fashion Archives - Page 3 of 10

Bellafricana published in Fashion, Uncategorized October 16, 2019

Mimiremi Textiles; Proudly Hand Printed In Lagos, Nigeria

The African culture is rich, strong, colorful, diverse and powerful. Mimiremi textiles new collection of prints titled ‘OTU’, which means ‘1’(ONE) in Igbo language has its strength both in the pattern and the symbolic nature of the number one.

Speaking about the new collection, Aderonke Jaiyeola, founder of Mimiremi Textiles said, “I remember vividly that cool Saturday afternoon in 2012, light drizzle of rain dropping on me and the table in front of me as I struggled to print 2 yards of fabrics in front of the house using the screen printing method. Discouraged by the stress of the work and the imperfect print I made, I ventured into other things.

For many years I’ve had the passion to help designers create unique Custom made designs for their brand without stress. Earlier in the year, I was determined to start printing our fabrics in Nigeria. Despite big hurdles, disappointments and sleepless nights, I am happy to finally present our first collection of hand printed fabrics to my dear friends and colleagues…’ OTU (NO 1)”.

Hand printed textiles from Mimiremi the Otu Collection — The Otu Collection From Mimiremi Textiles

Aderonke was also delighted to let us know that now;

All can now print exclusive patterns and fabrics from Mimiremi locally without travelling over land and seas.
The brand now help fashion designers create awesome prints they’ve been dreaming of without paying high shipping/custom duty.
By producing locally, Mimiremi is able to achieve the following goals in line with the United Nations Sustainable development goals, They support Goal 1 (NO poverty), Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth), Goal 9 (Industry and Economic growth) and Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities).
The brand can now proudly print ‘Made in Nigeria’ on their products.
You can be sure of having unending collection of fresh prints from their studio.

At Mimiremi Textiles, it is not just about fabrics, It’s about the rich African story that is told through the prints.
With the creative industry in Nigeria gaining unprecedented international exposure, the industry has been seen as an alternative to the nation’s dwindling oil fortunes.

One part of the creative industry is fashion and their raw material is textiles (fabrics), with the average Nigerians love for fashion and asoebi, if Nigeria can produce their own fabrics ( which Mimiremi is now doing), coupled with the design talent, the sky will not be the limit for the industry.

As a closing remark she said, ” as we launch our first collection of fabrics hand printed in Nigeria ‘OTU’, I look forward to the day when other African countries will begin to depend on Nigeria for their supply of fabrics.”

To Contact Mimiremi;

Email: [email protected]

Call; 08034898474

Connect on Instagram; Mimiremi

Bellafricana published in Fashion September 4, 2019

Fashion Tips For Women

I believe you have heard the phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ and you probably believed it.

Well, that’s good but not in fashion. In the book of fashionistas, you must never be caught unfresh i.e not looking your best, because truth be told, everyone judges a book by it’s cover. Even you, lol!

Hold on, before you start thinking ‘Thank God I am not a fashionista’, allow me to remind you that no one is born fashionable but the desire to look good is within. At this point you are wondering the purpose of this long sermon, right? Ok, I will cut the chase.

I am here to give some fashion tips that will help you stand out at meetings, events, work, in fact, any where. Are you ready?

Organise Your Closet

Start from the beginning, by this I mean things you have in your closet, which include your dresses, shoes, accessories and the likes. Take a moment to go through everything you own, decide on those to keep, sell or give away and do so accordingly. By doing this, you take note of what you have, what you need and how to match them. Before you rush on to the next thing, make sure to keep your items where you can assess them easily, use racks, shelves, boxes etc.

Find A Good Designers

Making your own clothes saves you some extra cash and still have you looking dope! Of course I realise that you might not be a fashion designer and that is ok, but, you can get yourself a good designer, who you work with to create amazing designs that suit your body frame. Some designers that can help you achieve this include; Eyiyemi Olivia of EoNL and more.

