in ,

Something Labelled Is Coming To Town! Cynthia Obi-Uchendu Shares Exclusive Details Of Her New Bridal Business With 234Star

Something Labelled Is Coming To Town!

Every bride wants to feel special on her big day. For some, ‘special’ would include walking down the aisle in a designer dress. Sadly, we all don’t have designer dress money – I mean, the starting price for a typical Vera Wang bridal dress is a little over 1 million Naira while the Luxe Collection starts at 2.5 million Naira.

In a country, where the minimum wage is pegged at 18,000 Naira per month, it’s not hard to imagine that there aren’t that many people who can fork over that amount of money for a dress that they’ll probably only wear once.

And here is where Cynthia Obi-Uchendu and her soon-to-be-launched luxury wedding dress rental service come in.

The wife to popular media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu had a chat with 234Star on her new business aptly named ‘Something Labelled’, what inspired it, the role her husband played and more.

Read!

234Star: Where did the idea to start ‘Something Labelled’ come from?

Cynthia: I’ve had the idea for a while but only confirmed it was something i wanted to start after my wedding. I got a lot of messages from people wanting to buy or rent my dresses from me. That coupled with the fact that I love weddings and being a part of someone’s special day brings me joy. I just thought this could be a good business idea

234Star: And the name?

Cynthia: The name came from a discussion with my friends and we were all throwing ideas together and one of them said ‘labels’, I’m like, not bad but something was missing. When I told my husband, it instantly came to him and he just said, ‘Something Labelled’. We felt that when getting married you need something old, something new, something borrowed, so we decided something labelled should be part of it. So cheesy I know.

234Star: How do you intend to source for dresses?

Cynthia: I’ll be buying as well as collecting from brides who are willing to part with their dresses.

234Star: Quite a number of people attach sentiments to their wedding dresses. There are people who like to pass it on to their daughters and some others who like to be buried in it or just leave it sitting pretty in their closets as a sort of memorabilia. Considering all of these, do you think there are that many people who are willing to part with their wedding dresses?

Cynthia: I totally understand that to some it is sensitive and they have an emotional connection to their dresses. But I’m sure there are people just like me who don’t care so much about it. I mean I’ll rather make money off it than have it sitting in my wardrobe. As a matter of act quite a number of people have reached out to me wanting to put theirs at the store.

Cynthia in Andreah Iyama on her wedding day. Photo: @georgeokoroweddings

234Star: For your wedding, you wore 3 different dresses – a Vera Wang, a Wana Sambo and Andreah Iyama, which one of them was your favorite?

Cynthia: Loved all three of them as they were all gorgeous. But I have to say the Andrea Iyamah which was my reception dress was definitely my favorite one.

234Star: Will you be renting any of them out or does your daughter Jewell get to inherit them?

Cynthia: Yes the Vera Wang will be available at the store for rent. Jewell will have her own experience of wedding shopping and have her own dress.

Cynthia with husband, Ebuka and daughter, Jewel

234Star: There are more Nigerian designers in recent times making bridal dresses than was obtainable in the past. Do you consider it good news for your business?

Cynthia: Oh yes, Nigerian brands are doing fantastic and making amazing bridal dresses. I’m in awe of what they are doing right now. However, there will still be people who want foreign brands for their day. I mean, I wore one foreign brand and two Nigerian brands. Brides should have options.

234Star: Do you have any designers you are not willing to stock?

Cynthia: I’m open to all luxury designers.

234Star: Do you have any background in fashion?

Cynthia: Nah, no official background in fashion but i think I am a little fashionable haha. I’ve always liked to look good . I don’t know if i succeed in looking good but i try. (LOL)

234Star: For someone who studied Human Resources Management, how do you think your area of expertise will come in handy as you take on the fashion industry?

Cynthia: I did study Human Resources and worked as a HR Manager for 4 years, so I’m basically equipped with dealing with different kinds of people with different temperaments. For my business, I’ll be meeting people on a daily basis with different behavioural patterns, having this knowledge will definitely come in handy.

Cynthia in Wana Sambo, her 3rd dress on her wedding day

234Star: What was your husband’s first reaction when you told him about this big idea?

Cynthia: I have had this idea for a while so he has always known about it. But he was definitely excited when he saw I was now serious and actually taking the necessary steps to make it a reality. Starting a business is a struggle, I’m thankful I have him to encourage me and keep me going ..

Something Labelled officially launches in September. 

 

Written by Njideka Akabogu

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Loading…

0

See All The Stars That Graced The #VMAs Red Carpet

Style Roundup: What Your Favourite Celebrities Wore This Weekend