A small woman-owned company called Ade by Femi creates hand-made-to-order evocative and exquisite figure-flattering statement clothing and headwear for the sophisticated bold and fearless woman who has a taste for the finest things and a desire for the exotic.
Ade by Femi Is established in Atlanta, Georgia, and their pieces are ethically sourced and hand-made by their collective of artisans in West Africa.
What makes them so different? Well for starters they do not mass-produce any items and intentionally create only a few pieces in each unique design. The embellishment is painstakingly executed by hand, in such a deliberate manner that no two items are identical.
The founder is a “multinational” legal professional, who has spent many years in the international oil and gas industry, and She founded this brand as a creative expression of her different cultural influences and professional experiences.
The Ade by Femi Founder stated: “Our designs appeal to the woman I am familiar with – one who might wear many hats, but who is resolute in her decision to retain her individuality and communicate her style.”
Follow Ade by Femi on Instagram @adebyfemi and the website is at www.adebyfemi.com. In addition to the designs on the website, they also custom make bespoke pieces on special order – such as the gown worn by Mrs.Tabitha Brown to receive her NAACP Image Awards in February 2023 (see below).”
FEMI Magazine: Please share a background story on how you chose the name ‘ADE BY Femi’.
Ade by Femi: The very first piece that inspired me to establish Ade by Femi made me feel like royalty when I wore it. My aim is for women who wear our garments to feel just like royalty regardless of their shape, weight, stage of life, or circumstances. “Ade” translated literally from Yoruba, a West-African language of the tribe of the same name, means “crown” and traditionally, only members of royalty would bear that name – although that is changing now. My first name is Femi (shortened from Adefemi), and Ade also forms part of my maiden name.
When and where is your next fashion show?
Ade by Femi: After just 9 months in business, we were showcased by FashionBombDaily during New York Fashion Week in September 2022. So far, arising out of competitive processes, we have been selected to participate in two Fashion Weeks in April 2023 and July 2023, respectively.
We are also very big on partnership and sustainability and are in talks with other brands to put on a virtual fashion show that will be accessible to all regardless of location, and will very importantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with the show. Details of the shows will be shared with our website newsletter subscribers in due course.
Describe your favorite piece you’ve created, what was your inspiration behind it and where is it now?
Ade by Femi: I can honestly say I do not have a favorite piece – I love different things about all of our clothing and hats. But I am most sentimental about our first collection, the Nova Collection (it’s on our website). It is a luxurious collection of dazzling, hand-made, figure-flattering embellished sequined jackets, with rich beading, opulent embroidery, appliqué, and stones all painstakingly executed by hand, in such a deliberate manner that no two are identical. The collection was inspired by the elegance and mystery of the color, black, and the rich hue of gold to create timeless, versatile, functional but statement-making apparel in a variety of textures, which are tailored to complement every shape and size.
Congratulations on your piece making it to the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS worn by Mrs. Tabitha Brown, what was that experience like for you?
Ade by Femi: Thank you so much. That was and still is absolutely thrilling. After a chance meeting at a conference just a few months before, Tabitha honored us by selecting Ade by Femi to make her gown for the special ceremony where she would be the recipient of two awards!
Incidentally, I had been contemplating contacting her about something completely different but kept overthinking it. So the night I suddenly woke up to her message asking us to make her dress, it was really uncanny. I could scarcely believe it – But that’s how God works.
We had 2 weeks to get the gown made and we pulled it off. She wore the gown so well, as she has done every Ade by Femi piece that she owns. She is beautiful inside and out and is truly a dream to work with.
What’s the biggest accomplishment you’re most proud of and how will you outdo yourself?
Ade by Femi: Since graduating from university at the age of 19, I’ve had many triumphs in my professional career working for other people, but I’m very proud of my own company, Ade by Femi. We have been very fortunate. Within the first year of Ade by Femi’s existence, our designs featured during New York Fashion Week, as costumes in movies, and have been worn by celebrities and many high-achieving women.
However, I have two daughters (aged 7 and 5) and last month (February 2023) I was invited by their elementary school and featured as one of the Black icons and change agents that were showcased to the children as an example of what they could aspire to be in life. I had no idea what to expect, but my company was up there with the first black astronaut and other black people that have done phenomenal things – I will never forget the feeling of pride and humility when I heard my own children announce me as “a lawyer, a fashion designer, and OUR MUM!”. I don’t think anything can top that.
What’s next for ‘Ade By Femi’ can you share any exclusive news with us?
Ade by Femi: We have received requests from A-list celebrities and their stylists and are working with one of the biggest Afrobeats musicians in the world. Due to confidentiality obligations, we can’t divulge exactly who at this point.
However, my continued focus is to connect with our ideal client – the sophisticated bold, and fearless woman who has a taste for the finest things and a desire for the exotic. One who might wear many hats, but who is resolute in her decision to retain her individuality and communicate her style. In the longer term, we plan to have Ade by Femi garments in the largest luxury stores in major cities around the world.
For a woman that wears many hats, please share with us what are the many hats that you wear and which one is your favorite.
Ade: Growing up, I would watch with anticipation most mornings as my mum would get dressed to go to court. She was a judge and I watched her tread the fine balance between wearing the coolest outfits but mostly in black or navy blue to fulfill the very conservative and rigid restrictions of her job, whilst raising us – and I was determined that even though I wanted to be a lawyer like she was, I would do so, but I would also express my creative side through fashion and with much more color. Aside from being the founder and Creative Director of Ade by Femi, I am a qualified lawyer and have worked for many years in senior leadership in the international oil and gas industry. I am a wife, mother (my most exciting and fulfilling role), daughter, sister, and friend, and I run an online fitness group. I try to show up fully and as my full self in each role. This multiplicity of roles is common amongst women in particular, and we should be able to revel in the fullness of it all and show up (and dress up!) as the icons that I believe we all are, without fitting into anybody’s box.
If you could change anything about the fashion industry what would it be?
Ade by Femi: The perception that being fashionable is this exclusive concept that is only attainable by a privileged few. I am British and Nigerian and in both places, I come from, nobody wants to look ordinary. We all know about Londoners being stylish, but in Nigeria in particular, it is very common to see even the street food hawkers perfectly turned out in beautifully coordinated handmade or vintage clothes. You will see the average grandma happily making her way to the next party dressed up to the nines in bold colors and stunning headwear, planning to make a big entrance regardless of her age or budget. It’s simply delightful and that’s exactly how it should be for all.
Do you have a list of people or a particular person you would love to custom-design a piece for ?
Ade by Femi: I truly love to design for any person who loves my pieces. It is such a huge compliment and honor to me whenever anyone chooses us to design for their special occasions, and so we put our best into every single order we receive, regardless of the personality behind it. That said, it would have been sensational to design garments for Prince the musician, and Diana, Princess of Wales – both royalty in my book!
Follow and keep up with Ade by Femi by visiting their website at https://adebyfemi.com/
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