Invest In Timeless Pieces

There will always be a new fashion item to get. That said, do not carried away with all this, rather invest in things that are timeless, which means, regardless of when you wear them, they remain relevant and are not seasonal. examples of timeless pieces are,

Don’t Forget Your Accessories

They might be little but they go a long way in transforming your entire look. Imagine dressing up for a meeting without your ear rings, the look on your face in that moment of realisation is enough to explain the strength of accessories. My point is, don’t forget to spice up your outfits no matter how simple with an accessory. Accessories vary, no need to limit yourself to just ear rings, here are few accessories to transform your look;

Flaunt Your Outfits

This is where I say, do not be afraid to rock and re-rock your outfits, that is what they where made for.

So, these are a few tips to help you stay on top of your fashion game, hope you find them useful.

Found them useful? Leave me a comment and let’s get talking.

Just before you go, follow @bell_africana on instagram, bellafricana on facebook and bellafricana on twitter.

Bye for now!

Bellafricana published in Fashion, Textiles September 3, 2019

Introducing Adire Lounge Aro-Ewa Collection

You’ve probably heard it before ‘ out with the old, in with the new’. But at Adire lounge we’ve found a perfect blend for both the old and the new to have congruence, hence the Aro- Ewa collection.

The collection is borne out of the belief that being ancient in spirit, yet modern in expression is the perfect scenario to remain consistent and relevant in our ever changing world of sustainable fashion.

Aro Ewa simply translated as ‘Dyed Beauty’is the recreation of contemporary patterns; employing old age historical techniques, coupled with the rich indigo dye, reminiscent of African indigenous designs, in order to celebrate our old Adire heritage.

At the heart of the collection, ensuring sustainability of the fashion value chain is paramount; from farmer to designer, the use of cotton fabric grown and milled in Nigeria, and our collaboration with other creatives in the industry like Denike online, Henri Uduku and Busayo Longe attests to our commitment to showcasing our brand ethos of ‘Made in Nigeria’.

By this, we believe our existence as an indigenous premium brand would contribute greatly in reviving the local manufacturing sector; modernizing the art of textile design, while inspiring more people to embrace original African fashion that have history and art infused within them as wearable pieces.

Adire Lounge is a member of the Bellafricana family, as a member the business gains visibility, growth, voice & credibility. Bellafricana with the support of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is a platform that connects producers of creative indigenous products like Adire lounge with their consumers locally and globally.

For more detail about Bellafricana follow @bell_africana 0n Instagram, bellafricana on Facebook and Twitter.

Bye for now!

Bellafricana published in Furnitures, Gift Items, Home & Living, Textiles August 15, 2019

The Asooke Inspired Brands You Should Know

Aso Oke is a short form of Aso Ilu Oke also known as Aso-Ofi meaning clothes from the up-country. It is the traditional wear of the Yoruba’s (the tribe of the southwest people in Nigeria, Africa).

The Yoruba’s are the second largest tribe in Nigeria after the Northerners. Aso Oke is a popular cloth that is worn on special occasions by the Yoruba’s usually for chieftancy, festivals, engagement, naming ceremony and other important events.

It is said that “the beauty of Aso-Oke comes out more when it is taken as Aso-Ebi (group of people e.g. friends, families e.t.c)”, however Bellafricana verified members through their creativity have changed the narrative and are showing the beauty of Aso-Oke in interior decorations, fashion, shoes, bags and many more. You should click here to read the culled history written.

Lets meet these amazing business owners and brands…

Meet Bayo Ademiluyi, founder Ty Tys Design (click images below)

Mr Bayo Ademiluyi is a lawyer by profession and Head of Design at Ty-Tys. Design (an asooke inspired brand) A company that produces hand-made distinctive neckwear (i.e. ties, bowties), pocket squares, laptop bags, ladies’ tote bags, wall hangings and scarves using traditional African fabrics, predominantly aso-oke.

Ty tys Design draws inspiration quite extensively from the Nigeria heritage, being that the main raw material is sourced from within the country and the ethos of the business is based on local culture and heritage.

Meet Gbemi Johnson, founder O’Eclat Designs (click images below)

O’Eclat Designs (pronounced O-eyklah) is a derivative of Oluwagbemisola and Eclat which means Style, confidence, distinction etc. She wanted a name that is not entirely eponymous and would not be too much hassle to register as a business name.

