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Duro olowu
designer
TRENDY
Born in Lagos to a Nigerian father and Jamaican mother, Duro Olowu spent his childhood travelling between Nigeria and Europe. From an early age, his enthusiasm for fashion was inspired by the unexpected mix of fabrics, textures and draping techniques of the clothing worn by the women that surrounded him. Like his father before him, Olowu studied law in England before returning to Nigeria where he practised for a few years. On his return to London, Olowu pursued his true vocation, a career in fashion, starting his eponymous label at the end of 2004. His first collection was an instant hit with fashion editors and buyers worldwide and ans.
international sell out in its worldwide stockists at the time, including Barneys in New York, Harrods in London and Maria Luisa in Paris.
It featured the now signature "Duro” dress, hailed by both British and American Vogue as the dress of the year in 2005. That same year, he won the ’New Designer of the Year Award’ at the British Fashion Awards, the only designer to have ever done so without a catwalk show.
Olowu was also awarded TopShop’s ‘NEWGEN’ sponsorship for his first three catwalk shows as part of London fashion week beginning in 2007.
In 2009, he was named the Best International Designer by the African Fashion Awards and received one of six nominations for the Swiss Textile Federation's coveted prize of €100,000
In 2010 he was named Best International Designer at the African Fashion Awards in South Africa
His curatorial projects "Material" 2012 and "More Material" 2014, at Salon 94 Gallery in New York met with high critical praise by both the art and fashion world cognoscenti, including Roberta Smith of the New York Times, Art forum and American Vogue.
Alluring silhouettes, sharp tailoring, original prints juxtaposed with luxurious vintage fabrics in “off beat” yet harmonious combinations are Olowu's signature
In October 2012, Olowu announced a partnership with J. C. Penney. Under the label "Duro Olowu for jcp," consumers could purchase clothing, accessories, and paper and home goods with his signature bold prints
Duro Olowu has enjoyed support from American First Lady Michelle Obama, who frequently wears his designs. “Michelle Obama was a real supporter and I felt very honoured because she wore very few non-American designers” Olowu said in an interview.
Flashmag April 2018 www.flashmag.net