World of Nigerian Celebrity Whizkid Fashion Designer, Esther Okonta
By OLUWADAMILARE DANIELS
Fashion is perceived differently around the world, but it would be wise to say fashion is universal, just like the smiles we beam; it enhances self-esteem and drastically brightens your whole day.
Welcome to the world of Nigeria’s whizkid fashion designer, Esther Okonta Onyebuchukwu, 23, a prospective Petroleum Engineering Student currently at the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG), sitting atop Estaz Clothing as the Creative Director, her foray into the fashion designing vocational started at age Sixteen.
She started from a local outlet, but she is fashion-driven to a fault, the passion with which she improves her craft is amazing, spanning over five years, she is arguably a Nigerian brand to watch out for globally.
Esther Okonta
At age 16, she set out to learn this craft and improve every bit of what she has learnt and her curiosity took her to Ann Cranberry Couture classes, where she had more details to questions unanswered during her intern.
The Delta State, Oshimili North indigene had a turning point during the COVID-19 lockdown, the restrictions made her move her craft to another level by trying out weird design patterns which paid off.
The 5.3ft tall and intelligent young lady emerged top five at the Design Shark International Runway competition for fashion designers in 2022. She was also at the African Fashion and Arts Award Exhibition, and also part of the Silverbird Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contest as a top fashion entrepreneur.
This young lady has succeeded in creating a niche for herself in the fashion designing world and her success will make one doubt her fecundity of being a good Petroleum Engineer after graduation.
She won the Upcoming Fashion Designer of The Year at the African Fashion and Arts Award (AFAA) in December 2023. She has had multiple runway shows within Lagos and Abuja.
In her pouch are names of Nigerian and international celebrities, including government officials who had patronised her beautiful yet affordable designs.
She solely handled the wedding dresses of the daughter of former Ogun State Head of Service, Aigoro. She has designed for Modupe-Oreoluwa Oyeyemi Ola, otherwise known as Mo’Cheddah, a successful music artist.
She styled the winner of the recently concluded Big Brother Naija ‘All Stars , Ilebaye Precious Odiniya, the previous season runner-up, Motsatsi Wendy, and Rachel Edwards BBN season-7 housemates also buttresses the list of her clients.
Estaz Designs
She is a regular for Miss World Nigeria, Miss Universe, Miss Tourism and other international pageant bodies.
Her designs were worn during the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria struts and Cocktail Runway in 2022 by Hannah Iribhogbe, MBGN winner.
She is the brain behind the styling of Miss Universe Nigeria for the entire pageant in New Orleans in January 2023. She also designed dresses for Miss World Nigeria for the MBGN Event in September 2023. The event had a huge Media coverage within Nigerian and New Orleans in the United States.
In this interview with CREEKVIBES OLUWADAMILARE DANIELS, she talked about her sojourn so far.
Excerpt;
What are you working on at the moment?
Yes of course, this is a New Year, and I am working on a new bridal collections; I’ve got a couple of collaborations.
Can you give us an insight concerning those you have styled in the past?
I styled the winner of the recently concluded Big Brother Naija All Stars, Ilebaye Precious Odiniya, and the previous season runner-up, Motsatsi Wendy.
Have you got anyone on the international scene?
Yes, a South African
What made you stand out from your contemporaries?
I pay intricate attention to details. No matter how stressful a design could be, I will take my time to get it all well done. I ensure my clients are well satisfied.
Have you had any embarrassing moment whereby a client was dissatisfied with a dress you made?
Yeah, on one of the occasions I slept off due to exhaustion, the client called several times, and there was no pickup, so she became angry. When I woke up, I sped up the process and put an apologetic call across because, I wouldnt want to lose her as a client.
Who are your patrons outside the shores?
Majorly my clients are in the United States of America, and some are in the United Kingdom, Canada and South Africa.
How did you get your design inspiration?
Estaz Designs
I have a lot of role models in the couture world, in the likes of Tubo, Ann Cranberry and a couple of fashion designers in Nigeria, inspires me to come out with something glamorous.
I have always appreciated that a person sits and feels comfortable in the dress I made.
What do you want Nigerians to know about you?
Nigerians around the globe should expect more couture from Estaz collection. I will be churning out highly specified clothing designs.
I did Eco Luxury collections (October 3rd 2023) in honour of World Recycling Day. I used that to send a message to the world against global warming.
These collections exude messages of encouragement to individuals, not just fashion designers to reduce, reuse, and recycle in honor of World Recycling Week, 16th-22nd October 2023.
Instagram handle: estaz| custom fits for women (@_estaz)
