IFFIZI is fashion for bold and fabulous people, made in Nigeria. The brand will open its showroom on Saturday 2 and 9 December in Abuja.
IFFIZI works with African fabrics and tailoring, infused with European style. The fashion outfit was presented at Africa Fashion Week London last November, showing their Spring-Summer 2024 collection to an international audience for the first time.
IFFIZI is a Belgian-Nigerian power tandem, fused to build a sustainable and innovative brand with a vision for a just, creative and colorful future based on fair trade. Sandra Alonge, IFFIZI’s creative director, started making her own clothes as a young teenager and has worked both in development and fashion communication before falling in love with African fabrics.
Sandra is inspired by minimalism with references to retro styles and abstract patterns in bright colors. She uses both African wax prints as well as custom-made adire fabrics that are produced according to traditional Yoruba methods.
Alonge explains, “IFFIZI is a collection for women who embrace their own identity and want to dress with elegance and a big smile. We are convinced that there is no ideal shape as Big Fashion would have us believe. IFFIZI puts women first, delivering both ready to wear and custom-made outfits. IFFIZI produces clothes for working women that can be worn from morning to night, looking and feeling fabulous.”
The name of the brand mixes Nigerian and European culture, referring to the UFFIZI gallery in Florence, Italy and EFIZI in Yoruba slang, meaning cool, trendy, stylish. The tagline – Na shakara – signifies drop dead gorgeous and is also a reference to one of Fela Kuti’s hits.
IFFIZI collaborates with QAMIN, a female-owned Nigerian brand that offers thoughtfully designed, well-made and presented aso oke, leather and fabric fashion accessories such as handbags, pouches, key-rings, footwear and belts. The designs are inspired by the desire of lovers of the brand to surround themselves with simple, great quality, and functional items.
IFFIZI SHOWROOM OPENING
2 & 9 December, 10am -7pm
ES-EM PLAZA, 34 Mungono Cres, Utako, Abuja
All photos by Eyes of a Lagos Boy.