THE Afro-centric Rhoda Doxa brand, owned by locally-based Nigerian national Deborah Kehinde and known for its striking African print fabric and clothing lines, has taken a major step of expansion to include a line of make-up and ladies handbags, among other products.

The make-up line includes a nine-shade eyeshadow palette (Rhoda Doxa Ankara Palette), lip gloss and eye lashes, while the bags range from you chic work bags to cute little evening purses. The lip gloss comes in six different shades of nude.

“Our main focus is on the designer-inspired bags. We decided that fashion doesn’t have to be expensive, therefore we decided to provide bags inspired by top fashion houses around the world. They are not ‘dupes’, but inspired bags, just in similar silhouette. We also have keychains shaped like bags, and they are the most perfect accessories for any bag lover,” Kehinde noted.

The 26-year-old businesswoman told The Buzz that the move was a huge investment for her and a lot of hard work, but she felt it was all worth it as she moves on expanding her business.

“I had to use all my money, but I don’t regret it. I want to provide quality beauty items for Caribbean women at affordable prices,” the young entrepreneur said, adding: “It’s a lot of work; it was challenging finding the right manufacturer to partner with. The eyeshadow had to make sure the right formula, colour and everything.”

She says it was last year that she had the idea to start producing her own brand of bags and make-up, because, like many young women in Guyana, she got frustrated with not being able to find the right quality at the right price when it comes to such products.

“I developed a lot of interest in beauty, but then I realised that there wasn’t affordable quality stuff here, and by the time I order Online and it gets here, its more expensive. It’s difficult for me to put my hands on quality ones here, so I found solutions to that,” She explained.

The handbags are retailing between $9500 – $11000, while the palette goes for $4000, and the lip glosses for $1600. The eyelashes are retailing at $2200.

The makeup products will be exclusively available at Amanda’s Bridal, while Kehinde has also partnered with The Little Black Dress store in Linden to retail the products.

The products come just as Kehinde has launched her fourth fashion collection, “Morenikeji”.
Kehinde, who has been in Guyana since 2013 studying medicine, has been designing since around the age of seven.

She officially came out and began designing commercially in 2014, with the launch of her first collection. She has since launched three others, all dedicated to incorporating African print into everyday wear.

Aside from designing and retailing African print fabric, Kehinde also runs a fashion blog (www.rhodadoxa.blogspot.com).