Adu Lette-Sy an extraordinary designer

For more than 18 years, the sole proprietress of Complex Ya Ida, has been synonymous with both Gambian and European styles, creating cloths that are immediately recognisable for their sophistication.

Born and brought up in Banjul, Adu Lette-sy attended Muhammedan Primary School, from there she proceeded to St Josepha, and to St Augustine’s High School. She later did her Under-Graduate Diploma and Post Graduate degree at Scotland, specialising in Human Resource Management.

Speaking to Women’s Weekly at her residence in Latrikunda German, Mrs Adu Lette-Sy said she is a modest person, trying to do her best to become a patriotic Gambian and to contribute her quota in national development and that she aimed to be a top role model.

She disclosed that she is the only female child of six boys, her family and her mother, Ya Ida Gaye, whom she name after her complex.

Adu called on all Gambian boys and girls to come into the fashion industry, noting that, during Tobaski or Koriteh, all their employees go back home because they are foreigners.

“Another constrain we have is that, we always import our textiles from other countries and definitely I would like us to have our own in The Gambia, I want the Gambia to have a trade mark.

Adu Lette-sy appealed to the government of the Gambia to give them a land where they will train the youths.  Adu’s liking for fashion and sense of creation has earned her a name in the industry up to the level that the Gambia government recognises her as one of the trainers for the National Youth Service Scheme in fashion designing and tailoring.

Her good taste for style and colour combination enhances her creativity in blending African fashion markets. This has won her a lot of credit and certificates of achievements and recognition in Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Georgia and Ohio.

She added that she has won numerous awards, including best fashion designer of the year 1994.  She is a member of different associations of fashion designers and also a member of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Trade Fair Committee.

Mrs Lette-sy adviced Gambian women to come together to help each other  and to bring their ideas together, adding that they should always cooperate in order to form themselves into a federation under the Women’s Bereau in order to help the vice-president, female SOS’s and all Gambian women for the benefit of the country.

“We share the country with the men, but when we the women come together, we will surely develop the country because we have the motivation from President Jammeh, “he said.

Adu intends to take fashion beyond just weaving ordinary embroidery, but for the world to better appreciate African fashion levels of civil society. She started working with the Gambia Airways in 1982.