Nigeria has always been known for it’s innovative indigenes, and it seems more prominent with the innovative enterprises that seem to be cropping up by the minute – in the city of Lagos especially – UP Fashola. Nigerians are CRAZY about Fashion, so it only makes sense that this industry keeps booming, thus improving. Introducing Funke Ogunde, designer of Phunk Afrique – a design label based in Lagos, Nigeria they “design clothes to help you get noticed”. Our clothes have a touch of simplicity, but also a chic, retro and elegant feel to it with Afro diffusion. So for whatever occasion it is or whatever style you have, we have a design suitable for YOU.”

I chat, blackberry style with Funke Ogunde about the label, and life as a designer. Enjoy.

‘Wadami: Good Morning, how is your day going thus far? What do you suppose today will be like? 

‘Funke: Thank you! My day is going well. Trying to organize what needs to be done with my tailors and sort out orders to make sure everyone gets their clothes on time.

‘W.: Interesting, so it’s going to be a busy day, how did you get into designing? 

‘F.: Absolutely! Its something I’ve always been in love with, since primary school, my preoccupation was drawing clothes and dressing my dolls. When I got into university, my friends would come to me to sketch designs for them to make into outfits. After a couple of outfits I decided why not start doing this properly, and the journey began from there. I began beading old t-shirts.

‘W.: What goes into designing a Phunk Afrique outfit?

‘F.: Definitely not what meets the eye. Looking at the shape of a woman’s body, the ability for her to stand out and be noticed without saying anything and most especially the fabric.

‘W.: The Phunk Afrique buyer is . . .?

‘F.: Any fashionable person young at heart, fun and willing to be different or stand out.

‘W.: Great, what went into this collection, served as inspiration, and your signature piece?

‘F.: I think for this new collection I went for a more vibrant me – putting different colours together to get one outfit. I went to the very colourful side of me as well. My signature piece is the layered dress with different colour of layers, also the sequined dress – A lot in this collection has sequins and embellishments. I pushed it to the limit a bit.

‘W.: Fabulous, now that you have launched your boutique, how much pressure is it on you? And do you design your collections by the 4 seasons?

‘F.: Its a lot of pressure still, even though I thought it would reduce, that hasn’t really happened. Now I have to cope with clients wanting to see new things and I still have to cope with the fabrics they bring for aso ebi and things like that. But, I’m very happy.

In regards to doing my collections by the 4 seasons; No I don’t, because we have two seasons in Nigeria, It’s either dry or rainy. Often times, one style can work for both so I just design every other day.

‘W.: Oh okay, so your next collection will be when? And what should we expect?

‘F.: Hopefully by June we should have the new collection out. We are still overwhelmed by the feedback from this collection. It will be deeply rooted and synonymous to Phunk Afrique. So for now, the new collection is on the hush hush.

‘W.: Can we expect anything though?

‘F.: Fun, and exciting outfits 

‘W.: Before we go. Please take us on an experience to your store, the location, the prices and the overall atmosphere of it.

‘F.: Well, it is located on 23 Bishop Oluwole ST, Victoria Island. It is a very vintage looking room, more like a boudoir, really simple but has a lot of orange and purple. Very bright and the couches are very old.

Our prices are very reasonable, usually range from, N10,000-N45000.

You will see a lot of dresses and few tops and tunics for men and women.

 

‘W.: Fabulous, thank you. Anything you’d like to share with our readers? And any codes for discounts if they come via the site?

‘F.:  Your welcome! Let them just say they’re from fashion africa and we’ll give them a good deal!

Checkout the latest collection in our designers’ section! – Phunk Afrique.

Xoxo,

‘Wadami.