Oreva Okowa is the brain behind Signature Secrets Africa. Though she started off with chiffon fabrics to make exquisite flowing dresses, today her label speaks volume and her fashion school has produced significant designers.
The Delta-based designer is known for her alluring, smart and sassy outfits you could rock to any events.
As the creative director of the brand, she attends international fashion shows and exhibitions yearly with some students to brush up and tap from acclaimed designers all over the world.
Her designs have featured in different runways, including African Fashion Week, London and Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria; Africa Fashion Reception, France; Magic Source Las Vegas, Source Africa Global, South Africa, The Textiles Industries Market, Kigali Africa Market Fair, Egypt; Cotton and Textile Industries, Kenya; Maltex in Maritius among other countries.
The mother of three, whose birthday is December 6 spoke about major challenges facing fashion business.
Today is your birthday, how do you feel?
I feel great. I thank the Lord God Almighty for keeping me, my family and extended family intact. I’m not really marking it in a big way but would call few friends and have a get-together.
You are known for using African prints, how do you distinguish between fake and real fabric?
I decided to introduce Africa print to my collections because of international markets. I discovered that non-African’s love designs in African prints. I go for international fashion shows, Africa Fashion Week in London, Ethiopia Fashion Week and others but foreigners are just addicted to prints. I get quality prints because we have companies and buyers we have been patronizing over the years, so we don’t have fear of fake or imitation fabric that would run colours. There are inexpensive imitations which are made using a printing process, they are known in the industry as fancy fabrics. These fabrics are produced in mass consumption and are not expected to last as opposed to true African prints which if well taken care of, can last a life time.
Check out labelling, each piece is unique and the colours are vibrant.
What are the major challenges you go through as a designer?
Fashion design is capital intensive mostly for us that are into ready to wear, for instance production, but the major challenge is copy cart, people who do not want to put their head into work rather they will wait to rubbish, misinterpret and misrepresent your idea. The Nigeria fashion industry is now too congested with a mixture of tailors and designers, but the market is not there for everyone.
Tell us your fashion story so far?
I discovered my flair for creativity when I was in the university at 200 level, I found out that I fell in love easily with Chiffon fabrics. I went shopping with my tailor in 2005 and decided to get some pieces of chiffon, getting home, I thought of what to do with the fabric. I was able to cut them into some nice looking tops. But because I didn’t have the knowledge of using the machine and never had one, I took them to my tailor to join them and paid for them. I continued like that for a while and my course mates started patronizing me and a year later, I was able to gather funds to purchase my first manual machine. I started officially in 2007.
What’s your favourite fashion accessories?
Any jewellery that is very attractive. I like unique accessories. Something you can’t find everyday.
What about your favourite music?
Every Nigeria music is my favourite. We have great artistes in Nigeria.
How has it been these 14 years?
The journey has not been very smooth all the way, it’s been glamorous and challenging as well. Sometimes, discouragement comes but because of the strong passion I have for my work, I encourage myself most times and still keep it going. At 14years, Signature Secret has been able to touch 12 countries both in Europe and AFRICA, I have also been able to raise over 500 fashion designers through the Fashion Academy. And now introducing the Signature Secret Africa’ Foundation which is a medium to empower youths with skill acquisition.
