Carmel Snow wrote, ‘Elegance is good taste, plus a dash of daring,’ and Zoba Martin couldn’t agree more. Zoba continues to merge fashion, science, and character in her designs. She has made a name for herself through her eponymous brand by designing clothing pieces with a unique artistry that combines African prints with a modern North American twist. Her remarkable designs make almost every Canadian fashion blog writer have articles written on the young fashion designer who has come to stay.
Without a doubt, Zoba Martin has redefined the limits of what a dress can look like; who else could make a dress from tissue paper look so good?
Zoba Martin explored the fragility of life in her latest piece for the 18th Annual Cashmere Collection initiative: The New Belle Époque – a fund and awareness raiser fashion show for breast cancer. Chizoba created the most exquisite piece out of cashmere bathroom tissue using braiding and ruffling techniques.
Through her piece, Zoba remembered her aunt Nneka who lost her fight with breast cancer. ‘She had the most beautiful smile,’ Zoba wrote on her Instagram page. ‘The lines across the chest represent the scars from mastectomy, and the crystals poured into the vulva area represents the shine, strength and beauty in femininity.’ Chizoba honours everyone who died from breast cancer and encourages everyone to always check for lumps.
Chizoba Udeh Martin is from Anambra, a South Eastern state in Nigeria. She graduated from the University of Ottawa, where she studied Entrepreneurship and completed a diploma in Fashion Design and Pattern Making at La Salle College of Design in Toronto, Canada. Chizoba founded Zoba Martin in 2016, and since then, and from her Toronto studio, she’s exuded excellence in her creations. She believes that excellence is a principle that should always guide her work.
Chizoba Udeh Martin’s collections are available on her website. She also teaches sewing classes and is ready to take anyone through how she designs her collections. You can also follow Zoba Martins on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Zoba Martin’s bathroom tissue gown.
See other creations from Zoba Martin.
Creatives Around Us granted permission to feature photos by Zoba Martin.