Ghanaian fashion designer and creative director, Marian Ama Bobiah, has taken the fashion world by storm with the release of her debut collection for 2019, the “Akwaaba Collection.”.
This remarkable showcase of talent and craftsmanship marks the birth of her eponymous brand, MAB CLODING. With an ambitious vision, Bobiah aims not only to conquer the West African market but to make her mark on the entire African fashion landscape.
The “Akwaaba collection” is a celebration of Ghanaian culture and a testament to Bobiah’s extraordinary design skills. Each garment in the collection exudes elegance, innovation, and a deep respect for traditional Ghanaian craftsmanship. Bobiah’s meticulous attention to detail and her thoughtful selection of fabrics and colors result in a collection that is as visually stunning as it is culturally significant.
As the collection’s name suggests, “Akwaaba” meaning “welcome” in the Akan language, Bobiah extends a warm invitation to fashion enthusiasts across the continent. Her designs effortlessly blend modern aesthetics with traditional African elements, offering a fresh perspective on African fashion. From flowing gowns adorned with intricate beadwork to tailored suits showcasing vibrant Ankara prints, each piece in the collection tells a unique story, drawing inspiration from Ghana’s rich heritage and diverse artistic traditions.
The launch of MAB CLODING alongside the “Akwaaba Collection” demonstrates Bobiah’s ambition to position herself as a leading force in the Pan-African fashion industry. With an unwavering commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and the celebration of African heritage, Bobiah aspires to capture the hearts of fashion-conscious individuals not just in West Africa, but throughout the continent.
Bobiah’s brand embodies a spirit of inclusivity and diversity. By embracing the unique stories and aesthetics of various African cultures, MAB CLODING is poised to resonate with a wide range of customers, transcending geographical borders and uniting fashion enthusiasts from Cape Town to Cairo.
Marian Ama Bobiah expressed her excitement about the launch of MAB CLODING and the “Akwaaba Collection,” stating, “I want to create a brand that celebrates the beauty and diversity of Africa. Through MAB CLODING, I aim to showcase the richness of our heritage while infusing it with modern design elements. I want people to feel proud to wear African fashion and to be part of the movement that elevates our continent’s fashion industry.”
The release of the “Akwaaba Collection” and the launch of MAB CLODING mark the beginning of an exciting journey for Marian Ama Bobiah. Her impeccable craftsmanship, innovative designs, and dedication to promoting African fashion have already garnered attention within the industry.
Fashion enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the opportunity to embrace the “Akwaaba Collection” and experience the unique fusion of culture, style, and craftsmanship it represents. With MAB CLODING’s Pan-African vision and Marian Ama Bobiah’s artistic prowess, the brand is poised to make a significant impact on the African fashion scene, capturing the attention and admiration of fashion lovers throughout the continent and beyond.
MAXI dresses are back after falling off the fashion scene for years; the floor sweeping style has been spotted on several fashionistas despite the runway being full of little dresses. Elegant beautiful maxi are now everywhere, in any imaginary design and pattern. As simple as most maxi are, you must ensure that you combine with the right shoes and accessories; anything less will take a lot away from that special look that the maxi gives.
Maxi dress is quite enchanting and high fashioned. It is suitable for all body sizes and shapes. It adds a touch of elegance, gracefulness and confidence to your look. However, the mermaid dress can only be worn for evening events and red carpet occasions. If you want to add extra attention to your waist, you can add a belt. But this should be done only if your dress doesn’t have many designs or embellishments. Pair with lovely earrings, preferably chandelier earrings, a nice clutch purse and shoes. It is a contemporary fit for today’s woman.
Big Brother Naija 2018 contestant, Oluwabamike Olawunmi, popularly known as BamBam, is a multi-talented young lady. She’s an actress, broadcaster, singer, voice-over artiste, event host, Creative Director, and On Air Personality and entrepreneur. BamBami is one of the fastest growing brands in the entertainment industry having stormed Nollywood after last year’s BB Naija. A close encounter with the young enterprenuer throws a glimpse into her brilliance and passion to make a mark in the dynamic Nigerian entertainment industry. In this interview with KEHINDE OLULEYE, she speaks about her career and other sundry matters.
