“Ade’s Couture Is More Than Fashion – It’s a Lifestyle” – Adefarati
A fashion expert and CEO of Ade’s Culture (AC) in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, Aladetan Iseoluwa Adefarati says his brand is not just about clothing, but a full lifestyle movement built on luxury, innovation, and structure.
According to him, Ade’s Couture, popularly called AC (Home of Luxury) extends beyond fashion into construction and technology through AC Tech (Adidas Culture Construction Technology), which focuses on structural engineering and development. The brand is also expanding into automobile sales, reflecting his deep passion for cars.
Adefarati who studied Civil Engineering at the prestigious Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in 2022, said construction has always been his first love before venturing into fashion.
His passion for construction could be traced back to his secondary school days, when he would follow his brother to construction sites for building coconstruction. This experience gave him leverage as an engineering student while in the higher institution.
However, fashion became a turning point.for him after leaving school. Today, Ade’s Couture is not only thriving in Ogun state, but also a leading fashion outlet.
In an interview with journalists, the fashion guru said “When it comes to fashion, I’m a guru. I understand style, branding, and presentation. I asked myself, if I know this much about fashion, why not monetize it? That was how Adidas Culture was born.”
Adefarati, popularly known as MC Stopshebe also runs an automobile business and his love for automobiles also influenced the brand’s diversification.
Beyond business, Adefarati has been active in entertainment since 2012 and describes himself as a well-known comedian in Benin and other cities.
“I love cars. So I thought, why not integrate everything, fashion, luxury, automobiles, under one culture? That’s how the auto aspect came in.”
When asked for his view on the growing trend of Nigerians relocating abroad, the fashion guru shared a different perspective, saying there is nothing good left in Nigeria, hence Nigerians, especially the youths continue to relocate for greener pastures.
He said “Some Nigerians believe there’s nothing good left in this country. But I feel many countries abroad are overrated. Yes, they may have better infrastructure and resources, but Nigeria also has opportunities.”
“Many youths are confused. They want to start clothing brands without understanding fashion. It’s not just about opening a boutique and selling Gucci. In Abeka, I believe I’m the only one with this kind of unique setup. You won’t see our brand anywhere else. It’s original.”
He stressed that success requires direction:
“First thing first, know what you want. If you want to venture into clothing, understand what it takes. Don’t just follow trends.”
Adefarati however acknowledged the economic strain affected his business as he spends resources on fueling generating sets to keep his business floating.
“Running multiple generators affects the cost of production. The economic impact is real. Power supply challenges increase operational expenses, especially for businesses in fashion, construction, and automobile sales.”
“We still have time to explore and expand. Nigeria has its challenges, but there is also freedom and opportunity here that many overlook.”
