Class Structures in the Creative Industries: An Analysis of the Working Conditions of Workers in Nigeria’s Fashion Sector

Abstract

Since the showcasing of indigenous designs on the world’s most prestigious runways, Nigeria’s fashion industry has received global endorsement and experienced rapid growth, making it a major contributor to the creative economy. Research often focuses on the success of big designers as a yardstick to measure the contribution of this sector to the wider economy. This study finds that data on the earning potential of the fashion industry is incomplete without a reflection of the contributions of the generality of creative workers found in the informal sector of the economy. It draws on interviews and direct observation of selected workers found in the production rooms of fashion houses and garment factories in Nigeria.  Findings indicate that the industry is plagued by class distinctions in the work force which impedes the mapping of its true earning potential.

Keywords: creative industries, creative workers, creative labour, fashion, class structures, Nigeria’s fashion sector

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-4-01