HOW would you describe Bambam?
First of all, Bambam is an actor. Acting comes first for me and I also have a passion for music as well. I’m a lover of anything art, which explains my high sense of creative fashion.
What was your growing up like?
Growing up was majorly adventurous, which is usually the case of an average diplomat’s child. I had the opportunity to live and tour round some parts of the world because that was what my dad’s job required and though I had to change schools & friends frequently, I would still pick the languages, culture learning benefits over that.
What inspires you?
A lot of factors inspire but I think my source of inspiration is one thing I always tell myself, ‘Bamike, you are going to be one of the most influential women in the world. This drives my everyday self; it’s even more interesting now that a lot of goal-driven Nigerians are breaking barriers and the level of attention the world has on us now makes me want to do more.
How do you unwind?
I take a break from that one thing that is steadily increasing pressure on me at that particular time, separate my energy from what is needed and what’s not. This way I have a clearer view of what I want to achieve and how I want to achieve it.
What determines what you wear?
For my regular days, I wear clothes based on my mood and what’s most accessible in my wardrobe. By accessible I mean what I have pictured myself wearing for the day even before leaving my bed (smiles). Then for my event appearances, I love to wear what’s out of the norm and I have my creative team to thank for that.
What is fashion to you?
Fashion is art and art is unique to your identity expression. So I take every fashion opportunity to fully express myself.
How would you describe your fashion style?
My style can be relatable either at first sight or when you look deeply. However, I like think of my style as dynamic, because everyday, I discover new desires in fashion and the way I want to express myself. My style keeps evolving as I’m a big fashion enthusiast.
Fashion items you can’t do without?
I can’t do without accessories but somehow, it’s literally last on my mind when shopping. I still don’t know why.
What is your go-‘ ‘ to outfit?
A jumpsuit with or without a kimono is my go-to and my favourite.
Are you a label freak?
I can be.
You talked about having a shoe and belt collection in Big Brother house, are you still going to do that?
It’s something I’m still very much interested in, like all business ideas. It’s important to understand the market well and how profitable it is before plunging into it.
Simplest fashion item in your wardrobe?
Kimono
Who is your favourite designer(s) home and abroad?
My favourite designer home would be House of Jahdara. Abroad, I love Stella Mccartney , Toni Matièevski and Olivier Rousteing of Balmain.
Most expensive fashion item in your wardrobe?
My Chanel Bag.
What makes you happy?
Seeing my plans in motion and watching them fall into place beyond my expectation.
Celebrity style you really love?
Victoria Beckham.
Can you go a week without your stylist?
I can in as much as there isn’t an event appearance or outing that week.
Fashion designing can be attributed to the art of creating any particular fashionable apparel. Because of exposure and developments, the basic notion of fashion and style is beginning to change drastically and has been able to extend into other aspects of our dressing culture including jewellery, bags, hair, make-up, footwear, and a host of others.
Fashion designing by implication has undergone various phases of transformations, shifting from just designing clothing materials. Fashion designing has transformed into a full-fledged industry today and has also become a source of livelihood for many. It is a well acceptable carrier path all over the world and its impact on world economies is easily felt and has also been predicted to grow at an unprecedented rate. Apart from designing, there are a number of other career alternatives that have emerged in this industry with the passage of time.
Fashion and style have grown in no small measure and has now formed a significant source of revenue earnings for most countries of the world including Nigeria, where it has substantially become a major source of employment opportunities, especially for the teaming population. Fashion and style have therefore become an integral part of our day-to-day life, and in some circumstance, it even dictates our social life, circle and interactions which many either old or young cannot do without. Therefore, it has become imperative that the attention food items received is also the attention given to clothing materials as well.
Theresa Odey who founded Ankara Africa in 2017, and in two years launched ‘JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION2019 as part of her epoch entry formally into the fashion and style industry has become a global brand since her launch. Her Fashionable styles include numerous trending designs such as dresses, Ankara shoes, bags, hats, Fascinators, hair bands, Umbrellas, and Bridal fans. And these have been exclusive in their production for the industry as well as for individuals.
In its exclusive forms, JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019 were a well-thought Fashion collection that includes: beautiful clothes, footwear and other accessories for specific events in their original forms and has become a regular model of attraction and demand within the fashion industry. No wonder part of her objectives as an entrepreneur is to stay ahead of any current fashion trend, or market changes and to ensure the quality of life for our business patterns. Fashion designers are people who know everything about the latest trends and a mixture of different elements to create new clothing designs for different occasions. Theresa Odey as a high-profile designer among her peers has been hired and consulted on many occasions to make outfits in relation to specific client demands and requirements. Haven carved a niche for her credibility, consistencies and reputation, Ankara Africa does not compromise on her qualities and this makes the brand stand out among all others.
Ankara Africa one of Nigeria’s most prolific fashion designers has been adjudged the most dedicated fashion firm providing quality and long-lasting Ankara designs to the taste of their customers. Its vision to provide the best-valued products and services to the global customer base is an industry lesson for old and new entrepreneurs to key into and become better at what they do. Ankara Africa’s success stories, motivation and experiences have been delivered at various roundtable discussions, seminars and conferences on how to develop fashion for upcoming entrepreneurs.
The dedication and creativity as seen from Ankara Africa testimonies have often proven to be justified by some great projects and ideas exhibited that have earned her a high reputation among industry players.
Nigeria’s fashion industry plays a significant role in the country’s economy. A fast-growing population and an increased awareness of the fashion and style industry, this has also increased demands for clothing materials made in Nigerian among old and young generations. The evolving Nigerian fashion industry has significantly transformed and the country is home to some of the world’s top fashion designers such as Ankara Africa by Theresa Odey, known for her creativity, innovation and unique fashion styles.
As one of Nigeria’s most patronized fashion designer whose works has stood the test of time, she has been able to create a business venture where the challenges encountered by every business has been surpassed and profit-making has equally been good for business sustainability and development. For Ankara Africa, one of the core objectives of her business brands is sustainability. Ultimately, sustainability is providing for the present generation without affecting the opportunities of the future generation.
This means Ankara Africa accommodates the present views and trends in relation to communities, age grades, cultures and globalization. In its latest Julie collections, it has been able to preserve the future generations of market demands for ready-to-wear dresses, Ankara shoes, bags, and bridal fans which have been acknowledged to have an impactful correlation on the world fashion business environment. Julie’s collections were able to penetrate the target market by maintaining and improving social quality with its customer base through market concepts such as cohesion, reciprocity, honesty and cordial relationships among the people who are part of the important segment of the fashion industry.
If you have had an experience in the fashion industry in recent times, you would have realized that Ankara Africa’s brands whose Julie’s collections have proven their progress will have a serious competitive advantage from its various classes of products. Ankara Africa has been able to manage and integrate their environmental progress into their overall marketing strategies.
Ankara Africa while launching its Julie’s Ankara collection in 2019 adopted some of the basic strategies needed to succeed in the industry and these strategies have made her brand one of the best sorts after: Balance, Proportion, Emphasis, Rhythm, Harmony
This has been reflected in the tastes, occasion demands and personalities of the customers in general. JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019 is a move away from the usual fashion and style designs. Its Ankara dresses are a fit for well-tailored dressing to match a particular outfit or colour.
Since the emergence of the art of fashion and styles, clothing has always been an evolving section of the fashion industry taking into cognizance the latest fashion-changing trends that suits market demands. Fashion usually varies from place to place, this is why JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019 she was mindful of her design patterns and collections. Since fashion requires lots of innovation and creativity, Ankara Africa has always twisted her market demand and styles which you see on the streets and has apportion exceptional priorities to contemporary fashion.
When creating a design, Ankara Africa has her priority areas concerning production and one of them is color selection. This is what gives people the natural appeal, feeling and attractions. JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019 was the first of Ankara Africa’s brands of collections that gives people the potentials for self-expression about their personality through a process of selection called ‘customer/client fabric and color identification’. color of the clothing is by far the most prominent element of any designing process. color can attract or distract an outfit’s appeal, regardless of how lovely the design might be and regardless of who is wearing it.
In process of production and service rendering, the first thing people are usually concerned about is its first impression. In fashion and style, the first thing people notice about your outfit is its colour. And you are not going to have ample opportunity to create multiple impressions. People and brands obviously are placed according to the impression they have made from their expressions. Colors have played and continue to play bigger roles in fashion designs. Well-expressed colors bring out the personality in you thus, making you look better and make you stand out from the crowd.
In introducing your style, there is the need to change your design techniques into something that is acceptable, trending, unique and attractive so that it is attracted to the eye instantly this is the strategy that has been employed by Ankara Africa through its JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019. Through this, they have been able to attract a huge client base from its designs and consultancy services that it has offered so far.
JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019 have had a fore hand knowledge about the fashion industry has relied heavily on quality fabrics, without the right fabric, market penetration is just a mere dream. The texture, intensity, and lightness of the fabric impact its shade and dress style. Fabric texture means the feel of the fabric, its appearance and acceptability by the general market gets value for their demands.
JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019 has meant different things to many people taking into cognizance their choices and preferences. Fabric, undoubtedly is another most important factor to keep in mind before choosing a design. The fabric must have a nice smooth texture, the color of the fabric must be as perfect as the client’s choice of design and the fabric must be soft on the skin. There are many more aspects to keep in mind before choosing the fabric, that is whether the fabric loses the color when put in water or does it lose its texture or its durability. From the beginning of her entrant into the fashion industry, Ankara Africa has understood that one of the characteristics of fashion design industry is the aspect of body shapes. The brand has been able to balance its request size from customers so as to be able to stay connected to the market demands.
Everybody is made different, and so are their body shapes. In Modern fashion trends, fashion design cannot be complete without its complementing accessories. This is where Ankara Africa been able to take hold of another segment of the market. This brand has been able to create more fashionable demands which in themselves have been very elegant, chic and hipster. However, for Ankara Africa, the fashion industry encompasses the design, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, retailing, advertising, and promotion of all types of apparel (women). Fashion designing as a trade has also grown. Fashion designers have gone on to get reputable not only in their own countries, but internationally as well. The number of fashion shows participation which Ankara Africa has been involved with so far has been unprecedented.
According to a report by the Nigerian bureau of statistics (NBS), the textile, appeal, and foot wear industry contributed 0.24% to Nigeria’s GDP in Q1of 2021 and the sector has employed over 7 million people in the country, not forgetting Ankara Africa’s huge contributions to this sector and its sub-sectors too. NBS stressed that, the textile, apparel, and footwear industry contribute about 10% to Nigeria’s manufacturing GDP and employs over 2 million people. The fashion industry in Nigeria is estimated to be worth over $2 billion and is expected to continue to grow. Nigeria, being the most populous country in Africa with its rich human and natural resources and been the largest economy in Africa, presents a large market for players within the fashion and style industry to exploit.
Nigeria is known for its diverse cultural heritage, large population, availability of raw materials and values apparently has had a significant influence on the fashion industry. This has made Nigeria a fashion destination for its immediate neighbours in West Africa, Africa and the rest of the world. Ankara Africa has been a major player in the Nigerian and African fashion industry and has through its products and services contributed significantly to the labour force through employment opportunities for artists, technicians, stylists, graphic/jewellery designers, marketing and sales, thereby boosting its brand image.
Ankara Africa through its latest array of garments in ‘JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019 has been showcased to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and values to the people of Africa and the rest of the world. JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019 have equally provided opportunities for exports, thereby generating foreign exchange for the country.
For Ankara Africa, fashion is everything. passion and dreams have indeed become a reality. Her opportunities and growth have been on the increase all thanks to the professionally tailored designs that JULIE’S ANKARA COLLECTION 2019 produces. Its cardinal objective is to make its collections create a long-lasting impression of beautifully designed Ankara clothing. In meeting new peo
Muda Luxe, led by CEO and Creative Director Oluyemisi Omolayo Owatemi, is a brand that seeks to challenge the conventional approach to clothing by infusing African elements into its designs. With a mission to not only satisfy customers but also revive and promote African culture, Muda Luxe aims to bring Africa to the global stage through fashion.
In an era where Western cultures and fashion are gaining dominance, Muda Luxe recognises the need to protect the African identity from fading away. The brand acknowledges that African individuals, both at home and in the diaspora, often find themselves conforming to Western styles, such as jeans and tops. Muda Luxe intends to address this issue by providing African-inspired outfits that can be worn not only at traditional events but also in everyday life, including workplaces and casual settings. By incorporating African culture into daily outfits, Muda Luxe aims to celebrate and preserve the richness of African heritage.
Muda Luxe stands out by offering clothing that deviates from plain and generic designs. The brand’s identity, shaped by the visionary leadership of Oluyemisi Omolayo Owatemi, challenges traditional fashion norms. The goal is to provide customers with an exhilarating experience of owning garments that carry an unmistakable African touch. Muda Luxe believes that by infusing African aesthetics into its designs, it can offer a unique and captivating fashion experience that appeals to customers seeking something beyond ordinary attire.
At the core of Muda Luxe’s mission is the desire to introduce African culture to the world through fashion. In an interview, the CEO and Creative Director expressed their commitment to showcasing African fashion as more than just traditional attire. By producing African outfits suitable for everyday wear, Muda Luxe aims to break free from the limitations of only associating African fashion with specific events or occasions. The brand envisions embedding the African culture into the fabric of daily life, both within the continent and among the African diaspora worldwide.
Muda Luxe, under the visionary guidance of Oluyemisi Omolayo Owatemi, strives to defy conventional fashion expectations by incorporating African elements into its designs. By doing so, the brand not only provides customer satisfaction but also works towards preserving and promoting African culture in a globalized world. Muda Luxe’s commitment to infusing African aesthetics into everyday clothing allows individuals to celebrate their heritage while making a fashion statement. With its unique approach, Muda Luxe sets out to firmly establish the African identity in the fashion world, ensuring that it thrives for generations to come.
Spring Stitches is an Afrocentric clothing line offering quality, timeless and versatile African inspired fashion.
The founder & creative director of Spring Stitches, Augustina Temitope Abisuga aims to inspire women to dress confidently and beautifully by embracing the bold colors and stories told by the diverse patterns on African prints.
The NATURE collection was inspired by the true essence of nature and its connection to every woman.
This collection embodies what it means to be aesthetically appealing, authentic and effortlessly beautiful.
Cynthia Oguntoye is the Creative Director of Maison Loulabelle, an outfit that specialises in children’s wear. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she recalls how she made lots of mistakes at the beginning, conquering her world and how life as a human resources consultant motivated her.
What or who inspired you to go into making children’s wear?
I have always loved all things afrocentric. It’s always been reflected in my personal style. After becoming a mum in 2012, I wanted to be able to dress my daughter in cool, modern afrocentric cloths but there was literally nowhere I could find anything! I found myself getting my tailor to make different outfits for my daughter. Needless to say, she always stole the show in cute outfits. I began to receive enquiries and requests for the type of my daughter’s outfits. At the time, I was a full time consultant. This meant I could pick and choose my work hours which also meant I had more free time than most other working mums. I decided to make the best of that time, and I enrolled in the KathyAnthony Fashion Academy. Of course, the training was in women’s wear. However, I chose to translate my knowledge to kid’s fashion as I realised there was an obvious gap in the market which needed to be filled. And that was how Maison Loulabelle was born.
What was it like at the beginning?
