Princess Adebowale Odutola is the last daughter of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. She has a knack for excellence. Little wonder what started in her bedroom only five years ago when she began making ankara bags from her scarves and leftover pieces of fabrics has today become an enterprise prominent for luxury bespoke bags with the crème de la crème of the Nigerian society and the international market forming her clientele. The graduate of Law and Political Science whose love for crafts made her shut down a flourishing real estate business, is already receiving accolades for her passion. This includes the 2017 Bellafricana ACE Award for Best Emerging Fashion Brand; President’s Recognition Award 2017 by the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, FADAN; the 2018 Lead Grand Award for Excellence in Fashion, and the 2019 City People Award for Excellence. The Nigerian Xpress spoke with the princess who is the brain behind The Potter’s Signature, TPS, Luxury.
How much of local content goes into your work?
Everything is locally sourced, including the leathers and fabrics; except for the hardware which is manufactured in Hong Kong. We produce every bag from scratch. We get crocodile skin from Kano and to process— skive, colour and cut—takes 12 days. Even the cutting of the bones is tough; it breaks knives. It’s a lot of work and there must be attention to detail. When you look at our beaded bags too, you cannot help but imagine the work that goes into every production. We are only able to turn out 45 bags in one month aside orders we receive.
For me, we have to set a standard. If we say made-in-Nigeria is going out there, then it must compete in the international market. We desire international standards and that was why we approached manufacturers in Hong Kong who also manufacture hardware for big brands like Hermes and Gucci. The machines and threads we use are also what the big brands use. We, however, have an edge in terms of attractiveness and our use of African fabrics.
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You were into real estate before delving into bag designing; how did TPS begin?
In 2013 when I was looking to branch out of the real estate, I told myself I wanted a business that would give both fame and fortune. So, on my birthday that year, someone gave me an Ankara bag which appeared tacky-looking to me. I looked at the bag and told myself something good can come out of Ankara. I got up the next day and brought out all my scarves and leftover fabrics from clothes sewn in the past, and started using them to make handbags. I also did some market analysis. This was in 2013; my teething period. That was also the year I discovered real leather in Mushin, Lagos and crocodile skin in Kano. That was how TPS Luxury started as a hobby. Eventually, I had training in London and then imported my own sewing machine.
TPS is a luxury brand; how tough was it getting your desired clients to embrace a locally-crafted expensive product?
When I started, some people said: “Is it not made in Nigeria, why is it expensive?” It was difficult initially but those who eventually started buying are those who can afford to buy the original Hermes and Gucci at $10,000 per bag. That’s why I’m always very thankful to God when I look at my brand. I started from a humble beginning but those who encouraged me were the high and mighty. Hence we now name our bags after notable Nigerian women.
Your aspiration?
I look forward to this brand dominating every country. Already, a company in Kuwait has asked us to produce for them to sell in Kuwait. I’m happy our pursuit of excellence is paying off. For me, I believe we should always seek perfection in whatever we are gifted at. I love to do things with my hands and I know that zeal is what has taken TPS Luxury this far.
…and where did you get that talent from?
From God. But I hear my grandmother too used to crochet and do a lot with her hands. I love crafts. In fact, I remember that while in the university, I had tailors who were making my clothes with a Singer sewing machine that I bought for myself. I’ve always loved fashion and liked to do things differently.
What’s the biggest lesson running a business has taught you?
Humility. I’ve always had that virtue but now, it’s worse. When a lady is talking to me on the phone, even though I don’t know her age, I address her as “ma”. When she comes to my store too, that does not change. Business has also taught me to be very calm. It takes patience to deal with some customers but I have learned to stay calm; especially with those who will ask you: “Why is it expensive? Is it not a Nigerian bag?” In my mind, I’m like “And so? Does that make it thrash?” But I still stay calm. I’ve never been an arrogant person though.
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Let’s talk about your late father; did he make you feel different from other girls?
He made us mix with everybody. I remember he would ask the driver to take me to Mile 12 Market, so I learned how to shop. There was a lot of mud at that time in that market and people used to wear rainboots but my dad would make sure I was taken there. That was in the 80s and that was how I learned how to price tomato and pepper. I wasn’t different from any other person but I remember he once said to me: “Yes, you were born with a silver spoon but you should do things better than any other person because of your upbringing.” We had everything we wanted and we had discipline too. My father did not beat nor abuse but he had a way of disciplining us, and it registered. I remember I won a scholarship, ‘The Commonwealth Youth Exchange Scholarship’, which earned me a trip to London while in secondary school. I had emerged winner out of the 87 schools in Ogun State, but instead of simply celebrating me, the question on my parents’ lips was “How did she win?” They were that disciplined and thorough.
You were closer to which of your parents?
I was closer to my dad; I was the last girl. He taught me how to cook. Even when I saw my menstruation for the first time, I ran to him and he was the one who taught me about menstruation, using my biology textbook. In fact, we went to UTC to buy my first sanitary towel together and he told me I must change them every hour. He taught me how to shave and use my antiperspirant. My dad was a white person; he loved white a lot and people called him “Baba oni white”. He always wore white ballet slippers too. He taught me how to be a neat person because he was very neat. In fact, he complemented my mum because she was also very neat. She is from the middle belt and very finicky too. I’m just a product of two well-groomed and accomplished adults, and that has shown in everything I do.
