Meet Leonard, designer building couture business with N1,500

Leonard Victor, the managing director of LEXTOR Fashion, may not be a graduate but he is building one of most fashionable couture brands in Nigeria’s fashion space.

He co-established LEXTOR Fashion in 2018 with major focus on production and styling, driven with passion and flare for fashion which started even at his teenage years.

His contagious passion for styling made his parent to encourage him to acquire official training in fashion designing as a gap year initiative awaiting his Junior WAEC result.

“I was inspired to start this business by my parents who talked me into going for fashion classes after I had finished my Junior WAEC and awaiting result.

“They had noticed how much I love to look good, dress smart and clean. They paid for the classes and had me go for them, and six months later, I was already making clothes for my dad and brothers and a few friends,” he explained.

The multi-talented and experienced young entrepreneur told BusinessDay that his startup capital was rather ridiculous, but with passion and determination he was able to pull through, growing the business to an enviable height.

“My initial start-up capital might sound ridiculous to a lot of people but then, I started the business with one manual Buddyfly sewing machine, which was a gift from my parents and N1,500 cash which I used to purchase the fabrics for my first ever collection Tape shorts in August 2018,” he said.

Leonard explained that the surging inflation in the country is affecting production in the couture industry significantly. However, he stressed that the LEXTOR team has been able to build a system that works for both the brand and their clients.

“There’s been lots of challenges so far, and majorly on the side of fabric acquisition, financing and marketing.

“Being able to understand the market is one thing, understanding your clients is another. We therefore have considerably increased the cost of our services enough to cover for cost of production and not so much to inconvenience our customers, by so doing, both parties are satisfied,” he emphasised.

Moreover, he said the company has been able to scale through these challenges with the help and support of the community and friends of the brand.

“Lots of research and fabrications has also proven very effective and efficient,” he stated.

Furthermore, the serial entrepreneur said his business had witnessed positive growth despite the murky business space in the country due their niches in areas such as uniqueness, efficiency and integrity among others.

“My business has been able to stand out amidst the surging inflation, and competitors because of its diversity and uniqueness. We pride ourselves in our detailing, speed and efficiency. We have been able to build trust, confidence and Integrity in and with our clients,” he said.

Leonard further explained that the company has been able to create employment opportunities and gives back to the society simultaneously, and that it currently has nine staff in total and a number of part time employees.

Despite the economic crunch and multidimensional inflation clogging the business space in Nigeria, the entrepreneur said the country is a beautiful place to own and run a couture business.

“There are limitations but not so much to hinder the dream. The industry looks promising from outside, looks all rosy but it’s not all that when you’re in the system. It’s not a lie, it’s not just what it looks like,” he said.

On his expansion plans, Leonard explained that his business is growing and he hopes to establish more outlets in the 36 states and create a lot more jobs for all persons.

“We hope to build a system that not only employs but also educates and supports aspiring entrepreneurs to achieve,” he stressed.

Leonard urges young entrepreneurs, particularly, those in interested in the fashion business to be determined, and dedicated.

“It’s not going to be easy, social media makes it look simple, and seamless.

“You’ll feel like giving up, you’ll be tired, you’ll probably get frustrated at some point, but see it through! It is worth it at last,” he said.