Defining Women’s Lifestyle (DWL), a Nigerian luxury women’s fashion business founded by the outstanding Ivie Odemwingie-Osula, has been accepted into the Scale7 Fashion Accelerator program, which is financed by the Qatar Development Bank (QDB).
Ivie Odemwingie-Osula, the visionary founder of DWL, made the announcement during a press conference on Monday, September 18, 2023, in Abuja. DWL, which has its present headquarters in Qatar with operations in Lagos and Doha, joins nine other famous fashion and design businesses based in Qatar to mark the program’s official launch.
The Scale7 Fashion Accelerator program is a first-of-its-kind venture in Qatar. This program, launched by the Qatar Development Bank in conjunction with M7, Qatar’s epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion, and technology, has captured the attention of Qatar Museums, led by Her Excellency, Sheikha Al-Mayassa. It is a direct answer to Qatar’s expanding fashion and design sectors’ growing demand.
The program’s goal is to provide specialized mentoring, encourage robust business development activities, and give critical finance assistance. It demonstrates Qatar’s dedication to developing young and inventive entrepreneurs with the ability to build their enterprises into renowned worldwide fashion and design brands.
Ivie Odemwingie-Osula shared her delight when DWL was chosen for the prestigious Scale7 fashion accelerator program following a rigorous selection procedure. She said, “This recognition not only validates our vision and hard work but also provides us with unparalleled opportunities for mentorship, networking, and capacity growth toward positioning DWL as a competitive global brand.”
She continued, “Undoubtedly, the government of Qatar will enhance the status of the DWL brand, enabling us to expand our operations and global presence. For us at DWL, the Business Accelerator program will amplify our capabilities, allowing us to refine our strategies, scale faster, enhance brand presence, increase capacity, streamline operations, and broaden our reach and audience.”
Odemwingie-Osula also expressed excitement about the upcoming adventure and the great influence the Scale7 program will have on the DWL brand and community. She emphasized that DWL is a luxury female fashion business known for creating one-of-a-kind designs that combine modest dress with western modern trends. DWL empowers women by allowing them to convey confidence and an enhanced version of themselves through apparel.
DWL, which was founded in Lagos in 2017, began by importing ready-to-wear dresses and has since evolved to make ready-to-wear and bespoke blazer sets for women utilizing internationally sourced fabrics and accessories. The brand has grown linked with women’s lifestyle, with notable clients including Owen Omogiafo, CEO of Transcorp Group, and Funke Bucknor of Zapphaire Events, among others.
Ivie Odemwingie-Osula, a professional photographer and former banker, earned an MBA from Robert Gordon University’s Aberdeen Business School.
