Classic cuts of Datina

THOUGH a Theologian by profession, Atinuke Smith, the CEO of Datina Fashion, upon graduation from school, took a bold step to toe her mother's line; fashion designing. While her peers were spreading their CVs around with the hope of securing a white-collar job, Atinuke was busy at Cute Cut Fashion Designing Institute, Ibadan, Oyo State, honing her skill.Having garnered experiences on how to be self-employed, she established her own fashion line in 1994 and has since taken the business from the scratch to an enviable level.'The passion for the needle and thread business came while I was a child. My mother was a fashion designer; I was observing her and sometime gave her a helping hand in my own little way. With time I developed interest in business.'With her training in the trade, and passion, Atinuke mastered the craft of fusing both international and local fabrics to create fabulous designs.'I use our local fabrics such as ankara, linen, brocade, guinea and satin for my designs. But when it comes to bridal wears, I use international fabrics alone because I want to meet up with standards.'A specialist in ladies and children's wears, Atinuke might have encountered several challenges in her line of business, but lack of skilled workers seems to be a tough one.'It's always difficult to get capable hands, which informed my decision of setting up a fashion school where we train them to our standard.'Speaking on the industry, the designer observed that 'Nigerian women are fashion conscious and they stand outin any part of the world you meet them. I enjoy what I am doing because it has given me the opportunity to bring out the best in me.'Atinuke admires the works of Deola Sagoe and Lisa Folawiyo, who she described as her role models.'I appreciate their designs; they are unique and their designs pay attention to details.'For up-coming designers, she advises: 'go after whatever you think is best for you; the road might be rough but with focus you will triumph.
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