Mrs. Luciana Ojeniyi, founder of Luciana, an AI-powered Virtual Try-On platform, has called for increased investment in Nigeria’s creative ecosystem for the sector to generate more jobs and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.
She made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to her, it is expedient for governments, private institutions and other industry stakeholders to support young creatives through improved access to funding, mentorship, technology and modern infrastructure.
She said such support should include investment in creative education, stronger intellectual property protection and an enabling environment for innovation-driven businesses.
“Nigeria doesn’t lack talent. What many young people need is greater access to opportunity, funding, mentorship, modern technology and platforms that help them scale.
“The creative economy should be seen not just as entertainment or fashion but as a serious economic driver capable of creating jobs, attracting investment, increasing exports and showcasing Nigeria’s excellence on the global stage.
“When we empower our creatives, we’re investing in the future of our economy,” she said.
Ojeniyi said that as the digital economy space evolved, Nigerian fashion entrepreneurs have embraced Artificial Intelligence (AI) to redefine customer experience and position local brands for greater global competitiveness.
According to her, fashion entrepreneurs are embracing the technology to redefine online shopping and target global markets with local brands.
She said craftsmanship, technology and customer experience were increasingly working together in the industry.
According to her, the Virtual Try-On platform was introduced to transform online fashion shopping by allowing customers to see how outfits would look on them before making a purchase.
She said the innovation reflects the changing face of fashion, as it was inspired by the uncertainty many consumers face while shopping online
Ojeniyi noted that many shoppers were hesitating to buy clothing online because they are unsure how an outfit will fit or appear on them.
“Fashion has always been deeply personal for me.
“One of the biggest barriers to online shopping is uncertainty. Customers often wonder, ‘Will this outfit actually suit me? How will I look in it?
“So I wanted to remove that doubt and make shopping more accessible, convenient and fun for everyone,” she said.
She explained that the AI Virtual Try-On platform enables customers to upload a photograph or take a live image on the company’s website.
According to her, customers can instantly visualize themselves wearing selected Luciana outfits before placing an order.
Ojeniyi said the technology was designed to improve customer confidence, and as well bridge the gap between digital and physical retail.
She added that customers who still preferred traditional shopping could visit the brand’s physical store for personalized styling services.
“The platform allows customers to visualize themselves in our designs before making a purchase, giving them greater confidence and creating a more immersive shopping experience.
“Fashion and styling today are no longer only about craftsmanship, as consumers expect convenience, personalization and innovation,” she said.
Ojeniyi said the company deliberately adopted AI because it intended to serve not only Nigerian consumers but also customers across international markets.
“We are not only targeting the Nigerian market; we’re also targeting the global market.
“For everything you want to do, you have to be solving a need, and that was what gave rise to the AI Virtual Try-On platform,” she said.
According to her, the brand represents a platform where African craftsmanship meets innovation and global standards. (NAN).
