Tessy Oliseh-Amaize founded Tesslo Concepts in 2005. The label was born shortly after Oliseh-Amaize graduated in 2005 from Middlessex University, United Kingdom where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Design. Oliseh-Amaize started the business as its pioneer Creative Director. “Tesslo” originated from the first and maiden name of Tessy Oliseh-Amaize, with the beginning of her Oliseh maiden name “OL” spelt backward “LO” but with the exemption of the letter “y” from the initials. Creative Director of Tesslo Concepts, Tessy Oliseh-Amaize had her early education in Nigeria after which she proceeded to London for her university education. Her fashion career parades experiences working with some top British fashion houses including Gharani Strok and Fashion Forum in Kent.
The Tesslo Brand
In 2006, Tesslo Concepts beat 126 other Nigerian fashion designers to emerge winner of the BestFashion Designer Award at the NigeriaFashion Show in Paris. Also in 2006, she was nominated for the Future Awards’ Entrepreneur of the Year category. Designs by Tesslo Concepts have been showcased at several fashion shows from Nigeria Fashion Week to Stars on the Runway, Nigeria Model Awards and EncomiumBlack and White Ball alongside top Nigerian designers like Modela, Zizi Cardow among others. The Tesslo brand logo is the giraffe. Sitting as Creative Adviser at Tesslo Concepts is her husband, Ohimai Godwin Amaize - a political technocrat and media strategist who served as ministerial adviser at Nigeria's Youth Development, Foreign Affairs, Sports and Defense ministries between 2011 and 2015. In 2015, Tesslo Concepts birthed the Tesslo Fashion Academy in Abuja – a fashion school. In March 2016, Tessy unveiled ‘Lagos Island’ -a riveting menswear collection modeled by her husband, Ohimai_Amaize. In May 2016, Nigeria's soccer player, Sunday Oliseh modeled a collection of suits made by Tesslo Concepts. In June 2016, Tesslo Concepts unveiled ‘FLOTUS’ – a collection for women. Creative Director of Tesslo Concepts says the collection was partly inspired by the sartorial style of former United States First LadyMichelle Obama. In April 2017, Tesslo unveiled its new menswear collection called "Scissors", targeting urban, traditional African and corporate clients. The collection is modelled by Tessy Oliseh-Amaize's husband, Ohimai Godwin Amaize.