Overcoming Odds: Eluwande, the Black Fashion Designer Changing UK's Style

Matthew Eluwande, a Nigerian fashion designer residing in the UK, has told his inspirational story of overcoming personal hardship and discouragement to achieve global fashion industry acclaim.

UK native Matthew Eluwande was born in Briston. At four months old, my parents returned to Nigeria. In an interview with TransferGo Africa, he recalled, "I had no memory of this country."

He returned to the UK following a significant family catastrophe. Things changed drastically when I lost my father in Nigeria when I was seven years old. My mom lost everything when my dad passed away right away.

Eluwande struggled to establish himself in the UK and had to deal with tough circumstances. "I had gained all the experience necessary to manage my own company, including designing hats and other items." When we arrived, my friend informed me that there were employment for people just like us. Either you work as a cleaner or you train to be a nurse or care assistant.

It wasn't the end of the discouragement. "I must admit that when they told me, 'Mathew, don't go into fashion, nobody is going to employ you,' they meant well. Look, I could launch my own company, I remarked. Don't start it here, they said; no one would buy from you. The woman pointed to my flesh when I asked why. Because you're a Black man, she said.

Eluwande, however, refused to let the constraints of others define him. However, I don't just feel that I must put an end to my goals and aspirations, bury my talent, and bury everything because I've come to the UK. Knowing that God will not give up on you if you don't give up on yourself is very lovely. And that's been the oil that keeps my engine running smoothly, and I don't give up. I occasionally work a 24-hour shift while placing orders.

When he took part in a renowned hat festival in Caussade, in southern France, his persistence paid off spectacularly.

"I traveled to the south of France at Caussade for a Hat Festival in the second year, and there were submissions from all over the world. Nevertheless, I created the design and brought it to France," Eluwande clarified.

Models, it was a huge fashion show on the night of the competition. When one of the models abruptly returned to the stage wearing my design, I said, "What's going on?" They informed me that Mathew had won the overall score, so I hurried to the platform to get the prize.

That night, he didn't stop with just one victory. They contacted me again and informed me that I had won the Hat Magazine reward when I watched the second hat approach the stage. God, oh God! One of the most exquisite evenings of my life was that one.