Designs by Ekundayo bring 'vibrant colours and bold prints' to urban fashion
Published: 13 March 2015 | by Pippa Mann
Designs By Ekundayo - Photo supplied
Designs by Ekundayo is an online based fashion store that celebrates and promotes African fashion through the retailing of quality African influenced products. Its product line consists of clothing and accessories and Ankara fabrics in vibrant colours and bold prints, at affordable prices.
The company was established in March 2012 by Bunmi Ekundayo, a Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations Graduate from East London.
Bunmi has a strong interest and an educational background in fashion design and textiles and originating from African descent, she decided to set up a platform in which she could celebrate African fashion by adding a contemporary twist.
Designs By Ekundayo - Photo supplied
In an interview with OneVybe, Bunmi said: "From a young age I've always had a strong interest in fashion, from hand sewing clothes for my dolls and teddy bears to playing dress up in nursery.
"I started designing clothing around the age of 9 and always knew that I wanted to have some sort of a career in fashion.
"I studied Fashion and Textiles in college and that fed my interest even more and at that point I also started designing and selling T-shirts.
"Attending numerous African parties and observing all the beautiful outfits, in a variety of colours, prints and styles along with witnessing my mum's amazing methods of styling her African attire helped me to realise that I wanted to do something relating to African fashion to celebrate my heritage.
"I wanted a platform for a new generation of Africans to showcase different approaches of wearing African fashion and also expand the reach and appeal to everyone, not just those of African descent.
"I wanted to design clothes that represented me, so most of the designs are an extension of my own personal style.
"I would describe my brand as vibrant, unique, urban and cultural. It represents a fusion of African fashion and British street style."
Designs By Ekundayo - Photo supplied
Designs by Ekundayo is named after Bunmi's surname which means 'tears become joy' and she has future plans to open a store in East London.
Bunmi said "I actually hand pick and purchase the printed fabric from Nigeria but I am in talks of collaborating with an amazing up and coming textiles designer to start designing our own prints in the near future.
"I am currently finalising some designs at the moment so you should see a few items from us by this spring, God willing, if all goes to plan," she added.
Bunmi believes that being able to do what she is passionate about and meeting talented people who are helping her bring her vision to reality is one of the best things about being in business.
She had some doubts about getting into business and the competition was daunting but she says: "We all still have doubts from time to time but I just have faith in God, have faith in my ability and try to work hard and as I always say, 'I'd rather fail at something than not try at all'"
Designs By Ekundayo - Photo supplied
Bunmi has stayed true to her vision and is glad that African culture in general has been on the rise. Bunmi told OneVybe: "I don't think African fashion has peaked at the mainstream level yet but it is definitely on its way.
"It is starting to get the recognition it deserves and being celebrated more through various events such as African Fashion Week, Yoruba Arts Festival and Glam Africa just to name a few.
"It is also getting noticed by celebrities with individuals such as Rihanna, Solange Knowles and Angela Simmons and many more experimenting with African fashion, enabling it to cross over and appeal to a more diverse target audience.
"I am extremely happy to see the growth of this industry and to have the opportunity to be a part of it.
"In the future I think African fashion will continue to break into the mainstream, brace the catwalks of some of the top designers and also open doors for many African designers.
"I envision that one day you will see it on everyone regardless of gender, race or age. I just really hope that it does not lose the cultural aspect of it."
Designs By Ekundayo - Photo supplied
To buy from Designs by Ekundayo, please click here.
At the moment they deliver exclusively to the UK but we are working on delivering worldwide.
For more information:
http://designsbyekundayo.com/
- OneVybe
The company was established in March 2012 by Bunmi Ekundayo, a Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations Graduate from East London.
Bunmi has a strong interest and an educational background in fashion design and textiles and originating from African descent, she decided to set up a platform in which she could celebrate African fashion by adding a contemporary twist.
Designs By Ekundayo - Photo supplied
In an interview with OneVybe, Bunmi said: "From a young age I've always had a strong interest in fashion, from hand sewing clothes for my dolls and teddy bears to playing dress up in nursery.
"I started designing clothing around the age of 9 and always knew that I wanted to have some sort of a career in fashion.
"I studied Fashion and Textiles in college and that fed my interest even more and at that point I also started designing and selling T-shirts.
"Attending numerous African parties and observing all the beautiful outfits, in a variety of colours, prints and styles along with witnessing my mum's amazing methods of styling her African attire helped me to realise that I wanted to do something relating to African fashion to celebrate my heritage.
"I wanted a platform for a new generation of Africans to showcase different approaches of wearing African fashion and also expand the reach and appeal to everyone, not just those of African descent.
"I wanted to design clothes that represented me, so most of the designs are an extension of my own personal style.
"I would describe my brand as vibrant, unique, urban and cultural. It represents a fusion of African fashion and British street style."
Designs By Ekundayo - Photo supplied
Designs by Ekundayo is named after Bunmi's surname which means 'tears become joy' and she has future plans to open a store in East London.
Bunmi said "I actually hand pick and purchase the printed fabric from Nigeria but I am in talks of collaborating with an amazing up and coming textiles designer to start designing our own prints in the near future.
"I am currently finalising some designs at the moment so you should see a few items from us by this spring, God willing, if all goes to plan," she added.
Bunmi believes that being able to do what she is passionate about and meeting talented people who are helping her bring her vision to reality is one of the best things about being in business.
She had some doubts about getting into business and the competition was daunting but she says: "We all still have doubts from time to time but I just have faith in God, have faith in my ability and try to work hard and as I always say, 'I'd rather fail at something than not try at all'"
Designs By Ekundayo - Photo supplied
Bunmi has stayed true to her vision and is glad that African culture in general has been on the rise. Bunmi told OneVybe: "I don't think African fashion has peaked at the mainstream level yet but it is definitely on its way.
"It is starting to get the recognition it deserves and being celebrated more through various events such as African Fashion Week, Yoruba Arts Festival and Glam Africa just to name a few.
"It is also getting noticed by celebrities with individuals such as Rihanna, Solange Knowles and Angela Simmons and many more experimenting with African fashion, enabling it to cross over and appeal to a more diverse target audience.
"I am extremely happy to see the growth of this industry and to have the opportunity to be a part of it.
"In the future I think African fashion will continue to break into the mainstream, brace the catwalks of some of the top designers and also open doors for many African designers.
"I envision that one day you will see it on everyone regardless of gender, race or age. I just really hope that it does not lose the cultural aspect of it."
Designs By Ekundayo - Photo supplied
To buy from Designs by Ekundayo, please click here.
At the moment they deliver exclusively to the UK but we are working on delivering worldwide.
For more information:
http://designsbyekundayo.com/
- OneVybe
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