In Nigeria, the demand for consumer products like ready to wear fashion outfits has created an opportunity for fashion illustrator like Emmanella Osagie to reach for the skies. As a fashion designer, Ella, as she is popularly called, has delivered several party/dating outfits for her friends. Gradually expanding her clientele, Ella who also doubles as a commercial model with statistics that read height- 5ft 10 inches, waist- 26, and burst- 34.5, is working pretty hard to create a well-known and reliable brand.

According to her, “In this environment, it’s tough being a fashion illustrator. Most people want bespoke wedding dresses but I enjoy making sketches of urban party ready-to-wear outfits. I remember going for an interview and this lady kept on shouting because she wanted me to come up with traditional party dresses. I am mostly sketching pop/party outfits. Those are my expertise. I want to be able to bring my designs to life and take pleasure in seeing people comfortably wearing them. I studied Fine Art at Yaba College Of Technology, then opted to learn about fashion after my ND degree‘ – She narrated.

Concerning her modeling career, “Being a model has been fun. Getting to work with different photographers, stylist, and makeup artists are fulfilling. Working with different concepts has to be one of the things I enjoy the most. The poses, feeling free with your body and becoming one with the camera is one of the best feelings ever.

I have dreams of walking on the runway for several top brands, and as well, do commercials (TV) jobs. As a model, also wearing what I make, and getting a lot of compliments from people regarding how beautiful the designs are is satisfying. I hope that someday, all my dreams of becoming a top model and fashion designer will make it to forbs magazine” – Ella

Socials

Instagram – @ella__osagie

Story culled from Mystreetz Magazine, Burna Boy edition

Words by Sesan Adeniji: Follow on Instagram & Twitter – @sesanadeniji