For tailors, carpenter, mechanic, bus 
conductors, electricians, there is a general notion about these artisans, probably someone somewhere is complaining at the moment, about how these ‘small but mighty’ craft workers have held them to ransom. Everyone has a tale or two to tell about them, this segment is to help us understand artisans better, hear out their side of the story, listen to their dilemma, we will try to educate ourselves on how best to relate with them. As the Yuletide season approaches, everyone is gearing up to look their best for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, but not everybody will eventually slay. The almighty tailor or fashion designer that we all call them today (even Obiomas) may have concluded to un-slay you. Community Bell met with a seamstress who has 32 years of experience in the fashion business. Our guest Mrs. Florence Ogoh also popularly known as Fi4Real, would be giving us the answers to many questions we seek answers to.
Can you be said to be a tailor?
I will say I am a clothier; some people are into clothing while some others are into tailoring, they are two different businesses. If you are into clothing then you make the clothes and wear them too, while there are those who make clothes and don’t wear them, I make clothes and I wear them too and that makes the difference. So, in my opinion, if you make clothes, you should wear them because if you wear good clothes it speaks for you as people will appreciate it, then you can say you are a clothier.
In your career spanning over three decades, what are the things customers do that frustrates’ you?
Most times customers feel because they have paid, they have every right to talk down on you, can that money sew?
No, it can’t so what I do is to deliberately keep the clothes aside for you to learn some manners. People don’t talk down on doctors because their lives are in their hands, so why should you talk down on me when I reserve the right to make you either look like Masquerade or a queen (laughs).
In some cases, I have seen situations where someone shows her tailor what she wants, but most times the finished product doesn’t even come close to what the customer wants.
Why is that so?
Your shape determines what fits you, it matters a lot , a professional will always advice you to go for what suits your body frame, but then again because the customer is paying so he or she dictates the tune, at the end of the day I still get blamed for your own choice. At times I just use my discretion and so what’s right, taking the clients body shape into consideration
Why do tailors disappoint, it’s one of the biggest challenge people have with their tailors?
Honestly speaking I can only speak for myself, at times it’s not deliberate, at times life happens, something just comes up, an emergency you have no control over. In some cases, most of them are just greedy, they know they don’t have the time but they will take the money, and most times they will deliberately cut the clothes knowing fully well that you will come for it when they are not ready. They will also make it impossible for you to take it away because they would have cut the clothes, so customers won’t have a choice but to wait, it’s not a good practice. I tell girls who train with me this, build your names with integrity, your words should be your bond. If Fi4Real fails you, most of my customers will be calling to find out if I’m okay, because they know I don’t disappoint, but if that’s my style I won’t be here for 32 years and still counting.
How do you ensure that all your clients are not disappointed as the festive period is fast approaching?
No festive season for me, all year round we are busy here, so when the festive season comes, I know how to manage my time. I have a target once I hit that, I stop collecting clothes.
