Astronomy graduate with a passion for fashion and IT

Michael Edwin Olulo

NAIROBI, KENYA: Michael Edwin Olulo, 24, is a man of many talents. His skills in tailoring have seen him build an enviable reputation in the local fashion industry, even though he holds a degree in astronomy and astrophysics, and works in the IT industry.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a charismatic and dynamic man. I juggle between offering IT services such as programming and web design, and running a bespoke tailoring company known as 56 Authentique.

How do you juggle fashion and IT?

It’s all about discipline. I am very time conscious and I always carry a diary with me that helps me organise my commitments, ensuring I do everything on time.

What got you into the business of making suits?

A suit has since time immemorial been regarded as a piece of clothing that shows how respected and successful a man is. It also has very many details, and if you give it just a cursory glance, you may miss them. I decided to take my time to learn how these amazing pieces of art were made, and that is how my company, 56 Authentique, came up.

I really love suits and the elegance that comes with wearing one. I used to hear people complain about how unreliable suit tailors were and how disappointed they were with the poor quality of what was available. I was determined to right these wrongs by being professional and thorough.

How much did you spend on your first machine?

My first tailoring machine cost me Sh12,000 and I bought it using the savings that I had accumulated through my IT work.

My first clients were my close friends who really supported me; they were willing to buy the suits that I made and from these sales, I was able to buy more equipment to grow my business as well as earn a little extra to meet my needs.

What do you think sets 56 Authentique apart from other tailoring outfits?

We ensure our clients own their suits and they work for their body types by tailor making them from scratch. When it comes to wedding suits, we work with clients to understand what they want to achieve with their theme colours and then come up with something that meets these purposes.

Who is your mentor?

My mother. She has been supportive from the very beginning. She has always encouraged me to do what makes me happy and avoid anything that would stress me out.

Any celebrity clients?

I have had the chance to tailor for a couple of celebrities, including comedian and radio host Jalang’o and hip hop artiste Juliani. Kenyans have started to appreciate my services and my client base increases by the day, with news anchors and other individuals held in esteem getting in touch.

What would you tell those interested in starting a side hustle?

You should do what you enjoy and love. The kind of satisfaction one gets when the day ends is incomparable to what one feels when they do what they do not love. Even your hobbies can earn you a good living.

To the older generation, support us. We would have no music to dance to if everyone was an engineer, we would have no sports to enjoy if everyone was a scientist, and we would have no clothes to make us feel beautiful without tailors and designers.

[email protected]