26/08/2026
DARAVILLE SPOTLIGHT ✨
THE STORY OF IMA BASI GABRIEL UDOFIA
Sometimes, what you once lacked can become the very thing you are able to give to others.
Today, we are shining the light on Ima Basi Gabriel Udofia, a fashion designer based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
He is located at Akwa-Efak, off Udo-Udoma Road, and specialises in men's wear, creating outfits with a classical look.
But his story did not start with having everything he needed.
As a student at the University of Uyo, there was a time when Ima Basi had very few clothes to wear. He remembers having just one pair of jeans, one shirt and about two polos.
There were times he had to borrow clothes from people just to have something to wear.
He would wear one today and another the next day. Sometimes, people even gave him clothes because they knew he would need to borrow again.
It was a difficult period for him.
But looking back today, he sees something meaningful in that experience.
What he once lacked is now what he makes for other people.
That became part of his inspiration to go into fashion.
FROM WHAT HE LACKED TO WHAT HE NOW CREATES
Ima Basi started his fashion journey in July last year.
His first place of training was far from where he lived. Although the cost of learning there was affordable, the distance meant that his daily transportation expenses were becoming more than what he had paid to learn the work.
Eventually, he had to leave.
After three months, he found another place that was closer to him, and that became where he really began to develop his sewing skills.
It wasn't easy.
He made mistakes. He made errors that cost him money. There were times he became frustrated and almost gave up because the calculations and processes involved in sewing seemed too difficult.
One of his biggest challenges was learning how to control the sewing machine.
For months, he struggled with it.
At the shop where he first trained, there were only two machines and they were usually occupied. He was not allowed to use his boss's machine, while the other machine was often being used by someone else.
So, although he was learning other aspects of the work, he wasn't getting enough opportunity to actually sit down and practise sewing.
He would go out to buy materials and sewing supplies. He would trek to work, sometimes for about two hours, under the sun and in the rain.
It was not easy.
But he stayed with the process because he knew he was there to learn.
That experience taught him about sewing materials and other important parts of the business.
Then, in his second place of training, he got more opportunity to actually sew.
After about two weeks, he was given clothes to sew.
That was when things began to change.
LEARNING THROUGH MISTAKES
Another challenge came with learning how to cut clothes.
The clothes given to them in that place were already cut, so their job was mainly to sew them.
But Ima Basi wanted to understand the entire process.
He watched how the clothes were cut.
He asked questions.
He observed carefully.
He remembered what he saw and went home to practise.
There were times he spoiled clothes.
There were times he sewed things that did not come out well.
But he kept practising.
He also searched for answers online, watched YouTube videos and used AI tools to help him understand areas where he had made mistakes.
When he returned home from learning, he would think about what he had done, identify where he went wrong, look for ways to understand it better and then apply what he had learnt.
That process helped him make personal discoveries that have become part of how he works today.
One of those discoveries was understanding that sewing is not just about taking measurements.
There is also calculation involved.
For example, some parts of a garment may require additional allowance during cutting so that the finished outfit fits properly when worn.
That understanding made a difference in his work.
TODAY, HE SEWS
All those difficult experiences have now built him into the fashion designer he is today.
Ima Basi can now sew well.
He has developed his own approach to sewing, built from everything he learnt, practised and discovered along the way.
Today, when a customer gives him measurements and a style to work with, he understands how to apply what he has learnt to produce an outfit that fits properly and sits well on the person wearing it.
And while he has come a long way, he still sees fashion as a continuous learning process.
WHAT HE OFFERS
Ima Basi specialises in men's wear, particularly classical styles.
For him, it is not enough to simply sew a garment.
The finishing matters.
A person may know how to sew, but the finishing of the garment is what can make the work stand out.
His work focuses on producing well-finished outfits that make his customers look good and presentable.
He also places importance on availability, reliability, consistency and timely delivery.
He wants his customers to be able to trust him with their jobs, receive their outfits on time and be satisfied with the finished work.
And regardless of the size of the customer, he believes everyone deserves to be treated with importance.
HIS VISION
Ima Basi's goal is to become one of the top classical fashion designers and to build a name that is well known.
He wants to expand his business and eventually build a bigger fashion company.
But there is another part of his vision that is important to him.
He wants to help people.
His long-term goal includes having a company where people can be trained in different areas of tailoring and fashion.
From the young man who once struggled to have enough clothes to wear, to the fashion designer who now creates clothes for other people, Ima Basi's journey has taken him through struggle, mistakes, learning, persistence and growth.
What he once lacked has become part of what he now creates.
And this is only part of his story.
DARAVILLE SPOTLIGHT ✨
At Daraville Events and Services, we believe great people and great ideas deserve to be seen.
Want to connect with Ima Basi Gabriel Udofia?
📞 09023056254
📍 Akwa-Efak, off Udo-Udoma Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom
