Shade Thomas-Fahm: Meet Nigeria's Pioneer Fashion Designer, Originator of Kaftan and Boubou for Women
- Folashade ‘Shade’ Thomas-Fahm has been described as a pioneering figure in the Nigerian fashion industry
- According to reports, she is known as one of Africa’s most important designers who was the first to own a boutique
- Thomas-Fahm became a qualified fashion designer in 1959, becoming the first Nigerian woman to acquire a professional qualification in fashion design
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed!
With numerous fashion designers in the Nigerian industry today, it can be hard to keep up with the names, labels and newest designers.
Interestingly, before all of these people was a lady identified as Folashade ‘Shade’ Thomas-Fahm.
Source: Instagram
A pioneering figure in the Nigerian fashion industry, Thomas-Fahm is reputed for owning the first boutique in Nigeria and for being the first professionally-trained fashion designer in the country.
How Folashade ‘Shade’ Thomas-Fahm's passion for fashion began
Born on September 22, 1933, Thomas-Fahm’s love for fashion began at the age of 12 when she started learning how to sew from a local dressmaker in Lagos whose shop was called ‘Sisi Sewing Shop’.
PAY ATTENTION: Share your outstanding story with our editors! Please reach us through info@corp.legit.ng!
She later travelled to England in 1953 to study nursing. However, after being inspired by the boutiques in London, she decided to study fashion instead at St. Martins College of Art and Design, London.
In 1959, she became the first Nigerian woman to acquire a professional qualification in fashion design.
Folashade ‘Shade’ Thomas-Fahm: Setting up her fashion empire in Nigeria
She returned in 1960 and opened a factory as well as a boutique, making her the first boutique owner in Nigeria.
The boutique, Maison Shade - later Shade’s Boutique - was situated in Yaba, Lagos, and under the business, Thomas-Fahm became known for using traditional Nigerian textiles such as aso oke, adire, akwete and okene to design outfits of different styles.
Source: Instagram
She is the originator of several outfits, including women’s kaftan, the ‘boubou’ - a style she created when she feminized the male ‘agbada’ for women by reducing the volume - and the transformation of the iro into a wrapper skirt.
Shade's Boutique became the go-to for stylish women, including diplomats as well and her work revolutionized women’s way of dressing in Nigeria.
Tiwa Savage returns to lowcut hairstyle in dazzling new look
Popular Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage, has reverted to her days of wearing short hair as she recently unveiled a gorgeous and sleek pixie cut.
Recall the singer had a penchant for short hairstyles - which she rocked effortlessly, and after years of slaying in wigs and long braids, the Somebody Son crooner is back to keeping it short.
Celebrity fashion designer, Veekee James, posted photos and videos of the singer in one of her gorgeous corset designs. The look featured a sheer neckline with a 'flying' sleeve, an exposed corset bodice and a dramatic opening in the front.
Source: Legit.ng
