GOGO GOES FOR ETHNIC FASHION …BRINGS ALAARI ALIVE

Gogo
If you are to judge Gogo Majin on her career choice, you would probably deliver a verdict that she sticks to her music career. Her voice is not only one of the industry's best, she is also one of the best voice coaches around.

But by the time you see her debut collection of ethnic designs, you would probably advise that she remains a fashion designer.

'But I remain a voice coach and musician,' she corrected. Gogo Majin, a talented songwriter, who was one of the judges on the set of MTN Project Fame, a talent-hunt reality show, is still in her world of arts.

Her ethnic fashion outfit, GM4FM, spells a fusion of two worlds - western and traditional.

'I wanted to create something very unique out of the Ankara and aso-oke,' the former ProjectFame voice coach said.

Though born of a mother, Folake Majin, who is also a fashion designer, Gogo and her sister had their collection of designs which they had been doing over the years. 'Since we grew up to know our mother as a designer, it was easy tapping from her wealth of experience and doing stuffs for ourselves. Though I cannot sew, I design. At a point, I thought the designing trait had been lost in me because I busied myself with music and voice training, I was surprised when I picked my pencil, started drawing and drew up a collection! I worked during my break from music but last year, I decided making it official and I churned some out for my mother to help out. That was how I came about GM4FM. I wanted something very funky, ethnic, breezy and stuffs that are easy to wear for the young, trendy and the young at heart.'

When Alaari (the indigenous aso-oke) is mixed with Chantilly lace, then that is fashion at its peak. 'I love ethnic clothes and have been a fan of Alaari,' she explained. 'I just thought of the aso-oke as a sundress, as a short evening dress and a tank top. So, I started drawing and by the time I was through, I knew another side of me was emerging. Fortunately, my mother was around to help with the sewing and her tailors. There is a design where I patched the Chantilly with alaari and even used the Ankara rosette as buttons. I am African and I believe in promoting what we have.'

Tagged circle revolution, the ethnic collection displays the Ankara cut and designed into an urbane shirt dress, another Chantilly columned shirt dress and playful Ankara pleated bow-skirts.

Of these, she added: 'They are distinctively designed for women who are revolutionary, fashion forward, upbeat, chic, edgy and classy. I decided using some bright, fresh youthful colours because it depicts the age I belong to. Fabrics such as Ankara, old vintage cotton aso oke (alari), Chantilly lace, pearls, crystals and precious stones are for instant glamour.'

So, when next does she intend going to the studio? 'Very soon,' she replied. 'Though I am very busy now because I plan launching my second collection, I still write my songs whenever the inspiration comes.'