Tesslo is a premium fashion brand that specializes in creating customized, high-quality, timeless and professionally-tailored pieces, both classic and avant-garde. Founded by the talented Tessy Oliseh-Amaize in 2005, Tesslo operates as a virtual atelier based in New York.
Tessy, the daughter of a family of footballers, left Nigeria to study fashion at Middlessex University in London. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design, she returned to Nigeria to launch Tesslo, becoming the brand’s Creative Director. Her passion for fashion and her dedication to quality earned her the Best Designer Award in 2006 at the Nigeria Fashion Show – a national talent competition that featured over 125 contestants.
Tesslo’s designs are inspired by a fusion of global aesthetics, blending historical and emerging fashion trends across cultures. The brand’s focus on quality and sustainability ensures that each piece is specially handcrafted with durability in mind. The brand’s target audience includes business professionals, fashion connoisseurs, entertainers, and celebrities. Several prominent personalities have been dressed by Tesslo, a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence.
The giraffe, the brand’s logo, symbolizes grace and elegance. Giraffes by nature are not arrogant but naturally become the center of attraction. The giraffe’s natural charm and attraction align with Tesslo’s style and brand character. Tesslo’s designs have been showcased at several fashion shows, from Lagos to Paris to Washington DC.
It's so great to see what our past students are getting up to. Just look at these incredible designs by fashion alumni @TessyOliseh – she even designed her own wedding dress 😍 https://t.co/C5JAEfx6cn
— Middlesex University (@MiddlesexUni) March 15, 2019
Tessy and her husband, Ohimai Amaize, a journalist, were forced into exile in the United States in 2019. Despite the circumstances, Tessy is currently rebuilding Tesslo from the ground up, managing it as a handmade fashion start-up based in New York. The brand’s first collection in the United States, “Big Apple”, was 100 percent handmade by Tessy, reflecting the brand’s commitment to sustainability as the future of fashion.
As a passionate advocate of craftsmanship, Tessy believes that a fashion designer should have the skills to bring their designs to life, from conception to the final stitch. Tessy and Ohimai are also the owners of the fashion blog @fashioncouplenewyork on Instagram, where they showcase Tesslo’s designs.
