We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Olumide Oyewunmi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Olumide below.

Alright, Olumide thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Growing up as child, my parents, particularly my late mom, played an influential role in fostering my entrepreneurial spirit. She was a serial entrepreneur herself who ran a couple of successful businesses and provided me with invaluable insights, motivation, and support. Her encouragement helped me develop the zeal and determination necessary to pursue my entrepreneurial journey with confidence.

My parent’s support goes beyond just emotional encouragement— they actively invested in my growth educationally. My dad taught me how to draft proposals for investors and brands and equipped me with essential skills for navigating the business world. This hands-on guidance not only helped me execute my past fashion events but also taught me the critical art of securing sponsorships and building relationships with stakeholders, which are key components of entrepreneurial success. Their mentorship in these areas played a significant role in shaping my approach to business and entrepreneurship.

Their belief in my potential has been a key factor in my drive and success.

Olumide, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Olumide Oyewunmi, Creative Director of Midetush Bespoke. I got into the fashion and events industry with having a diverse and dynamic skill set towards solving client’s needs and providing customer satisfaction. As a creative fashion designer, image consultant, wedding clothier, and events strategist, I bring a unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking to a prospective client’s work.

My experience in fashion design complements my role as an image consultant, helping clients refine their personal style. As a wedding clothier, I have the special role of creating memorable and unique outfits for one of the most important days in my clients’ lives. And as an events strategist, I combine all these skills to plan and execute events that are not only stylish but also well-coordinated and successful. With such a broad range of expertise, I offer a comprehensive and highly personalised service to my clients.

What truly sets me apart is my keen eye for detail. In the fashion and events industry, attention to detail is crucial, and my ability to notice and perfect the finer elements elevates my work to a higher standard. From the precise tailoring on a groom’s wedding suit, the perfect color palette for an event, or the subtle elements that make an outfit uniquely stylish, my focus on detail ensures that every aspect of my work is meticulously crafted.

Having my designs worn in over 30 countries is one of my proudest achievements and a testament to the global appeal and quality of my work. It highlights that my creativity and craftsmanship resonate with a diverse range of people, crossing cultural and geographical boundaries. I’m a member of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria and was certified by the Africa Leadership Forum as an Entrepreneurship Development Consultant in 2019. My brand has showcased at the Lagos Fashion Exhibition (Runway On The Street) and Cupid Faces Runway Invasion, Street Fashion Nigeria Runway Project, emerging as one of the Student Designers for Wema Banks’ Nigerian Student Fashion Design Week and held presentations and workshop at Ibadan Urban Fashion Week in 2021. I was a collaborating designer at the Birmingham Fashion Week and volunteered at the Bellafricana’s Summer Pop Up Event in Oxford, London in 2023.

My works and designs have been featured in national and international publications (Style Rave, Bella Naija, The Vanguard, The Guardian etc) alongside media recognition and this is a clear indication of the impact i’m making in the fashion industry.

See more here: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/04/06/nigerian-fashion-brand-midetush-bespoke-taking-on-the-international-scene/

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Building a strong online presence, social media marketing and brand promotion has been my most effective strategy to growing my clientele over the past years.

My website showcases my portfolio, services, and contact information including high-quality images of my designs, collections and client testimonials. Also, showcasing my works on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and the behind-the-scenes processes and fashion insights, using relevant hashtags and engaging with followers has boosted by clientele growth.

Creating fashion content videos, design inspirations, and industry trends to position myself as an expert helped attract potential clients interested in my style and approach.

Also, attending Industry events and participating in fashion exhibitions, trade shows, and networking events to meet potential clients and industry professionals.

How did you build your audience on social media?

To start with, I had to define my brand identity and maintain a cohesive visual aesthetic across my profile by using a specific theme, color and design elements that reflects my brand.
Building an audience on social media as a fashion designer and events strategist involves a mix of creative content creation, strategic networking, and consistent engagement.
Also, showcasing my work regularly by posting images and videos of my fashion designs and events. Most importantly, Behind-the-scenes content which can be particularly engaging, offering a glimpse into my creative process. Furthermore, I tell stories through my posts. It could be the inspiration behind a collection or the journey of organizing a major event, storytelling makes my content more relatable and memorable.

To add with, using relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts and combining popular hashtags with niche-specific ones helps boosts my audience. Networking online and offline, staying updated on social media trends etc.

All of these strategies steadily helped me build a strong, engaged audience that values my expertise in fashion design and event planning over the years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://midetushbespoke.com.ng
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midetushbespoke
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/midetushbespoke
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olumide-oyewunmi-01091b297?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: https://x.com/midetushbespoke

Image Credits

Olan Photography