IKORODU, Lagos State – A strong passion for fashion and a desire to help women feel confident have driven Chioma Nnamdi, a native of Anambra State, to build her brand, ChiDebbie Classic Fittings, into a growing name in the fashion space.
As a fashion designer and entrepreneur, Chioma focuses on creating outfits that not only make women look good but also make them feel confident in themselves.
In an interview with our correspondent, she explained that her inspiration goes beyond making clothes—it is about helping women rediscover their confidence.
“I specialise mainly in making women beautiful. One of the reasons why I like to style women is I’ve noticed a lot of times where women lose confidence in themselves, and that’s where I step in to boost their confidence,” she said.
Chioma’s journey into fashion began out of a deep personal passion. She explained that from a young age, she always preferred unique styles over common trends.
“I’ve always been passionate about fashion. I don’t like wearing what people wear. While growing up, I’ve always detested the regular and popular designs I’ve seen outside. You’ll never see my clothes on anybody else’s body,” she said.
This desire to stand out eventually pushed her into learning how to create her own designs. Between 2019 and 2020, she decided to fully pursue fashion as a career.
“I love standing out, I don’t like wearing what people wear, and to maintain that is to go into fashion, to learn how to make dresses and create my personal style,” she added.
Now six years into the business, Chioma has built a brand known for its modesty, uniqueness, and attention to detail. According to her, fashion trends may come and go, but timeless and well-crafted designs remain relevant.
Despite her progress, Chioma admitted that the journey has not been without its challenges. She described the fashion business as seasonal, with periods of high demand and times when customer patronage slows down.
“You won’t get it hot hot all the time. Sometimes the business can be slow because it’s seasonal. Time and season are major challenges,” she explained.
She also highlighted pricing disagreements with customers as another challenge. “When you tell a customer the amount, they may say it’s too much. You can bend sometimes, but not always, because it can backfire,” she said.
Chioma recounted a particularly difficult experience in 2021 that affected her both mentally and physically.
“The customer begged me to manage materials as a plus-size woman within 24 hours. When she came to pick the dress, she started raising her voice after I had told her the material wouldn’t be enough. That experience affected me mentally and physically,” she said.
Despite such experiences, she noted that she has rarely had complaints about her work and remains committed to maintaining high standards.
According to her, what sets ChiDebbie Classic Fittings apart is its originality and the personality she brings into her designs.
“My business is different because of its uniqueness and how I carry myself. Even if you wear a dress that’s not beautiful, if you carry yourself well, it will still stand out,” she said.
Chioma also shared candid advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of resilience and consistency.
“If you don’t have a support system, it’s going to be very hard. There was a time in 2023 I didn’t have many customers, but I kept pushing. I was even making dresses for free just to stay visible. It was draining, I was depressed, but I didn’t give up. Consistency kept me going,” she said.
She encouraged young entrepreneurs to remain visible and committed to their craft.
“Keep showing up no matter how hard it is. Keep posting—you don’t know where your customers will come from. Even if you’re tired, show up. Consistency will pay,” she added.
Currently, ChiDebbie Classic Fittings operates primarily as an online business, but Chioma is working towards expanding into a physical space. Her walk-in store, located at No. 10 Olusegun Ilori Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, is about 80 percent complete.
She continues to connect with her audience through social media platforms, including Instagram @ChiDebbie Classic Fittings and Facebook: Chioma Debbie Nnamdi, where she showcases her designs and engages with clients.
Chioma Nnamdi’s story reflects the realities of building a fashion business—marked by passion, challenges, and persistence. Through consistency and a commitment to originality, she continues to carve a niche for herself while inspiring others to pursue their dreams in the fashion industry.
