Advice dad gave me that shaped my life–Doris Gam-Dede.

Tell us about your background

My name is Doris Gam-Dede.  I am from Bayelsa State. I was born into a family of three sisters and a brother. I was also born a twin. I attended the University of Port Harcourt where I first bagged a certificate  in Theatre Arts. That same year I applied and got an admission into same university to study Fine Arts  and Design. After four years of study, I  practised my profession for four years with three sole exhibitions tagged, Celebration of Womanhood, where I saluted women who have helped change my life, and have done very well in their fields of endeavours.

They are the like of the former First Lady, the late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, Fifi Ejindu, Joke Silver, Mrs. Ruth Benamesia-Opia, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Madam Doris Fisher, among many others. After which, I became bored and found myself wanting more. This finally led me to start making clothes.

You won the young designer award recently, what influenced this?

It was a well put together show that met international standard. This was the first time I heard international added to a name in Nigeria and it lined up to the expectation. From the organising, the whole event started and finished well to an international level. I thank God for it because it actually brought someone outside Port Harcourt to know my design. I wouldn’t lie, there were many talented designers that showed up. I knew it was going to be a problem choosing the winner but I distinguished my clothes from other designers by adding beauty and a lot of colours to my clothes and I think that was how the judges picked me out. I introduced my artistic background into the clothes and that actually pulled me out of the crowd.

What kind of design do you make?

I do wearable clothes for urban chic, you can wear them any moment. I actually design for women.

For how long have you been designing?

I have been doing this for four years. I studied Fine Arts. I practise painting. It took me another four years to get into designing and I’m really happy that one of my prizes is a scholarship abroad to study because I will proudly say that among the designers, I was the only one who didn’t get formal training. I started fashion just at the back of my own hand. I’m happy that now I will get the chance of an international training. I thank God that it all worked out for good for me.

No formal training, how did you start?

I actually see myself as being blessed with my hands. I have done it all. I have done painting, interior decorations, I just finally settled in fashion because it’s now a big thing in Nigeria if you know what you are doing. I started learning how to sew by pulling out things that people have done before, especially ready made clothes, pulling them apart and putting them together.

Why did you choose the name ‘Jazz Effect’ as your brand?

Adding to the fact that I am an artist, I love music. When the word Jazz came, it came from rhythm, music and people who know me when I was in school knew I like to form circles. That was how I learnt how to sew. I would have a pair of jeans; I would rip one part off and add ankara. I will never wear my clothes the way I brought them from the shop. The effect came from that explanation. I used rhythm, music, Jazz, and then I added effect to it.

Could you tell us about your growing up days?

I grew up in the streets of Port Harcourt where not much was expected of a young girl. Most girls of my age had just prayed to finish secondary school so that a rich man will come along to marry them, but at that young age, I knew I wanted more out of life. I knew I wanted to be a boss, never waiting to work for any one. My dad, who was a strong figure in my life, had always told me and my sisters to work hard and be successful because  nothing was going to be handed to us. It stuck with me and made me who I am today.

What are your memorable moments? 

The most memorable moment in my life was when I lost my dad. I say that because he was my hero, and he is not there to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

How do you see your brand in the next five years?

I see Jazz Effect doing more international shows, giving me the opportunity to showcase Nigerian fabric to broader audience. As an entrepreneur, I believe you must be ready to work hard, make good business risk to take your  business to the next level.

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