Despite an enviable degree in B.Tech in Industrial Chemistry at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Fortune Chijinkem Equere is making a tremendous impact in the fashion industry in Nigeria.
Equere who is the Creative Director, Fortune Equere Women’s wear began her fashion journey in 2013 and she is daily improving on his calling insisting that the potential in the industry would make the country great again.
In this chat with the publisher of SOLIDNEWSNG.COM Online Magazine, AZUH LILIAN, Equere explains her odyssey in the industry among other relevant matters.
Did you have any formal training in fashion?
No, I trained as an apprentice at Ad Stella’s Fashion and Omanus Stitches from 2010-2012. When I started off in 2013. I went back to train under Trommie Trendz to perfect my finishing skills. All the fashion houses were based in Festac then.
How long did it take you to master the art of fashion designing?
It took me 2 years to master the basics – however, I am still mastering the art as we speak. In my opinion, mastery of a particular field is an ongoing process that doesn’t end.
As a fashion designing, is there any particular fabric you are more comfortable working with?
Of course! I love working with fabrics that are not shifty because they don’t shift while cutting like cotton, crepe, and the likes.
What inspires your designs?
Nature, colors and simplicity. The sheer beauty of nature, the beach and waves, and the fact that I gun for simplicity – all inspire me to create designs in that nature
What are those things you look out for when designing for a client?
The body shape is the most important. The outfit has to suit your shape. The client’s preferences when it comes to colors, elaborateness, and other specific preferences also join to form the whole picture.
Who is your best dressed Nigerian woman and why?
My best-dressed Nigerian woman is Mrs. Nkechi Harry-Ngonadi because she’s daring when it comes to style and colors, yet she is still modestly dressed. Then her confidence and the way she carries each piece with effortless grace is beautiful to behold.
What makes a good designer?
A good designer is one who creates a design either with or without the help of the client, and ensures that the design specification is carried out to bring out the desired result
How lucrative is the fashion business?
Globally, the fashion industry is worth trillions of dollars. Top designers, brand owners, and manufacturers earn millions to billions. Even small niche brands can make steady six figures annually.
Locally (Nigeria / similar markets): A skilled tailor/designer can earn:
300k–₦1m+ monthly (custom wear, bridal, ready-to-wear).
Established designers with strong branding: ₦5m–₦50m+ yearly Export -ready or internationally stocked brands: Dollar income (this is where things really scale).
What do you like most about being a fashion designer?
Firstly, I love the fact that I’m doing what God has created me to do. Being aligned in purpose is the very essence of our being.
If you may permit me to add; I love the fact that I’m a co-creator with God and the fact that I can exercise my mind everyday to create new styles.
What is your favourite food and drink?
It always varies according to my mood but I love plantains and Hollandia yoghurt
What is the greatest thing God has done for you?
In 2022, I was introduced to a business deal that I thought was going to yield good ROI because I love to take risks. Without consulting anyone, I took loans from 3 different loan apps to finance the deal. It later turned out to be a scam, and my husband and I were already in a serious rough patch then (he was out of job then and my shipping business was having issues with the parent company). I still had to fend for the family then, so, I couldn’t finance the loans successfully. I had to keep borrowing from other loan apps to pay other loans. This continued till 2024 and it got to 10 loan apps!
In 2023, I applied for a TEF-BADEA business grant (for women empowerment). At the exact period in February 2024 when all the loan apps were closing in on me and I had lost all hope on how to get out of the predicament; the grant came through! That’s when I knew that God will never forsake His own.
It’s worthy of note that my brother, my husband’s cousin, a friend of mine (who was loan app No.10 – she gave me a non-interest loan to try and help out) and my husband who later got a job tried to help me out, but because I was already neck-deep, only God could.
What is a must-have in a woman’s wardrobe?
A black jacket and a functional pair of jeans trousers or tailored trousers
What is the greatest lesson life has taught you?
Life has taught me that what goes around, comes around, so, you have to be intentional about living a good life.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion means comfort and style in one sentence. Where you come out looking stylish but also comfortable in the outfit. Fashion also means a perfect blend of the whole ensemble from head to toe.
Who are your fashion icons, the people you look up to in the fashion industry?
