Red Reverie - Interview with Somto Ezeomataude
Could you share the story behind the founding of Somiestylehub and what first drew you into fashion design?
Somiestylehub started from a genuine love for fashion, styling, and self-expression. I have always enjoyed putting outfits together and creating pieces for myself simply because I loved how fashion could completely change the way someone feels. What started as creating outfits for personal wear gradually grew into making pieces for friends and family, and over time it became something much bigger than I originally imagined.
The more I designed, the more I realised that fashion was not just about clothing for me. It became a form of identity, creativity, and confidence. Seeing how people reacted to the pieces and how confident they felt wearing them made me take the journey more seriously and eventually build Somiestylehub into a brand.
Brand Director: Somto Ezeomataude
Fashion Designer / Wardrobe Stylist: somiestylehub @somiestylehub
Photographer: Photokulture @photokulture
Makeup Artist: Adefunkeee @adefunkeee
Hair Stylist: @fissypro_luxuryhair
Your brand began from a personal love for styling and creating outfits. At what moment did you realize it could become something bigger?
I think the turning point was seeing how people connected emotionally to the pieces I created. It started with compliments and people asking where outfits were from, but over time I began noticing how confident and comfortable people felt wearing my designs. That made me realise it was more than just a hobby or personal interest.
I also realised that I genuinely enjoyed the process of creating, from developing ideas to seeing the final look come together. At that point, fashion stopped feeling like something I simply loved doing and started feeling like something I wanted to build seriously as a creative brand and long-term journey.
Brand Director: Somto Ezeomataude
Fashion Designer / Wardrobe Stylist: somiestylehub @somiestylehub
Photographer: Photokulture @photokulture
Makeup Artist: Adefunkeee @adefunkeee
Hair Stylist: @fissypro_luxuryhair
Somiestylehub places strong emphasis on self-expression. How do you translate that idea into your designs?
For me, self-expression comes from creating pieces that allow people to feel like the best version of themselves without feeling restricted. I pay attention to fit, shape, detailing, and overall presentation because I believe clothing should reflect confidence and personality.
I also try to create designs that feel intentional and expressive while still remaining wearable and comfortable. I want people to feel confident, feminine, elegant, and fully themselves when they wear Somiestylehub.
Brand Director: Somto Ezeomataude
Fashion Designer / Wardrobe Stylist: somiestylehub @somiestylehub
Photographer: Photokulture @photokulture
Makeup Artist: Adefunkeee @adefunkeee
Hair Stylist: @fissypro_luxuryhair
What has been the most rewarding part of building Somiestylehub so far?
The most rewarding part has been seeing people genuinely connect with the brand and the pieces I create. There is something very fulfilling about seeing someone feel confident and happy in something you designed.
It has also been rewarding watching something that started from personal passion slowly grow into a real brand with its own identity. Every opportunity, collaboration, and milestone reminds me how far the journey has come so far.
Brand Director: Somto Ezeomataude
Fashion Designer / Wardrobe Stylist: @somiestylehub
Photographer: @knight_visuals
Makeup Artist: @bhe_nita
Fit is clearly an important part of your brand philosophy. Why is creating well-fitted clothing so central to Somiestylehub?
Fit is one of the most important parts of fashion to me because it completely changes how a person feels in an outfit. A beautiful design can lose its impact if it does not sit properly on the body.
I believe fashion should complement the body rather than fight against it. That is why I pay close attention to structure, tailoring, finishing, and how each piece comes together overall. I want the person wearing the outfit to feel comfortable, confident, and secure in what they have on regardless of body shape or size.
How do you approach designing for different body types while maintaining a strong brand aesthetic?
I design with the understanding that confidence looks different on every woman, so I never approach fashion from a one-shape perspective. I pay close attention to structure, tailoring, proportion, and how fabric moves on the body because I want each piece to feel flattering rather than restrictive. For me, maintaining the Somiestylehub aesthetic is not about forcing every woman into one ideal silhouette, it is about creating designs that still carry elegance, femininity, and strength while allowing different body types to feel equally beautiful in them. I want women to wear my pieces and feel highlighted, not hidden.
