Everyone knows the story of King Edward VIII abdicating the British throne to marry the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. And when Madonna was in London last year making a film about it (her directorial debut) and needed a dress for lead actress Abbie Cornish, she turned to none other than the London-based label, VOY, owned by Vesta Okyere-Yeboah.
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| Abbie Cornish in VOY with Madonna on set |
Cornish is wearing the black Vintage Audrey dress which is part of the collection that will be on display and on sale at VOY’s first West End store in Portman Village. Afro Boudoir recently caught up with the designer to find out about the circuitous journey that has taken her from a childhood in Ghana to the world of fashion via a career in the City.
Afro Boudoir: You are set to open your first W1 boutique – what is your reaction to reaching this milestone in your career?
Vesta: It is a very exciting time to be opening the shop. It’s what my loyal customers have been asking for, and it’s just the most natural next step to take at this moment in time.
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| Inside the new VOY store |
AB: Where did the desire to become a designer come from?
Vesta: Becoming a designer came naturally to me. I was just always intrigued by the way clothes were constructed. As a teenager, I was forever going into shops and turning clothes inside out to see how they had been made, especially tailored jackets. I have a passion for tailoring.
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| Designer Vesta Yeboah |
AB: How was your desire to study fashion thwarted?
Vesta: My family were very academically minded, so my wish to study fashion was not encouraged. It was considered a hobby rather than a career choice.
AB: So you ended up in banking, what was the catalyst that drove you to pursue your first love?
Vesta: I enjoyed my time in banking; however, yes my first love was fashion. While working Monday to Friday at the bank, I still found myself Saturday jobs working in clothes shops, just to feel as if I was part of the fashion industry in some way! After doing this for about 2 years, I decided it was crazy and that I should just go for it!
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| VOY design |
AB: What was the reaction of your family in Ghana when you gave up your banking career for one in fashion?
Vesta: As you can imagine, it did not go down well at all! Knowing in advance what the reaction was going to be, I actually did not tell my family until the last minute.
I managed to enrol in college, resigned, worked my notice, and then told my family what I planned to do! My mother did not speak to me for a number of weeks, as she could not believe that I would give up a career in banking for FASHION!
However, I must add that once they realised that I was deadly serious about it and was determined to turn it into a real business, they gave me their full support.
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| VOY design |
AB: In 2000, you opened your first studio in Brick Lane, what was that moment like?
Vesta: It was a fantastic feeling being shown my first studio just off Brick Lane. Prior to that, I had been working from home. It made the whole thing more professional.
AB: What sort of clothes do you design? Are they a reflection of your personal style?
Vesta: As I love tailoring, the clothes I design are very tailored. I guess drawing on my days in banking; I tend to design for the working woman in the city. The clothes are classic, rather than ‘fashion’ items. They are the type of clothes that will carry you from the boardroom to a dinner date, with just a change of accessories.
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| VOY |
AB: Describe the creative process of designing a collection of clothes? What sort of fabrics do you like to use? Are you a fan of prints?
Vesta: As my inspiration is drawn from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, I am always looking back to those times when I start designing a collection. I am also greatly inspired by the iconic Audrey Hepburn. My Classic Audrey dress is my best selling dress!
As my designs tend to be all about the tailoring, and simplicity of lines, I tend to stay away from prints. However, this season I am experimenting with a couple of prints. It is not what Voy is known for, so we will see how it is received by customers.
I am a great fan of natural fabrics, and use mainly cotton, linen, wool, and wool/cashmere. I source all my fabrics in the UK, rather than looking at places like China. My clothes are all manufactured here in England, so it is only right that I should source fabric from here also.
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| A close-up look at the Vintage Audrey |
AB: Who are your role models within the fashion industry and why?
Vesta: If I have to choose, number one on my list would be Calvin Klein. I absolutely admire the simplicity of his designs, and how iconic they have become. Effortless dressing, subtle colours, and sharply tailored.
AB: Have the culture, fabrics and fashion of Ghana had any influence on the clothes you create?
Vesta: I think the pride in which Ghanaians take in their national dress has influenced me a lot. We should all take pride in what we wear, and wear it well. As the fabrics used for the national dress is mainly cotton, this could be where my love of using natural fabrics come from.
AB: Have you picked up any high-profile clients in the past 11 years?
Vesta: My most high-profile client has to be Madonna, who was shown a number of my dresses to be used for her upcoming film on the life of Wallis Simpson called W.E. One of the dresses she chose features prominently in the film which comes out later this year.
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| VOY design |
AB: Describe what it has been like to fulfil your passion?
Vesta: It feels very satisfying to have followed my passion, and enjoy what I do every day!
AB: Would you like to show at London Fashion Week one day? What do you need to do to achieve that goal?
Vesta: Yes, it would be fantastic to show at LFW one day, but at the moment my main priority is to continue to steadily build up the profile of the VOY label, and then when that day comes, I will be in the position to handle it without being overwhelmed by it all.
The new VOY store is at 18 New Quebec Street, Portman Village, London W1. You can also see her collection at www.voyclothing.com. Prices range from £60-£350 for off-the-peg items. Made to measure prices vary.
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