When young Dumebi Oghor Iyamah who is popularly known as Andrea Iyamah released her first collection, which consisted of a pair of shorts and a jacket, modelled by her sister and photographed by herself, a lot of people around her at that time might have laughed and wondered at what boredom could do to a young mind.
Some might have understood but thought the dream was bigger than the teenager, however, nothing deterred the young student from breaking into the industry and challenging people to take a look at her work for she truly meant business.
Dumebi was a student at McMaster University, Canada when she got her first sewing machine and went on to launch her brand fully in 2012 with the NDU Collection, modelled by her sister, actress Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama. This first public collection made a lot of people sit up as the Nigerian fashion industry had received a much-needed breath of fresh air; a rebirth of some sort.
While many fashion critics were still revelling in her 2012 collection, they lost all chill when she launched her swimwear line in 2013. The Andrea Iyamah swimwear designs were like nothing seen out of the African fashion industry before or anywhere else for that matter. The brand would later add a line of wedding gowns that have also taken the market by storm.
With growing popularity, the Andrea Iyamah brand has since its launch been featured in various local and international shows and publications. But what about young Dumebi? The creative director is moving up just like her brand. Frequently wearing her designs, she’s become known for her demure elegance and melanin popping goodness and wherever she steps foot, her stylish presence is always easily recognizable.
Take a look at her simple yet stunning style takes…
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