Amy Aghomi is the founder and the Creative Director of Amy Aghomi brand. A graduate of accounting from Covenant University Ota, Ogun State, she holds a Master’s degree in International Business Management from the University Of Chester, England. Aghomi also has a certification of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) from the London School of business and finance. Her fashion brand which is named after herself now transcended beyond Nigeria. It focuses on creating luxury pieces that embraces the dynamics of the modern woman through exquisite tailoring and craftsmanship. Having launched her first bridal collection in 2016, she has been seen on runways, red carpets, weddings celebrating African heritage with modern touch. Beyond aesthetics, Aghomi champions sustainable fashion and empowers local artisans, ensuring that her work not only tells a story of elegance but also supports communities and preserves craftsmanship. In 2022, Aghomi won La Mode’s Women’s Wear Designer Brand of the year and Gleams Awards Best Fashion Designer of the year in 2024. In this interview, she speaks on her passion and inspiration especially with her new collection, ‘Water to Wine’.

With a background in accounting, what influenced the switch to fashion?

My switch from accounting to fashion was more of a calling than a calculated career pivot. From a young age, I found joy in creating, in colors, textures, drapes, long before I ever understood balance sheets or financial modeling. While I respected the stability and structure that came with accounting, I always felt something was missing. Fashion, for me, was where my soul felt seen. The switch came after years of feeling like I was living someone else’s dream. It was time to walk in mine. Interestingly, my accounting background has become one of my greatest assets as a designer and entrepreneur. It’s given me the structure, discipline, and financial literacy to build a fashion house that is not only creatively inspiring but also sustainable. I run my fashion business with the same precision and foresight that I applied to financial audits. Every collection, every campaign, every expansion decision is grounded in strategy. Creativity can take you far, but structure keeps you there.

⁠You describe your latest collection as a ‘water to wine’ transformation work. What inspired this bold move? Also, does it reflect on your growth as an individual?

Absolutely. The ‘Water to Wine’ collection wasn’t just about fashion; it was a metaphor for my personal journey. It was born out of a deeply introspective season in my life, one where I was shedding old versions of myself, facing fears, and embracing growth. I wanted this collection to reflect that journey: how something that may seem ordinary or overlooked can evolve into something divine, timeless, and extraordinary. It reflects my growth in every sense, emotionally, spiritually, and creatively. I’m no longer afraid to take bold risks in my designs. I’m leaning into richer fabrics, daring silhouettes, and unapologetic statements. It’s about elevation, refinement, and intentional storytelling. This collection marks the point in my career where I stopped playing safe and started owning the power of transformation, not just in clothes, but in identity.

What were the biggest challenges you faced transitioning the Amy Aghomi styling experience from the Nigerian fashion scene to becoming a global brand?

The biggest challenge was learning how to maintain authenticity while scaling globally. Nigerian fashion is rich in culture, colour, and symbolism, and I never wanted to dilute that essence. However, entering global markets requires an understanding of different consumer mindsets, trends, and aesthetic expectations. There was also the challenge of representation, ensuring that African fashion is seen not just as exotic or cultural but as luxury, as editorial, as high-fashion. I had to educate some audiences about the value of what we create and the depth of our craftsmanship. It pushed me to be both a designer and a cultural ambassador. Every piece I send out into the world carries the soul of Nigeria with it, but it’s presented with a global eye. That balance took time to master.

⁠What drives you to achieve success?

Purpose. I believe I’m building something much bigger than just garments. I’m building a legacy, one that empowers women, celebrates African excellence, and reshapes how we see fashion from our part of the world. I want to create a platform that outlives me, one that gives other creatives the courage to pursue their dreams audaciously. Success, for me, is not defined by press features or celebrity endorsements, although those are beautiful milestones. Success is watching people wear my piece and feel more powerful, more seen, more beautiful. Every stitch, every design is my offering to the world. That vision keeps me going, even on the hard days.

⁠A key part of your work is celebrating African heritage. How do you strike that balance between tradition and innovation?

It starts with deep respect. I honour the traditions, stories, and symbols that shaped me, but I don’t treat them as constraints. Instead, I treat them as the foundation upon which I can innovate. In my work, I combine traditional African fabrics, handwoven textiles, and ancestral embroidery techniques with modern silhouettes, clean tailoring, and contemporary detailing. The result is a fusion of past and present, something rooted yet progressive. I like to think of my pieces as walking stories: the past is the root, and the present is my canvas. The challenge is never to imitate culture, but to evolve it beautifully. That’s what makes it timeless.

You have worked with several fashion-forward individuals in Nigeria and beyond. Tell us about them.

I’ve been incredibly blessed to work with some of the most inspiring and stylish people, people who embody confidence, elegance, and unapologetic strength. I’ve designed for Davido, Mercy Eke, Chioma GoodHair, Toni Tones, Sharon Ooja, Faith Morey, Lush Eby, Priscilla Ojo, among many others. What I love most is the trust these people place in me to bring their vision to life, whether it’s for a red carpet, a wedding, a music video, or a personal milestone. Fashion is intimate, and I don’t take that trust for granted. These names have not only elevated my brand, but they’ve also added richness to my journey.

⁠You are making huge strides in your journey as a fashion designer. What is one thing you wish you knew when you were starting out your brand?

I wish I knew that it’s okay, and necessary, to evolve. When I started, I held onto certain ideas because I thought changing them meant I was abandoning my vision. But I’ve learned that growth requires change. You grow in your aesthetic, in your team, in your pricing, in your voice. And that’s okay. I also wish I understood the importance of building a strong internal structure from the start, systems, team dynamics, client management, logistics. Creativity is exciting, but building a brand is an entirely different beast. The earlier you embrace both sides, the smoother your growth will be.

You tell stories of resilience and evolution through your pieces. What would you say makes the Amy Aghomi fashion brand different from other players in the space?

What makes the Amy Aghomi brand distinct is the emotional depth behind every piece. I don’t just design clothes, I create moments of affirmation. My collections are stories of becoming, of people stepping into new seasons, owning their power, and embracing grace. I draw inspiration from real experiences, heartbreak, triumph, rebirth, identity, and I infuse those emotions into my silhouettes. Every detail has intention. My goal is not just to make people look good, but to remind them of who they are and what they carry inside. That’s the heartbeat of my brand: storytelling through style, power through beauty.

⁠What key messages are you hoping to leave for the next generation of African designers and creatives?

Your voice matters, exactly as it is. Don’t dilute it to fit into trends or expectations. The world doesn’t need another replica; it needs your originality. Learn the rules of the industry, but don’t be afraid to break them beautifully. Also, build with intention. Talent is just the beginning. Learn the business, study the market, understand branding, protect your intellectual property, and surround yourself with mentors and accountability. And above all, remember where you come from. Our culture is rich enough to create endless innovation; we don’t have to borrow from others to be excellent. You are enough.

What’s one word that describes ‘Amy Aghomi’?

Becoming. It captures everything, my journey, my brand, my growth, and my essence. I am always evolving, always unfolding. Each collection, each challenge, each victory adds another layer to who I am. I don’t believe in final destinations, only beautiful progressions. I’m not who I was last year, and I won’t be the same next year. That’s the beauty of becoming.