Behind every luxury fashion house sits a mind that sees the world differently — textures become stories, lines become emotions, and garments become declarations.

For our Designer’s Special, we spent time with Yutee Rone, the designer behind the Nigerian luxury brand celebrated for its experimental textiles, vibrant prints, and impeccable craftsmanship. Her world is one of bold, expressive design, created with the singular intention of empowering the women who step into her pieces.

Yutee Rone: Redefining the shape of African luxury through sophistication and elegance

Fashion has always been my first love. I knew very early that it was my path, but I kept drifting into other interests, going in circles for years. Then in 2007, something shifted — my love and passion for fashion became too strong to push aside. What has sustained me since then is simple: passion, focus, tenacity, and a deep, enduring love for what I do.

 

That desire to create, to honour the kind of woman whose presence is both soft and powerful, became the foundation of my brand. Over the years, Yutee Rone has grown into a brand recognised for its experimental textiles, vibrant prints, and detailed craftsmanship, but for me, it’s always been deeper than that. I design with a real woman in mind — a woman who wants to feel powerful, graceful, and completely herself. My work lives in that space where bold design meets emotion.

 

The Yutee Rone woman is sophisticated, feminine, and elegant, and she wears those qualities with a natural confidence that I find so beautiful. Beyond appearance, the Yutee Rone woman carries a mindset rooted in abundance. She embodies opulence, luxury, ambition, and a confidence that fills any room she walks into. My designs simply hold up a mirror to those qualities,  amplifying what is already there. She isn’t trying to become anything; she already is.

“I’ve learned that when passion refuses to be ignored, it becomes a purpose — and that purpose built Yutee Rone.”

I’ve been blessed with a lot of beautiful feedback about my brand, but my real breakthrough moment will always be having Yutee Rone on the New York Fashion Week official calendar — especially presenting my “Wavering Lines” Fall/Winter 2024 collection earlier this year. That recognition meant the world to my team and I.

 

Our signature organza pleated pants were the first pieces our women truly claimed as their own. And lately, the love they’ve shown for the customised Yutee Rone boubou has reminded me of why I create in the first place.

 

I wouldn’t say there’s one defining ideal behind our work. Instead, we create intuitively, responding to our textiles, prints, and fabrics as they speak to us. Their uniqueness, their vibrancy, and the care we put into our craftsmanship guide the process. Every piece is made to captivate and empower. And truly, the Yutee Rone woman embodies that spirit. She moves with sophistication, femininity, and effortless elegance.

 

That intuition shows up most clearly in our pleating. I truly am the queen of pleats. I’ve always been drawn to straight lines — that’s the simple truth. The complexity of taking those lines in different directions is a skill I’m deeply proud of. Will I ever retire my pleats? I doubt it very much, but never say never. I’m equally proud of my draping too; it’s a technical skill I’ve honed over the years. Thankfully, I’m always evolving, and fabric manipulation is the next area I’m excited to explore more deeply.

One of the things I’m proud of is how instantly recognisable the Yutee Rone aesthetic has become. We strike a deliberate balance: the pieces are sophisticated and opulent, yet they remain transitional, wearable, and versatile. When it comes to creating a new collection, everything begins with inspiration. The concept doesn’t just guide the narrative; it determines the fabrics, the textures, and the entire direction of the work. That intuitive process is why my choice of textiles often becomes a talking point.

 

Beyond pleats, which have become such a strong part of our identity, there are a few non-negotiables in every collection: organza, silk, and a subtle element of the Yutee Rone logo. Those components ground the brand’s DNA and keep each collection connected to our core language.

 

I recall a conversation with George Okoro where we both spoke about the beauty in the fusion between fashion and photography. My latest collection, which I’ve lovingly described as Textures of the Ocean, was inspired by a recent trip to Mykonos. The ocean captivated me completely. Have you ever looked at the water and imagined the many textures moving beneath the surface, or sat on the shore watching waves wash up onto the sand? The ocean is truly beautiful, and that beauty became the heart of the collection.

“The soul of Yutee Rone is not in the clothes, but in how a woman feels when she steps into them.”

We [Yutee Rone] turned 18 in June 2025, and navigating the industry as a Nigerian business owner has come with its own challenges. The Nigerian fashion industry is worth $4.7 billion. As you can imagine, the fashion space is saturated and competitive — and I mean this in the best possible way. We have some of the most talented designers across the world in this country. On the flip side, there’s a rise in intellectual property theft, economic difficulties, and production challenges that seem to widen every year. 

 

Through it all, resilience has been my anchor. Staying focused and committed, and refusing to be derailed, is what has kept us on the course of success. I am genuinely grateful and proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve never once considered giving up on Yutee Rone. This brand is my baby. No matter the challenges within the fashion landscape, my commitment has always been unwavering. The work, the growth, and the vision mean too much to me to ever step away from it.

 

If I could tell my younger self anything, I would tell her that she’s doing exceptionally well. I would let her know that she must stay steady. Stay on her grind. To keep grinding. To be grateful for the process and keep immense trust in the journey. I would let her know that everything she’s carrying with her is absolutely brilliant and will unfold beautifully. Finally, I would let her know that I am so, so proud of her.

As the African luxury market expands, scaling Yutee Rone has required a very intentional approach. We are growing, but we’re doing it carefully — expanding production while still preserving the exclusivity that defines the brand. Strengthening quality control has been essential, and so has choosing global partnerships that align with our values. For me, growth means widening our reach without ever compromising the craftsmanship, detail, and integrity that sit at the heart of Yutee Rone. 

 

In a crowded room, a woman wearing Yutee Rone is identifiable by her presence. There’s a quiet confidence, a refined beauty, and an unmistakably excellent sense of taste that comes through before she even speaks. The modern African woman wants to look and feel elegant, powerful, and sophisticated, and I see my role as helping her express that effortlessly. There’s a richness, a literal and emotional wealth, in every Yutee Rone piece. You can see it, and you can feel it. My contribution is helping her look like the woman she already is.

 

With that foundation in place, our next significant footprint will be on more major global fashion calendars; Paris, London, and Milan are key goals for us. We’re preparing for that by refining our brand story, elevating our visual identity, strengthening our digital presence, and collaborating with strategic partners who understand the sophistication of the Yutee Rone woman. It’s all about making sure the narrative translates seamlessly to the global luxury space while remaining true to who we are.

 

Ultimately, expansion isn’t just about being seen internationally; it’s about being understood. Every step we take is rooted in protecting the essence of the brand: our attention to detail, our distinctive aesthetic, and the experience of empowerment and elegance our women feel when they wear Yutee Rone. That is the compass guiding us as we grow, both at home and across the world.

 

Some of the moments that have brought me the deepest satisfaction haven’t been the loudest ones. Even the smallest recognitions mean so much to me. Truly, attending an event and seeing Yutee Rone women — unprompted, unplanned — remains one of my greatest accomplishments. For the last five to six years, I’ve spotted and met Yutee Rone women at every major event I’ve attended. Their feedback, their loyalty, and their love for the brand are priceless. Those are the moments that remind me I am accomplished.

“If I’m remembered for anything, let it be this: that I helped redefine what African luxury looks and feels like.”

I have been able to achieve this legacy through balance. I have learned to balance my thriving, growing business with family life through an insurmountable amount of structure and softness. I rely on strong routines, a supportive team, and clear boundaries. Those things allow me to stay creatively inspired while still being fully present for my family. 

 

When my career is summarised, I want the single most important contribution of the Yutee Rone brand to be clear: redefining African luxury. That is the legacy I’m building toward every day.