Yesterday I did a post on the on going conflict between Terrence Sambo of One Nigerian Boy and retail store L'espace. You can read all about it HERE. In the statement released by L'espace they questioned Terrence's motive saying "we assume this is based on a recent miscommunication with his designer sister of WSClothing Co" . To address this issue Wana Sambo Clothing has released a very detailed statement saying;
"On the 15th of Feb, 2012, Wana Sambo Clothing, a Womens wear brand, received an e-mail from L’espace, a multi-brand concept store/retail outlet located in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, inviting Wana Sambo Clothing to retail at their store through a new revenue model they were testing.
On the 22nd of February, an agreement was entered stating Wana Sambo Clothing was to pay the following to be a part of L’espace:
a) N50,000 as monthly rent
b) N15,000 as monthly service charge
c) Choose from either a 3 months or 6 months upfront payment option
Wana Sambo Clothing chose the 3months upfront option and paid the sum of N195,000 on the 1st of march, 2012.
Wana Sambo clothing started retailing at L’espace 15th of March and on the 17th of March 2012, a sales report ending 17th of March 2012 was sent to Wana Sambo Clothing with a total of sales for that week.
By the 28th of March, Wana Sambo Clothing received a 2nd sales report ending the 24th of march and it stated the amount of sales made that week with a new term added to it: a 20% commission being taken off sales. Also attached to that e-mail was an amended version of the first invoice WSC received which now had the total sales plus a 20% commission taken off it. This meant that a 20% commission would be deducted weekly. Once this e-mail was received, Wana Sambo contacted L’espace to query this new term/development as this had never been stated in any of our written or verbal agreements and L’espace replied saying (a quote from the e-mail) “…the 20% commission was not included in the agreement because we are still testing the new revenue model…” I asked them to put a hold to any payments into my bank account from sales until I get back into the country, as they were aware I was away for a period of time. L’espace replied me the next day with a contract termination notice, making mention of their assumptions that One Nigerian Boy, a fashion blogger, who is also my brother, was sanctioned by my brand to launch a “guerilla attack” against them on twitter.
First of all, It was not stated by L’espace at any point that I would be paying a 20% WEEKLY commission on sales after my rent and service charge had been paid in full. I run my studio at No 11 Augustine Anozie street, Lekki Phase 1, Nigeria, agreeing to retail at L’espace was a way of giving clientele another point of purchase and it seemed a smart way to push for the growth my business.
I would like to make clear that I, Wana Sambo of Wana Sambo Clothing can not influence the topic of Fashion Blogger(s) either as a sister or as a designer in the Nigerian Fashion Industry. Terence Sambo of ONB is a Fashion Blogger and he is within his rights to discuss whatever issues concerning/affecting the fashion industry as he pleases, I cannot ask him to not do his job neither can I tell him how to do it. Mentioning the Wana Sambo brand in a press release about his tweets when he clearly made no mention of Wana Sambo Clothing as the source of his information, simply because he is my brother was most unprofessional.
In reference to a portion of their press release, L’espace attempted to slander the Wana Sambo brand, making all sorts of insinuations about the brand’s financial strength and moneys already paid to them.
L’espace publicly terminated our contract without facts and without giving notice based on the terms of the agreement by both parties. Wana Sambo Clothing has upheld every part of the agreement and L’espace has no right to terminate the contract. L’espace on the other hand has constantly violated the terms of the contract agreement by firstly taking a 20% commission from WSC sales without prior notice, secondly on the same day sending an e-mail saying “Your stock will be taken off the shop floor at 11am today” and “we are more than happy to terminate.” (Please note that I received this e-mail after they had already issued out a press release.)
I sent L’espace an e-mail asking them to take down the press release as it was wrongly aimed but they still have not up until now, 30th March, 2012 at 1:53am. Wana Sambo Clothing has also not gotten a reply to the e-mail sent to L’espace addressing this issue.
I am not trying to be a whistle blower but for the sake of entrepreneurial spirit, I hope this issue can be settled more amicably as it has already been blown out of proportion."
Wow!! this is just ridiculous! What do you think guys? Is L'espace exploiting their clients? to help you answer that check this out ONB
KISSES!!!
