“I would help friends design clothes and take it to the dressmaker to make,” said Aluko. She would continue making clothing throughout college while she studied accounting. She graduated, married, and went on to hold a range of jobs, but always kept her hands in the fashion world.
Sarah Elizabeth Reed poses in an outfit by Tiskies. She will participate in a fashion show featuring the Nigerian clothing brands which doubles as a fundraiser for the Center for Civil and Human Rights.
Years later, when her two young adult daughters headed off to college in the U.S., they encouraged Aluko to meld African influenced fabrics with contemporary American fashion. She felt it was time to do what she wanted to do, as well as something that would help the people in her country.
In December, Aluko launched Tiskies, a garment manufacturing company and a brand of ready-to-wear clothing featuring original designs in a range of sizes, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Now a resident of Lawrenceville, Aluko is launching the brand in Atlanta. On Aug. 24, at 6 p.m., Aluko will debut the collection in a fashion show at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Center.
Kathy Bremer wears an outfit from Tiskies, a line of clothing designed by Nigerian designer Abiola Aluko.
Nigerian dignitaries including the Director of the Nigerian Export Council and 30 women from Africa attending the launch of the US Headquarters for African Women in Leadership will be at the event, which also features local women modeling 30 styles from the Tiskies collection.
Carolyn Young, wife of former Mayor Andrew Young; Sara-Elizabeth Reed, wife of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; Kathy Bremer, managing partner of BoardWalk Consulting; and former Atlanta City Council member, Julie Emmons are just some of the local models.
[Source”indianexpress”]
