In our quest to bring the best of African fashion and inspiration to you wherever you may be. So we ran after Danielle Allen, Creative Director TIR Fashion House, to share her fashion story with us. Enjoy!
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A FASHION DESIGNER?
I have always had a creative flare. I don’t think I decided, it almost happened over night asides the planning making that dream become reality, one day I just realized I was always in the Nigerian eye be it papers or magazines for what I wore. Most times pieces were always designed by myself but put together by another designer and her team of tailors. So I went on to create my own team and till date that’s where I have found myself, it then occurred to me what better way to honour my late fashionable mother by naming the brand after her. T.I.R Fashion House her initials Tendai Irene Razemba.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT BEING A FASHION DESIGNER?
I get to go to the cutting table at 4pm on a day I have an important event to attend and get crazy with the designing. I love being able to think “right I want to wear a blue and green outfit with buttons at the front and the back, high at the front and low at the back a slit here and a slit there” literally anything goes and happens most times just hours before an event.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A DESIGNER?
Loyal staff!!! I remember once my head tailor said he was going for a family function and turnt up 3 months later with excuses. This business we are in unless you have staff that see your vision it is hard as its a business based on skills, skills they are able to use elsewhere most times to benefit themselves, so half the time you find staff stroll in when they want but because the work is piled up and you need to churn out orders you can’t do anything but forgive and move on especially if they see your end result as per designs, it’s hard to find tailors that have that tendency to finish a garment exquisitely, once you find them you keep them.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR DESIGNS?
The fabrics actually most times inspire my designs, I see a fabric and immediately I see a design it’s pretty crazy.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR FABRICS?
I love to buy sample fabrics, fabrics that once you purchase the 24 yards they may have In-Store you will never find it again.
HAVE YOU DONE ANY WORK FOR THE AFRICAN CHILD OR CHARITY?
Not as yet but it is in the pipeline as I’m extremely passionate about helping the less privileged. In fact this question couldn’t have come at a better time as we are putting something together as we speak, I’m sure you will hear about it very soon. I believe everyone should have a chance therefore if I’m put in a position to help the less privileged, I take that as a blessing on its own and try to bless those with that same blessing stowed upon me!!!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS FOR THE FUTURE OF FASHION IN AFRICA?
My thoughts for the future of fashion in Africa is that Africa will soon be recognized on a global scale much more than it has been for its fashion. More and more internationally known designers are using our African fabrics but we are not really getting credit for it. I say give Africa a few more years and we would have made a huge impact on the fashion industry.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ECO-FASHION?
I’m totally indifferent about Eco-Fashion.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I have so many plans, goals rather that I would like to achieve, that the list will never end. So as for my plans please just keep your ears and eyes open for TIR Fashion House as very soon we will be amongst the “Known”
ANY WORD FOR ASPIRING DESIGNERS?
“You are your biggest investment” never give up on your dreams you find that you work better when you are passionate about something, you get up faster in the mornings, lol, you also tend to have a smile on your face and nothing beats that!!!