Estella Ogbonna…Curves, Colors and Captivations

by Taiwo Obude

OBUDE: What are your inspirations?

ESTELLA: My inspiration. Just ONLY one inspiration is GOD! Because HE planned my life all the way round and round back to Fashion! Its like I could run, but I couldn’t get away! Now I am back to fashion full force!

And its amazing that I have never had to take any fashion lesson or sewing classes! I just picked up my scissors one day, got a fabric and bought a sewing machine and started sewing! I cut and sewed all the things I have now in display all by myself! I just got couple of tailors to work for me now. But I would rather do the finally detailing myself before I hand over to a client. I actually sleep and get sketches in my sleep! Being why I have pen and papers all over my house! Kitchen, toilets, office, dining room, car, handbags etc, cos I never know where and when a masterpiece would be dropped into my mind! I just love this.

Estella Ogbonna

OBUDE: And how do you intend to market your products?

ESTELLA: As of late, I have been featured in a lot of Fashion Shows. The offers are increasing, but I have had to decline some in order to balance my crazy schedule and maintain exclusivity. We just implemented E-marketing strategies and we will be using direct mailing as well. We will eventually have some key figures in the community to endorse my clothing line. My Marketing and public relations team ,NenyéProductions (nenyeproductions.com) is doing awesome work with that. And of course, word of mouth has really helped a lot.

In the next couple of weeks, I intend to launch a Massive Fashion Exhibition in the Washington DC Metro Area! And we also have lots of other avenues lined up which would all kick-in in the next couple of weeks! Also, Internet of course! Right now, our website is under construction because I have a great Web Designer working on it right now as we speak.

More so, since I have changed my main Fashion Name from TRADISHIONALÉ COUTURE to ESTELLA COLLECTIONS. This was necessitated by the need to make my fashion global! Tradishionalé Couture would be a line of my collections, but my Company is now known as ESTELLA. I did a poll of my friends, partners and associates and all were of the opinion that I got a unique name – Estella. I may as well use it to show what I am all about! Besides my parents did not make a mistake naming me STAR (Stellar, Estella), cos that is where I am heading!

OBUDE: What are your long term goals?

ESTELLA: Its simple! Put African and Asian Fabrics on the runway around the world! I want ESTELLA to be on the same line up as YSL, Gucci, Dior etc. Besides, we have lots of exquisite fabrics and the world is doing nothing about it! I strongly believe in preserving our cultures, but the world is now also a Global Community! Blame it on my IT experience, but if I can know what is happening in another part of the world I have never seen, thanks to technology, how about I also take my wonderful fabrics to that part! The BOHO fashion came out and rocked the world, in the early 70s, dashikis were in the world fashion, I want that era back, after all fashion is simply recycling of ideas over generations!

OBUDE: Is your fashion only for the black population?

ESTELLA: NO! And I don’t want it to be. Like I said earlier, I want my fashion to be for the whole world.

OBUDE: Fashion is unique, how do you intend to make people accept you?

ESTELLA: You know, you really can’t make people accept you. Especially when it comes to fashion. Because people would buy and wear just what they like, sometimes not even minding the cost. So, I will just put my designs out there, and know that people would accept them. Because my designs are shape-friendly. By that I mean, I design for everyone! Tall, Short, thin, big, black, white, etc. Everyone would find their style in ESTELLA.

OBUDE: How is living in America helping your fashion products?

ESTELLA: I won’t say its making any difference at all. Rather, it makes getting the fabrics from African and Asia more difficult and expensive.

Only thing I can say is that living here makes it easier for me to sample and test certain designs and concepts on a wide range of clients before putting them out there for all to see and buy. If I lived in Africa, I would not have that privileged of getting first hand opinions.

OBUDE: Do you do other things apart from fashion?

ESTELLA: Yes, I am still an IT person. I love Computers and can’t just walk away from it, rather, I try to introduce lots of computers to my fashion ideas. And being hard working person that I am, I still have other concepts I am working on alongside my fashion business.

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21 comments

obudetaiwo@yahoo.com February 1, 2012 - 2:51 pm

Thank you Estella, i know right from time that there was something diffrent about you and that you were destined for success, and it’s my pleasure to have been part of that success.

