FAMU grad launches online boutique

Amoni Akintonde models one of her creations.
Photo courtesy Amoni Akintonde

What started off as just a vision quickly became a godly fit for women across the nation.

Amoni Akintonde, 28, is the founder of Oluremi & Style. The FAMU alumna, a Chicago native who now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., began producing quality and diverse clothing pieces through her online boutique last year.

Akintonde has two degrees from FAMU — a bachelor’s and master’s in business administration. Those two academic accomplishments helped her effectively build her own business.

“I’ve always been fascinated with entrepreneurship. To run and operate something you created and then watching it flourish simply amazes me,” Akintonde said.

Though one would assume that starting your own business would be an extremely uncomfortable experience, Akintonde found inspiration through her middle name, which means “God comforts me.”

“Growing up my parents always instilled in us the distinct value and meaning that lies within our names, and Amoni’s will to identify a goal and accomplish it is depicted in Oluremi & Style,” David Akintonde, her brother, said.

What motivates Akintonde to put her all in Oluremi & Style is her love and passion for fashion. Her personal style and fashion str a direct reflection of her business. She is always reading fashion magazines and even attends fashion shows to be current with the latest trend. 

“When things get tough, I always remember the woman I want to be, which is successful and to inspire,” Akintonde said.

Akintonde created Oluremi & Style to give women of every hue an outlet to feel and look good in the unique, timeless and effortless pieces that they wear. These pieces are hand chosen and are an easy wear over a wide range of occasions. Also, she wants to inspire women to bet on themselves and to understand that there is no such thing as impossible.

“I equate all Oluremi & Style pieces to a cape: Once you put it on it boosts your confidence to a level you never seen before,” said Raina Williams, a criminal justice major at FAMU.

Amoni Akintonde has expanded her brand by adding jewelry to the collection. In the next year, she wants to do more pop-up shops and ultimately work on her craft and focus on designing. Her goal is for Oluremi & Style to be a staple brand worn by women from all sides of a broad spectrum.