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What was your biggest fear when going out and starting your own line?
Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade: I didn’t have any fears, I just wanted to share my creativity.

What challenges did you face as fashion designer from Africa?
Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade: Introducing a new melinated narrative

What is your favorite part about being a fashion designer from Nigeria?
Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade: I have a deep history and culture to draw inspiration from. Being raised in England by an English family studying a Masters in African Studies at SOAS helped me to navigate this.

Who do you consider the important face of the fashion industry in Nigeria?
Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade: Reni Folawiyo is an important face of the Nigerian fashion industry for me because of her concept store Alara. I visited in 2015 and had done a lot of research on it before hand. I love it from outside to in, David Adjaye’s thoughtful architecture and the mix of local and international designers.

What do you think about Nigerian fashion Industry, Do Nigerian designer’s support each other?
Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade: You can’t generalise, it’s varied, some do and some don’t.

What’s your take about Kenya fashion industry and who would you like to work with in Kenya?
Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade: Kenya is doing its thing, they are definitely top 5 when I think of African countries paving the way in the fashion industry.

Where do you see yourself in 5 Year?
Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade: Yemzi stocked globally in the world’s premium boutiques. By which point we would of expanded into several categories.

What were your achievements?
Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade: Successful collections and collaborations. Recognition through acclaimed awards would be great.

Where can we find your designs?
www.yemzi.com and my stockists are listed there

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