Summer is right around the bend and we couldn’t be more hyped up. With life slowly returning to a new normal, we’re looking forward to filling our closet with summer-infused designs. One brand we’ve had our eyes on for quite a while is Andrea Iyamah.
Founded in 2011 by Nigerian fashion designer Andrea Dumebi Iyamah, the clothing line is strongly inspired by ethnic cultures and elements of nature. Born in 1993, Iyamah has a flair for fashion and the arts, and founded the successful brand at the incredibly early age of 17.
“I always had an affinity to art and design of all kinds, but clothing design really kicked off when I was in university,” shared the young talent in an interview with The Folklore. “Having a formal education and vocational skills were very important, so the challenge was balancing both without losing on either.”
According to Iyamah, her brand was fuelled by her passion for creativity with the goal to celebrate her African roots and cultures beyond. Iyamah stresses that she was determined to build an African-owned brand that was rich and bold in style and most importantly internationally accessible.
“My Nigerian roots are quite a part and parcel of me that it comes quite natural to include some elements that portray the culture,” says Iyamah. “Nigerians are energetic, vibrant and confident which are elements that are evident in A.I. designs. Also having our flagship A.I. studio, and operating out of there, keeps the inspiration fresh and relevant.”
With some 200k fans on Instagram alone, her brand is more than accessible. For over a decade Iyamah has gained repeated recognition for her work in fashion and has been featured in top-tier publications like Vogue, Forbes, InStyle, and Huff Post. You’d want to take note!