By Ingram Osigwe
It is a big boost for Nigeria’s fashion industry as a fashion icon and Managing Director of Zeof Excluzioni, High Chief (Barrister) Jideofor Valentine Chukwudubem Ezeofor wins the Sun Creativity Personality of the Year 2024 Award.
His selection for the award was contained in a letter addressed to him by the management of The Sun Publishing Nigeria Ltd.
The letter reads in part: “We write to notify you that the Board of Editors of The Sun Publishing Limited, after a rigorous selection process, has picked you as the winner of The Sun Creativity Personality of the Year 2024 Award.
“The Sun Award will be formally presented to you at an elaborate ceremony on March 1st at the prestigious The Sun Awards in Lagos”.
Industry watchers and stakeholders say the Award speaks to High Chief Ezeofor’s incredible sense of creativity which reflects on his iconic designs and clothes labels.
According to one of Zeof’s VIP clients, Chief Ferdinand Anigbogu(Ogbu N’echendo 1 N’ Ebe)speaking from his palatial home in Houston Texas USA said ,” High Chief Ezeofor’s well deserved nomination and selection as the the Sun Creativity Personality of the Year 2024 is in recognition of the innovation and revolution he has brought to bear on the Nigerian fashion industry.”
High Chief Ezeofor’s transmutation and stunning career switch from the bar to the Bench (Magistrate Court Judge) and then to Bespoke Fashion designing or in his own word, “tailoring” is a fascinating and inspiring story of passion, creativity, doggedness and purposefulness.
A son of a legal luminary and a life Bencher, Ichie L.M.E Ezeofor from Amesi in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, the Zeof boss read law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife and after graduation, practiced briefly in his father’s chambers.In 1994, High Chief Ezeofor formally started the Zeof fashion outfit while still an officer in the temple of the justice.
The company’s first office was located at No. 89 Ogui Road Enugu and it kicked started operations with only three tailors and a receptionist. Subsequently Zeof offices expanded to Ikoyi lagos , Miatama Abuja, port harcourt, DRC Congo .
In September 24th, 2001, High Chief Ezeofor was appointed a Magistrate by the Anambra State Judiciary and was posted to Idemili and Ontisha Chief Magistrate Courts respectively.As a Magistrate Court Judge, Magistrate Ezeofor dispensed justice without fear or favour. His cardinal principle was that justice and equity must be visible in his court.
However, while serving as a Judge, the allure of his natural talent and first love- fashion- was becoming increasingly irresistible. Consequently in 2005, he resigned from the Magistracy to fully answer the artistic talent that kept on calling . And that was how he moved back to his Zeof Excluzioni brand fully to devout more of his time in creating masterpieces that have adorn the physical bodily structures of kings, presidents, Governors, Senators, Captains of industries, Professionals, Business Men and upwardly Mobile dynamic Individuals. Its instructive to note that all the Zeof designs were and are still being created by High Chief Ezeofor himself.
Zeof’s clientele cuts across European and African countries. Europeans, Americans and Indians-all patronize the Zeof brand.
Zeof also have clients all over Nigeria and in diaspora.The Zeof Excluzioni brand gave birth to Zeof Imperial and both brands created exotic, magnificent master pieces.
High Chief Ezeofor speaks about his wig to needle journey: “My first love has always been designing of clothes . I get my designing inspiration from nature: I can get an inspiration from watching the breeze impacting on a tree , I look at the way the wind is dancing with the leaves of the tree , then I will come out with a design. I started designing clothes when I was very young , around 12 years old . All through my upper secondary school and university I was designing and making clothes. My initial clients were my school mates in the University of Ife , now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile -Ife where I studied law .
“I didn’t inherit my fashion business, I started it by myself. As I said earlier, it is a passion that has always been with me . I like excellence in whatever I am doing because I am very very deliberate in my art . I like creating beauty in everything I do”
Also Zeof Excluzioni gave birth to a new fashion label : Denzelblake Imperial founded by my first son Arc Tobenna Ezeofor and his two brothers Denzel-Armani and Von Blake .
A philanthropist and culture enthusiast, in January 2020, High Chief Ezeofor was made a cabinet Chief in Enugwu Ukwu na Umunri by His Majesty Igwe Ralph Obuneme Ekpe and was conferred with the title, Ezechimdumaga na Enugwu Ukwu na Umunri.
Married to Professor (Mrs) Salome Ezeofor, a Consultant Radiologist in the Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla Enugu and a Professor in the College of Medicine of the University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Enugu and Deputy CMAC in charge of Radiation Medicine and Laboratories UNTH, High Chief Ezeofor is a cheerful contributor to human capital development of youths as well as community development.
• Osigwe, a communications and Public Engagement Strategist is the Media Adviser to Zeof Fashion Excluzioni