O’Eclat Designs is a Nigerian ethical leather handbag and accessories design label, birthed in 2010 by Gbemi Johnson.

Meet Tunde Owolabi, founder Ethnik (click images below)

Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi, an asooke inspired brand is about making aso oke accessible to the fashion-forward modern man and woman. Beyond accessibility and creating fashionable pieces for brand savvy trendsetter, Ethnik is about promoting culture and giving back to the community.

Ethnik believes that sustenance is the key to preserving our heritage. To this end, a core element of our social responsibility means we invest in our local artisans and create an enabling environment where they can continue to weave aso oke the way it is done traditionally, a skill that is passed down through generations.

Meet Tosin Oshinowo, founder Ile Ila (click images below)

Ilé Ilà (translated “House of Lines”), an asooke inspired brand was started by Tosin Oshinowo in 2017 to celebrate her native Yoruba culture. It is a lifestyle furniture-line designed and hand-made in Lagos, Nigeria. They design period-conscious furniture with a contemporary African content, hand-made with love, in Lagos Nigeria.

Tosin Oshinowo, an Architect behind the design and execution of the Maryland Mall has a natural affinity towards product design. She is particularly interested in the functionality of chairs, but also placing them in a Nigerian-African context.

What is a community without people? As for us at Bellafricana, we are so passionate about our league of talented creative members, and you should be too.

Interested in joining the community and getting your creative brand known by more customers? or know someone that should? Then email me at [email protected] cc [email protected] or call 08086363970.

For the love of asooke, have these products below

What really is this Bellafricana about? Bellafricana is the leading platform that empowers, supports and provides creative Indigenous Businesses with a platform to showcase their business and connect to their global consumers looking to patronise and trade with them.

Need quality creative products, think bellafricana!

What is your Mission: To Make Finding Quality Indigenous Businesses Easier.

But Why: We noticed a vast increase in the number of unique quality creative products made in Nigeria (Africa) but noticed a huge gap between local creative Indigenous Entrepreneurs and consumers.

Hence, we created this platform to bridge that gap. What better way than through online, which gives it a global opportunity.

Click here to Learn more about how to grow Your Unique Indigenous Business with Bellafricana

What if I just want to advertise on bellafricana website/newsletter? : That’s totally possible, just email [email protected], cc [email protected] or call 08086363970

Bellafricana published in Clothings, Fashion June 26, 2019

Fashion in the Work Place: Spice up your Office Outfits

Wearing the same outfit to the office can get boring at some point; not to mention that we sometimes run out of clothes to wear, and having to decide what to wear again, every single day from our conventional office outfits can be frustrating. As a 9-5 worker myself, I just want to throw my hoodie on a nice pair of comfortable shorts, wear my slippers, cross my bag and head to work. Unfortunately, that’s a poor choice of outfit and I would probably lose my job.

The office isn’t exactly a place to show off your fashion skills and dress over the top but when you work in a big organization, you’re required to dress your best and look as presentable as possible. It’s worthy to note that fashion at the work place isn’t for females alone, as we love seeing our men dressed in a nice two or three piece designer suit.

Take away the conventional skirt, blouse/blazer and pair of flats for women, as well as the conventional black, brown or jean trouser, button-up shirt and boring polished shoes for men, you can take your office outfit from normal to creative whilst dressed in pure African made clothing, looking as elegant as possible.

So then, how can you spice up your office outfit without looking like you are going for a James Bond movie premier? I have selected a few office-worthy outfits from verified Bellafricana members for both men and women to give you that office outfit inspiration.

WOMEN:

I don’t know if it’s just me but there’s something “normal” about seeing female office workers dressed in skirt/pant suit, a blouse/blazer (usually black/navy blue), matched with a pair of flats. I mean, normal is boring and we see/wear those outfits everyday! You don’t have to be an American or work in America to dress like a fashion guru to the work place, and you don’t need to break the bank to do so either. You also don’t need to overdo your outfit to get compliments or turn heads at your work place; and that’s why I am here, to transform your office outfit.

