A trailblazing Nigerian fashion designer is causing a stir with her innovative 'four-dimensional' creations.
Tessy Oliseh-Amaize Brings African Fashion to the Forefront
Tessy Oliseh-Amaize, the founder of the Tesslo fashion brand, is revolutionizing the fashion industry with her unique blend of mathematics and traditional African ankara fabric designs. With a background in Fashion Product Management from Middlesex University London, Oliseh-Amaize has developed a foundation in fashion design and management that sets her apart.
Her innovative approach merges geometric and mathematical principles with the vibrant patterns of traditional African ankara fabric, creating a distinct global fashion statement. By doing so, she elevates ankara beyond conventional fashion uses, blending precise design techniques inspired by mathematics with rich cultural motifs.
One of her most striking designs, the "Mpi," is a take on a varsity jacket, embellished with rows of protruding cones, inspired by traditional Igbo culture. Another design, "Pyramids," is a knee-length dress inspired by the pyramids of Giza. These designs, along with the "Africa to the World" collection, infuse elements of African culture in colorful ankara fabrics, showcasing how African-inspired aesthetics can be innovatively interpreted and celebrated worldwide.
Tessy Oliseh-Amaize's designs are not just visually striking; they are also a testament to her dedication to her craft. Each design in the "Africa to the World" collection takes four to eight weeks to create. This dedication has earned her increasing attention in the US fashion scene, where she has made a name for herself as a designer.
Oliseh-Amaize's designs have caught the eye of celebrities such as J. Bolin, a celebrity stylist, who commissioned a design from her for one of his high-profile clients. Folake Olowofoyeku, star of the US sitcom "Bob Hearts Abishola," wore Tesslo's "Hollywood" dress at the Ankara Festival.
Tessy Oliseh-Amaize is not just a designer; she is also a mentor. Through her "Fashion Professor" project on Instagram, she helps younger designers by holding 35 mentoring sessions on various topics related to the fashion industry. She emphasizes that African designers should not limit their thoughts to designing or selling to only Africans but rather aim for the global market. Tessy Oliseh-Amaize does not want to be labeled as an "African designer" but rather as a global brand designing for the global market.
Despite the success she has achieved, Tessy Oliseh-Amaize grew up facing challenges due to being associated with her famous brother, Sunday Oliseh. However, she has stepped out of his shadow, making a name for herself in the fashion industry. She aspires to see a time when a Nigerian brand can sell out in international department stores like Harrods or Macy's.
In conclusion, Tessy Oliseh-Amaize is a trailblazer in the fashion industry, merging mathematics with traditional African ankara fabric designs to create a unique and distinct global fashion statement. Her designs are not only visually striking but also a testament to her dedication to her craft and her vision for the future of African fashion.
[1] Middlesex University London, Fashion Product Management [2] Africa to the World collection launch
- Tessy Oliseh-Amaize, a graduate of Middlesex University London's Fashion Product Management, combines mathematics and traditional African ankara fabric designs, creating a unique fusion that's redefining lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and home-and-garden sectors.
- Her designs, like the "Mpi" and "Pyramids," infused with mathematical principles and African cultural motifs, are not merely clothing items; they are conversation starters that inspire education-and-self-development discussions about African fashion's global potential.
- Tessy Oliseh-Amaize's influence extends beyond fashion, as she mentors aspiring designers worldwide through her "Fashion Professor" project on Instagram, emphasizing the importance of aiming for the global market instead of being confined by geographical boundaries.
