With the mind of an engineer and the skill of a Fashionista, Ademartins Oladebola is set to revolutionize the mindset of the people towards AIDS.how he would do this? he tells ADA IGBOANUGO.
Background
My names are ademartins oladebola. I finished from the University of Lagos as an electrical engineering student in 2004. I have been actively designing clothes while in school; doing tees, etc. I started when I was little. I did a lot of art and design and I converted most to comics. Popularity set in, I decided to go commercial, and a lot of people patronised me. When I realised I could do these on fabrics too, I then went fully into apparels and I do brand consultancy.
Coping with designing and schooling
It was difficult but it is all about the passion. I could forget any other thing but not designing. Other jobs I did while in school helped me as well. I used to do a lot of architectural designs and fine art drawings for students. At free times and breaks, I attended these classes to keep myself up-to-date with what was going on. After graduation, my refusal to continue with engineering caused a lot of trauma but when they realised it is my calling they accepted my fate.
Fashion shows.
I am currently putting up a fashion show that is staged to fight against stigmatization of people living with HIV. I intend to have a three-headed runway that day to do this cause. On the runway, we are going to have people living with HIV and celebrities modelling together for the cause. This is going to take place a day before World Aids Day with its theme being, “Red Ring for Charity fashion Show-take a walk for love, show the way to live.” It is a collection under the Marco Martinez outfit and these clothes will be sold at the venue and various stores nationwide to raise funds for the HIV/Aids patients. This idea was initiated due to a weird scenario that took place in which a girl on Funmi Iyanda’s show identified herself as an aids victim few minutes after my friends and I were arguing on her beauty. We were astonished at what we heard but were much astonished when a friend of ours walked in and identified the girl as his ex. He revealed that after he broke up the relationship in which nothing transpired, his best friend took over and something transpired between them. This kept me restless as I was wondering why she would do such a thing. I realised that she suffered from stigmatization and so there and then, I decided to fight it and which better way to do this than to use my talent.
Highest point in life
I have not gotten there yet but I would say my working with the officiating team of the West African idols and the fact that celebrities call me or refer me to someone is for now my highest point.
Lowest point
Frustrations in Nigeria vis-à-vis light, curny workers, etc.
Future achievements
To have my own complete collection worldwide, in the next five years I plan to take my apparel to another level, which is exports.
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