Two-Piece Suit:

I know, suit again, but this isn’t the conventional, dull looking office suit, thankfully! Fabric Made by Adire Lounge, this two piece suit is everything! It is super stylish, classy, and don’t get me started on the fabric. From the color assemble which is actually my favorite thing about this outfit to the V-line details, the pocket details and the button with that fluffy design, this outfit will certainly be my go-to to brighten my Monday and revamp my office wardrobe.

Best part is that this suit is a mixture of different colors so you have so many color options when deciding to pair it without looking too colorful and, regardless of your age, you can rock this suit to your office and still look classy. I would pair this outfit with a black inner like she did, a red shoe, minimal makeup with red lips to stand out, and probably a blue bag/purse to pull the whole look together.

You can also decide to add a few accessories like a silver dropping earring or bracelet, but go for minimal, less flashy accessories as the suit is colorful enough.

Shoe:

Push your flat shoes to the curb; heels at the office is a big yes for looking elegant and classy; just make sure to keep it below 4 inches. Pump’s are perfect for the work place because they’re not “party-like” or too flashy so you’ll still look work-ready and classy at the same time.

I actually love that this pump, made by K. Aspen is a mixture of two simple colors (mustard yellow and red), so this makes it office-ready and at the same time, you can turn it from a day-to-night shoe; probably for dinner. This pump also has similar colors as the two piece suit so its a perfect pair for it…outfit inspiration!

Wear your designer two piece suit, paired with this pump and you’re good to go for that jaw-dropping look once you arrive at the office. You can as well pair this shoe with a black, lace fitted gown to beautify the outfit, a yellow jumpsuit or whatever you’d like; the options are endless.

Bag:

Going to work without a bag? I didn’t think so! Bags are every woman’s best-friend; they’re where you keep makeup, accessories, books, even cats. Everything goes into your bags as they keep you organized on the go and are also made to complement your outfit, which is why just any bag can’t be pick when heading out.

Most people choose big bags but, I am transforming your office wears into something elegant and that includes bags; so no more gigantic bags. Small, purse-like bags are the new “it” because they keep you more organized than big bags which leaves searching for one thing or the other.

A black bag would be good but you need to add a little bit of color, which is why this Biro blue bag by Inspire by Pine Tree with a touch of Ankara is perfect. The color on its own is bright and beautiful and as such, it can complement any outfit, the bag is small, portable and chic. What’s not to like?

MEN:

The only thing more attractive than a man who dresses well is a man who smells nice; but let’s talk about your outfit instead, and not your perfume. Your perfume can smell so nice but a good perfume on an ugly outfit is a big no! Button-up shirts and black/brown trouser is no longer in vogue, and it’s pretty boring now.

Not to mention that well dressed men are considered more attractive than women because of their masculine physique and strong facial look. As a guy, you don’t have to wear too much to look good; simplicity is key for men. Here’s how you can transform your office outfit:

Suits:

We’re not talking about the traditional suit but rather, a fashionable designer suit. Away with the ugly, grandpa suit and in with the modern James Bond suit! This suit by JZO Fashion is fashionable, simple and classic all in one; it’s also bright but not too flashy at the same time so it says “hello, notice me”.

This Biro blue suit with a touch of woven black by the waist pocket and plain black by the breast pocket, along with black pants is enough to create a bold look for any man, any day, anywhere. I love that there’s a distinction compared to other male suits as the jacket doesn’t end on the same line when you button it, and it has a touch of “Africa” with the noticeable detail on the waist pocket. Pair this outfit with a nice pair of wristwatch and a leather shoe, and you’re good to go. Best part is that you can take this suit from a day-to-night outfit as well so you get to turns heads both in and outside your office.

Shoe:

Shoes are a necessity for every outfit and although most men wear sandals or sneakers to work, for an elegant office look, I prefer more of a premium, designer footwear suited for the office (not Nike sneakers; that’s for a day out). Looking at this shoe by Morok Xpression, it is breathtaking! There is no way you will wear this and not feel comfortable, everyone would even have their eyes on you because this shoe is a bold statement meant to pull together any look.

Sure, it is black but it is a shiny black made of high quality leather, and the fabric hanging halfway down from the buckle is another noticing detail. It is not an everyday shoe you will buy from the market which makes it the perfect choice of shoe. Your sandals will feel ordinary but pairing this shoe with a statement suit is sure to transform any boring office outfit into something elegant.

