Fashion designers decry low patronage amid lockdown

Ojeih-1-2-12-18

A Fashion designer

A Fashion designer
A Fashion designer

Local fashion designers in Ilorin have complained of low turnout of customers, as people failed to sew new clothes for this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

They attributed the poor patronage to COVID-19 pandemic, which made government to imposed a lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of Coronavirus.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, while speaking to some tailors on Tuesday found out the coronavirus affected their profession.

Mrs Mariam Abdulganiyu, a tailor at Eruda Area, said that there used to be lots of customers during Ramadan and toward the end of fasting, as many people would want to wear new clothes for Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

She said that this year was the first in her 15 years in tailoring business in which there would be little or no customer during Ramadan.

“I belief the poor patronage is as a result of the lockdown, which has affected the socioeconomic lives of many people and made them to stop sewing new clothes

“I have never witnessed this type of condition since my 15 years in this business, just as I have never seen or heard about a sickness that can affect the whole nation and world at the same point in time,” she said.

Mr Kazeem Olaiya, Kay designs at Taiwo road, also lamented the poor patronage, saying that since the government relaxed the lockdown, most of his customers only demanded for sewing of local face mask.

He said that as the Ramadan draws to an end, few customers brought their children clothes for sewing and at a reduced price, as they complained of no money.

“Some customers are even pleading for me to amend their clothes, to suit the Sallah celebration, because they cannot afford to sew new ones and at the same time want to look good,” he said.

Also speaking with NAN, Uncle T unisex design at Surulere area, said that he told most of his workers to stop coming to shop due to lack of patronage.

He said that some of his workers had started showing restiveness as a result of idleness as they had not much work to do, thereby causing public nuisance to residents.

“We now have more than enough time for sewing, unlike before, that we used to be very busy and overwhelmed with customers’ clothes.

“Few customers that patronised us during this period are able to get their clothes sewed within three days, with no complain and at reduced price,” he said.

NAN reports that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration by the Muslims marks the end of Ramadan fasting.

This year’s celebrationmay fall on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the sighting of the new month of Shawwal 1441AH.

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