Bijou Abiola, The Fashion Exec with U.N. and Harvard Business School ties
“Elusive.” Is that the best way to describe Bijou? She’s not on Instagram or Facebook so one never knows where she is or what she is up to. She answered my questions while on a plane to Syndey. What on earth is she doing in Sydney? When I called her to set up the photo shoot she wanted to make sure we squeezed it in before she was off to London… London???
Or is “low-key” a better word? I have known her since 2013 and only found out this summer that her uncle was MKO Abiola, Nigeria’s legendary first democratically elected president who was considered the hope for Nigeria, the man who could end poverty and corruption. But instead of an inauguration, he was was jailed. His imprisonment caused an international furor with Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu calling for his release. Sadly he was never able to come to office, eventually dying under suspicious circumstances on the day he was meant to be released. This might be someone another person would brag about being related to but Bijou only mentioned it after our mutual friend asked her about her last name. Low key.
But what about “understated?” When discussing looks for this shoot, she said I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl. I’ll admit I was a bit worried when she said this, but I breathed a sigh of relief when she threw on a leather, tartan lined Chanel trench on top. Jeans and T shirt right.
What can I say? Bijou is an interesting woman. Half Igbo, half Yoruba, she was born in London, grew up in Lagos, reared in boarding school and found herself in NYC ready for university at the young age of 15. Never one NOT to impress, her first job was as a Junior Economic Advisor for the Nigerian Commission to the United Nations. Unsatisfied, she hustled her way into a fashion buying career. Still bursting with energy and brain power, she’s just become a Harvard Business School alum because why not? Are you tired just reading this? Bijou is busy! But she is still the most present, caring and supportive friend that a woman could ask for. I couldn’t sit down with her because as I mentioned she is a bit difficult to tie down, but she did thoughtfully answer my questions about changing one’s mind, being called over-confident and the woman she is becoming.
I hope you find yourself inspired. Enjoy!
Bijou at her Brooklyn home. Image by Katya Fevi
“I once had a boss tell me I was over confident. The day she said it I went home and cried. Today? I say, ‘thank you’.”
You studied economics in university, got your masters in Public Affairs from Columbia but work in fashion. Can you please take us through your education and early career journey?
I was so young when I moved to America to start Uni (at 15) so they had me redo the 12th grade...I ended up going to the City University for undergrad then got my masters in Public Affairs from Columbia. I thought I really wanted to be an economist.
Yes you were once a Junior Economic Advisor, Nigerian Commission to the UN. How did you get this role and why did you not continue?
Image by Katya Fevi
I don’t remember how I got the role but let’s be honest, someone knew someone who knew someone. Naija style. It was a boring job to be honest. It gave me a lot of exposure but it just wasn’t meant for me.
So you went into fashion. Is that because fashion was where you secretly always wanted to be?
Oh definitely not. I knew I wanted to go into the private sector after only about six months at the UN. Something about the pace of the environment and how slowly decisions were made wasn’t for me. So I decided to explore careers in retail. There are a gazillion different jobs within the fashion industry that aren’t modeling, design or in-store, and I decided to explore the different options.
-How did you hear about buying program at L&T?
Google! I had only been to a Lord and Taylor store once in my life before applying there. I had no idea what I was getting into. I’m not even sure if I read the job description. All I saw was “executive training” and I thought “that’s me! I’m an executive in waiting so sign me up!”
Can you give us a brief summary of your career journey at Lord and Taylor?
I want to start by saying I don’t believe in career paths. More like career jungles. Careers are super layered and full of surprises! I’ve been with Lord and Taylor for my entire 12 and a half year fashion career and held many different roles as I grew.
In a nutshell, after the executive training program, I started out as a business analyst which is essentially an assistant, then moved onto allocations, they’re the people who decide how much of a product each store receives. I did that for a few years before transitioning into buying. I was an assistant buyer for 3 years and worked in 3 different buying offices during that time . Then I was promoted to an associate buyer in the designer office and when my buyer got promoted, I got promoted into her role! As a buyer I went on to manage 4 different buying portfolios after that - all great brands - Ralph, Donna, Chanel, Dior, - heritage and iconic brands that made going to work fun most days.
But eventually I wanted to do more and felt I had maximized my learnings as a buyer. I made the decision to go back to school while I explored my next steps within the company. I’m currently our Director of Project Management. Its a strategic role that oversees and spearheads initiatives that will affect the merchant side of the business. This usually entails changes in systems and processes. It’s not as glamorous as buying but it’s important to be well rounded if I want to own or run something bigger one day.
-Can you tell us a bit about this program at Harvard you just completed?
