Emerging Fashion Brand to Know: May Couture

By Chichi Azozie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May Couture is a fashion brand based in Ibadan, Nigeria. Founded by the award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, fashion mogul and event manager, Temitayo Balogun. They make beautiful accessories such as bowties, straight ties, pocket squares, lapel roses, Ankara accessories and bridal accessories such as bouquets, fascinators, bridal hand fans, single roses, veils etc., and all kinds of menswear, including corporate, casual and traditional outfits.

We hung out with Temitayo to get to know her and her brand in an interview. This is what she has to say:

Tell us your name and the name of your brand?

Temitayo: My name is Temitayo Balogun and the name of my brand is May Coutures.

What is your background in fashion?

Temitayo: While I was younger I realised my love for accessories. If anyone wore any outfit, my
attention went to the accessories. So I developed a passion for accessories design and went on
to learn more about accessories design.
As time went by I became known for accessories design and my customers kept asking for
outfits to put on these accessories with. Because of this, coupled with the fact that I also wanted
to expand into full-fledged fashion design, I went to learn fashion design and I had my internship
in a large fashion organisation which made me vast in both the skill and business of fashion
design.

Did you study fashion because it was something you have always wanted to do?

Temitayo: I studied Industrial Chemistry at the undergraduate level and Analytical Chemistry for my
Master’s degree. My passion for fashion made me learn fashion, as I stated above.

Tell us about the “May Coutures” Brand

Temitayo: May Coutures is an award-winning fashion powerhouse house in Ibadan, the largest city
in West Africa.
We make beautiful accessories such as bowties, straight ties, pocket squares, lapel roses,
Ankara accessories and bridal accessories such as bouquets, fascinators, bridal hand fans,
single roses, veils etc., and all kinds of menswear, including corporate, casual and traditional
outfits.

What makes your brand different from other fashion brands out there?

Temitayo: Our products represent the very best of African craftsmanship and are unsurpassed
for their quality and attention to detail.
Most of our products are handmade and we have continued to receive customer praise for our
outstanding work, as proven by our numerous awards.

Who is/are your role model/s in this business?

Temitayo: My role models are Mrs Tinu Smith of Datina Designs and Mai Atafo of Atafo Official.
I love their work and designs.

Where do you see this brand in the next 5 years?

Temitayo: We hope to have our own boutiques, a large modern production centre and increase
production by 500% in the next 5 years. We also hope to increase the size of our workforce to
meet the increasing demands of our products. Lastly, we look forward to establishing our
foothold in the fashion industry as a household name not just in Nigeria, but also Africa and
worldwide.

What advice will you give someone who is just starting out in this business?
Temitayo: Work hard, hone your skills, never stop learning, be vast in both fashion and the
the business of fashion because they’re very different but equally important aspects of the industry.
Lastly, learn to network. No one is an island.

Say a word to our FFA readers

Temitayo: Thanks for reading. Please connect with us on all social media platforms and
patronise us.
You can contact Temitayo Balogun via the following channels
Brand Name: May Coutures
Contact No: 08081902397
Address: 21, Poly Road, Sango, Ibadan
Instagram: @maycoutures
Twitter: @temmiemay
Facebook: @maycouturesonline

See some of her amazing designs below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging Fashion Brand to Know: May Couture                   May Couture is a fashion brand based in Ibadan, Nigeria. Founded by the award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, fashion mogul and event manager, Temitayo Balogun. They make beautiful accessories such as bowties, straight ties, pocket squares, lapel roses, Ankara accessories and bridal accessories such as bouquets, fascinators, bridal hand fans, single roses, veils etc., and all kinds of menswear, including corporate, casual and traditional outfits. We hung out with Temitayo to get to know her and her brand in an interview. This is what she has to say: Tell us your name and the name of your brand? Temitayo: My name is Temitayo Balogun and the name of my brand is May Coutures. What is your background in fashion? Temitayo: While I was younger I realised my love for accessories. If anyone wore any outfit, my attention went to the accessories. So I developed a passion for accessories design and went on to learn more about accessories design. As time went by I became known for accessories design and my customers kept asking for outfits to put on these accessories with. Because of this, coupled with the fact that I also wanted to expand into full-fledged fashion design, I went to learn fashion design and I had my internship in a large fashion organisation which made me vast in both the skill and business of fashion design. Did you study fashion because it was something you have always wanted to do? Temitayo: I studied Industrial Chemistry at the undergraduate level and Analytical Chemistry for my Master’s degree. My passion for fashion made me learn fashion, as I stated above. Tell us about the “May Coutures” Brand Temitayo: May Coutures is an award-winning fashion powerhouse house in Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa. We make beautiful accessories such as bowties, straight ties, pocket squares, lapel roses, Ankara accessories and bridal accessories such as bouquets, fascinators, bridal hand fans, single roses, veils etc., and all kinds of menswear, including corporate, casual and traditional outfits. What makes your brand different from other fashion brands out there? Temitayo: Our products represent the very best of African craftsmanship and are unsurpassed for their quality and attention to detail. Most of our products are handmade and we have continued to receive customer praise for our outstanding work, as proven by our numerous awards. Who is/are your role model/s in this business? Temitayo: My role models are Mrs Tinu Smith of Datina Designs and Mai Atafo of Atafo Official. I love their work and designs. Where do you see this brand in the next 5 years? Temitayo: We hope to have our own boutiques, a large modern production centre and increase production by 500% in the next 5 years. We also hope to increase the size of our workforce to meet the increasing demands of our products. Lastly, we look forward to establishing our foothold in the fashion industry as a household name not just in Nigeria, but also Africa and worldwide. What advice will you give someone who is just starting out in this business? Temitayo: Work hard, hone your skills, never stop learning, be vast in both fashion and the the business of fashion because they’re very different but equally important aspects of the industry. Lastly, learn to network. No one is an island. Say a word to our FFA readers Temitayo: Thanks for reading. Please connect with us on all social media platforms and patronise us. You can contact Temitayo Balogun via the following channels Brand Name: May Coutures Contact No: 08081902397 Address: 21, Poly Road, Sango, Ibadan Instagram: @maycoutures Twitter: @temmiemay Facebook: @maycouturesonline See some of her amazing designs below:                                                                                                                                
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