Tessy Oliseh-Amaize showcases her "Pyramids" design. CNN
Tessy Oliseh-Amaize is making a name for herself in the fashion world with her bold and innovative designs. Though she is the sister of Nigerian soccer legend Sunday Oliseh, she is carving out her own legacy in the U.S. fashion industry with her unique take on African wax print ankara fabrics.
As the founder of the Tesslo fashion brand, Oliseh-Amaize blends traditional African aesthetics with modern design principles. Her “Africa to the World” collection showcases vibrant ankara fabrics with intricate geometric patterns, creating a striking visual illusion. Each piece takes weeks to complete, with Oliseh-Amaize applying mathematical concepts like the Pythagorean theorem to craft designs that appear to move in four dimensions.
Oliseh-Amaize’s creations reflect her scientific background. She explains, “My designs are all mathematics. You have to think about shapes, even those that don’t exist.” Here, actor and model Sergio Delavicci from "John Wick 3" is seen wearing Tesslo at Philly Fashion Week 2024 in Philadelphia. CNN
Her standout creations include “Pyramids,” a knee-length dress inspired by the Giza pyramids, featuring prism-like shapes arranged in different directions. Another design, “Mpi,” reinvents the varsity jacket with conical embellishments that pay homage to the horns used in traditional Igbo ceremonies.
Oliseh-Amaize’s journey in fashion began in the UK, where she studied Fashion Product Management at Middlesex University. Her breakthrough came in 2006 when she won the Nigerian Fashion Show’s Best Designer award. She later designed for television shows before moving to the U.S., where she had to rebuild her brand from scratch. Unlike Nigeria, where ankara fashion is widely embraced, she had to push creative boundaries to capture the American market.
Nigerian designer Tessy Oliseh Amaize is gaining attention in the U.S. with her fashion brand, Tesslo. She combines a modern style with traditional wax print ankara fabric, aiming to prove that ankara can be worn for any occasion, even in winter. CNN
Her hard work has paid off. Last September, she was invited to close the Ankara Festival Los Angeles, a major event celebrating African fashion. Her designs were also featured at the Congressional Black Caucus and Philly Fashion Week, gaining recognition from major industry players.
Determined to reshape perceptions of African fashion, Oliseh-Amaize wants the world to see it as sophisticated and high-quality rather than primitive or niche. Her commitment to excellence has won over celebrity supporters, including actress Folake Olowofoyeku, who wore her “Hollywood” dress at the Ankara Festival. Celebrity stylist J. Bolin has also commissioned pieces from her for high-profile clients.
Tessy Oliseh-Amaize at the 2024 Congressional Black Caucus Party in Washington, DC, after presenting her collection. CNN
Despite her famous last name, Oliseh-Amaize’s journey has not been easy. She recalls being overcharged for fashion equipment simply because people assumed she had money due to her brother’s success. To succeed, she had to work twice as hard.
Now, she is paying it forward with her “Fashion Professor” initiative, mentoring young designers on social media. Through 35 online sessions, she has guided aspiring designers on fabric selection, pricing strategies, and business growth, helping them avoid mistakes she faced.
"Oba gha tokpere!" (which means "Long live the king") echoed on the runway at Philly Fashion Week. CNN
As more Western designers explore ankara fabrics, Oliseh-Amaize emphasizes the need for African designers to expand beyond local markets. She dreams of seeing a Nigerian brand selling out in global department stores like Harrods and Macy’s.
Not every piece from Tesslo uses ankara fabrics. In this photo, U.S. style influencer Judith Boyd, also known as @stylecrone, is wearing a custom-made coat dress by Tesslo. CNN
While deeply connected to her African roots, Oliseh-Amaize insists she is more than an African designer—she is building a global brand. “I don’t want to be put in a box,” she says. “I design for the world.”
