The fear of the unknown could be one of the motivations behind the rate at which many entertainers are diversifying in terms of investment, aside heeding the advice that one should not put all eggs in one basket.
It all started in 2005 when Ruggedman launched his September 20th Wears line. Although it didn’t achieve much viability then, due mainly to the lack of online stores and distribution channels, the rapper had to re-launch late last year. The line has varsity jackets, caps, T-shirts and hoods.
Nollywood star, Genevieve Nnaji, who revealed that she started sketching at the age of seven, also introduced her St. Genevieve in October last year. Although she said it is more of a passion than just a business affair, she would be making money from this venture.
Then there is Beard Gang Apparel from William Iroha, popularly known as 2Shotz. The outfits come in hoods and T-shirts. After Alobam T-shirts were hijacked by counterfeit clothiers, rapper Phyno launched another clothing line called Yayo (named after his hit song) in October 2014.
Having been a queen and modelling for several local and international fashion brands, it was no surprise when Agbani Darego delved deeper into the fashion world with her clothing line, AD by Agbani Darego, in September last year. The range offers jeans, dresses, tops, sunglasses, sandals and bags.
YBNL boss, Olamide, also became a fashion entrepreneur when he unveiled T-shirts under his Baddo Unlimited Urban Clothing early this year. Fast-rising music star, FalzTheBahd Guy, designed his T-shirts with the words ‘Ello Bae’ and ‘Marry Me’ under his FalzEdition brand name.
‘Jagbajantis’ crooner, Sound Sultan, launched Naija Ninja clothing label in 2008. However, it seems the line is really resting for now because he couldn’t get anybody to handle it for him. Tentatively, it is still in existence as Sultan still wears his designs.
Although dance queen, Kaffy, was up-beat late last year about her own clothing line, Yanga, little or nothing has been heard about the line she said will debut with Ijoda collection. The same goes for Mohits boss, Don Jazzy, who tweeted about a Mohits clothing line.