Meet Oluwatobi Oreoluwa a trained Architect turned Furniture Designer & the Founder of Alaga Collections
By Kemi Mobuse - Tuesday, May 01, 2018
Oluwatobi Oreoluwa’s career can simply be described as an adventure in wood. The desire to make a difference, his fascination with interior designing and the willingness to provide affordable furniture which has a story attached to it was the inspiration behind his brand. He studied architecture in University and when he made up his mind to start out, Design and craftsmanship came naturally to him.
Oluwatobi Oreoluwa is second to none. ...he produces furniture which is classic and modern at the same time - and represents workmanship at its very best.
KMB is massively inspired by not only his finished pieces, but also his background as an architect and the way in which he approaches the design process. Made in Nigeria furniture has never looked this unique and beautiful until now. This led us to have a chit chat with him about his passion….Read excerpts from the interview here below….
Alaga Collections: My name is Oluwatobi Oreoluwa, I’m the
founder &
Creative director
of Alága Collections, a trained Architect from the Federal University of
Technology, Akure & a storyteller.
KMB: Furniture design and woodworking
is not something that most people get in to, what’s your background and how did
it become your passion?
Alaga Collections: I’m an architect by training, so I have a
great grasp of design & woodwork but it wasn’t just my training that made
me get into the furniture path, rather it was borne out of the desire to do
something different. I worked as an intern architect in a construction firm
back in 2012; the firm often imported furniture from IKEA at cheap rates and
made it into a big deal when it got to us here in Nigeria. It didn’t go down
well with me. At that time, my solution to this problem was to send mails to
IKEA to see if they can open a franchise here that will be run by Nigerians,
but I didn’t get a reply so I sat down & wrote down my ideas. In 2016 I
went back to these ideas & added storytelling which I’m passionate about,
that’s how Alága came into being.
Alaga Collections: I think it’s because I’m fascinated with
interior design, furniture brings interior spaces alive & it is a subset
of shelter which everyone needs to have. My choice is influenced by a mix of
the artistic & business prospects of furniture.
KMB: How would you describe the style
of your creations?
Alaga Collections: Alága’s style is Contemporary &
Afrocentric.
KMB: What goes through your mind when
selecting wood to use for your furniture? Do you look for anything specific?
Alaga Collections: We usually start with identifying a need or
a story we need to tell, design to this need/story & identify all we need
to achieve our design.
KMB: What inspires your work?
Alaga Collections: Haha! Well, culture inspires our work at
Alága. Permit me to say ‘we do it for the culture’!
KMB: What has been the most interesting
piece of furniture you’ve made?
Alaga Collections: (laughs)… Every piece of furniture we’ve
made have their interesting stories, but the Danfo is my favorite so far.
KMB: Why did you want to produce a
collection of limited-edition works rather than a produced range?
Alaga Collections: We like to believe our collections are art!
We have something in the works for larger production soon; keep your fingers
crossed with us.
KMB: What designers have influenced
you over the years? Is there a particular era you draw from?
Alaga Collections: Haa! Well, in recent times, it’s been Bruce
Mau, A Canadian designer, his design thinking crusade got my heart on lock
down. I pick inspiration from different eras & from different environments
also.
KMB: I like the fact that you don’t
hold back when you build a piece of furniture, there’s quality running all the
way through. No expense spared. Do you like this feeling of being able to make
whatever you want, under your own terms?
Alaga Collections: Well, it’s never under my terms; it is
usually listening to what my customers need & working to please their
needs. If I work under my terms, I might as well put all the furniture in my
room. Lol!
KMB: No doubt you’ve learnt some
lessons over the years, what advice do you have for other individuals that want
to get into this field?
Alaga Collections: Whatever you look to become is on the other
side of your fear, so beat your fear.
KMB: How will you like to be
contacted?
Alaga Collections:-
Instagram:
@alagacollections
Email:
ibeere@alagacollections.com
Twitter:
@alaga_ng
Website: www.alagacollections.com
KMB: Thank You for your time.
Alaga Collections: Thank you too.
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