STEPHANIE
ODUENYI Tells Citypeople Online
Stephanie
Oduenyi likes what she does for a living. She is a successful Fashion designer
who caters for plus size ladies. And she has been making outfits for curvy ladies for years.
How long have you been in the fashion
business
I have been in the fashion business for close
to 9years now. Of course, there was a time when I was on and off the fashion scene due to work but
regardless I have consistently nurtured the brand in the last 9years and I am
grateful for where Makani is while looking forward to crushing more goals
What
problem did you want your brand to solve when you started your fashion label
I
started MAKANI COUTURE initially to cater for the fashion needs of curvy and
plus size women.
This
concept and idea came to mind when I realized that it was a field many
designers had not tapped into as far back as 2012 . Been plus sized myself. I
remember the challenges I had, when it
comes to fashion and dressing up. It struck me that there would be so many
other ladies like me who had fashion and style related issues . This was when
and why MAKANI COUTURE was brought to life.
I
attended varies fashion shows and fashion events taking the lead for plus size
women and using plus size models on the run way. It was a new one in the
industry and it was also such a delight to watch Makani and her models in the
runway.
Makani
was granted several interviews and audience just because of the niche I had
created in the fashion industry .
I
remember a prominent fashion show brand declining my offer to showcase at their
fashion week because they would not allow plus size models walk their runway .
why? Well it wasn’t a norm then and only regular sized models were considered
and used.
But
guess what? This same fashion show brand. Ow uses and accepts plus size models
.
I
pride my self as one of the very first designers in a Nigeria who started
giving a voice for the plus size models . I created that passion and the
possibility for plus sized women to be considered as models and birthed the
rise of more plus size fashion designers .
I
have so much to talk about when it comes to where Makani stands and the efforts
Makani made in the plus size fashion industry . That I wish to someday discuss
further on a one in one TV interview . I still look forward to sharing . I
believe it will inspire many .
Where
do you see yourself in the next 5 years
I
am a positive thinker, a go-getter, an achiever. In the next 5 years, .i hope
to have a fashion academy to train and bring it a new generation of fashion
enthusiasts. Fashion icons and fashion designers.
I
look forward to expanding Makani to become a well recognized global brand
.
In
the next 5 years I hope to have other MAKANI branded fashion items such as
Bags, purses, etc. I want Makani to go beyond dresses and couture. I am
thinking Global.
What
inspires you while creating your designs?
Everything
and anything inspires me, people inspire me, colors inspire me, even the
smallest ideas can spring up an inspiration to create a piece.
How
do you describe your personal style?
I
will rather say that my style is comfortable and chic.
I
don’t like to be uncomfortable with anything I wear.
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