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My work is a mix of trend and the arts - Yemisi Olagbaiye

Written by O_be_ Lo_mo_

Friday, 20 July 2007

Yemisi Olagbaiye

She started out as Virtuoso, a name which sounded unmistakably Italian. Virtuoso came as one of the pioneer local brands in fashion accessories and caught the imagination of Nigerian fashionistas. Seven years on, Ms Yemisi Olagbaye, a University of Lagos alumnus says, “it’s time to become more Nigerian” in outlook and name. Virtuoso has thus evolved into simply: ‘YEMISI’.

Why YEMISI? “It gives an instant recognition of the brand’s identity. There is no ambiguity with YEMISI as it is authentically Nigerian,” Ms Olagbaye said.

Innovation is the keyword in her design philosophy. For her it is very important that her creations are unique and highly innovative. A trait which was evident at an exhibition held last Sunday at the Ocean View restaurant, Victoria Island Lagos, which showcased designs of YEMISI — bags, shoes, rings, necklaces and some office accessories. The exhibition aptly tagged ‘The freedom of Being’, was
aimed at celebrating Nigeria’s ethnic diversity and the unique cultural values embedded in them which “define us as a people or Nigerians, to the larger global community.”
She speaks on:

Why the change from Virtuoso to YEMISI?

Bag by Yemisi

When you hear the word Yemisi you know its Nigerian immediately. So it puts the authenticity of it being a Nigerian brand to people outside of Nigeria and also to people in Nigeria. It is an evolution, its another phase of the history of Virtuoso, an accessories design label. We design accessories and we have done it in Nigeria but, the focus is a worldwide platform and I’ve started doing a lot of exhibitions and shows abroad. And I am constantly pushing the envelope and making people realize that they can do much more than what they have actually seen before .

'Yemisi' is taking the concept to a more matured and a more refine level, not just doing it for Nigerians by a Nigerian, we are doing it for the entire world , which means scrutiny is higher, the level of professionalism is higher, the finishing is better, the design concept are more innovative because the world is a more competitive platform than just Nigeria.

Talking about actualizing concepts, where does the inspiration come from, how do you put them together?

Bag by Yemisi

My inspiration comes, first and foremost from my personal experience, in my journey through life. Wherever I am in life will always reflect in my design and then I look at people who are going through similar things good or bad. I look at peoples dream aspirations, hopes, their wants and desires. Things that agree with people and where they are as well.

Do you input current trends into your creations?

Yes I do to an extent, in the sense that trend is very important. People like things that look good because, it is acceptable, many people like it. But more important is the fact the people like innovation, everybody likes something that is a bit different from the ordinary which is what I strive to present at every point in time. My work is usually a mix of trend and the arts, its classic, things that will always look good regardless whether you wear them today, five years or ten from now.

Your work used to be associated with just designing jewelry and sandals, so when did the bags, rings and other come in?

Like i said, my designs comes from my personal experiences and journey through life. What I am is designer, I create, I bring thoughts to life. Now, the form a design idea is going to take could be in any form. I could get an idea for a bag, another could present itself as a pair of shoes or jewelry. So that
is it . Everything evolves with me and it's always a response to either a need that I have personally or some client or friend of mine has.

What do you hope to achieve with 'Yemisi'?

With Yemisi I want to be able to put Nigeria on the world map, in a very positive way. I want people outside if Nigeria to see the innovation to feel the energy that we young Nigerians are feel right now. To feel the hope we have and the fact that we trust so much in this Nigeria of our dream, the Nigeria we want to be able to live in the same way we live abroad.

That is basically what i want to be able to do with my designs.

Personally now, what does style mean to you?

Sandal by Yemisi

To me style is an expression of who you are as a person, whatever you like, whatever makes you comfortable, happy and brings put the best in you. For me that should be your style and those are the things that you should always play around with.

Who has the greatest influence on your style?

Necklace by Yemisi

There are many people whose style I admire. I admire my best friend TY Bello’s style. She is very stylish I like her, for the fact that she’s very innovative and
she is unique and true to herself. And she is always open to ideas. I bounce up a lot of my ideas on her and she carries them well all the time

What are the things you like to wear?

For me fashion is drama. I love to dress up. I love very dramatic things, a mix of class and drama.

And Jewelry?

I like a lot of earrings. I find that recently I have been doing more of earrings, rings and necklaces. It reflects the fact that right now am very comfortable
with where. I like things that are different and very pretty but also very functional. If you look at pieces that I have designed we have necklaces that can be worn in six different ways because am thinking function.

Perfume?

My favorite perfume is Channel Allure. There is a very feminine aura to the perfume its very classy, timeless, its grown up but not too stiff. I like the
whole element in the perfume.

Best beauty therapy?

I make sure I take off all my make-up every night. I try as much as possible to take care of my skin, have a facial every six weeks.

First thing you do in the morning?

It's to say thank you to God for a new day because i think everyday is an opportunity and the fact that you are still here means you have another chance to make a difference.

How busy are you?

I have become extremely busy overtime. A typical day sometimes starts about 5am and wont end til about 2am in the morning, it depends on what am doing at the
time. If I am designing sometimes and I have an idea that I want to actualize, chances are that I may not do anything else until I have figured it out.

Do you have time to relax?

Sometimes I just come to the point where I decide that everything has to stop and then I put off my phone . An then I could read a book, listen to music or usually I just go away somewhere. It doesn’t have to be an expensive trip. It could just be a friend’s house and no one knows am there, so they can't reach me.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I would like to be remembered for my laughter. And I would like for many young people to be able to say I saw her do it and I believe I could do it too.

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