Born and raised in Venice, Italy, Ify’s love for African fashion blossomed early in childhood, for which her Nigerian family takes most of the credit. Within a tight-knit African community in Italy, she was exposed to the many facets of West African culture, from its traditions and folklore to the meaning behind its vibrant colours.

Before starting OliveAnkara, she completed her studies with a PhD in Human Molecular Genetics at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, she first moved to Singapore to further her career with a Post Doctorate in Molecular Carcinogenesis at the National Cancer Centre.

Her move into the fashion industry started when she noticed the absence of African culture in Singapore while trying to source African prints to make her wedding dress. She took on the responsibility of bridging this gap with the creation of OliveAnkara in 2017, which also rekindled her love for fashion. It was not until 2019, buoyed by early successes and a growing loyal base of customers, that Ify turned her passion side hustle into a full-time career.

Driven by passion and her love for diverse cultures, Ify has centred her slow fashion sustainable brand around two core values: female empowerment and sustainability.