Precious’s journey into the world of fashion began at an early age, where her innate fascination with mixing and creating new designs from her mother’s vintage pieces was unmistakable. Growing up in the culturally diverse Northern Belt of Nigeria further fuelled her artistic expression, as did the musical influences of icons like Fela Kuti, whose fusion of music and fashion resonated deeply with her.
During her university years, she crafted designs for beauty pageants, refining her skills and solidifying her passion for fashion. Concurrently, she took illustration courses to enhance her drawing abilities while designing pieces for clients. Her business, Ivory Afrikaan, emerged from winning a university beauty pageant called the Ivory Queen, signifying her dedication to serving black African women. Identifying a market gap, she launched her brand, offering contemporary, colorful designs that celebrate African culture and community.
In 2023, the British Council offered Precious a transformative opportunity to participate in the Creative DNA Africa showcase at Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) 2023 in Cairo, Egypt, owing to her innovative approach to sustainable fashion. The exposure and networking opportunities provided by CANEX catapulted Ivory Afrikaan onto the global stage. “I am forever grateful for the opportunity because it opened doors that I never thought possible,” Precious reflects. Through Canex, she secured global stockists and expanded her business into interior design through a collaboration with an international designer impressed by her style.
Her participation in the programme further accelerated her entrepreneurial journey in the fashion sector. Mentored by industry experts of international repute, Precious honed her pitching skills and business acumen, gaining invaluable insights into the fashion industry’s intricacies. Her pitch for sustainable fashion using clay won her a grant, alongside numerous orders garnered through her participation in the programme.
Looking ahead, Precious is on the cusp of releasing her new collection, Of the Land Collection, and is implementing insights gleaned from the Creative DNA Africa programme to propel Ivory Afrikaan onto the global stage. With determination and creativity as her driving forces, the future indeed looks bright for Precious as she continues to revolutionise sustainable fashion in Africa and beyond.