Bebe Akinboade

25 YEAR OLD GHANAIAN DESIGNER, AISHA OBUOBI WHO IS MAKING WAVES ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE

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25-year-old Ghanaian designer, Aisha Obuobi made a grand debut in 2008, when she launched her fashion label, Christie Brown, while she was in her final year at the University of Ghana. Ever since, she has had no reason to look back. Within this short period of time, her label has been in the news both locally and internationally. The label has also garnered strong international endorsements with mentions in Grazia, Marie Claire, Jet Magazine amongst others. Last year, Destiny’s Child member, Michelle Williams wore a Christie Brown jacket for a UK TV appearance, thus adding to the buzz surrounding the label. In December 2010, Christie Brown, in collaboration with Temple Muse in Nigeria, introduced her label to the Nigerian scene via an event at Temple Muse- the luxury boutique, which stocks the brand exclusively in Nigeria. Her collection has continued to turn heads at red carpet events, both locally and internationally. She is now the official designer of some of the celebrities and fashion icons in Ghana and beyond the shores of her home based country.
The Psychologists turned fashion designer has always had flare for fashion right from when she was young. Her Grandmother was a seamstress, so from her youth, she was surrounded by pieces of rich, vibrant African prints and quickly learnt to appreciate the wonders of elegant design.
What actually brought a rapid growth for her in the fashion career, is the way she transforms the Ankara fabrics, as her designs are mind blowing. She westernizes this indigenous fabric and it is a total deviation from what people are used to in the past.
At the time she was launching her label in Accra, she noticed that people didn’t experiment much with African prints in Accra; the material was mostly used in very traditional ways and she knew that she could think of more interesting, modern designs in which to incorporate the gorgeous prints. She wanted people to be re-inspired by African prints; she wanted to cultivate fresh appeal for them.
Her collection is all about celebrating beauty in simplicity. She employs great use of neutral earth tones and natural fabrics including cotton enhanced with Chantilly lace and the signature Christie Brown button detailing. The bold accessories make great use of ankara and feathers to create a definite style statement. Her designs reflect sophistication and class.
Aisha revealed some of the things that make her fashion label tick. “At the time I started my label, precisely in 2008, there wasn’t much experimentation being done with African prints; the material was mostly used in very traditional ways and I always envisioned more interesting, modern designs in which to incorporate the gorgeous prints. I wanted to cultivate a fresh appeal for African prints; I wanted to celebrate the fabric in a unique way. And I’m so excited that the label was well received even beyond my own widest imagination.
The story has been a successful one all the way. I won the Arise ‘Emerging Designer of the Year’ award in 2009; I was featured on the lifestyle TV show Studio 53 and Christie Brown designs have now featured in internationally renowned magazines, such as ‘Grazia (UK)’,Italian ‘Marie Claire’, and Africa’s ‘Arise’, ‘Canoe’ magazines.
The growing success of the brand was further recognised when I was invited to sit on a panel at the African Economic Forum, which took place at Columbia University, New York. It’s been a truly fulfilling experience to watch the label blossom so far and I am confident there is so much more to come!”
Her fashion label strongest point is simplicity, in as much she is trying to create an elegant, classic style and design. She often incorporate unique accents, such as the African print buttons, and always toy with the vibrancy and boldness of the African print patterns. She believes in creating wearable designs that make her clients feel glamorous, sophisticated, confident and distinct.

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