OliveAnkara, the Singapore brand that fuses African prints with Italian craftsmanship
Ifeoma Ubby, a former cancer researcher, launched her label in 2016 as a side hustle when she could not find African fabric in Singapore
Why did you decide to start OliveAnkara in Singapore? “I was born and raised in Italy, where my parents moved from Nigeria in the early 80s, and my roots played an important role in my upbringing. One aspect that always fascinated me when attending family gatherings was the colourful clothing – I fell in love with African fabrics.
How are your designs different from traditional African clothing? “I focus on traditional West African textiles using modern tailoring techniques, blending Italian craftsmanship into this texture. I create feminine and modern silhouettes with nods to traditional African aesthetics.
“Over the past two years, I’ve also specialised in cheongsam dresses, a fusion of two different cultures that are equally eccentric and unique. What makes OliveAnkara different is our simple yet disruptive concept – to make African-inspired clothes that can be worn by women of all races. I aim to change the common perception that African prints look good only on black people, because I strongly believe it’s not true.”
What is the significance of African Ankara textiles? “The fabrics I use are mainly sourced in Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Ankara, commonly known as ‘African wax print’, is 100 per cent cotton with vibrant patterns and possesses great strength with its tight weaving.