Udofe Designs Represents a Generation of Lifestyle - Ibukun Grace Edjekohwo "Founder UDOFE DESIGNS

Meet Ibukun Grace Edjekohwo, a young, and brilliant Entrepreneur. Founder, and brain behind Udofe Designs Nigeria.

She is no amateur In the fashion, and design game, as she has spent reasonable year building, and bettering her craft. In a mail interview Michael Irabor, of Kinggs Blog, had a long, and interesting conversation with her, and she opened our eyes to facts we never knew about herself, and her brand. Enjoy.
Tell us a bit about yourself 
My name is Ibukun Grace Edjekohwo, am a fashion designer, I love comedy, Travelling to explore new adventures and pretty much just living life.  There is nothing so spectacular about me that I can say really, I leave it for people who really know me, lol; I'm  just a free spirited person, and I'm  always laughing.

What's your definition of fashion? 
Fashion design is the art of design and aesthetics,  or natural beauty to clothing,  and accessories. Fashion design is also influenced by cultural,  and social attitudes. People might not know this but everyone   shows who they are by the way they cover their selves. As a designer for lifestyle,  most creativity comes from this and it has also varied over time and place, which makes it very interesting, and keeps it going seasonal.

How did fashion all start for you, and at what of your life did you make the decision on being a professional fashion designer? 

Fashion started at a really young age for me, I always got into trouble with my mom because,  I use to take scissors and cut my sucks to make different clothing for my dolls, lol. My friends always told me how much they love my style right from high school., It made me very popular,   and from there I knew this was my calling. That was when it became my career goal. 

Were there any discouragement from folks, and friends when you chose to study  fashion, and design in the university? 

My Dad always wanted me to do accounting, so he wasn’t really on board with fashion at first, but it took some convincing from his brothers, that knew how much I have progressed with fashion.  I did bead making, jewelry making, I went on art competitions for my high school, which also convinced him after seeing all my school winning certificates, He changed his mind and gave me a chance..

Tell us about your early days of studying fashion and design 

Studying fashion design was fun, but what no one tells you about it,  is the hectic work behind it. Learning about fashion design at first was very challenging because,  no matter how much you think you know, advancing it to visual concepts is quiet a challenge, but it gets better and you end up forgetting the difficulty and just have fun with it.

What class of people are your designs for? 

I actually design for the First and Middle class, because my designs are more of runway and red carpet which makes the price high. This is because I have to use the best fabrics and garment accessories to make sure the garment makes a statement with your entrance.  I also do low priced clothings  which are ready to wear, I believe everyone deserves to look good.   

What stands your brand out from others? 

What makes my brand stand out is that smile I always love to see on costumers faces talking about how much they love their outfit, its that feeling of money well spent. 

Udofe designs started in 2012. Tell us about the early days struggles, and how you were able to overcome. 

Starting up Udofe Designs was the most interesting thing, the interviews, Photo shoots it was a whole dream coming together, but the challenges I faced was once I brought out a design, it was been made by everyone else using their own tailors instead of ordering from the brand with the original design. This really brings down the market, having loyal clients and costumers who always seek for the real deal (original) helps to keep the business still running.

What inspired the name Udofe? 

The name Udofe is actually my father’s name and it means river of wealth, I just felt it was only right to make him a part of my legacy because,  he always supports me when it comes to my fashion.

What does Udofe Designs represent? 

Udofe Designs represents a generation of lifestyle fashion, clean cuts and creativity.

What are the common challenges you face presently running this brand?

Presently the challenges I'm facing running my business is schooling abroad,  and still running my business in Nigeria. Though there is no difficulty in getting the work doon, its just that the costumers find it hard to adjust to someone else instead of you doing all the work. So waiting for your presence back in Nigeria can slow down work, in sense of no one placing orders. 

What inspires your style of designs? 

What inspires my design is that I love things pretty,  and classy. We designers do a lot of research before putting our collections together, it really just matters on what your research is based on.

Share some of your accomplishments so far with us. 

The growth of my business is steadily increasing, I own a factory which someday  will be used  by all Nigerians entrepreneurs. Instead of importing already made clothes, they can make any amount of shop items and different clothings for their stores. Massive productions for marketers e.g Jeans, uniforms, etc. 

What's that one thing Udofe design is yet to achieve? 

A solid team, We would love to work with hard working people who are passionate about their work. Most Nigerian entrepreneurs in the fashion industry always complain about the tailors, which they are not wrong. Their stubbornness and grumpy attitude is not what we are looking for, we want people who sees a higher scale of long term achievement to build an empire. Udofe Designs is yet to get such devoted people.

What are the few things you put into consideration before styling a client? 

Before styling a client we consider what the client  likes,  and your perfect size, colors and suiting fabrics. We try to keep you out of your comfort zone not totally out, but an advanced style of your regular style. I believe we should all learn to try something new and different every time.  Having the same look all the time gets boring.

What's your take on fashion in Africa? 

Fashion in Africa is becoming more creative everyday, it's  really amazing. Using our African fabrics to no limit with designs and so on, its great to always be part of it.

How many runway events have you featured in, and should we be expecting any from you soon? 

I have participated in 3 Runway shows,  and they were all amazing experiences,  I was actually meant to be part of the just concluded Lagos fashion week but my trip came up and I had to leave. But I will most definitely be part of the next one.

Any mentor, or role model? 

Alexander Macqueen has always and will always be my mentor and role model, I see Udofe Design on that platform.

Where do you see this brand of yours in five years from now? 

Five years from now hmmmnnn, Udofe Designs will be the African Alexander Macqueen. Lol.

Asides fashion, what else are you specialized at? 

Aside fashion, I love organizing events, Acting, and hair modeling. I love changing my hair and trying different hairstyles.

How do you merge your other specialization with fashion designing? 

Well there is nothing much to merge. The things I love to do all circulates around fashion as well.

If given a fortune, what would you spend it on? 

If I was giving a fortune, I will make Udofe Designs be on the same level as keeping up with the kadashians. I would buy the best fashion team money can get. We would be worldwide.

How can interested customers purchase a piece of Udofe design? 

Any one that wants to buy from Udofe Designs should send us a message on instagram @udofedesigns we are into strictly delivery only.