The beginning was a very difficult phase. Filled with lots of mistakes. However, I wouldn’t trade that difficult experience for anything as every challenge served to strengthen the brand we have today. At the beginning, one of our greatest difficulties was even finding tailors interested in making children’s cloths. When we found them at all, they charged almost the same for the mainstream women’s fashion as they did to make the kid’s cloths. However, we couldn’t sell our kid’s cloths at the same margins as women’s fashion. So, it was quite tricky finding the right balance.
In addition to that, one of the major issues I faced was a lack of reference point. Everyone I knew in the fashion industry was into women’s fashion. I soon realised that women’s and kid’s fashion were totally different. Literally, it was not possible to replicate the average women’s wear business strategy in the kids’ wear market. Owing to the fact that at the time, there was no one (at least around me) in the kids’ wear sector, a lot of my learning was done the hard way. However, in the years that followed, the growth of social media especially instagram would act as a fantastic reference point for the newer brands. And also gave them direct access to older brands. This helped provide the advice and guidance that those of us who started much earlier weren’t fortunate to have.
That said, the most significant challenge of our inception phase was a strong resistance to ankara kids fashion. One of the most common feedback we got at the time was “oh it’s GORGEOUS but my kid’s won’t wear ankara.” Afrocentric kids’ fashion was snubbed by many people within our target market. I believe, at the time, ankara for kids was viewed as a thing for the less privileged.
What were you doing before this and what was the experience like?
Prior to starting Maison Loulabelle, I was a strategic human resources/institutional development consultant for the British government’s Department for International Development (DFID) programmes. Prior to that, I had worked for the British Council and other DFID and World Bank programmes in similar capacities. It was the only work life I knew as my first job was with the British Council in 2005/2006 and that followed through all the way to the birth of Maison Loulabelle. Working in an international, yet culturally diverse environment has always given me a different perception of what a work environment should be like and feel like; of interpersonal relations in the workplace – there was no ‘oga’ or ‘madam’ or crazy internal politics. Relationships were based on respect. Respect based on what you could achieve. This helped to further sharpen my culture of excellence and has also been very instrumental in how Maison Loulabelle is run today.
In general, it was a wonderful experience. I got to build organisational structures and systems from the scratch and watch them grow into well-oiled entities. I guess in a lot of ways, it is the same kick I get from creating beautiful outfits from pieces of fabric, thread and embellishments! Nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something out of nothing. So whether it’s systems or clothing, it is always a rewarding experience for me.
It is worth noting that I’m still involved in my strategic HRM&D /Institutional Development consultancy. I absolutely love both worlds and I feel privileged to be able to do the two things I love.
Let’s talk about some memorable moments in the sector.
Oh there have been so many! The first would be getting into 41luxe. It really helped with the penetration of our target market. The second would be selling our first $300 ankara kids dress – effectively proving that we had successfully dissociated ankara kid’s fashion from poverty and confirmed that it could be truly luxurious. Our third most memorable moment would have to be winning the African Creatives and Exhibitions – best creative kids brand award. It felt really good to have our efforts in the sector recognised in such a way. Also, one of our most memorable moments has to be being invited to participate in the London Kids Fashion Week. Our brand had been on their list for a long time – oblivious to us. They were taking stock of the depth and growth of the brand. It felt like such a wonderful nod of approval from the global kids product sector! Finally, 2018 saw us delivering our dresses to customers in far away Australia and even South Korea, Brazil, DRC and Guinea Bissau, amongst others. It was confirmation that brand MLB is now being seen across the world. You are participating in the UK kids wear event next month. What are you looking forward to at the event?
Being invited to participate in the London Kids Fashion Week is so monumental for us as a brand and for the Nigerian kids product sector in general. As you know, we will be the first brand domiciled in Africa to participate at the event. I’m really looking forward to flying the flag for Nigeria and Africa in general – showcasing modern luxury afrocentric kids fashion on a global scale. I am also looking forward to networking with key global players in the kids product industry. Most importantly, I am looking forward to potentially meeting and engaging with major industry buyers from key global children’s wear retailers. I am truly looking forward to making history for the sector in such a way.
Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life and career?
To be honest, there’s no one person I can point to as being ‘the greatest influence’ as it’s taken the proverbial village to get me this far. However, in the journey of brand MLB, our story would not be complete without mentioning the impact of brands like 41Luxe. I’d always be grateful to Tata Yinusa, the founder of 41Luxe, for being the first person in the fashion industry to believe in the vision of brand MLB and taking us on in her luxury retail store – 41luxe – just three months into our inception. We remained at 41luxe for two years before opening our flagship store. This played a significant role in our brand positioning. KathyAnthony has also played a significant role in brand MLB. I was part of the pioneer set of the KathyAnthony Fashion Academy and four years on, we still receive support and referrals from them.
How’s life compared with when you started doing this?
Back when I started, my time was split 90% consulting and 10% for Maison Loulabelle. Maison Loulabelle which was literally run from money from my consultancy practice. Now, the reverse is the case. As at 2018 – 2019, my consulting/Maison Loulabelle ratio is 20:80. This has resulted in monumental growth in brand MLB. As much as I had hoped I would have more time for myself as a full time entrepreneur, that hasn’t been the case as it’s resulted in me working even harder and at pretty much all hours of the day. The key difference is that it’s all geared towards building a sustainable brand – an inheritance for my children and that is a truly rewarding feeling.
What are some of the changes that you would like to see in the sector?
The sector has come a long way in the past four years, thanks to social media. However, I’d like to see the consolidation of the sector. We need to come together to build a sector worth reckoning with. Children’s fashion has never really been part of mainstream fashion anywhere in the world. So as a sector, we need to come together to take the market back from the Chinese.
I would love to see diversification within the sector. More people doing boys fashion, casual fashion, night wears and undies, costumes, kids shoes etc. There’s so much to be done! But most of the current focus is on bespoke princess dresses. If the sector is going to come into its own, we need to have development of a proper diverse made in Nigeria children’s product retail sector.
I’ve learnt that there is so much room to grow in this sector. In Nigeria, we are reproducing at one of the fastest rates in the world. In 2019 alone, our population is expected to increase by 5.4m – with an average of 22,066 life births per day! The children’s product sector in Nigeria is prime! The Chinese recognise this. As a sector, we need more brands to come in so we can begin the process of reclaiming and catering to the needs of our people.
What are some of the things that you treasure most in life?
Without doubt, my family. I have been blessed beyond measure with both my birth family and my family by marriage. Without a doubt, my family is my greatest treasure.
How do you relax?
I take myself out once every week. Me time! Maybe to dinner, the movies, the spa, or just hanging with my friends. At the moment, “me time” has become such a sacred and rewarding part of my week… it offers me a few hours to just relax and be ME!
Let’s talk about the people you admire and role models.
My mum has always been the biggest influence on my life. Incredibly strong, yet fiercely loyal and loving. She’s always taught me the value of staying true to yourself as a woman. She’s also taught me that kindness trumps all. Even today, she has a multitude of children – not born to her but fiercely loyal to her because of one random act of kindness or the other.
Another major role model of mine is Mrs Mo Abudu. I’ve never met her. But her achievements as a woman, as a mother and as a businesswoman are simply inspiring. Look how far Ebony life TV has come since she started it! A woman – in Nigeria – through sheer hard work and determination. I pray to be able to impact generations just like she is currently doing and be a point of reference for my generation as well.
Have you ever wondered what our red carpet zones would look like if we do not have the stylish, the rich and the famous gracing them? Empty and drab, you say? You are spot on.
Without an array of stylish celebrities to strut on the red carpet and hug the flashlight, most high-octane events would look less attractive and boring.
But nowadays, there is a set of celebrity that is changing the style game in a unique way. While it is true that what most fashion and style fans focus on are the beautiful array of dresses, accessories and other fashion items, it is celebs that give life to the fashion accouterments. The beauty of a dress does not depend solely on the cost, colour or shape of its fabrics but mainly on the style and combination power.