Choosing an outfit for the office can be a bit daunting; especially when you have worn everything you possibly own but when you have the right, elegant outfit and you know what to buy as well as what to pair it with, you will never run out of what to wear. Now that I’ve shown you how to transform a conventional office outfit to something elegant and classy, ditch that old pant suit, those button up shirts, old blouse or whatever it is you have and revamp your wardrobe by getting new, statement office pieces.

Bellafricana published in Fashion, Meet The Founders, Textiles May 20, 2019

Meet The Founder Of Asologe Fashion House

One part of my job I love the most, is being able to connect with amazing entrepreneurs and founders of unique, Afrocentric and indigenous brands. It is truly an honor to be able to hear their stories directly from them, as they take you through the journey of why they started, how they started, and how far they have come.

Today’s interview feature is about an amazing young lady, who founded the Asologe Fashion House. AFH produces uniquely designed hand-dyes Adire fabrics that give your outfit a contemporary edge. Read our interesting conversation below. I know you will enjoy it.

Please introduce yourself and your background

HI…… My name is Bibire Fawehinmi, from the famous “Fawehinmi” family in Ondo town of Ondo west local government, Ondo state. Born into a family of a High court judge and an entrepreneur (fabric seller) with 2 siblings; an elder sister and a younger brother.

Lived all my childhood and teen years in Ondo with my parents. I studied Mathematics Education in the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, ile-ife in Osun state where I finished with an upper class.

Tell us about your work. How did Asologe Fashion House start?

I am a full time African print manufacturer and seller. Asologe Fashion House is a brand name I coined from my love for fabrics in general, maybe because I was born into it. I had always dreamed of owning one of the most luxurious fabric stores. Asologe which means ‘CLOTH IS FASHION’ simply explains itself.

How did you come about the name and what does it mean?

I love to call my business, Asologe, for a short………asides my love for prints, I got to know more about Adire while in camp in 2017 in Akwa Ibom during the one-week SAED training (smiles). My very first teacher goes by the name Pst Abiodun, then after the camp, I redeployed to Lagos but that didn’t stop me from learning more, I had a one month training with my teacher via WhatsApp. YouTube too was(is) a great teacher too.

What is your niche and how did you know it was a market to get into?

With this little knowledge from my boss, I started and I can boldly say that sustained me for more than 8months in the business. Later, I would go through some pages on Instagram and keep wondering how they dyed a particular design, then i knew I was obsolete and I needed new (fresh) knowledge and that was when I furthered and had another one month training with my boss 2 at Surulere, here in Lagos state.

Where do you get the inspiration for your products?

For me, I get my inspiration from some kind of fabric I see around (Ankara) and I’m always like, we can replicate something like this on our Adire and that’s it.

Can you remember one of the first products you made? What makes it memorable?

My very first client asides (families and friends) was (is) a Nigerian in the London. He purchased 100yards of Adire, which now, I will say are very basic Adire (smiles) and he paid me 70% before I started the work. Upon completion, the remaining was paid before I took to NAAN at ikeja. For me, that was a great way to start and part of what keeps me going.

What are some of the challenges you face in your business?

Hmmm, challenges though, for me, the first will be sourcing for fabric and getting them at the needed time. Sudden increase in amount of dyes and chemicals. Also, man-power, because the higher you go, the more hands needed, which I will say are not so willing and ready…………….

Do you have any regrets venturing into this line of business?

But still, I don’t have any regrets venturing into this business at. All………

What is your most popular product?

Hmmmm, most popular product, I can’t say because all product has its season and time. January, we might have more sales from Adire lace……. Next month might just be hundreds of scarfs………

What are some of your short term and long term goals, both in your business and life in general?

I believe all dreams are valid and I see Asologe becoming a household business name with proper and operational manufacturing systems in play. I just don’t want to have dyeing pit. I want to have a manufacturing plant where we can manufacture our dyes and chemicals, workers that are ready and totally in sync with the company’s vision.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I cherish family so much and for that, one of my goal is to keep my family as the priority above all.

What profession would you be in if you weren’t in the Fashion industry?

