A Passion for Fashion

Lagos couple Patrick and Rosie Bennett are celebrating 20 years in business after having left London in order to have a quality lifestyle and pursue their dream. Their journey is a story of faith, courage and friendships. Sophie Sadler finds out more about their passion for fashion.

Rosie Bennett has just opened her shop again after the COVID-19 lockdown. For a business whose USP is personal care and love, where clients are invited to come and chill out on the sofa and have a cup of tea, it's a welcome move. “My shop is a ray of sunshine for people to get some normality,” says Rosie.

Four are allowed into the shop at a time, wearing a mask and having sanitised your hands. After a long time in social isolation her clothes shop, overflowing with bold prints and bright colours, would be a much-needed visual feast.

It is hard to believe, but Rosie and Patrick met in London while working in banking. They were both born in London. Rosie grew up in Ghana, Patrick in Asia and between the two of them, they speak five languages. Patrick's parents were living in Ghana at the time so they had an immediate connection. After the birth of their son Angelo, Rosie left the world of retail banking and Patrick quit his job in IT to move to Lagos, where Patrick's mother owned a house. Rosie’s Mum also came from Ghana in their initial months in Lagos to help them settle in and set up shop. “Exactly 20 years ago in May we arrived by ferry at Santander and drove our car full of some of our belongings and our 6-month-old firstborn to Lagos to start our new life here in Portugal,” says Rosie.

Initially, they came up with the idea of opening a gallery, “We named the store after our baby’s Ghanaian name KOJO (boy born on a Monday). Our vision was to take it in turns looking after our baby and the new shop,” adds Patrick. They sold furnishings and gifts from around the world. Gradually however their love of clothing and the joy Rosie found from dressing people took hold and they began to focus solely on clothing. “People feel cared for and understood in this shop and that's what I enjoy,” explains Rosie.

The boutique has become a success story and has increased in space, stock, style, beauty and impact; four years ago they extended into the next-door space. “People sit on the sofa to relax while their wives shop, some love the welcoming atmosphere or just a time to be heard, counselled, comforted or even prayed for,” says Rosie.

“Patrick speaks Thai and Rosie Akan so they travel to the two continents once a year to source clothing and accessories from the same local people they have been visiting for two decades. “Both our eldest and the boutique are 20-years-old and surely have grown. Our eldest is studying Engineering in Nova University in Lisbon, having gone first to Barlevento English Primary school and then to the Nobel Portuguese secondary school, like his brothers Joshua and Joel after him. Our tailors have been watching our kids grow while we have watched theirs, we are like a family.”

Rosie and Patrick source some clothes directly and others they design themselves and have them made. The couple put a great deal of thought and care into the clothing they choose, “My passion and love for quality and unique clothing led us to what we are known for now. Locals and visitors visit us and we pick for them items that have quality, breathable fabric, for leisure and special occasions. They like the handmade feel and uniqueness and I often see people return in the same items they bought from me, year after year, it is like watching a story unfold.”

Their commitment led one customer to write, “a beautiful boutique run by a lovely couple who care about people”.

I ask Rosie and Patrick to choose their two favourite items from the shop, and they disappear into the Aladdin's cave of tailored jackets, scarves, jewellery, bags and shirts. Patrick emerges with a brightly coloured Hawaiian shirt which apparently the male customers love. Rosie appears with a gorgeous jacket/dress with a bold African print that would make you stand out at any occasion.

Both are multitalented and juggle many roles, the most important being parenting but Rosie is often invited to speak at weddings, funerals, special celebrations and birthdays. Patrick is a Real Estate Agent and Rosie has just completed a Qualifying Law Degree and plans to use this to to help others. “Helping dress others with their legal rights,” she laughs.

I ask what is the secret to their success? “Sheer hard work, long working hours, courage, commitment, love for people, relating and deeply connecting to people and their stories. For decades,” concludes Patrick.

Facebook: Kojo Boutique

Address: 14 Rua Lanzarote de Freitas, Lagos