11/08/2018
Designer Bio Irene Mejane Epie
Irene Mejane Epie, an artist (painter/sculptor) trained at the Yaba College of Arts and Technology, Lagos-Nigeria, 1989-91. In 1993, she held her first solo exhibition at the Meridian Hotel, Douala-Cameroon, subsequent exhibitions followed in 1997, 1998, where she won a second prize at the Spanish Embassy Exhibition for her painting “Dancing pots”. She represented Cameroon in White Plains New York-USA, at the Women of the World Exhibition organized by Professor Claudia De Monte of the University of Maryland, USA - 1999. Irene has won the following awards: “Ben Eweonwu Performing Arts Prize” for Painting and Portraiture- January 13, 2006 for her collection “Reflections 2003-2006”; Artists Certificate Shenzhen Institute of Fine Arts-2009 to name a few.
Designing of fashion and household accessories came about as another income avenue of art expression after working as an artist for 20 years. A visit to the Northern Region of Cameroon to take part in an Arts and Culture Festival (FENAC) 2008 brought her in contact with grassroots artisans who make fashion accessories out of local materials such as leather, raffia, cowries, animal waste products etc,. The quality of these products did not meet international standards; it is in this context that the idea of improving and expanding the range of designs and perfecting the workmanship was born. It took a few years to put together a small team of artisans, working in collaboration with Ms Epie as lead designer. This gave birth to Abise Accessories on the 28th August 2012.
A background as a Diplomat’s daughter gave her the opportunity to travel widely across Europe, North America and Africa, acquiring an international sense of style and refinement with a Bantu Flair. Her style is portrayed in the Abise Accessories range of products namely handbags, clutch bags, duffle bags, make-up and sunshade cases, computer bags, jewelry, beddings, pillow covers, table cloths/napkins, wall hangings and table runners