I am a big lover and die-hard fan of bread (smiles)…….and I hope to have a mini bakery someday. For profession, I can’t think of any really……… but maybe an investment banker.

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone who wants to start their own business in your industry, what would it be?

My first advice will be, ensure you have an extra stream of income. Be ready to meet an entirely new people. Be patient.

Bellafricana published in africa, Articles, Clothings, Fashion, Fashion, April 17, 2019

SA textile union welcomes H&M deal with SA designer

The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) has welcomed the announcement today by Swedish global retailer H&M that it will be collaborating with South African designer, Palesa Mokubung, and her label, Mantsho.

On Tuesday, H&M announced its first African collaboration with Mokubung’s label, which was established in 2004 and has since graced numerous runways in Greece, India, the United States, Jamaica, Nigeria, Botswana and Senegal.

Until now, none of the products sold in H&M’s 23 local stores have been made in South Africa.

SACTWU said in a statement that it was a long-standing supporter of Mokubung’s work, citing how the Mantsho label was featured as far back as at its 2008 Fashion Festival held in the cutting room of the Levi Strauss SA factory in Cape Town.

Andre Kriel, SACTWU general secretary, said the union and its clothing, textile, footwear and leather (CTFL) members were looking forward to seeing South African product in H&M’s stores.

“As foreign retailers, like H&M, Zara and Cotton On, have grown their South African footprint, they have increasingly taken market share away from domestic retailers. This has caused a ripple effect in which local factories supplying those domestic retailers are losing orders, and job losses and factory closures are the result,” Kriel said.

“SACTWU congratulates H&M on moving forward with this local sourcing project. The union views this collaboration with Mokubung as the first part of a much deeper collaboration. From SACTWU’s side, to assist H&M with its designer collaboration, the union has helped to ensure that compliant producers manufacture the Mantsho products.”

Mantsho will be available in all South African stores, exclusive flagship stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Mexico, Chile and Israel, as well as all H&M online markets from August 15.

Kriel said H&M’s local sourcing project represents the power of constructive social dialogue and the promise such dialogue holds to re-shape some of the harmful components of global trade.

“We look forward to a positive outcome and growing relationship with H&M in which their local sourcing footprint is deepened substantially, where their contribution to employment creation in local CTFL factories is expanded significantly, and where their global reach can be used to showcase South African design and quality, manufactured under decent work conditions,” Kriel said.

This is great news, as this goes to prove that there is hope for more African brands in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana etc to penetrate the global market through great deals such as this.

This article was originally published on iol.co.za

Bellafricana published in Articles, Clothings, Fashion, Fashion March 29, 2019

EONL’s New Work Wear Collection Is Definitely A Stunner

Make way! Eyiyemi Olivia Nigeria Limited (EONL) is coming through with some banging work wear pieces for our corporate chic. And as a sharp girl that I am, I decided to give you a sneak peek at some of the amazing pieces in this HOT new collection.

EONL is a women’s wear design outfit with a strong bias for The Real African Woman who is confident in her curves and loves her African Print. EONL has a ready to wear line made for the real African woman, to supersede her expectations in terms of quality, price, comfort and aesthetic. The mission of EONL is to promote, wear and invest in Africa.

Whatever your size, shape or structure, EONL has what you need to make that body pop! EONL creates pieced for the discerning African Woman, and helps to boost their confidence.

It is definitely a breathe of fresh air that you can now rock amazing, properly fitting, timeless pieces to work, and slay like a boss all through your activities!

This new collection will be available for purchase from the 14th of April 2019. To ensure that you do not miss out on this, follow @eo_nl on Instagram, or connect with the via email on [email protected]

For now, here’s your sneak peek. See something you like? Feel free to pre-order by sending an email to [email protected] or send a DM to eo_nl

Bellafricana published in Articles, Fashion, Fashion, Life Style, Textiles March 27, 2019

Why Naomi Campbell believes Africa should guard its fashion and fabrics jealously

Africa should guard its fashion and fabrics jealously to stop the western world coming in and making a fortune from them, says one of the world’s best known supermodels.

