Adaora, the daughter of the Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo is a fashion designer. A graduate of Economics like her father, Adaor
Adaora, the daughter of the Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo is a fashion designer.
A graduate of Economics like her father, Adaora instead chose fashion design as a profession rather than follow in her father’s footsteps.
She has been practicing fashioning designing since she was 15.
Describing fashion as mankind’s mode of expression from time immemorial she said because of her deep passion for it, she had to abandon Economics to face it fully.
She practices her trade under the name, Aorah which has over the years, provided cultural contexts to fashion whether they are Western, African, Nigerian or Igbo. The craft of fashion can be best appreciated from traditional perspective.
She recently put up a fashion expo in Awka, Anambra State, tagged ‘Anambra Fashion Expo’ to sensitize the people on trending fashion in the world particularly the Igbo fabric, Akwete.
Speaking on Akwete cloth, which has been popularized by her father, Adaora said it is a colourful fabric that confers a unique feeling of royalty on its wearers.
She added: “It can be dimensioned in line with the designer’s choice, fit for quick urban wears, and for all classes of social events. It comes with an aura of pride only found in those who consume what they produce.
“In recent times, the fabric has gained ascendancy following its adoption by the Anambra State Governor as his official attire. Other top government functionaries and leaders have also adorned this fabric of choice.
According to her, Akwete fabric is the only surviving piece of indigenous textile cultivated, woven, sewn and worn by NdË Igbo of South-East; and produced largely by women from the rural Akwete community in Abia State, adding, however, that this resilient piece of colourful clothing faces the threat of extinction by a number of social and economic factors.
Adaora is also a Luxury fashion & digital business entrepreneur with an MSc Management degree from Imperial College Business School.
She had a Fashion Communications diploma from Conde Nast College of Fashion & Design.
Adaora has experience working with start-up fashion tech companies as well as large luxury brands.
