Onotu Josephine  

Tell us what Divafrique signature is about and how did it come to be?

Divafrique Signature is an African owned brand with a distinctive collection of handcrafted, uniquely customizable female bags ranging from business, carry-all Tote bags to casual day/night time satchel bag, sling bag, minaudiere, printed fabric/leather clutches or evening purses and other leather gift items. Our products are stitched to perfection drawing on attention to the finest details. Our contemporary designs are created with a variety of animal hides including exotic animal skins with rich textures and colours. I would say Divafrique Signature was born from an innate passion for creativity.

Please give us a detailed account of your Rise to fame.

It all started in secondary school. I have always been creative with a flair for fashion, colours and patterns. I would get bored in between and during classes and distract myself by drawing sketches of outfits from comic books, in time I began to incorporate my own ideas into the sketches. I had great reviews from my classmates. I soon bought a sketchbook and my sketches became more professional with practice. I tried my hands on clothes for a little while but it wasn’t quite what I wanted to do, and then i found bag making, and we have continue to grow in design and production from then on

How does it feel to be one of Nigeria’s top female designers in fashion brand styling?

It is a simply rewarding feeling and I’m very thankful
to God.

Did you feel any fear or hesitancy when you first started out?

Yes, I certainly experienced the fear and hesitancy attributed to venturing into something new, but at the same time I felt an enthusiasm about the future, that was reassuring.

What has been the highest and lowest point of your career including raising the initial capital for the business?

My Highest point is simply having satisfied customers everyday and people who love and appreciate what I do and ofcourse patronize my business. When I see someone with a D.S bag on her arm, the feeling of satisfaction is most rewarding.

Starting a business in Nigeria can be tough; transitioning from a 9-5 job into a fashion business with no previous business experience can even be tougher. I have encountered a few pitfalls along the way, but they have all been learning points and they have brought me to where I am today.

What makes what you do unique?

Divafrique Signature is unique because we love to create stylish bags that seamlessly fit into our clients’ life and make their day to day easier. Because we understand that your bag is so much more than a carry-on for your essentials, it’s a statement about your personality.

 As a known brand in the fashion industry, why is it important to keep growing and evolving?

I think, in any industry especially in the fashion industry it is important to keep growing and evolving because it is such a versatile and dynamic industry, and there are new designers coming up everyday.

What are the challenges you face in running a business like this especially in a country like Nigeria.

The major challenges I face in my profession would be sourcing materials particularly hardware accessories.

How would you measure the impact of the fashion week and the likes to the growth of the fashion industry?

There has been a lot of “africanisation” of fashion in the western world lately. African fabrics are been incorporated in the making of fashion accessories including bags. African fashion designers are presently breaking into fashion industry internationally and working hand in hand with western fashion retailers.

Events for designers such as the fashion week, creates brand awareness, boost sales, networking, provides opportunity for both local and foreign investments.

The fashion industry is known to be notoriously fickle and populated with shallow people…I know you are not one of those people but how do you maintain balance and stay true to yourself and your work.

Because fashion is widely associated with social status, it is easy to get distracted by the buzz it creates, I think what is important is to stay true to the passion.

Did you at any point feel like quitting?

No, I have never felt like quitting

List the fashion accessories you design.

Business carry-all Tote bags to casual day/night time satchel bag, sling bag, minaudiere, printed fabric/leather clutches or evening purses, man bags, laptop bags and other leather gift items.

Who are your top favourite fashion icons internationally and locally?

My favourite fashion icons are Deola Sagoe, Toke Makinwa, Kendall Jenner and Pharrell Williams

What is your favourite fashion accessory?

My Black and Gold Zayne Bayne bag by Divafrique Signature is absolutely my favourite fashion accessory.

Who are your favourite African and international designers?

My top favourite international designers would be Chloe, Nancy Gonzalez, Prada, Michael Kors, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Deola Sagoe etc.

Any word of advice for young enterprising women out there?

Don’t let the fear of failure cripple your dreams. There will always be reasons why you cannot get from “there to here”, and there will always be reasons why you can. It is your choice.