Adebayo Jones is a household name in Couture and Style and Konnections is pleased to welcome him on board as the editor of our Fashion column. Please send an email to him at newsletter @amlappublishing.com if you have any questions on fashion or style that you would like to ask.

Adebayo's love for fashions stems from an early age back in the days when he spent hours painstakingly, cutting dress patterns out of old newspapers, for his siblings to wear, for their make believe fashion show. By the time he got to the University of Ife in Nigeria , now Obafemi Awolowo University , Adebayo had progressed from paper to cloth and was already designing clothes for family and friends as well as staging fashion shows for which he quickly made a name for himself. He studied History and Sociology at University but following his graduation

he changed direction choosing to further a career in Fashion. He studied at the London Central School of Fashion and trained under several well know designers such as Katherine Hamnett and Isabel Kristensen. For years Adebayo made his first samples in person, leaving the machinists to do the repeats. This enabled him to advance rapidly and ensured that he could do every aspect of the design process himself if necessary. ‘My designs,' says Adebayo earnestly ‘are influenced by my good eye for detail, keen interest in art, nature and the impression that I have been left with from the various beautiful cities and places that I have been to. I will never forget Florence because the galleries were so inspiring and I met so many beautiful people. The paintings at the ‘ Uffizzi' were full of colour and the height of grandeur and this has influenced the opulent colour and grandeur in some of my evening gowns. My women's collections are usually designed for day, special occasion, evening and bridal wear. I concentrate on fine, clean, classic lines and use only the most luxurious fabrics such as silk, brocade, velvet, chiffon, organza, crochet and damask. Some of the highlights of my career have included working with well known celebrities such as Patti Boulaye, Faith Brown, YSL Supermodel Katoucha Curtis, Emma Linley from Family Affairs, TV presenter Brenda Emmanus, BBC newscaster Gillian Joseph, and Troy Titus from East Enders. I have also dressed some of the finalists in various Beauty pageants and single handed, dressed all the contestants of the Miss England 2000”, he went on with pride.

More recently Adebayo in conjunction with Ben TV, launched an avant-garde show ‘Style with Adebayo', which is now in its second series on sky digital 148 every Sunday at 5.30 and 10.30 pm.

His exciting, new ready-to-wear range for men and women has just been launched in Nigeria at the This Day, style and fashion weekend in March, the Style Report Magazine at the Cannes film festival in May, the 2nd Ebene Top Model search in Dakar and the KPLICE charity gala ball organised by former YSL supermodel Katoucha Naine in June 2006. “This collection, said Adebayo, is inspired by my commitment to celebrate life in spite of the gloom and uncertainties that we face in the world we live in today.” The full collection will be out this September.

Despite his busy work schedule Adebayo is a philanthropist and is involved in numerous charities including but not limited to the Thomas Foundation, Imperial Cancer Research, Rainbow Trust, British Red Cross, UNICEF, Africa Aids Action and the Maxillofacial laser Research Fund. He also lectures about fashion and works in conjunction with various colleges and universities in the UK and the USA , providing work placements for students.

For more information about Adebayo Jones Couture please email adebayojonjesinc@yahoo.co.uk or call for an appointment on 07863193869.