I was fortunate enough to get accepted into Harvard Business School’s program for leadership development which they call Executive MBA alternative. It’s a program that selects high potential leaders from multiple sectors and prepares them to take on more senior leadership roles in the near future. It’s a competitive accelerated equivalent to an Executive MBA and condenses the most relevant parts of the two year program into one year. Super intense but I learned so much. Most importantly, I made over 160 new friends from around the world. It was probably one of the best professional decisions I’ve made since deciding to pursue a career in retail.
What character traits do you feel have contributed to your success?
Honestly? My audacity. I’ve always been pretty bold and I tend to say “I have no shame!” I ask the questions people are too politically correct to ask and take risks people are often too scared to take. It hasn’t always worked in my favor but I think it’s made me a better version of myself today.
-Do you ever suffer from imposter syndrome or have self-doubt?
Of course! I remember my first day at Harvard. I was on the younger side than the majority of my class. Same as at Columbia! These people had many levels of experience more than I did and a few of them could be my bosses. I kept wondering if I should be there. But I carried myself like like “you’re darn right I should be here...have you met me?” Projecting confidence helps me with my inner confidence. It’s like an exercise.
I actually once had a boss tell me I was over confident. The day she said it I went home and cried. Today? I say, thank you. Because my over-confidence has gotten me in rooms my inner voice would have kept me out of.
-Can you elaborate on how overcoming self doubt is like exercise?
Often before a major meeting I stand in the mirror and role play a position above the one I’m in - so I pretend I’m the CEO or President of a company. Sounds silly but it’s like playing house but instead playing “board room” and with no dolls . Then when I walk into a room where I’d naturally feel “small”, my mind has already been psyched to believe I’m meant to be there.
I love that. Let’s pivot to you for a bit. You come from a political family. Do you see yourself ever going down this route? How has that background shaped you if at all?
I was really young when I lived in Nigeria and looking back didn’t fully understand the impact of my last name or the enormity of what my uncle had accomplished with his run for the presidency. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started to fully understand and learn about his life and subsequent death. I think there’s something to be said about having that kind of “blood” running through your veins. I’d never say never to anything and it would be an honor to serve a country that helped shape me into who I am today. But not sure if politics is in the cards for me. I do hope to find other ways to contribute to the growth and success of our nation some day. I could see myself living there again for sure.
-Working in fashion you have access to a lot discounts, deals, private sales etc. Any insider secrets you can offer our readers?
Well...If I tell you then our regular price business will suffer and we won’t make our margins and I won’t have a job! There are amazing perks to the job- the biggest one being sample sales. I’ve really enjoyed those. An insider tip I guess will be shopping for seasons at the end of them. So buy your sweaters for next year at the end of winter when everything is on sale. Follow your favorite brands on social media to see when they’re having sample sales. What else? I don’t believe in high-low these days. Spend money on good quality stuff. They last longer and prevent waste.
-What birthday gift would you buy or give to a super picky, high maintenance friend?
I’d give them an experience. I’m starting to cherish those more. Things get lost or lose their excitement after using them a few times. But memories last a life time. Take them to their favorite play or on a trip or even a simple surprise party...something that’ll bring a smile to their face every time they remember it
-What are your virtues?
My faith governs my life. It’s not very cool these days to talk about being a Christian because it’s usually linked to being “anti” but it’s the foundation on which I’ve built my life. I think every religion has this one virtue and that’s to treat others the way you’d want to be treated. I’m so big on respect for others - no matter their level or title, big or small- everyone deserves to be treated equally.
-Well said. Your vices?
Maybe it’s that I’m not afraid of anyone. Is that a vice? I just feel like a human is a human...I just don’t get when people say they’re scared of a person. Not sure if that’s a vice.
-How has working in fashion influenced your style?
Look, I’m super laid back. My best friend calls my style ‘boring’ but I call it minimalist, which by the way is an actual trend right now. I feel the chicest in a white button down and blue jeans. Or in a T-shirt and ripped jeans. It’s interesting to see all these “bloggers” - I put that in air quotes because honey everybody is a blogger now - and how dressed up they all get. Meanwhile those of us running the business of fashion don’t take it as seriously. Don’t get me wrong we love to get dressed and appreciate good taste but the average person in fashion doesn’t spend nearly as much time coordinating outfits and “doing it for the gram”...I just can’t!
-Finally, A quote that exemplifies your outlook on life?
I recently watched “inside Bill’s brain” about Bill Gates on Netflix and was fascinated by his resolve to help solve some of the worlds biggest problems. The last part ends with a quote from his mother that sums up the journey I’ve been on these past few years. She says:
It’s not what you get or what you give. It’s what you become...
All of life’s experiences are there to shape us into becoming the best version of ourselves. Trials and joys, ups and downs, it’s been fascinating seeing the woman I’m becoming from all that life has brought my way.
You can find Bijou at:
LinkedIn: Bijou Abiola