And celebrities know these things for a fact. In recent times, even their spouses also do so. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see celebrities building their personal brands while also building their wives’ or husbands’ brands. For some of these celebrities, it is one spouse that is responsible for bringing all the attention. For others, it is both partners that are crowd pullers.
Such celebrity couples often have styles that complement each other, especially on the red carpet. Their combined style is always the perfect balance of matchless style and class. As the adage says, “Two are better off than one”; likewise, a well-dressed and stylish couple will definitely make a glitzy fashion statement on the red carpet!
You may also have noticed that quite a few celebrity couples are now active on the social media where they put up photos that further promote their double brands as homely, lovely and stylish.
These famous couples always seem to get it right fashion-wise and they never go out of the fashion scene no matter how many new ones emerge.
Whether they are politicians, entrepreneurs or Nollywood celebrities, these stylish, rich and famous Nigerian couples make us muse over their style, beauty and talent.
Do you know any of such celeb couples? We are sure that you’ll mention the names of the new celeb couples who have large followings on social media. But before these new hot starters, the fashion scene had always had a host of celeb couples dominating the scene.
So now, the celeb couple frontrunners are a mix of inter-generational celebrities like Otunba Adekunle & Erelu Oodua Ojuolape Ojora, Chief Razak & Shade Okoya, Tunde & Wunmi Obey, Pastor Ituah & Wunmi Ighodalo, Banky W & Adesua, Joseph & Adaeze Yobo, Gbenro & Osas Ajibade, Dakore &Olumide Akande and more. Here are some of the most stylish, rich and famous celebrity couples who, we are sure, will set the pace in 2019 despite their busy schedule.
Razak & Shade Okoya
Billionaire industrialist and the Chairman of Eleganza group of companies and his wife, Shade, have been together for two decades and have four children together. Generally, they are fond of making frequent conspicuous appearances; they do occasionally step out on the red carpet together.
Otunba Adekunle & Erelu Oodua Ojuolape Ojora
Frequently pictured at socials, these evergreen couple’s style mirrors their easy and relaxed personalities.
Pastor Ituah & Wunmi Ighodalo
Pastor Ituah of the Trinity House Ministries International has hardly put a sartorial foot wrong, even since his at the Redeemed Christian Church of God. And his wife, Ibidun’s exceptional style is timeless.
Dakore & Olumide Akande
When you notice Dakore’s elegance and posh style, it’s not hard to see why she’s a muse to her husband, Olumide Akande. Their fashion always complements each other both at formal and informal gatherings.
Sophisticated Gbenro & Osas Ajibade
Gbenro and Osas are known for classy Nollywood glamour.
Tunde & Wunmi Obey’s quirky cool matching hot fashion has set them apart for over two decades. These two have a dash of style magic and it is the reason they have stayed relevant all these years.
Banky W & Adesua Etomi are well known for their romantic elegance. Their style exudes both style and class and in a very modest, if not humble, way.
Add sparkle to your look with the new ways of rocking the owambe trends this yuletide season. Some trends never go out of fashion, no matter how many new ones emerge. One of such is the owambe look; this look is very feminine and stylish, and it comes in different flashy designs.
One interesting thing about fashion items is that they have a way of bouncing back. Gowns of various colours, lengths and sizes are still hot items. But among all, the outfit with a touch of our tradition is the rave of the moment. Still doubting? Check out what celebs rocked at the premiere of EbonyLife Films’ ‘Chief Daddy’, which took place at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, last weekend.
Like almost all other 90s trends, fashionable ladies’ hats are back with a bang! Oldies fashion trends have somehow found their way back into the fashion scene.
This should not be surprising. Fashion is never static, it is always evolving. From fascinators to beanies hats, there are so many variations of hat; but you can never go wrong with a sophisticated fedora or Panama hat.
A hat may not come with or without a brim nor festooned with flowers. But one thing you can be sure of is that, it will come with a tasteful variety of styles.
A stylish hat should be on your Christmas fashion must-haves list.
