Magazine feature: The Afro Belgian Fashion Pack…

A few months ago I was interviewed by the lovely Tamara Gausi, journalist at the Brussels Airline magazine bSpirit! for her upcoming article on fashionable Belgians/Africans.

We met at the inevitable Café de la Presse on Avenue Louise to talk about my blog, my designs, Ivory Coast, food, shopping and much more… To support our conversation, I had a delicious piece of cake and to keep my mouth hydrated (only because hydration is the key to a healthy lifestyle 😉 I had an iced tea followed by a Violette tea which has become one of my favorite when I go there.

The magazine in out this month in Brussels airport and on all the Brussels Airlines flight carrying the bSpirit! magazine. Do click on the pictures to see a larger version. And below here is what the article says 😉

VALENTINE AVOH – FASHION DESIGNER, STYLIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER

At the age of 19, Valentine Avoh moved to London to study fashion design and pattern cutting at the London College of Fashion, and upon graduation she worked for Alexander McQueen, Samantha Shaw and Alexis Mabille in London and Paris. Now back in her hometown of Brussels, this 28-year-old works as a designer, stylist and photographer, doing everything from bespoke wedding dresses to shoots for Eastpak. “I came back to see what I could do here after all of my experience abroad,” she says. “There are some interesting things happening.” Avoh cites Sandrina Fasoli and Carine Gilson as her most esteemed Brussels designers. Of Ivorian heritage, her inspiration comes from many sources. “There are lots of nice boutiques behind Bourse,” she says, “one of my favourites is Ramon & Valy, a vintage shop on Rue des Teinturiers.” And to get a taste of home? “There is an Ivorian restaurant near Avenue Louise called Cousin-Cousine – otherwise I cook my own!”

Thanks a lot Tamara for your time!

I am wearing a shirt from Mango and trousers from Essentiel.