Naomi Campbell– draped in an elegant gown, in the colours of a peacock with a flamboyant head wrap crowning her towering six foot frame, took to the stage Friday at the Durban International Convention Centre, South Africa for the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit.

“Africa needs to keep its fabrics to itself,” said Campbell.

Campbell is known as one of the longest working supermodels in the world and she hopes the continent can make more out of her fashion world. She believes that African prints and designs can be but exported profitably.

Campbell was the epitome of fashion on stage and appeared to practice what she was preaching.

“It’s Marianne Fassler,” said Campbell proudly of her frock. Fassler is one of South Africa’s pre-eminent fashion designers, who has worked with Campbell before. Elevating African fashion and its designers is a passion of Campbell’s, who has spent 33 years strutting down the catwalks of the world.

“My passion and drive is to see this continent of Africa be as great as it should be,” said Campbell.

The self-styled rebel, Naomi Campbell, was in Durban, South Africa to address leading women from across the continent and the world over.

Today marks the 44^th celebration of International Women’s Day. The official date, March 8^th, was recognised by the United Nations in 1975 and is a public holiday in many countries across the world.

“We should have more than just one international women’s day, because we do so much,” insisted Campbell. As well as fine jewellery, Campbell wears many hats. She has spent over a decade working on charitable causes with organisations such as UNAIDS and says that other than empowering women’s health, making sure young girls are educated and self-reliance is very important to her.

Culled from CNBC Africa

Bellafricana published in Exclusive Interviews, Fashion, Fashion, Uncategorized March 19, 2019

The Bellafricana Verified Tribe – Gbemmy Johnson

Hi there amazing reader! I know it has been a loooong time since we talked about the fabulous members of the Bellafricana verified family, so I decided to bring you some amazing insight on the delectable Gbemmy Johnson of Oeclat today.

Gbemmy Johnson is the brain behind O&#39Eclat Designs – a dynamic brand creating beautiful and affordable handcrafted totes, clutches, purses, wallets etc.

Oeclat is influenced by African rich culture and colours, hence the use of rich African prints, leather and plethora of other materials with a contemporary edge. Each piece represents a perfect individuality and style with key attention to details. With inspiration drawn from everywhere, every piece is a unique, classic design made for fashion lovers of all ages.

Gbemmy Johnson is making moves everyday and with each opportunity, to fulfil her vision of becoming a unique fashion and home accessories brand by providing accessories which value longevity and individuality over the disposable. Her mission is to make clients stylish with beautifully created artistic and tasteful adornments that exude an elegant edge. Creating affordable and quality handcrafted leather handbags and accessories brand inspired by the rich and beautiful African culture and tradition. Made for the modern woman who does it all without compromise.

Oeclat, birthed in 2010, is pronounced O-ey-klah and is a derivative of the designer’s name Oluwagbemisola and a French derivative English word Eclat which means distinction. Oeclat was born out of passion and an ongoing love affair with African rich prints and leather – its smell, malleability, durability, color and texture.

Gbemmy Johnson studied Biological Sciences (Microbiology) at the University of Ilorin and also has a diploma in Fashion Merchandising & Design from the Stratford Career Institute. She has also participated in various online and hands-on seminars and workshops on designing, and leather repair and restoration.

Focusing on perfecting her product and the attendant slow-burn success, the talented Gbemmy is building a brand, and importantly – a business that is here to stay. With an unrelenting mindset, despite formidable infrastructural issues plaguing the fashion industry, she soldiers on – producing an extremely well-made leather line and best selling purses season after season.

With this stable foundation, O’Eclat is poised for more ground-breaking success – she boasts more than a few fashion insiders as her brand loyalists, and word of mouth is her best press. Plus she is Bellafricana Verified.

The label’s core collection, with signatures including the Michelle Midi and Michelle Maxi handbag, her bestselling pieces are available for sale in nationwide through her online store and partner stockists.

Today, I’m throwing it all the way back to 2017, when Gbemmy Johnson was interviewed by Isoken Ogiemwonyi on Bellanaija Style. I enjoyed reading this interview a lot, and I thought to share with you. Keep reading to find our more.

