The Nigerian-born Ayo Elizabeth Olaogun is a fashion designer based in Vienna, Austria, She is the brain behind the fast rising label, Ayo Van Elmar (AvE). Though AvE was launched three years ago (2010), It almost seems it has been around forever – The 29 year old designs are elegant, versatile, ethnic but universal, colorful, bold and expressive.
Ayo who relocated to Vienna, Austria at the age of 18 has carve a niche for herself in the Austria fashion industry with her contemporary Afrocentric chic style.
AvE last two collections, Magic Shields (A/W’ 12) and Chakra (S/S ’13) are wearable designs, different but chic and a form of prayer to the blast victims in the Northern state of Nigerian, an incantation against intolerance, hatred and bloodshed, thus the reason why you seeing the model with a rifle on the runway.
“Nigerians are very fashion conscious and are always dressed-up, regardless of their size and the event; style lovers, cravers and always far ahead of most European cities I would say. Nigerians are consumers and crazy about fashion and these facts definitely go deep into their African culture; their boldness and readiness for patterns and colour. When I was growing up, the fashion scene that I was exposed to was very elaborate, glamorous, voguish… There were a lot of gold accessories, matching bags and shoes. And a lot of glitter. The Austrian fashion culture doesn’t go down that line at all… I think everything about Austria and its style is the direct opposite of what it is in Nigeria. From my own personal observation, I have realised that mainstream Vienna is not ready for ‘advanced’ fashion. To me, women here seem to be scared of standing out from the crowd, which is exactly what AvE is about. Presenting contemporary Afro-centric design to the Viennese woman is ‘lovely and beautiful.”. Said Ayo in a recent interview.
- Ayo Elizabeth Olaogun
- Ayo taking a bow during one of her fashion show.
- Ayo Van Elmar (AvE) Vienna store
What do you think of her designs?
To check more designs, check up AvE website below.
Contact: info@ayovanelmar.com
Address: Hutweideng. 7 / 1 / 2
1190 Vienna
Where to shop:
Black and Blue
Währingerstrasse 121
A-1180 Vienna
Mon to Fri; 10am till 6pm, Sat; 10am till 5pm
Website: http://www.ayovanelmar.com
Twitter: Ayo van Elmar
WordPress: http://ayovanelmar.wordpress.com/
Obsessed 
Stunning post. I can’t believe she’s 29. She looks beautiful, too. Stunning stuff.
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Thanks…. 🙂
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Reblogged this on fabsfashiondiary and commented:
Nigerians are really doing well in the fashion industry, it shows how creative we are. I believe such things should be focused on and less on the negativity.
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Greats comments and site.
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Thanks 🙂
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love the clothes. Thanks again for all your likes and comments. I really appreciate all the questions, try to answer as best I can. Lots of love
-Ma
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🙂
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I love the pictures and especially the clothes. Thank you again for your likes and comments, I really appreciate it. Love the questions. Lots of love
-Ma
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Right back at you hun….. Thanks for all your fabulous post. xoxo
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She’s very talented!
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I totally agree with you on that…. She’s one talented Lady and a designer with a touch of class.
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Really cool pictures!
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Thank you 😀
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that’s really cool. i love her flawless incorporation of african print fabric into something really unique & contemporary without the fabric losing its identity! i’d buy it in a heartbeat if i could afford! 🙂
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You totally understand her objectives and am sure they are affordable…. Thanks.
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Stunning!
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🙂
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Beautiful mix of prints 🙂
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African Prints are sure taking over in a good way… Thanks 🙂
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Beautiful designs.
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All thanks go to Ayo Of AvE for the beautiful designs.
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There u go
http://limsy62.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/haha-shine-on-award-thanks-kitty/
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Thanks hun!!!
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welcome !
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Très jolies ! Petit commentaire d’un étudiant francais en médecine 🙂
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Merci, Monsieur le peu de commentaires signifie beaucoup pour moi et je l’apprécie aussi. 🙂
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The materials are lovely as are some of the designs. Thanks for sharing.Sara
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Am glad you like it… Thanks.
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Great post! Beautiful Collection ! 🙂 xoxox
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Thank you sweetie!!!
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great collection!!!
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And you can look up their site for more of their lovely collections.
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Beautiful collection!!! Gorgeous!! xoxo
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Am glad you did.
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You´re in to the fashion, I have no knowledge about it what so ever!
When I was in Secondary Art School and as well on Academy of Fine Arts, Fashion Design department and its students were a world apart from what I do! And it was full of people who want to dress me up this way or that way — but I didn´t have (I still don´t) knowledge about what is fashion and I usually didn´t have a patience for them!
(:
So,
if you don´t see my comments here, it´s because I know nothing about fashion!
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I totally understand you but remember while design must convey a given body of information, the “essential function” of art is to “intensify one’s perception of reality.” at the end they are all creating something we only imagine and turn our imagination to a beautiful work of art…. well I appreciate you taking your time out to send me your thought. 🙂
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Thanks for enlightenment about fashion, but still — I just don´t get it!
(:
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Love your eye on Fashion…you show an original and outstanding side of Fashion world. Go on 😀
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Thanks hun! but I think more thanks goes to all the fabulous designers out there. who never stops giving us the best of the best in fashion.
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Definitely ethnic, colorful, bold and expressive. How fun! Love it!
XOXO Nensi
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That’s one of the reasons why I think her designs can’t be overlook cos’ it’s colorful and expressive as you’ve stated. Thanks Nensi.
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Great work
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Thanks Isi 🙂
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