It’s the Fashion Protégé – Oisetohanmen “Omon” Isinugben of Belois Couture!
For Allure‘s new issue, the first MultiChoice Nigeria Fashion Protégé winner has been featured on the cover and we are excited to be sharing the feature with you. Allure is the magazine insert of Vanguard Newspaper on Sunday. Edited by Remi Diagbare, Vanguard Allure is a pioneer fashion magazine.
For her interview with Pamela Echemunor, Omon relives her exciting experience in the rigorous 4-week competition – she shares how she got into the business of fashion, her thoughts on the Fashion Protégé experience, having Mai Atafo as her mentor on the show, what’s next for Belois Couture and of course the prize money.
On how she got into fashion designing
I never really thought of fashion designing as a full-time career. However, during my NYSC year I worked as a banker and couldn’t find happiness in the job. I found that I would always gravitate towards my late night sewing for satisfaction. So after my NYSC, I decided to do what makes me happy.
On her Fashion Protégé experience
MultiChoice Nigeria’s sponsorship of the Fashion Protégé was awesome. Every single step/challenge was a learning experience and a great opportunity to meet other emerging designers, identify with them, their passion, creativity, ambition and hopefully build our brands together. It was also great to learn from industry professionals who run established brands.
On Mentorship from Mai Atafo
Mai Atafo is an amazing fashion designer who I would rather call a fashion entrepreneur. Having passion is good, but having creative passion that creates demand and even pays the bills is bliss! This is what Mai taught me. He opened my eyes to making my passion a viable source and not crashing out of the industry as an emerging brand. The major point I learned from him was that having an eager market to buy your designs is as important as creating those designs and understanding the diversity and uniqueness of the fashion industry. This greatly influenced my final collection.
Mai also taught me to look my best and ‘chin-up’. I remember that while on set for the lookbook challenge, I had taken off my heels and was wearing flats (They didn’t match my outfit). He said to me “Omon, where are your shoes? Oya go and put them on“. He was like a big brother to all of us.
On plans for the prize money
First, I will pay my tithe and then invest the rest into building and making Belois Couture a better brand.
On what’s next for Belois Couture
Belois Couture has been given a very wonderful platform to become a global brand which is our vision. However, our mission is to first deliver excellence in clothing and fashion.
View “Átómu” debut Collection here
Cover Feature Credits
Photography: TCD Concepts
Styling: Ebun Aboderin
Makeup: Maureen
Model: Chika Emmanuella for BETH Models
PR: Redrick PR
source: Bellanaija
