Introducing VALENTINA ANNE with just a piece, THE 2-TONED KIMONO TOP.

By Kemi Mobuse - Tuesday, May 03, 2016

It is always a good thing to approach our businesses and brands from directions and ways that appeal well to us. It is also, a far better option, than following the crowd, do your thing and let the world know you by that Name.

That is excatly what the CEO of Valentina Anne did. She launched her brand with just one item, a 2-TONED KIMONO TOP.

VALENTINA ANNE is a "Made in Nigeria" high end clothing line,known for its exceptional tailoring,original styling and innovation.its designs are constructed of the finest fabrics and impeccable craftsmanship.
The 2-TONED KIMONO TOP is a "foretaste" of Valentina Anne's debut collection,COMING SOON.

She revealed more about herself in her exclusive interview with KMB, excerpts below:

Kemi Mobuse blog: Can we meet you? What do you do?

Valentina Anne: I am Adeboye Sonuga. I am a Fashion designer

Kemi Mobuse blog: When did you decide you wanted to be a fashion designer?

Valentina Anne: I finally had the conviction that fashion design it is, in my final year at the university (studying Electrical/Electronic Engineering) in 2008.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What inspired you having that conviction?

Valentina Anne: For starters, I practically made my graduation dress,*laughs*just that I didn't do the stitching myself. I beaded it; saw to the finishing and all that. It was a sudden discovery for me, I just noticed that I usually came with unusual "wahala" designs for my then tailor, to make and I was sooooo particular about the tailoring of whatever I gave her to do. I just discovered that I could bead without prior training .and coincidentally, I used to sell clothes back then, I think that also contributed to my desire to make good clothes, not just sell.

Kemi Mobuse blog: How did you start out? And how has the market reception been?

Valentina Anne: I went on to Accra Ghana, for a formal training in Fashion and design in The Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design, formerly Vogue Style School of Fashion. Afterwards, I put in a lot of time into building upon all I had been taught. And for the market reception, I would say that people are quite impressed with our very first piece "The 2-TONED KIMONO TOP by VALENTINA ANNE, To the glory of God. People are quite impressed by the exceptional tailoring which is obvious, plus the total packaging.
And sale's been good, considering that this is just our first week of launching out.

Kemi Mobuse blog: May I ask who Valentina Anne is? Is that the Name of your brand?

Valentina Anne: Yes, that is the name of my brand

Kemi Mobuse blog: What inspired the choice of name?

Valentina Anne: Oh!actually, they are my names. Valentina-born on Feb 14th and Anne is my baptismal name.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Nice one

Kemi Mobuse blog: What major challenges have you experienced since inception, more importantly what have you learnt from them?

Valentina Anne: Hmmm! Major challenges: getting good hands in the name of tailors, getting good quality fabrics/enough yardages needed, clients seeking for excellent garments but with an unreadiness to pay for quality, and of course finances. What I have learnt? keep going forward closer to your dreams every minute. Don’t compromise on quality work no matter the pressure and learn to do the work yourself.

Kemi Mobuse blog: You mentioned unveiling your brand with one item, why is that?

Valentina Anne: To create awareness, to have VALENTINA ANNE in the public eye, in readiness for the launching of our debut collection, coming soon.
And majorly to have people see physically our products and have constructive criticism, after all, we are representing Nigeria on the ready-to-wear fashion scene. It’s a proudly made in Nigeria label

Kemi Mobuse blog: What will people be surprised to learn about you?

Valentina Anne: People will be surprised to learn that I'm involved in every process of dressmaking. I draft, cut and sit behind the sewing machine to stitch.