Today we’d like to introduce you to Valentine Avoh.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I always loved fashion but more importantly, sewing and Haute-Couture.
I graduated in fashion design from the London College of Fashion, after which I worked for more than 10 years for prestigious international houses such as Alexander McQueen, Alexis Mabille, and San Andrès Milano. In the meantime, in 2009, I was asked by a friend to make her wedding dress. This was new to me but I loved the whole process.
When I saw her wearing my creation on her wedding day, I knew what I wanted to do from then on. It is the closest to Haute-Couture as you can be. Five years later, I launched my own brand and then opened my atelier in Brussels in 2017, where I create each piece in the manner of the greatest names in Couture.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As I was always auto/self-financed, my brand has grown slowly but surely, which allowed me to define my style and build a reputation.
It was a little hard doing everything by myself at times, but it was important for me not to go too fast. Obviously, my clientèle doesn’t come back so I have to find new clients every season, and it can be quite intense but the nice thing is that I get to meet new people every season.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The Atelier Valentine Avoh is above all a desire to revive at my level the Haute Couture in Belgium, thanks to refined, fluid, and delicate wedding dresses. Inspired by the golden age of cinéma, Jazz, and women, my designs are thought for all those who wish to highlight their femininity without compromising ease.
Made in precious materials such as silk, French lace, and feathers, each dress is handcrafted in my Brussels atelier with respect for traditional savoir-faire, from the first sketch to the finished product passing by the paper pattern.
In my constant quest for quality, I source fabrics exclusively in Europe; in Italy, France, and of course in Belgium, from the same suppliers as those of the Haute Couture houses. I also develop some of my own unique embroideries in partnership with my suppliers in order to offer you truly unique pieces that embody the character of the Atelier’s DNA.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Podcast: Having it all, Bof, On purpose, and The skinny confidential.
Books: Valley of the dolls, Anna Wintour’s bio, Miracle Morning, and Elena Rubinstein’s bio.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.valentineavoh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valentineavoh/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valentine.avoh/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/valentineavoh/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/valentineavoh/
Image Credits
Elodie Timmermans and Elodie Deceuninck
