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Toju was born on the 13th of July 1989. She developed a keen interest in fashion from a tender age. She was surrounded by family members who were actively involved in the fashion industry including her parents who own a clothing line as a young couple. Her grandmother was also fashion designer, she attended the London College of Fashion. Coming from a family that takes education very seriously, she obtained a degree in Law, LLB (Bachelors of Law) from the University Of Reading, the United Kingdom in 2008. In 2009, she got her masters in Law, LLM (Masters of Law) from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. After spending several years obtaining her degrees, Toju made up her mind to follow her passion in fashion. She enrolled in the world famous fashion institute, Instituto Marangoni in Milan to pursue a degree in Fashion Design. Upon the completion of her programme, she launched her fashion brand, Toju Foyeh in 2010. In an interview, she was asked how she devised the name of her brand? She replied; Toju Foyeh is the abbreviation of my name, which is Toluwaloju Olowofoyeku. I wanted to keep it personal.
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In 2011, Toju participated in the Arise Magazine Fashion Week Lagos. In 2012, she participated in both, Arise Magazine Fashion Week and the New York Fashion Week. She was noticed by prominent people in the fashion industry and she was awarded the Future Awards Designer of the Year plaque in 2012. She became more popular in 2015, when she showcased her jaw dropping collection in the Lagos Fashion and Design Week. Toju Foyeh have bagged other awards like: Glam and Essence Award for the fastest growing fashion brand in 2015. Eloy Awards for the Fashion Designer of the Year in 2015. Rhoda Michaels Fashion Academy for Above and Beyond Award in 2016. Peace Achievers Awards in 2016, Fashion Designer of the year in 2016. La Mode Magazine Green October Event for the Fashion Designer of the year in 2016. TLWE Recognition Award for the Fashion Designer of the year in 2017. Wimbiz x EbonylifeTv Sisterhood Awards for the Fashion Designer of the year in 2017. The TF brand has also received recognition from various international brands in the form of partnerships. Some of which include the 2017 Google Fashion Show and the 2018 Vlisco Mothers’ Day Campaign. Being a brand that thrives on hard work and creativity, TF has designed celebrities like Tiwa Savage, Agbani Darego, Betty Irabor, Osas Ajibade to name a few. The brand has also partnered with South African style icon, Bonang Matheba and other public figures from SA; Nomzamo Mbatha, the First Lady of South Africa, Her Excellency, Bongi Ngema-Zuma among others. The most recent celebrity to wear the TF bridal design is Kemi Adetiba, a Nollywood film producer for her wedding ceremony to her heartrob, Oscar Heman- Ackah.
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As a big fashion brand, Toju has gone through high and low moments in the Nigeria Fashion industry. When asked her words to upcoming / aspiring fashion designers. She said; ‘Believe in yourself.’ I know that might sound clichéd but it’s the truth. I remember when I first started, even though most of my reviews were good, there were a few bad ones that hit me hard, but because I believed in myself and what I do, I was able to overcome all the negativity. This does not mean I ignore the negative comments; I think it’s important to always listen because I might gain something from it. I just learnt not to let it discourage me. Toju, the lawyer turned fashion designer has proven to be a good fit in the fashion industry as she has wowed Nigerians with her stunning designs time and time again. References Leadership News Bellanaijastyle Haute Fashion Africa Featured Image source: Pinterest
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