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Fashion consultant, Talatu Onucheyo narrates how NTFS and Snapp Style Event gave her a break

Mrs. Talatu Umar Onucheyo is the brain behind Tally Couture that has costumed many celebrities and top notch events in Nigeria. In a rare interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, she opened up on her success story and much more…

How did the dream begin career wise?

I was actually introduced into the fashion business by my mom at a very tender age. I grew in a home where everyone in the family was practically a tailor even my brothers were not left out. My passion propelled me to explore more and I decided to embrace the art fully after my tertiary education.

Why fashion consultancy?

The services of fashion consultants are yet to be fully utilized or maximized in this part of the world. Ranging from the choice of style, fabric, colour, patterning, illustration, and construction, people have to be guided and properly advised about their decision on the kind of clothes or dresses that best suit and reflect their personalities. The fact that a ready to wear attire fits perfectly on your friend does not mean it will look just as great on you. However, a similar style with your choice fabric and colour can be made specifically to suit your anatomy going by the counsel of a very knowledgeable fashion consultant.

What are the unique selling points that stand you out?

At Tally Couture we like to pay attention to every little detail that is most likely to be ignored by others. A perfect finishing is topmost in our list of clothing philosophy as well as client satisfaction. Nothing puts off a potential client like late or delayed delivery, and we despise that too. We also try as much as possible to keep our pricing very affordable without compromising quality and high standards.

What defines your style?

First, God is the author of all forms of creativity and as such He is the foundation upon which my style is built. Besides, my style is basically defined by simplicity, modesty and some sophistication with plenty of elegance. I believe that people should dress to reflect their personalities, because the way you dress speaks volumes about who you are and what you stand for.

What is so special about blending African fabrics with foreign ones to create contemporary styles?

The only thing that is constant as they say is change. As everything evolves in life, so it is with fashion. Some certain styles are deemed to be contemporary and made mostly out of foreign fabrics which are soft textured and more relaxed. In order to further project our African fabrics such as; Ankara, Aso-oke, kente, guinea brocade, etc. to international consciousness, there is the need for our designers to be more creative by blending and fussing fabrics of African origin with foreign ones to make better and acceptable styles that are capable of stamping Africa as an authority in the world fashion map.

You participated at the Nigeria Television Fashion Show (NTFS) from where you were invited by Modela to showcase at the Snapp Style Event, how did that influence or boost your career?

Participating at the NTFS and the Snapp Style Fashion simultaneously late last year served as launch pads for me as a designer and they were indeed eye opening experiences. The shows gave me opportunities to network with other talented designers and also work with Modela, a very well respected name in the fashion industry. The experience has indeed given the Tally Couture brand some media mileage and further boosted our level of confidence.

Which work gave you the needed breakthrough?

it was a special attire I made for a photo session by Eledumare Photos tagged Green Going Places to commemorate Nigeria’s independence celebration in October last year. It required a research into the pre-independence Queen Elizabeth wardrobe and making a contemporary version of one of her royal dresses. We also had to source fabrics and expend a lot of energy in beading the dress as well.

You are one of the emerging African fashion designers what is the secret of your success?

To rise to the level that has been attained by many great African fashion icons like; the late Koffi Ansah (Ghana), Deola Sagoe (Nigeria), Laz Yani (South Africa), Mataano sisters (Somalia), Salome Katongole (Uganda), Chakirra Claasen (Namibia) and Lanre Da Silva (Nigeria) amongst several others, has always been our dream, and a big dream like that requires a lot of hard work, humility, commitment, funding, determination, collaboration and international exposure.

So, my brother, we are only just getting started. As a matter of fact, we still have a long way to go but with faith in God, we are destined to succeed.

How does it feel styling celebrities and who are some of the celebrities you have styled?

I remember in school we were taught fashion in entertainment and this has helped me greatly to understand the nature of celebrities and their high fashion sense. Most of them like to stand out from the crowd with stunning and elegant red carpet dresses while some prefer to keep it simple but classy. I find them very interesting to work with and I handle them with a lot of delicacy. We have worked with one of the foremost veteran broadcasters, Cally Ikpe, and made dresses and costumes for anchors of the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2011; Munachi Abi and Gbenga Adeyinka D 1st, Super Story actress, Bariya El James, we also styled Judith Audu of Tinsel, Niki Laoye, Anny, Patricia of Midnight Crew and Onos for the Fashionplus magazine photo shoot. Tally Couture also made all the attires for the dance group that backed Flavour, Ice Prince, Waje, May D and Sean Tizzle at last year’s NMVA and have consistently made all the ushers dresses for over four years now.

Can you tell us about yourself?

I am Mrs. Talatu Umar Onucheyo, an indigene of Idah Local Government Area in Kogi State. I had my secondary school at the Federal Government College, Ugwolawo and proceeded to study accounting at the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, both in Kogi state respectively. I hold a diploma in fashion designing from the Oak Fashion Institute, Ogba, Lagos. I am a fabric artiste, but you can call me a tailor, I am also a wife and mother of three wonderful children.

-FEMI OYEWALE

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Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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