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info@estellacouture.com January 30, 2012 - 5:48 am

This Interview. I remember.

Thanks Again Taiwo Obude!

My God is STILL FAITHFUL!

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ify ekwempu January 31, 2007 - 7:27 am

luvly interview,now i am convinced that all things are achieveable through determination, thanks for inspiring me.Estelle u go gurl!!!!!!!!!!

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buda atum November 14, 2006 - 7:34 am

Very interesting stuff, nice clothes, beautiful clothes wonderful person!

Now I know where my next wardrobe is coming from – soon as I find meself a well to do man!

Go Estella!

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Estella Ogbonna November 1, 2006 - 7:37 pm

Jyoti! I remember….Savoy! How can I forget when I met the most wonderful women on earth!! From all corners of the world, all with the dream to make a change in the lives of women.

Jyoti, this is still my way of contributing to womanhood….I have plans for that. I am still a Community Developer and Non-Profit Organizations manager anyday!

My dear, I NEVER knew or dreamt, or even thought I would end up in the fashion world. But…..,I am LOVIIIIING IT gurl!!

How is Kuwait? I plan to vist you someday…..;)

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Jyoti Nair October 28, 2006 - 9:34 am

Estella, this is just the begining for you… now on there will be no looking behind. I do not know if you remember long time ago when I had met you as only a brainy woman (not knowing this side of you) I had said you are very special and you have a lot in you.. remember in Savoy Washington DC. I am so proud of you… What many do not know of her is her extremely sensitiveness to human kind… Love you!

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REGGY AND BECKY October 3, 2006 - 12:38 am

MAY THE GOOD LORD PROSPER UR ENDEVOUR

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jules July 13, 2006 - 9:46 am

great interview, strong personality.

see her gallery on http://www.estellacouture.com and you will agree with me she's a high flyer in the fashion world.

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oluchi July 13, 2006 - 5:56 am

You have always had a passion for high fashion and i knew sooner than later you were going to face it. i am overwhelmed and I'm sure you'll grow from strength to strength because it's inborn. Thanks for making us proud. GOD is your strength.

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Qute4reva June 6, 2006 - 10:31 am

I wish you the very best Estella, the sky is the limit. God bless.

Q4RVR

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Justus Emeka Ogbonna June 2, 2006 - 10:25 am

great interview,the sky is your starting point not your limit.You are destined for greatness……….

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ayo April 15, 2006 - 4:48 am

Hey Estella call me … lol ..just kidding no mind me .. keep up the good work , do stay focused and spend time reading ur bible ..your best is yet to come ..stay blessed girl ..

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Anonymous April 10, 2006 - 1:24 pm

You go girl!! I knew all those ya fashion craze from Childhood was a sign of great things in your future! God Bless you! And the works of you hands! Keep Strong and TRUST HIM ALWAYS!

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Olu Adewole April 5, 2006 - 10:43 am

Beautiful designs!

Wonderful disposition!

Remain focused, steadfast and God-driven. And of course your Haggai Business Network family is behind you all the way!!

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Anonymous April 5, 2006 - 10:36 am

I am excited about your progress and encouraged about the fact that you know this is just the beginning for you. The great God that resides in the heavenly places will continue to take you places as long as you glorify his name in your endeavours!! Best wishes from your Haggai Oga- Olu

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Anonymous April 4, 2006 - 2:46 pm

All d way Estella aka 4satat

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paul Nzeribe April 4, 2006 - 11:59 am

When God is with you, there is nothing that can stop you. Estalla i wish you the best, an waiting to watch your designs on the big screen.

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Anonymous April 4, 2006 - 10:59 am

Congratulations on your achievements. We would like to see more of your designs. i like the ones shown so far. never stop trying.

God bless

Wilson

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easy April 3, 2006 - 3:36 pm

may the good lord continue to bless you and make your dreams come true.

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Anonymous April 3, 2006 - 8:06 am

The interview is great! I know for sure that she (ESTELLA) will rule the fashion world in a very near future.

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Anonymous April 3, 2006 - 7:32 am

Great Interview…Loved reading it…May the fruits of your labour never be in vain…Thy sky is no longer your limit, you can go above that. Austy!

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