NB: This interview was culled from www.bellanaijastyle.com

On choosing the brand name O’Eclat & its meaning:

O’Eclat Designs (pronounced O-eyklah) is a derivative of my name Oluwagbemisola and Eclat which means Style, confidence, distinction etc. I wanted a name that is not entirely eponymous and would not be too much hassle to register as a business name.

O’Eclat Designs is a Nigerian ethical leather handbag and accessories design label, birthed in 2010 by Gbemi Johnson.

We produce quality and affordable handbags using premium leather and indigenous fabric handbags and accessories locally from our workshop in Lagos, Nigeria. Our range of handbags will take every modern woman from dawn to dusk, appropriate for a business meeting as they are for brunch or happy hour, giving you the freedom to go about your day with ease, empowered to better live your busy, modern lifestyles whilst also preserving the traditional techniques used in the production of our handbags, providing jobs for the skilled artisans and supporting indigenous businesses.

How did you start the brand ?

O’Eclat Designs was born out of a need to find the beautiful, perfect sized and affordable handbag and clutch that fits all our essentials and allow us keep up with our everyday lives. The need encouraged us to find skilled local artisans who are [into] handbag making within the country.

On the design process

‘A lot of thoughtfulness goes into the production of each and every O’Eclat piece. The design aesthetic[s], the quality of material used and the attention to detail. After coming up with a new design or product we normally would start to see what the pattern and the form, which is the size and the silhouette, the function, which includes the purpose and ideal use and then the materials, which includes the fabric, leather, lining and the hardware that will work perfect with your designs.’

On launching a brand in the Nigerian fashion industry:

‘It takes a lot of effort and determination. You have to do a lot of research about the industry, be persistent as the competition is a lot and you can easily loose track if you’re not committed to your journey’

What was your greatest challenge? And how did you overcome it.

My biggest challenge till date will be finding the right team who shares and understands my vision for the brand.

I was very determined and I knew giving up on my business will never happen, getting my desired business goal might be slow but I knew I’m closer to it each time I put in an effort and try again.

What do you think makes O’Eclat different from other brands?

The affordability and quality of materials used.

We also offer a 12 month warranty on all of our bags. If you are experiencing unforeseen quality issues, we offer free and easy repair options within the warranty period and charge a small fee when warranty period expires.

What’s your favourite product/design and why?

As the designer, it’s hard choosing a favourite as each and every product has a story and the purpose it serves. I love my Michelle Midi handbag as my everyday workbag due to its size and functionality; I switch to my Michelle Maxi handbag due to its size, for days I want to go in between business meetings. Weekends and Travels are for my Michelle Mini handbag and Mila Clutch.

On a day in her life:

I start my business day with my emails, which most times determine how my day will go if I have not had anything pre-planned before,

I get to spend most of my day at the studio to supervise what we have going on, visit some of our retailers and attend to business appointments offline and online.

What have been your best sellers so far?

Michelle Midi and Mila Clutch

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start his or her own business?

Stay true to yourself and be committed to your journey. It’s not going to be an easy ride, prepare your mind to failure, pick yourself up when you do and start all over again. It’s all part of the process.

What’s next for O’Eclat?

We are working on introducing a range of small leather goods while continuing to improve on our production quality and expanding our sales channel[s].

What has given you your biggest boost as a business (fashion show, tradeshow, publication etc)

We are yet to showcase our handbags at a fashion show, so it has to be Publication and Tradeshows in that sequence. Publications have given us a lot of media awareness and exposure while tradeshows allow our customers and first time buyers experience our products first hand, they get to see, touch and feel what they are paying for.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt on your journey so far?

Staying true to myself and being persistent.

In three words O’Eclat is:

Stylish, Affordable, Quality

You can purchase O’Eclat online at http://oeclat.com and at her stockists listed below.

Grey Velvet Stores (Lagos and Abuja)

Ikeja City Mall, Ikeja

Circle Mall, Jakande Lekki

Centro Lekki Mall, Lekki

Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja

Glam’d Africa Abuja

40, Durban Street, Wuse II

Abuja.

For more information, contact:
WEBSITE: www.oeclatdesigns.com
EMAIL: [email protected], [email protected]
TWITTER: @oeclat
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/oeclat

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