Victor Ozomoge, Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of Zomoge Inspired, a high-class bespoke tailoring brand in Lagos, Nigeria in this interview with Our Reporter, says his recently launched fashion pieces called the SS24 Pristine Collection, exudes class, style and elegance.
Let’s talk about your recently launched fashion pieces called the Pristine Collection.
We recently launched a new collection, the SS24 Pristine Collection. Pristine means something clean, definite and of high class. The Pristine Collection is a collection full of class and style for the contemporary stylish individual.
Our major headline design for the Pristine Collection is called, “Àṣà (Culture)”. The Àṣà outfit is a traditional & cultural outfit, but we are trying as much as possible not to box it as it transcends a particular culture. Meticulously crafted with precision and the finest fabrics, each piece sets a new standard in high-end fashion. This collection exudes class, style and elegance.
“Àṣà (Culture) stands for something that is traditionally African. The Yorubas for instance, have a way of dressing that makes them to be classy, elaborate and rich – like the wealthy Yoruba outlook. So, the inspiration for “Àṣà (Culture) was derived from that.
Back in the day, the Yoruba people had this way of looking glamorous when they wore the Aso Oke. There’s a way the Aso Oke is done with the traditional jakan embroidery design with the short baggy trousers – that’s what the “Àṣà (Culture) is all about but with its own unique print material. So, it has to be mentioned that the Àṣà (Culture) fit is not Aso Oke but indelibly a unique print material that has the feel of an Aso Oke. That’s what we are presenting with the Pristine Collection – fits that transcend cultures.
What African language is the word, “Àṣà”?
Àṣà is a Yoruba word which translates to culture. Of course, we understand what culture is – the way and lifestyle of particular people from a particular region. Àṣà is culture and the collection represents culture.
When anyone wears any piece from this collection, you will notice that the person looks cultural – he looks African, he looks Nigerian. It is not limited to any particular culture or region, it cuts across all of the ethnic groups in Nigeria.
So that’s why we came up with the word Àṣà, meaning Culture. The Pristine Collection represents that. So it is a representation of the actual culture of Nigerians and Africans. So when people see it on other people, you know they represent Africa. So you can put on the same clothes in America, Dubai, Australia, Brazil and across different continents and you still feel connected to your African roots.
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So why did you choose to launch the collection at that particular time?
Well, I think for a designer, you have three periods in a year to launch a product. The first half of the year, the second half and then the third quarter of the year. Besides, it’s festivity period now and a lot of people will be looking at discarding whatever it is that they have before to get something new and aside from that, it is a compensation period. A lot of people have worked from January to this time and they are looking forward to having something new to compensate their body, mind and themselves for a job well done for the fact that they’ve survived the year and they just want to give themselves happiness. And one of those things people do to make themselves feel good is getting new clothes for themselves. So that’s why we are launching this month.
Are these unique materials used for your new collection made in Nigeria?
I knew you were going to ask that. Well, like I have always said, designers in Nigeria are being limited to quality fabric that stands out with whatever design that they create. But this doesn’t mean that the Nigerian market doesn’t print materials that are quite classy, and rich in textiles or texture.
These materials are not printed here, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not cultural to the African tradition or African lifestyle.
How affordable is this collection and do you have a particular target audience for it?
Well, the outfits are quite affordable. Of course, the Zomoge Inspired brand is affordable, even though we are a luxury brand. We are a brand that prides itself on quality and timely delivery, and also excellent fabric cuts. So, we are quite luxurious but we are affordable. The Àṣà pieces, for instance, are affordable yet, it is royalty. So we can’t say it’s cheap. Royalty is not cheap.
We make clothes for everybody, yet not for everybody. We make clothes for people who appreciate what the brand is delivering and who appreciate a particular kind of lifestyle. So, I’m trying as much as possible not to put a price tag on it. It’s affordable, very affordable.
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