While flicking through Lookkbook.nu I happened to stumble across this dynamic fashion brand ALEX FOLZI. All it took was one look at their (yellow) premier briefcases and a Fan was born. Like most fans I wanted to know more, see more and find more…(aka I google stalked them).
To my pleasant surprise the brains behind this explosive brand were twins with names I knew could only come from one part of the world (Nigeria).
Fela and Fola Fagbure, also known as the Fagbure Twins set up their label with one goal in mind “…to hit the world of fashion by storm.”
I am clearly not their only fan. Within the span of a year Alex Folzi has collected a cult following of celebrity fashion bloggers and vintage style online stores.
The sky is the limit for these guys and I for one wish them all the success in the world!
I just want the whole world to know about these guys so As part of my Ten:10 segment, lucky me got an interview with Alex Folzi
1) Who is Alex Folzi
Alex is the short form of Fola’s English name “Alexander” and Folzi comes from Fola as well. That was the nickname given to him back in high school. People often ask why we decided to use one person’s name for the brand. But to us it doesn’t really matter. We decided to use Alex Folzi because Fola had the first idea to start the line. Alex Folzi is the official brand for vintage, classy and elegant wears. We set out to change the fashion industry with our premier briefcases and trunks, branded by our signature logo. We take great satisfaction in our signature briefcases ranging from different colors to styles that are available for both men/women. Alex Folzi is more than briefcases and trunks; we offer sleek accessories, stylish/trending apparels, and comfortable footwear.
2) How did you start your company?
It was a trip from New York after the Christmas holiday, after spending time with family and moving round the city we decide to start our own clothing line. We always had that passion for fashion and that business flare as well. We basically had designs already drawn on paper, so we decided to make them reality.
3) What are your future plans for the Brand (will you ever have a female collection)?
We have a lot planned for the future, fashion accessories for female and male, our female apparel collection comes out soon as well as new designs of our briefcases and trunks. Asides all those, we have been working on collaborations with different designers and companies. So there is a lot to look forward to with Alex Folzi. It’s never a dull moment for us. We are heading to hit the world of fashion by storm.
4) Who is your ideal customer?
We designed this collection for all sorts of people and all sorts of age group as well. Our target originally was from ages of 15-25 but a month after we launched the products the numbers increased more than we expected. We had skateboarders, dapper kids, preppy ones, working class, street style, vintage collectors etc. All sorts of people and ages rushed it. We came out with unique, elegant and colorful design. That, in relation to fashion today, is on point. So it made it a wider market range for our brand and it also increased the publicity as well.
5) Who is your creative designer?
The current creative designer is my brother and I (Fela and Fola Fagbure) but we look to employ a main person and build a good team of designers as the brand grows bigger.
6) How/Where do you manufacture your products? (clothing, briefcases)
Majority of the products are manufactured in the States and China (Both clothing and Briefcases)
7) What inspires your designs?
We get lots of inspirations from different places, things, and people. We get inspirations while (walking) working on the street looking at several architectural structures, styling on people and the way people interact with each other. We get inspirations from art galleries and museums; we usually call it our re-creation ground because we tend to go there quite often. The most important part of our inspirational source is our dream. It sounds weird but we get the master plan for the next move while dreaming. Then we usually come together and share our dreams with each other to improve our ideas.
(can I just say I think that’s Uber cool... men after my own heart they love architecture and visiting museums too...lol)
8) I am aware that there are 2 of you that make up Alex Folzi so what roles do you each play from the creation to the selling aspect of the clothes?
We have a lot in common both physically and mentally being identical twins and we have lived together our whole lives. In terms of decision-making and ideas we think differently which we use as an advantage because we merge what ever we come up with to make a masterpiece. We have plans to work together for life. That has always been our goal! We can branch into owning different companies in future but they are all still going be owned and managed by both of us.
9) As up and coming (Nigerian) Designers what are your biggest challenges?
Our business has been going good because we worry less about what people think of certain backgrounds and we also pay less attention to non-innovative feedback. We offer originality and a wide range of customer service. We provide front row seat to our customers and fans on what is going on in the company and what we have to offer in every possible detail. If you have all these displayed for them already, then you are definitely on the right track.
10) What advice can you give to people that wish to pursue a career like yours?
In order to be successful, you have to know what you want and to go after it with everything you've got. But how far you go in this world is essentially up to you! Life gives you so many natural tools but it is up to you to take those tools and to utilize them towards reaching your destiny. For many young people, including myself even, this is a difficult concept to grab because most of us are only living for the present and not looking ahead towards the future. We figure that all the big moves we will make in life can be delayed into our later years when we should really be viewing everyday as another opportunity to be bigger and better than the people we already are.
Website http://www.alexfolzi.ca/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AlexFolzi
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/alexfolzi
Tumblr http://alexfolzi.tumblr.com/
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/alexfolzi
Aww..JJ.. welcome to world of blogging. :). lovely read
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oh just saw this thanks you!!!
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