When Folake Folarin-Coker launched her outfit, Tiffany Amber, in 1998, not many gave her any chance of survival. Many derided her because they couldn’t rationalise her decision to go into fashion design, having bagged a Master’s degree in Petroleum Law. But as a visionary, she alone knew (still knows) why she dumped her degree in Law for fashion design. But rather than entomb her dream in the face of criticisms, she simply resolved to give it her all.
Interestingly, Folarin-Coker, one of the few who revolutionised the Nigerian fashion industry, is still waxing stronger, 15 years after. Without doubt, the daughter Parakoyi of Ibadan-land, Chief Bode Akindele, has become a force in the fashion industry, as she continues to keep to her vision. This woman of substance is reputed for hoisting the Nigerian flag at fashion events all over the world. Though she was born in Lagos, she attended schools in Switzerland, England and Scotland. She relocated to Nigeria in 1998, having spent most of her childhood in Europe, exploring different cultures.
In addition to her main line, Folake extended her creative borders by adding two more lines under Tiffany Amber Nigeria: Tan by Tiffany Amber (diffusion line) and Folake Folarin (couture line). Though each line is distinctive, they both represent the designer’s iconic style. Folarin-Coker won Designer of the Year at the African Fashion International (AFI) in 2009 in Johannesburg. In 2011, her fearless luxury collection won “Fashion Brand of the Year” at the Arise Magazine Fashion Week.
Source: allAfrica.com
