“GREY VELVET Fashion Retail Store Set To Officially Launch On Saturday 5th May 2012
GREY VELVET, a fashion retail store located at L34 in Ikeja City Mall Alausa Lagos, Nigeria, is set to officially launch on Saturday 5th May 2012 with a lavish fashion soiree. The store is a first of its kind in Lagos and houses a wide range of fashion pieces from clothing, shoes, handbags, jewellery to other accessories made all of which are uniquely made and produced by indigenous Nigerian and African designers.
The store is one to be reckoned with, it carefully selects fashion and accessories labels based on high retail standards that include innovation and creativity, high-level production quality and affordability.
The store is here to take away the hassles of acquiring your favourite pieces off the runway as it offers the style-savvy customer exactly what is needed in today’s world; unprecedented access to the hottest looks of the season from African labels.
Labels presently in store are: Remi Lagos, Isi Brown, BebeGrafiti, Virtue Clothiers, Xclamations, Kiki Kamanu, Design for Love, RN Jewelz, T.T DALK, Dehadza, Ejiro Amos Tafiri and Republic of Foreigner and many more to come…
GREY VELVET is owned and managed by two creative and innovative entrepreneurs- Mrs Isioma Onochie Aihie and Mrs Terae Onyeje.
PROFILE- MRS ISIOMA ONOCHIE AIHIE – GREY VELVET’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS
Isioma has a robust portfolio with a career that started in Information Technology with nearly two decades of experience under her belt. She worked with CB TECHNOLOGIES, BLUE BELL, Pennsylvania, United States working as part of the management team then with OANDO PLC, Lagos, Nigeria as the company’s Head of Information Technology.
Ten years ago she moved on to set up her own businesses in Nigeria, first was TAMIDIA GROUP- a company that successfully established and developed the famous FUNTOPIA entertainment theme park in Lagos. While running FUNTOPIA she delved into the publishing world with the management of JUICE, a bi-monthly entertainment magazine known.
She is also the CEO of THE CINDER COMPANY- a company that is involved in the management of all production services; stage plays, TV lifestyle shows, animated series, commercials, infomercials and documentaries. Her work in this category includes the first, critically acclaimed and successful stage play, “A Voice For Ella”- a modern day musical adaptation of Cinderella and “Style Me”- a lifestyle TV show that was aimed at empowering the Nigerian woman’s self worth.
Isioma is a woman of many facets; she is also a talented Fashion Designer, her label ISI BROWN can also be found at GREY VELVET.
At GREY VELVET she is an Executive Director and oversees the Business Operations.
PROFILE- MRS TERAE ONYEJE- GREY VELVET’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Terae is a goal-oriented individual with nearly two decades in experience in Information Technology and Business Management. Her last few years were spent developing the Personal Systems Group business for Hewlett Packard as Country Category Manager managing a N90m per annum portfolio.
Retail caught her interest when Pavilion, Hewlett Packard’s consumer PC, was introduced into her Personal Systems portfolio in 2006. The huge success of the brand in the Nigerian market showed her to another interesting side to business and she has forayed into retail full since leaving HP in 2009.
Terae marries her passion for technology with her interest in retail in LifeStyle Quest Ltd, a home entertainment and gaming systems business. She also owns KraveX Online, an online gadgets and gaming store (www.kravex.com)
At GREY VELVET Terae is an Executive Director and oversees the Business Development.
BRIEF PROFILES OF BRANDS AT GREY VELVET
Remi Lagos
Remi Osholake is the Creative Director behind the 25years old successful Remi Lagos label. The label is known for creating elegant and beautiful flowing pieces fit for any stylish woman. Remi Lagos has been on the catwalks in Nigeria and South Africa and has been featured in major newspapers and magazine within and outside Nigeria. The label is favoured by top socialites and celebrities.
