Need a quick fix with your torn attire? You looked no further than the popular ‘Oye adie Yie’ tailors. With their expert craftsmanship and attention to detail, they seamlessly mend any tear, ensuring our attire looks as good as new. Whether it’s a ripped seam or a hole in your favourite garment, we trusted the skilled hands of these ‘Oye adie Yie’ tailors to restore it to its former glory.
These mobile tailoring shops were nothing but men and their sewing machines up on their shoulders. They made their way through various neighbourhoods and brought their services right to people’s doorsteps. The convenience of having a tailor come to you saved customers time and effort, making it easier than ever to get their clothing repaired or altered.
Did I hear someone mention ‘entrepreneurism’? Indeed, these ‘Oye adie Yie’ tailors embodied the spirit of entrepreneurship. They took their skills and services directly to the customers, creating a unique business model that catered to the needs of the community. Their mobile tailoring services showcased their resourcefulness and determination to succeed in an ever-changing market.
‘Oye adie Yie’ gained popularity in Ghanaian communities from the 1990s to the 2000s. They moved around not only with their sewing machines but also with measuring tape and a pair of scissors, which was always their means of alarming the community of their presence. From afar, the clanging sound of their scissors is distinctive and serves as a signal for people to bring their clothes for alterations.
While these men gave worn-out clothes their glory back, they were rarely seen sewing a whole cloth from scratch. Their expertise lay in altering and repairing garments to fit perfectly, using their skills to breathe new life into old clothing. When you need a custom-made garment, you head to your seamstresses and tailors (those in the shops), but that doesn’t stop your usual ‘Oye adie Yie’ guy from working his magic on your existing wardrobe.
