Otumemine Nelson-Moore

The delectable, Mrs Otumemine Nelson-Moore, brought her A -game on when she recently, opened her flagship store in G.R.A, Ikeja. That she understood style in detail was not in question. On exhibition, were well crafted occasion dresses in silk, chiffon, satin and lycra all delicately embellished with sparkly details.
In this encounter, she talks about the inspiration for the collection and sheds light on the often misunderstood subject of style.

What is the inspiration behind this collection?
This is not actually one collection; it is rather, a collection of pieces put together to meet a certain need or gap. For me, I saw a gap in the style market -where you could actually find appropriate dresses for special occasions, red carpets, wedding events etc. It was this gap that I stepped in to fill. You could call that the inspiration. And so, because the focus was for special occasions, you do tend to see quite a bit of blings even though still keeping it streamlined which is what I am about: clean lines, a lot of silks, luxury fabrics etc.

How would you say that we do on red carpet?
I think Nigerians are on top of their game I must say but I wanted to make my own contribution in a proper way.

What is it that defines your work and sets your pieces apart?
Simplicity, clean lines,  quality fabric, those are the things. Ten years down the line, you still wear it and my clients can attest to this.

What kind of woman wears the Otumemine design?
A shapely woman. A woman with discerning taste who likes to be spoilt a bit. It’s not about wearing any dress, it’s not about people looking at you. How do you feel when you wear a dress? For me, that is the most important thing because, when you wear a dress that is beautifully crafted, there is a feeling that goes with it and when you have that feeling, your steps are totally different.

Are there ways you like your dresses to be worn?
I like them worn in the most simple form. Accessory should be minimal. We have the tendency sometimes to want to put so much add- ons but the  dresses already have enough details. So, there is not too much again you want to add.  So, keep your jewellery simple, add delectable shoes and you are set go.

What is style for you?
Style is timeless, a combination of things; of you and your clothes and shoes coming together as one piece. It’s not distorted. When that comes together, it doesn’t go out of fashion. It will remain. So for me, style is forever.  Fashion I don’t do. Style, yes.

Is there a woman that represents style for you that you would like to dress?
Yes. Deola Barley, Obioma Liyel-Imoke when she allows us to style her, there is a difference and she knows. Ibukun Awosika is another. She is one of our foremost followers, and she likes it simple

Some people like to bring on everything and sometimes, it complicates style. Is there a way you handle clients like that?
I say to them very nicely and politely, I don’t do it. A lot of times I tell them that professionally, I wouldn’t do that and I stick to my grounds. I have had people who come to me and after looking at the clothes, they say “is that all”? And I say yes, that is all. But over time, they have come to understand that that less is actually more.

Does your individual style come to reflect on what you do?
O yes and over time, my clients have come to love and accept it.

What wouldn’t you do for fashion or style sake?
I wouldn’t dismember fabric to design a style, cutting it all up just to create a design, that I wouldn’t do because the fabrics themselves speak. No matter what, I wouldn’t do it. It’s not me. And it’s totally not necessary. That’s some people’s style. I am not here to condemn some people’s style. I won’t do it. Also, I wouldn’t use cheap materials.

So how do you source for fabrics?
We keep sourcing it somehow. Basic things that we use we bring them in. I know the times are hard. So we might cut down on it but we can’t compromise on anything.

Where do you go to source from?
Italy.

Who inspires you?
God. Because the gift comes from him that’s where it all started from.

By Jemi Ekunkunbor