Kiki Kamanu
Kiki Kamanu is influenced by the travels of the label’s namesake creative designer to over 50 international destinations in five continents which is reflected in the diversity of her creations as she draws inspiration from myriad sources. This is evident in the skillful blending of styles, textures and fabrics from around the globe –sturdy cottons melt into elegant Thai silks while vibrant printed jerseys mold to perfect the feminine silhouette. Chiffons are creatively blended together with delicate lace to create wearable art whose intricate details are hand crafted by gifted artisans.
The label has been showcased at the London Fashion Week, the ARISE Magazine Fashion Week and the Face of SLEEK. In addition it has been featured in major American, European and Turkish media including CNN International and Russian Tatler.
Kiki Kamanu has been worn by leading personalities such as the French singing group Les Nubians, Susan Taylor, Editor-Emeritus of Essence Magazine, and has developed a faithful following.
Ejiro Amos Tafiri
Ejiro Amos Tafiri is a fast growing brand on the Nigerian fashion scene that prides in the production of wearable clothing and accessories inspired by vibrant, fun-loving, ‘joie de vive’ culture of the Lagos people and the cultural diversity of its populace which spans the globe. Creativity and excellent craftsmanship are the label’s watchword.The label has showcased collections at the 2011 and 2012 ARISE Magazine Fashion Weeks in Lagos.
Republic of Foreigner
Republic of Foreigner was established with the aim of bringing out the spirit of freedom in all the ladies out there! Sisters, Carmen and Selina Sutherland, are the creative forces behind Republic of Foreigner. Their designs are inspired by folklore, Afrobeat culture, vintage relics, and exude a mutual love of film, art, and design. Operating from their hometown of Lagos, Nigeria, this bohemian inspired fashion duo produce eclectic designs for the modern hippie.
The label offers a wide selection of desirable modern & vintage inspired clothing and accessories derived from the global fashion sphere. In 2010, the label included the ULTANATIV by ROF, a customized accessories line offering an eclectic range of handmade jewellery and accessories that combine bohemian & Afrobeat vibes with timeless sophistication. The label showcased a collection at the successful Music Meets Runway 2011 fashion show in Nigeria.
Isi Brown
Isi Brown has been in the fashion industry for several years now catering to its special niche clientele. The label produces both Haute Couture and Prêt-a-porter pieces every woman needs in her wardrobe.
BebeGrafiti
BebeGrafiti is a label that designs ethnic clothes for children to young adults. The label is a trendsetter in children’s wear and provides innovative, edgy and ethnic pieces that effectively inspire the youth to find their unique culture in fashion.
Virtue Clothiers
Virtue Clothiers is a premier African player in the design, production, branding, distribution and marketing of lifestyle products such as men’s, women’s and children’s apparel including T-shirts, Polo shirts, Corporate shirts, Blazers, Suits and Casual dresses.
Xclamations
Xclamations is known for its exquisite combination of African Ankara prints. The label boosts of neatly tailored pieces that are made more interesting with its unique woven details fit for any cosmopolitan African woman.
Design for Love
Design for love (DFL) started about 5 years ago by Wunmi Olufeko. The label specialises in female garments and also produces fabric/ leather bags and belts to complement the outfits. Its ready-to-wear range tagged The F.E.W. DFL works are mostly cut out from Ankara and incorporated with other more contemporary fabrics like silks, laces and taffetas. Outfits are personalised with hand-sewn sequins, trims and other embellishments. Each outfit is considered a unique work of art that tells its own story.
Design for love has featured in a number of fashion shows including the City People and the Encomium Black and White ball
T.T DALK
T.T.DALK is a brand that creates innovative ideas that emits the wearer’s expression of his/her true self. It is a Footwear, Apparel and Accessory Company built to set an international standard in the fashion industry. It offers simple, classy and elegant designs to suit its clients.
Dehadza
Dehadza specialises in African Prints fabric shoes. The label offers a line of gorgeous print shoes from high kitten heels to eccentric platforms.
For sales and commercial and general enquires, please contact:
Address: Shop L34 Ikeja City Mall Alausa Lagos, Nigeria.
Mobile: +234 (0) 708 861 7035
Email: [email protected]”
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
