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By Funsho Arogundade
Call her a fashion wizard, and you wouldn’t be far from the truth. For Utibe ‘Yutee’ Rone, she is not your run-of-the-mill designer. Her uncommon creativity has been able to stand her out in her almost two-decade chosen career. In 2007 when she founded her high end women’s wear line —Yutee Rone Atelier—, her mission was simple: to revolutionise, redefine, recreate and dominate the industry. And she has remained faithful to her mission.
Yutee has raised her fashion label from the ground up and remains that brilliant fashion designer behind Africa-styled luxury women’s ready-to-wear brand. She has been decorated with a garland at home and abroad for showcasing the femininity and power of women through experimental fabrics and textiles, bold prints, and meticulous craftsmanship. Even in the face of stiff competition, Yutee is still singled out for her uncommon ingenuity and Midas touch, a reason her clientele continues to grow. Her world is one of bold, expressive design, created with the singular intention of empowering the women who step into her pieces.
Little wonder, when she announced the launch of her new women’s wear collection —’Textures of the Ocean’—, many who are aware of her exceptional ingenuity knew instantly that something good was about to hit the industry once again. True to prediction, the exclusive fashion presentation held Sunday November 30 at Pitstop Village in Ikoyi, Lagos, was a captivating event where fashion meets coastal elegance.
Supported by Martell, the exclusive showcase was an evening witnessed by the cream of society, including entertainment luminaries, fashion enthusiasts, and aspiring fashionistas. The women’s wear show was indeed a night of glitz, glam and glamour. The excitement was palpable, and the audience watched in awe as the models filed out on the runway one after another.
Yutee, the better half of energy magnate, Julius Rone, revealed that the new collection was inspired by her realisation of the extraordinary depth of energy, beauty, and strength of the ocean after a recent trip to Mykonos where a renewed encounter with the Aegean Sea informed both the aesthetic and conceptual direction of the work. .
Rooted in craftsmanship and refined simplicity, fabric choices such as silk, organza, and satin serve as the primary canvas for the narrative while the entire collection blends fluid silhouettes, natural textures and a serene palette drawn from the ocean’s shifting moods.
Yutee described ‘Textures of the Ocean’ as a journey into movement, tranquillity, and timeless elegance, crafted for the woman who embodies quiet power and effortless grace.
