In the bustling city of Lagos, where artistry and craftsmanship intertwine, a revolution is taking place in the Nigerian leather industry. Fueled by a passion for excellence and a vision to transform the narrative around made-in-Nigeria leather goods, Femi Olayebi, the visionary founder of the Lagos Leather Fair, has created a platform that celebrates the rich heritage of leather and propels it into the realms of innovation and global recognition. Over the years, this annual extravaganza has evolved into a driving force, igniting creativity, fostering collaboration, and inspiring commitment within the industry. In this exclusive interview, Femi Olayebi unveils the remarkable journey behind the fair’s inception, delves into its current significance, and shares her aspirations for a future where the African leather industry thrives like never before.
Fab: Femi, as the founder of Lagos Leather Fair, what inspired you to create this platform, and how has it evolved over the years to become a driving force in the Nigerian leather industry?
Femi Olayebi: Having operated within the leather space for many years, I discovered that there were major gaps along the leather value chain that limited our ability to scale and a lack of understanding of the industry as a whole. I also realised that there was no platform in existence that was specifically dedicated to creatives and other players in the leather industry to showcase the talent and creativity of leather designers. The time seemed right to change the narrative around Made-in-Nigeria-finished leather goods and shine a light on an industry with so much potential.
The opportunities within the ecosystem are immense, but to achieve our full potential, we would need to take strategic, actionable steps. One such step, and trust me, a bold one at that, was to create the Lagos Leather Fair, a platform specifically designed to promote talent, bring together industry stakeholders, foster collaborations, and provide a dedicated marketplace for leather products.
Over the years, it has become an iconic platform that gives talented leather creatives — both emerging and established — a chance to shine and express their creativity with leather as a medium. More than anything else, we have changed the narrative around Made-in-Nigeria leather goods by showcasing excellence and innovation and proving that backward integration can indeed become a reality.
Fab: The theme for this year’s Lagos Leather Fair is “Staying Ahead: Creativity, Collaboration, and Commitment.” Can you tell us more about the significance of this theme and how it reflects the current state and future aspirations of the African leather industry?
Femi Olayebi: The theme “Staying Ahead: Creativity, Collaboration, and Commitment” is an extremely significant one. It highlights the key factors that are crucial for sustained growth and embodies the core ethos of the objectives and goals Lagos Leather Fair set out to achieve. It emphasises our relentless pursuit of continuous innovation and reflects the need for creative solutions to overcome the current challenges and inspire growth. Creativity enables the industry to develop further and will help propel us to distinguish ourselves in the global market. Collaboration underscores the importance of partnerships among stakeholders such as manufacturers, designers, raw material suppliers, government bodies, etc., as we can only begin to strengthen the value-chain pipeline through knowledge sharing and by leveraging diverse expertise to drive growth.
And lastly, we must stay committed to quality craftsmanship, responsible practises, and continuous improvement in processes and standards. If we embrace these three pillars, the Nigerian leather industry can forge a path of excellence, and we can position ourselves as a key player in the global leather market while promoting economic development and job creation in Africa and staying on top of our game.
Fab: The LLF Accelerator Programme is an exciting addition to this year’s event. How do you envision this programme benefiting the selected leather brands and contributing to the growth and development of the industry?
Femi Olayebi: The LLF ACCELERATOR is a mentoring concept and holds immense potential for the selected leather brands and the growth of the leather industry. By participating in this design and development programme, the chosen brands will gain invaluable first-hand experience in running a day-to-day business, enhance their business skills, and acquire critical industry knowledge. The guidance and mentorship provided by experienced entrepreneurs will offer them insights into best practises, market trends, and effective business strategies.This programme will provide the brands with specialised training, mentorship, and guidance and equip them with the tools to refine their offerings, improve their operations, and become more competitive in the market.
In addition, by nurturing and supporting these brands — some of them emerging talents—and cultivating a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and excellence, the programme will ultimately contribute to the overall growth and development of the leather industry through new opportunities, connections, and collaborations.
Fab: LLF2023 will feature a series of workshops focusing on shoe-making techniques, growth strategies, and cracking global markets. What are your expectations for these workshops, and how do you believe they will empower and equip creatives in the leather industry?
Femi Olayebi: This year’s workshops are very strategic and carefully curated. There is a particular focus on the need to teach aspiring and established shoe brands the right processes and shoe-making techniques because the footwear category takes up the largest percentage of the leather crafting space. By delving into shoe-making techniques, attendees can deepen their understanding of craftsmanship, material selection, and production processes, enabling them to create better-quality products. The social media workshop is absolutely necessary to help brands successfully tell their brand stories, navigate the digital landscape, and optimise their online presence. It will also help them build improved brand awareness, which ultimately leads to growth.
Finally, a very special Masterclass on cracking global markets will be facilitated by a renowned industry expert. This session is designed to offer valuable guidance on market trends, international trade, and distribution channels and empower participants to expand their reach beyond local markets. Our main focus is to position brands for market opportunities, and the workshops are all designed to equip creatives with the knowledge, expertise, and strategic thinking required to thrive.
Fab: The introduction of the LLF Awards is a great initiative to recognise excellence and innovation in leather design. Can you share some insights into the criteria for the awards and what you hope to achieve by honouring outstanding designers in the industry? Feature Interview
Femi Olayebi: The introduction of the LLF Awards aims to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation in the field of leather design and manufacturing and outstanding achievements within the leather industry. The criteria for these awards revolve around design originality, aesthetic appeal, functionality, creativity, craftsmanship, market relevance, sustainability, and overall impact. By recognising outstanding designers and individuals in the industry, these awards will encourage brands to elevate their work standards, inspire others, and create a benchmark for excellence. Moreover, honouring exceptional designers will encourage designers to push boundaries, push them to be more innovative, elevate creativity and craftsmanship within the industry, and drive continuous improvement and a pursuit of excellence.
Related
