Sep 18, 2011
The Andrea Iyamah line has grown a lot between February; when it first created a buzz on twitter, and now. The brain behind the Andrea Iyamah line is a first year student of Communication and Media in McMaster University, Canada. In less than a year Dumebi has achieved what most aspiring fashion designers have been trying to achieve, she has also grown and learnt a lot really fast from the experience. I was privileged to have lunch with Dumebi to discuss what it takes be a designer, her views on the fashion industry and also how she is handling this sudden fame.
Naijaura Rep: So how did Andrea Iyamah come about?
Dumebi: A friend of mine saw some of my sketches and thought that I should open a blog featuring them. Before then, I was never really been into blogging, I didn’t put up the blog with the intention of featuring my clothing line; that just came about when she also realized that I could design and sew, so she thought I should put them up also.
Naijaura Rep: When did you first realize your flare for fashion and design?
Dumebi: I have always been able to draw since I can remember, although when I was little I always wanted to be a tom boy but I was also into fashion and I was always sketching designs. My mum enrolled me in a sewing class, although I never liked it much. So you could say I have always wanted to design since I was a little. Everything I have learnt about designing is self taught, I never took any classes for that.
Naijaura Rep: How did your family react to this when they found out?
Dumebi: I come from a family of fashion basically, my mum was a model and my sister is about to open a hair spa and my other sister is a model/ actress. So it was easy for them to accept it; like most parents, they wanted to me a lawyer or a doctor. What most parents don’t know is that a lot of things go into the entertainment industry because you have to be creative constantly. They were concerned about how it was going to affect my education, but with time they have come to accept that I am really passionate about it.
Naijaura Rep: Does studying Communications and Media help?
Dumebi: It helps with the photography aspect, since I take and edit most of the pictures myself and also shoot the videos. I tend to put a lot of time into shooting and editing because I love when it looks like it is done professionally.
Naijaura Rep: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Dumebi: Anything, I am really into arts so it is easy for me to get my inspiration from anything. I can get my inspiration from a glass of water, or chocolate muffin. I’m also down with my colours; I love colours and colour blocking.
Naijaura Rep: How do you feel about everyone’s reaction towards your designs?
Dumebi: So far I have gotten a lot of positive reviews and people have been really supportive. I really didn’t expect that much when I first put it up, but I am glad people appreciate my work.
Naijaura Rep: What fashion designer do you admire in the Nigerian Fashion Industry?
Dumebi: I love Deola Sagoe’s work, because you can tell that she invests a lot of time into everything she does; the shoots, the models, the makeup. She is involved in the entire process and I like that because I also like to be involved in the whole process.
Naijaura Rep: Sometimes some designs on the runway cannot be worn off the runway, what are your views on that?
Dumebi: There are some designers that design cloths that cannot be worn off the runway; but you also have to have it in mind that they are used in music videos, movies and other things. Fashion is not just for the people that walk into the stores, they can be used for a lot of things, and it is a really wide field.
Naijaura Rep: How do you feel about other aspiring Nigerian Designers?
Dumebi: A lot of designers have been emerging from Nigeria and I am glad that the fashion industry had grown so much. Sometimes it can be overwhelming but I have a strong support system and that helps a lot.
Naijaura Rep: So where do you see Andrea Iyamah in the near future?
Dumebi: I’m currently working on something for the website and that should be out by next month. I am also thinking about designing cloths for children between the ages of 7-10, and then maybe accessories and handbags.
Naijaura Rep: What advice would you give someone that also wants to start up, because I know a lot of people say negative things and it might discourage them?
Dumebi: You need to have the passion and the drive to do this, because if you don’t anything that gets thrown your way will bring you down; and also a very good support system is needed.
Dumebi also draws, writes and into photography, you can check her blog Andreaiyamah.blogspot.com . Check out some of her works below too. 
Interview conducted and written by Sope A.
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