THE HAUTE BAG MAKERS

The last time, we introduced you to Nigeria’s latest entry in the world of Haute Bag couturing – Funmi Adeyeri of REBIRTH. Today however, we view some of Nigeria’s Finest Haute Bag makers. These ladies are steaming, Linda Mesrob, Alima Oyofo, Nadeja Omotosho and Lucy Odim.

Hold your breathe ladies, it’s about to get really spicy!

From Left: Linda, Lucy, Nadeja and Alima.

 

Alima Oyofo: Sexy Piping hot!

For Alima, what started as an experiment at her sister’s factory – Odio Mimonet just about four years ago has morphed into the Brand ‘LilPepperfriend’. The phrase which is derived from her nickname ‘atawewe’ or ‘small pepper’ reflects the vibrancy of the Brand. Lilpepperfriend was established in the summer of 2008 and is synonymous with eclectic one-of- a-kind accessories[bags and Ankara/aso-oke slippers], edgy colours that pop and indeed has been described as art by all lovers of all things cultural and current. At the Vlisco show in Feb. 2009, ‘Lilpepperfriend bags where showcased alongside Odio Mimonet and they served as the perfect complement to the fantastic outfits thus eliciting a standing ovation from the enthralled audience. Alima is a unique artist undefinable by boundaries. Her beauty is matched with her brilliance, her unpredictability matched with a consistency in delivery, all in a small frame bursting forth with life and vivacity.

NADEJDA OMOTOSHO - Creative Analyst

Pretty Financial Analyst, Nadejda Omotosho who is the founder of Aidan-Mo bags has been silently honing her skills with her unusual high fashion pieces. Another vivacious fashion accessory designer, her style of bags is extremely flexible yet sophisticated, adventuorous yet conservative. She glitters with creative skills drawn from a confluence of ingenuity and inspiration. Although Nadia, as she is popularly known, is no longer with Adrian-Mo as the full time CEO, she continually provides full time creative direction for the Brand that began in her living room.

LUCY ODIM – Independent Style

An Independent woman by all standards, Lucy’s courtship with fashion began after she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in French. Lucy’s crave to be independent propelled her to create traditional outfits popularly known as Senegalese which was greeted with rapt attention. With time her growing clientele demanded more and Lucy was thus pressed with creating a suitable accessory to complement her unique designs. Her crave saw her reject the trend of Bag merchants, and she began to churn out her own personal designs. Today D LUNE [Her Brand], showcases versatile works running from leather to the damask, aso-oke and a diverse range of eye catching works of art.

LINDA MESROB – The Stitch Princess

Popularly known as Skin, Linda Mesrob has been ‘Bag’ing’ it for the past four years. The award winning bag maker’s signature style are the bold and the colourful stitches that run through her creative pieces. Another signature of hers is the lavish use of carvings. After leaving the American University of Paris, Linda fell in love with bags rather than clothes. It was then she started to make bags under the label SKIN which has evolved into a high end couture line known as LINDA MESROB COUTURE. She enhances her own style with that of her Clients to evolve the Avant Garde collection most women can’t resist. With an outlet at the Mega Plaza in Victoria Island in Lagos and a display section in Gallery Lafayette in Paris, Linda Mesrob caters to the accessory needs of the average style woman who is desirous of something different from the regular designer bags. She has featured alongside international Brands like Adebayo Jones and Tiffany Amber. Her love for Mohair and other wildlife leather like croc, lizard, snake etc. showcases the roaring label Linda Mesrob.