By Christy Anyawu
Afro hip-hop singer, Yemi Alade, has described her appointment as brand ambassador for Africa Fashion Week Nigeria/Africa Fashion Week London as a big honour.
In a chat with TS Weekend immediately after the ceremony where she was unveiled as brand ambassador in Ikoyi, Lagos recently, Alade shed light on her appointment and fashion business.
You are into music and now fashion, how do we comprehend that?
They run hand-in-hand. If I came here wearing rags, people will be wondering what is wrong with me. So, music and fashion go together.
How do you feel being the brand ambassador of AFWN/AFWL?
I’m very honoured and privileged. This position is not something I expected. I’m into music, I didn’t see this fashion recognition coming, but I’m grateful to God.
We understand that you have a fashion business. Are your designs affordable?
That is actually the plan. Make it very affordable.
What are your fabric choices?
Mostly African. The average woman on the street has normal T-shirt and she has Iro and Buba. We intend to merge, give her wardrobe something Western and African but dominantly African.
What is style for you?
Style for me is the way you carry yourself in whatever clothes or situation you find yourself. Style is all about you.
Did you have any fashion tutelage?
Not really. For the past three years, I have been into music. I actually design my outfits. For three years, I have been designing and sketching, but I have designers that actually bring it to light because I don’t have that background.
What did you study in school?
I read Geography at the University of Lagos.
Fashion and music wise, where do you see yourself in five years?
By God’s grace, I intend to further my fashion affair. Also, my music career will stand the test of time. In five years, I see the possibility of an average human being in any part of the world mention me as one of their best five artistes. When they mention Beyoncé and Davido, they would also mention Yemi Alade.