Fashion changes every day; mistakes make you a better business person –Chimdimma

Hailing from Abia State, Chimdimma Victory Chijioke, popularly known as Chimdimma, is a talented entrepreneur, fashion designer, and graduate of Novena University, with a 2.1 in B.Sc. (Economics). She furthered her education at the Aivry Training Centre, specialising in Bridal Fashion and Designing.

Chimdimma’s passion for business led her to train at renowned international institutions such as Future Female Business UK and Thunderbird School of Management (Dream Builder) USA. She is also a proud graduate of the Flourish Africa Business Institute and the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). With a focus on leadership and digital marketing, Chimdimma has participated in several programs to enhance
her skills. Recently, Chimdimma completed a Mini-MBA from IFC in partnership with Access Womenpreneur, showcasing her commitment to
continuous growth and development. In an exclusive interview with Quadri Akanbi (aka Godsent), she shares her incredible journey.

 

How did you get started in the fashion industry?

 

Contrary to a lot of Fashion designers who knew that they would be one since they were kids, I wasn’t even aware I would fall in love with this skill. I had a flare for other things, but not fashion😂. My Husband only suggested that I try learning the skill, and being someone who isn’t afraid of trying new things, agreed and went for it. The rest they say is history.

 

What inspired you to open your own fashion school?

 

I got a job to make a specific design for a customer, and I was really sure I knew what to do, By the time I was done with the outfit, it came out really beautiful, not exactly as what my Customer wanted, this threw me into a search for a solution, I reached out to a few experts in those areas and none was willing to teach me ( even when I offered to pay), I was able to get help and solved that problem, However, This experience left a desire in my heart, I knew there were many women out there who genuinely wanted to be better at their craft, but didn’t know how to get started, So the desire to help Women like me, inspired me to set up my Fashion school.

 

Can you tell us about some of the awards you’ve won and what they mean to you?

 

One award that stands out for me is the one I received from an NGO in the fashion industry. I was recognized as one of the best leaders who had served and impacted the women in the Organization.

 

What sets your fashion school apart from others?

 

I have discovered over the years that our Target audience has been women with kids who want to start up their own business, our women who worked 9-5, but wanted to transition into the fashion business, Aside from the skills they learn, we offer flexibility in their learning experiences, we also ensure that they are able to begin implementing all they being taught.

 

How do you nurture creativity and innovation in your students?

 

We recognize that people are built differently, so we encourage each student to express themselves in ways that come naturally to them, our curriculum is built in such a way that it takes each student from Zero knowledge to Confident in their skills, We encourage our students to expose their mind & eyes to creative works such as Artworks, Dress designs, Building, Anything can be a source of inspiration for creativity, so the goal is to leave an open mind.

 

What advice would you give to aspiring fashion designers?

 

Be willing to invest daily in growing Yourself and your skills, Fashion changes every day, and this means you must constantly be on the lookout for what you need to learn so that you bring value daily to your customers. Never be afraid to make mistakes, It makes you a better business person. Be humble Learn from people ahead of you in the business, it will save you a lot.

 

How do you stay updated with the latest fashion trends? Constant

 

Research & constantly upgrade our skills, I use Google Trends, Instagram & YouTube to check out what’s in vogue, As a fashion business, we consistently look out for what is new And see how it can be implemented or infused into our business, Specifically to solve our customer’s problems and serve them better.

 

Can you share any memorable success stories from your fashion school?

 

All experiences from my students are memorable, from the expressions on their faces when they make their very first Skirts, to the excitement they share from getting their very first customer even while in school, all of these are the reasons we do all we do😊

 

What challenges have you faced as a fashion designer and school owner?

 

A lot, I don’t even know where to start from, Managing a business in Nigeria isn’t for the faint-hearted. Do I talk about power issues? And how we constantly had to spend most of our profits on fuel and Generator repairs? Or is it the constant rise & fall on our exchange rate that makes it challenging to fix the correct value for our products? But as a Nigerian, I have learned how to navigate the waters, And I take responsibility for ensuring that the business survives no matter what.

 

How do you balance your own design work with running a fashion school?

 

As a Business, we have learned to set up structures that enable us to manage the different sides of our business successfully. The production side of my business is a different unit from the school, we have people who take care of the Production business, And other sets of people who manage the school business.

 

Are there any specific fashion design techniques or skills that you emphasize in your curriculum?

 

Oh Yes, However, As a teacher myself, I have seen people who come in with no clue on what they want and those who know exactly what they want. For those who have no clue, we take them through all the processes involved, Such are understanding the use of Machines, Pattern drafting, fashion illustration, developing a design portfolio & business of fashion. For those who know what they want, We focus on offering them the skills required to achieve their goals.

 

What is your favorite part about teaching aspiring fashion designers?

 

Seeing them own their businesses, Many times, They share pictures and videos of the work they do, This gives me great joy that I am a part of their success stories.

 

How do you encourage collaboration and teamwork among your students?

 

One thing we have done over the years is to give them projects in groups and encourage them to brainstorm and come up with solutions as teams, This helps them to bond better and rub minds together, this automatically makes them better collaborators 😄

 

Can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?

 

None for now, We have, however, Partnered with NGOs and International Development bodies such as GIZ, NICOP, AFDEC, and community Groups to impact the lives of Women in the Fashion Space.

 

How do you incorporate sustainability and ethical practices into your fashion school?

 

As a business, we recently started looking for ways to incorporate what we call Circular Fashion, I heard this word for the first time during My MBA. However, before now, we try to manage our waste by recycling our unused fabrics pieces by creating smaller products like Ankara earrings, shoes, belts, etc.

 

What are your thoughts on the future of fashion and its impact on society?

 

The Future is technology, Every Fashion business must look for ways to infuse the use of technology into their business, we have virtual fashion, AI & Chatgpt these are a few, I believe more inventions will be out in the future.

 

How do you foster a supportive and inclusive environment in your fashion school?

 

As a business, We have impacted over 1000 women through free training, coaching, and mentorship programs in partnership with NGOs and community groups.

 

Can you share any advice for aspiring fashion designers on building their own brand?

 

Understanding Who you are as a person is the first step toward building a successful brand, Your values as a person will determine the values you set for your brand, These values will enable you to attract customers who share the same values as a business, Deciding on a niche to serve & understanding your target audience is one area you must build on as a business. Things like Your Logo, Brand colors, etc won’t matter if Your customer experience or The products you promise to deliver aren’t of great value.

 

What do you enjoy most about being a fashion designer and educator?

 

As A fashion designer, The feedback from my Customers, Their expressions, and the excitement they feel when they receive their outfits is the fuel that keeps us going, As an educator, The results of my Students, and their ability to express or bring into life what they are being taught is what I enjoy.

 

If you weren’t a fashion designer, what other career path do you think you would have pursued?

 

I grew up thinking I was going to be a superstar in the Music Industry 😂, My Dream is still valid oh😂