I Return....

I have been waiting for the right time to return to my blog but it appears the name of the blog will be changed to align with the new name for the online store.  I cannot tell you the new name till its confirmed and registered but i promised this journey will be detailed in my blog.

Here are additional pictures from the 2010 collection.  Enjoy!

DIEKO debut collection showcased at the Africa Fashion Weekend Dublin

After what seemed like eternity, we are back and sharing. But, first have a feel of our debut collection which was unveiled at the AFWD 2010 in Dublin. It was a great show if i do say so myself. I met with other great African designers and the collections were amazing.

Thanks.

African Wax print dominates spring 2010.

Looking through the spring 2010 collections there has been a high number of collections with the use and African theme.
Both Balenciaga and Gucci showed batik-style prints in their Resort 2010 collections.



Juanjo Olivia's spring 2010 collection convinced me that african wax print is here to stay. So ladies, update your wardrobe because 2010 is going to be bright and in print.

CP Fashion & Style Digest July/Aug 2009 - My outfit is on the cover!!!!!!!

Finally, the publication City people Fashion & Style Digest, they organised the City people 2009 Ankara Fashion show - is out. And, guess what! one of my outfits is on the cover. The one thing that kind of like spoiled the moment for me was the fact that they printed my label name wrong. On one page is was written correctly 'DIEKO' and on the other page it says 'DIERO'. I mean we waited almost 2 months for the show coverage in the magazine and then it comes out wrong. I am trying to get the label out there and they kind of almost defeated that main purpose.

I will scan the articles from both magazines for your viewing pleasure.

cool top

cool jacket

Busy Busy!

Sorry i have not been able to upload more images from the fashion show. A couple of weeks ago i got a contract to make a large number of outfits using african wax prints for export. I Thought it was going to be quite easy but, boy was i wrong...it is a lot of work. There were quite a number of designs that just weren't practical to make on a large scale - cost of production increases. I am due to complete the whole contract but already completed outfits are already being sold.
I will put the pictures up maybe anyone looking to make something similar can contact me...

MSB summer & spring issue

This is to my japanese pattern lovers , i am looking for the pattern for two designs from the 2009 spring and summer issue. please help me here if you can. I have not been able to get my hands on the magazine for awhile now, so any help from my fellow Mrs stylebook buddies would be a great help.

pattern one-piece P.206 the second one is from the

spring issue p.169 kind of mustard shirt.

Night before the show ... totally knackered!

I left home as early as 6am before the environmental sanitation thingy starts to avoid delays and traffic. Got to the studio in time to work on the last and 10th dress, which was the knit top and ankara bottom dress. My seamstress and i butched up the first attempt, as its always a nightmare to remove stictches from knits, so you get it right the first time or picking the seam could cause rips and holes in the fabric. And here is also a clip of one of the dancers towards the end of the show...(dont know the name).

Now we are packed and ready for the show, all the cloths are irons and complete with belts, buttons, hook & eye etc

Production

Then came the pattern drafting, cutting of toile and sewing. Since i was the last designer to join the show i only had a month to put together my collection for the fashion show. I changed my designs so many times ...er...my first outing. Its not easy putting yourself out there knowing that you are going to be criticised and your designs commented upon.

I have always thought about a different way of designing using other fabrics than tafetta and raw silk and cotton. Since i love knit - jersey (stretch fabric) i came up with a couple of designs or rather innovative ways of incorporating both fabric. Infact this two designs were applauded on the catwalk. The black top bit is knit fabric and the bottom is cotton ankara. The second design is knit and the motifs is from ankara with silver embroidery. I will post the actual picture off the runway as soon as i get hold of them.

Models! Models! 2

here is Jumoke and this girl knows how to strut her stuff, she is a trooper, with all the rushing and panic, she kept her cool. Always on time...in short she is the ideal model.

The other picture is of Dorothy, also a trooper and soft spoken... i was lucky to have them assigned to me.

Models! Models!

Skinny women are the devil! Ok so now the organisers are providing the designers with models share amongst 2-3 designers on the day. Well, i met mine ...and they were...lovely girls...skinny, long...but babes! and they were sweet girls. ok my first model was sharon, very lovely girl with a great stride.

The second girl is Joy.

Sketching ideas

Had to get down and busy with fashion illustration to get a clear idea of my theme. I thought about designing as if i was designing for the woman of the hour 'Mrs O' . Michelle Obama has made simplicity very fashionable, with shift dresses and colours to boot!

Fashion & Style Digest 2009 Ankara Fashion show

I took part in Fashion & Style Digest 2009 Ankara Fashion show on the 31st of June. I am going to document with pictures my preparation and end result, plus the newpaper and media publications as i get my hands on them.

Applying to the show organiser

I saw the ad in the city people magazine by chance as i reading a friends copy of city people. It happened to be the last day of application, but i was lucky enough to be accepted.

Then comes the shopping for Ankara to use. I went straight to Lagos market (Idumota) and couldnt find anything. Thought about going for Vlisco but at NGN13,500 -NGN 15,000 a pop, and i need to produce 10 outfit for the show. Finally i got a some from Oshodi market and was quite pleased.

Between UK and Nigeria

Now that i am almost settled in both countries (don't ask me how, but now i have a schedule that works for both). Business start up is hard and very tedious but since its mine, i have to go on despite the difficulties. At the moment, i am marketing my design business (i call custom clothing design) to get in more clients. my target group is working class, between the ages of 25 - 40. So far, i have also decided to create 5 garments to show the quality and finishing touches on each garment. Its very promising, because if there is one thing that is sure about Nigerian women is their confidence in their style. In short, they love to look good and they don't skimp on cost. But i will share this journey with you all and let you know how i am getting on (my trials and triumphs).

Starting this blog again at first seem pointless to me but then i was surprised that friends that i have made by reason of blogging have been wondering what i have been up to. For one thing, i migrated to another continent entirely and settled in a new home ( it has taken some time, but were almost there). So now that i am almost settled on the home front, my plans are still as active as ever. So please check my blog everyweek if you can.

Changes!

Well, this a temporary different direction for me in certain areas. I am going to be using Jersey fabrics as my clothes are getting too big since i have been on the VLCD (lipotrim) diet now. I don't think its advisable to sew using wool, and other expensive fabrics knowing that i may not be able to wear them in a couple of weeks. Think about the wasted time drafting patterns, cutting and sewing. But with Stretch, i can still wear it while i drop two dress sizes before its need adjusting...
So i am going to be making dresses, skirts and tops with stretch fabrics, and for my leisure wear i am still going to use African fabrics.

I am back!!

hi to all, i know i have been away for awhile. Well, lets see... took the time to finish and graduate. Well i have finally registered and due to start, at thesame time i am still working full time. But before that takes off, i'm currently working on my collection. I have been sketching like crazy and sourcing around for the right fabrics. The problem at the moment with fabrics for me is the fact that my speciality is with African fabrics or at least a mixture...
To get the Ankaras (African wax print) with nice and colourful its hard to find in the UK, even Nigerians in the UK are looking for the digital printed ones. So i have to contract that out to someone and before i confirm the ones that are in my colour scheme ( it takes forever!!) unless i travel down myself - but that increases my cost/expenses. Now! whatelse have i been up to - yes! being mommy. My daughter is a handful, its like having another pair of eyes at the back my head to catch up! that girl is everywhere - so i have taken time out to be mommy! but i have managed to workout the multi-tasking work, dream, family, blog... i think i'll cope.

Ex Minister Ngozi Iweala