with peculiar challenges?

Definitely not, there are more female fashion designers than males I think. They say if snake bites a man then it's not news but when a man bites snake then it is news. For men, I think it would be more pressure since people are used to women being the fashion designers.

In view of your experience, what ‘bitter truth’ would you give to aspiring designers?

The journey is deeper than just making beautiful clothes. You will lose money and sleep for the first few months but just keep at it, keep pushing for you can never tell if all it needs is just that one more push.

What does creativity mean to you and what influence your creativity?

My environment and culture

As a celebrity designer, have you ever encountered issues on the job?

If yes, how did it make you feel?

Yes, I have encountered issues and I felt really bad but nothing comes easy without its challenges. But whatever challenge it is you have to face it and deal with it .and most importantly your clients are your number one priory. No matter what happens the end result is to make them satisfied with your work.

We’ve seen fashion designers come and go, what sets your work apart?

The quality and details I give to my work makes it stand out. For example, every designer makes and averagely good pants but my ability the add up a good detail and quality finishing to mine makes it stand out. etc.

Detail is everything for me.

Do you ever feel pressured on the job?

There is a lot of pressure on the job, when you have a lot of orders to deliver within a short period of time. we definitely cannot say no to our clients so we have to deliver. And the quality of the job has to be perfect.

As an experienced professional, what’s your take on learning before earning?

Its very important to learn before earning because you don't want to crash halfway trust me, there are no short cuts.

What’s the one thing your fans do NOT know about you?

I frown a lot but deep down am very emotional.

If you had the power to influence your industry, what would you do?

I would make our made in Nigerian outfits our daily official outfits to the office. Which will create a higher demand for the made in Nigeria products

ON FAMILY/ Relationships

What’s your take on the value of Marriage?

Marriage comes with a total package for me (good, bad and ugly) but it is our ability to understand and leave together in love, peace and harmony that matters.

What should come first, career or your family? Please explain why?

It definitely has to be family, first of all for me family comes first in whatever I do, so there has to be joy and peace in the family. Even though the money is what brings comfort to a home but without a good home for me the money is worthless. Making all the money and not having a family to share with is nothing.

Has your work affected your family life or relationships in anyway?

Family no but relationship sometimes, when you have to work all day and night and have little or no time. But the most important thing is to surround yourself with people who care and understand.

ON Lighter Note

(Kindly answer in one word or sentence)

What was your most embarrassing moment ever?

I lied to my boss that I was sick only for her to meet at a movie premiere.

Name 3 celebrities you’ve styled?

Meg Otanwa

Asari Duke

Ariyike

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Starting up my clothing brand.

If you could only save one thing from your house, what would that be?

My sewing machines.