MEA Q1 2021

14 MEA MARKETS / Q1 2021 , Feb21132 Interior design studio, Oeuvre Designs, is the brainchild of Nigerian-born Zainab Akingbehin. Despite still being a relatively young firm, Zainab has seen increasing success over the last five years and tells us more about what she believes is the key element. Innovation At Its Core Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Oeuvre Designs is an interior design company, endowed with talented hands, and dedicated to its clients. Driven by enthusiast, a sense of urgency and excellence, Oeuvre Designs is passionate about what it does and the services it provides, taking innovation as a core value. “Our clients are the reason why we exist,” explains Zainab Akingbehin, Chief Executive Officer of Oeuvre Designs. “They are important people who have to be satisfied as they have expectations.” Zainab created the company just over five years ago in 2015 when her vast experience for improving spaces and, in her own words, her “love for pretty things” brought her into the design world. Today, the firm offers bespoke, intricate and alluring designs that speak luxury and satisfaction, and are centred around the core values of: Excellence, Creativity, Great Customer Experience, Teamwork and Integrity. “Our philosophy behind client service is hinged on two core terms – vision and values,” Zainab highlights. “As stated in our core values, great customer experience cannot be achieved without honesty, loyalty and empathy.” Oeuvre Designs maintains its high standards with the understanding that the future of any company is behind its customers. Zainab is also conscious of the fact that reputation is everything hence she always strives to remain loyal, reachable, and to retain customers. “At Oeuvre Designs, creativity is our standard but, originality is our most fundamental building block- not all creativity is originality. Therefore, we daresay, that our unique selling point is bespoke originality.” The internal culture at Oeuvre Designs is one of attentiveness, energy sustenance, originality and creativity. The firm and its dedicated workforce is able to sustain these by fuelling its passion with zeal and running with a shared vision. When recruiting staff, Zainab looks out for creativity, attentiveness and, above all else, a willingness to learn. It is these key strengths that she believes will help newcomers to adapt easily and fit in with her existing staff base. Recently, Zainab and the team have seen a rise in the demand for interior design in Nigeria. She puts this increase in business down to the Covid-19 pandemic which swept the globe as people were compelled to remain in their homes for long period of time. “It couldn’t be denied that the importance of functionality and aesthetic in a space was highlighted to them,” she explains. “This has shown how greatly interior design is appreciated.” However, there were challenges which Oeuvre Design faced due to the coronavirus outbreak, which included the steep increase in the exchange rate which had an adverse effect on the prices of goods and services. Zainab is an optimist and realises that time is a great revealer. She looks to the future with excitement and relish. “Change is inevitable,” she states. “Times have changed and will still change because change is constant. However, we have learnt to embrace changes and be at the top of our game by having shared visions and defined expectations. Not all changes can be embraced, hence, we imbibe changes consistent with our values.” Company: Oeuvre Designs Contact: Zainab Akingbehin Website: oeuvredesigns.co