What do you want women to feel when they wear a Somiestylehub piece?
More than anything, I want women to feel confident, elegant, comfortable, and seen. I want them to feel like the outfit is bringing out a stronger and more expressive version of themselves.
For me, fashion is not only about appearance. It is also about how a person carries themselves when they feel good in what they are wearing. If someone feels empowered, comfortable, and beautiful in a Somiestylehub piece, then I feel I have achieved what I wanted with the design.
Somiestylehub is built around helping people feel seen and confident. How do you define confidence through fashion?
I think confidence through fashion comes from wearing something that genuinely makes you feel comfortable, expressive, and secure in yourself. When people feel good in what they are wearing, it naturally changes how they carry themselves and how they present themselves to the world.
For me, confidence is not about wearing the loudest outfit in the room. It is about wearing something that feels true to you and makes you feel fully present and comfortable in your own skin.
Your work is influenced by glamour and contemporary African fashion. How do these inspirations appear in your collections?
I think the influence appears naturally in the way I design because both glamour and African fashion are deeply expressive. Growing up around African culture, I was surrounded by bold dressing, rich textures, attention to detail, and women who carried themselves with confidence and elegance. That stayed with me. At the same time, I’ve always loved glamour, not just in an extravagant sense, but in the feeling of sophistication, femininity, and intention. So when I create, I often combine structured silhouettes, embellishment, strong shapes, and refined finishing in a way that feels modern but still emotionally connected to those influences. I want the pieces to feel powerful, expressive, and memorable while still remaining wearable.
Your upcoming showcase at Afro Fashion Show UK marks an exciting milestone. What does this opportunity represent for you?
The Afro Fashion Show UK represents an exciting step forward for both myself and the brand. It is an opportunity to present Somiestylehub within a larger creative space and connect with other designers, creatives, and audiences who appreciate fashion and self-expression.
It also feels like an important moment of growth and visibility for the brand. Being able to showcase my work on a runway platform is both exciting and motivating, especially as an emerging designer continuing to build a distinct identity within the fashion industry.
What makes it even more meaningful is that the platform celebrates African creativity and culture in such a powerful way. As someone whose work is naturally influenced by contemporary African fashion, femininity, detail, and bold expression, being part of a space that recognizes and uplifts that creativity feels very special to me. It feels like representation, visibility, and validation all at once.
I also see this moment as more than just showcasing clothes. It is an opportunity to communicate the identity and emotion behind the brand, the confidence, elegance, and intention that I try to put into every piece. I want people to see the designs and also feel the story behind them.
For me, this showcase represents growth, faith in my creative journey, and the beginning of an even bigger chapter for Somiestylehub.
What is your design process like, from the first idea to the finished garment?
My design process usually starts with a visual idea, silhouette, or feeling I want the piece to give. Sometimes it can come from fabric, embellishment, styling inspiration, or simply imagining how I want the final look to feel when worn.
From there, I begin sketching ideas, selecting fabrics, and thinking carefully about fit, structure, and finishing. I spend a lot of time refining details because I believe the small elements are what make a piece feel complete. Once the garment comes together, I focus on making sure it not only looks good visually but also fits and feels right on the body.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the next chapter of Somiestylehub?
Looking ahead, I want to continue growing Somiestylehub into a recognised fashion brand with a strong and distinct creative identity. I hope to explore more runway showcases, editorial features, creative collaborations, and opportunities that allow the brand to reach wider audiences.
I also want to continue refining the brand’s design language while creating pieces that remain intentional, feminine, expressive, and well-crafted. Most importantly, I want Somiestylehub to continue being a brand that makes people feel confident, elegant, and comfortable in themselves.