You see Veekee James and Prudent Gabriel, they are an enigma. How they were able to break even with showcasing consistency, creativity and excellence through content creation is definitely enviable.
What is your definition of a stylish woman?
A stylish woman is one who knows how to put together her outfits from head to toe, and carries her style with such confidence and aura that cannot be overlooked.
To me, style is identity made visible. It’s not about trends, labels, or how expensive something is. Style is the quiet (or loud) language someone uses to say, this is who I am—before they ever speak.
Style is: Self-awareness — knowing what feels true to you, Intention — choosing, not just wearing, Consistency — a signature people recognize, Confidence — wearing your story without apology.
Tell us more about your family?
I am the last born and only girl of 3 children in the family of Late Okenze Sir Caleb Njoku. I am married to Mr. Aniekan Equere and together we have 2 boys namely: Andino and Andikan Equere
What is your favourite color and why?
Sea green. It’s a perfect reflection of the sea and nature.
Can you tell us three beauty products that you can’t live without and why?
I can’t live without my body cream/oil, deodorant and lip gloss. Those are the basics needed to take care of the body. The rest I can live without
Are you a lipstick or gloss woman?
Gloss definitely
What is your philosophy of life?
Do unto others what you want others to do unto you
Do you love heels or flats shoes?
Flats please
Your fashion brand name, how did you come about it?
My fashion brand name is just a combination of my first name and acquired surname. Most great fashion designers name their brand that way, so I decided to follow suit
When did you set up your fashion house?
I set it up in April 2023 after working from home as a single and married for about 10years. It was actually already set up; it was leased to me with the set up.
What is the best way to overcome challenges in business?
The best way to overcome challenges in business is to take those challenges one day at a time. Put everything into perspective; solve the ones you can solve for that day and then you will keep getting ideas on how to solve the rest as the days go by. If you keep looking at the challenge holistically, you will get depressed.
What distinguishes your fashion house from the other designers?
In the actual sense, there is nothing new under the sun. Anything I say now would definitely be someone else’s distinguishing factor. However, we try to ensure that our customers are satisfied. If you don’t like it, we won’t start convincing you that it is fine. We would make adjustments till you are satisfied.
What are the three things’ people don’t know about you?
I speak a bit of French. I love anklets (though I don’t have any right now). I love Bailey’s and Four Cousins wine.
What is your best fashion accessory?
Earrings
Share your happy moments with us?
Since this is an interview surrounding my business, my happy moments are when I get great reviews from clients about outfits we made for them. It gives me great joy.
As a fashion designer, what styles are in vogue now?
Corset styles are still in vogue, with super hero sleeves that reigned 15years ago now coming back into fashion.
Mini Dresses and Tunics: Mini dresses remain a standout trend, refreshed with floral prints, bows, ruffles, and fringe details. Tunic-length tops and dresses are making a comeback, offering a relaxed yet chic look when paired with trousers or skirts. Sheer and Lace Details: Sheer layers and lace — including visible lingerie underlays — are big in 2026, adding a blend of bold and romantic vibes.
Overall, 2026 fashion feels free. You can be minimalist or expressive, nostalgic or futuristic, soft or bold — as long as it feels true to you. That’s the beauty of it.
How do you rate the Nigerian fashion industry?
The Nigerian fashion industry is doing great if I must say. These days, even the westerners want to identify with our type of dressing, thereby making our clothes export more viable. Also, with the Japa syndrome that started a few years back, it even makes a whole lot of fashion designers to have a huge percentage of their clientele abroad. I believe this should help to improve the influx of foreign currency into the nation. Due to all these factors and even more, I’m of the opinion that, the fashion industry will play a huge role in making Nigeria great again.
What is a must-have elegant woman’s bag?
An elegant woman should always have a portable mirror, a lip gloss, a hair brush and a small perfume oil in her bag. You must never be caught unfresh.
Describe yourself…
I am a child of God. I am also an open book. I’m as honest as I can be, ambitious and hardworking. I believe that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. I also believe in the servant-leader type of leadership; that way you don’t have to force the leadership, your followers will just naturally follow. I believe in doing good to others and helping others in the best of my capacity. I do my utmost best and leave the rest to God.
Copyright @ SOLIDNEWSNG.COM 2026
