Meet the Crew: Eric Ihaza

In 2019  when I volunteered for Lagos Theatre Festival. I was a stage manager for The Lavender which was produced by Lala Akindoju. On the last day of the festival, I got a recommendation to intern for Arise Fashion Week where I worked with local and international designers. I remember sending Lala a DM after the event expressing how much I learnt while working with her. Then she told me she had a movie she was to produce (THE SMART MONEY WOMAN) and offered me an internship.  I started as an intern then became a fashion assistant.  Since then it has been work work work!!! I’m so grateful for the experience and exposure I’ve gotten. Now, I can handle productions myself and I’ve had the opportunity to style some celebrities like Tuface and Annie Idibia, Osas Ighodaro, Alex Ekubo, Daala…still counting.

Who is your dream fashion or film personality to work with?

I don’t have one especially. I have a lot of personalities I dream to work with because of their unique attributes. Some of which I have worked with and want to still work with are: Arese Ugwu, Lala Akindoju, Isoken Ogiemwonyi because of their creativity and quick problem-solving skill, Eku Edewor and BB Sasore because of their attention to detail and well thought out plans for productions, and also work with top international fashion brands on big projects.

How did you get your starting fashion/film?

It all started when I was little. I remember I was always conscious of how my parents and siblings looked after dressing up. I would help pick their outfits and matching accessories.   When I was in the university, I would help my roommates and friends pair their clothes, shoes, watches, glasses and other accessories.  After a while, I started consulting for other students.  It was at this time I knew I would go into fashion and styling as a career.

My network in school grew gradually as I started meeting other students that were into fashion. I collaborated with some of them for gigs. Then I started consulting for several pageantries in school and collaborated with other students to organise the first fashion show in school.