#TailorsTalk: Iya Isila

The hustle and bustle could be seen. Stainless Plates or steels clanging everywhere from those washing, as well as outstretched arms over a large pot of soup, demanding for a portion in exchange for money.

The big round Bokoto and Ponmo that has been soaked in soup for some sweet hours, and the beautiful looking, sometimes peeping, Shaki.

Talk about the Abódì, Fùkù, Èdò, and Roundabout whose general name was Inú-Eran, always looking inviting.

The Egusi soup was always ever attractive, and the slightly red coloured pepper against the green leaves of the Èfó rírò always made it difficult to choose between both of them.

The Almighty green leaves Ewedu with white coatings of Egusi sprinkled in.

It was always the tie breaker especially when eaten with her lifetime partner. Though, very dark but very succulent, Amala of course!

Make an attempt to include the Bean soup popularly called "Gbègìrì" and you are sure to yawn after.

You see, Iya Isila's shop is a major bus stop and three others away, but it was always a pleasure going there and not minding the distance.

I'd rather trek because the money for transportation would buy one Shaki, and oh the pride that came with pointing at that Shaki and screaming "put one Shaki. Yes, that one, éfísí (put it)" as though I won a laurel.

Who says 'Shaki' isn't a Laurel anyway? Come let me pray for you. Rolls eyes!

Iya Isila's 'shed' wasn't so big, but she had a strategy; She had just a shop and space behind.

So, she used the front to display all manner of foods and the shop was converted to an eating room. Cooking was done at the backyard and over time she kept upgrading.

She wasn't the only food vendor, but she was 'tops' plus her food was very delicious.

She didn't have a signature packaging nylon nor bowl, but you needed to see the pride with which 'Men in Suits' held their toothpicks in their mouth and stepped out of her corner street leading to her shop.

That was Class!

Gradually, other food vendors began to come up and closer to home with different delicacies.

On the days I was too hungry and tired to trek to Iya Isila's shop, I settled for one nearby.

On the days I didn't have enough money, I settled for nearby also.

On this money issue, don't mind that Iya Isila o. She was expanding na and started growing wings.

All of a sudden, the size of Amala kept reducing until one wrap was just three morsels.

Who does that? She forgot we (us), her first love, who encouraged her when she first started.

Nonsense and Pride! Adjusts glasses

Back to the new vendors trying to break into the market, their one wrap was big enough and quite filling and delicious too!

My people, what can the righteous do than to buy?

How does Iya Isila's story relate to Fashion Designing and the Business of Fashion?

Just watch this space!

#TailorsTalk

#AraOludesigns

#WriterDesigner