Arné Designed It

My name is Arné Oyewo, and I am a self-taught visual artist and fashion designer. I established ARNÉ in 2017 with practically nothing, about $20+ to be exact. ARNÉ is for those who aren’t afraid to shine, knowing that within them, lives a star that was created for a purpose higher than their current circumstance.

At just 8 years old I discovered my love for fashion through watching shows like Project Runway and America's Next Top Model. It cultivated me. 16 years later I went on to teach herself how to use a sewing machine with just the manual. Specializing in glam and streetwear, I design for those who are fun, daring, and not afraid of embracing what's new.

I fell in LOVE with the art of making something out of nothing. Paying homage to my journey, at least fifty percent of my products are made from recycled materials. For me, it signifies to simply just “get started” by only using what you have.

In 2018, within just 3 months of sewing, my first fashion show was fully designed from items that I’d purchased from local spots like Goodwill. Fabrics from pants were transformed into dresses and skirts into tops. There wasn’t a material that my fiskars couldnt cut through.

My absolute favorite design project to date, is a sunshine yellow swimsuit that I created for a client. I remember feeling like i had styled a celebrity for a very important photoshoot. The joy that comes along being able to create something that makes a person so happy is truly indescribable for me. It was then that I absolutely knew that I would be doing this for life. The client was in love, she did not want to take it off! I even named it after her once I internalized her reaction. Even thinking about it makes me emotional still. I now offer it on my website.

My very first pair of scissors were an orange pair of fiskars (that I still have til this day). They’re of sentimal value to me and I never ever plan to get rid of them because they remind me of when I first started. I remember writing my favorite scripture on them when I first opened the package. No matter what i was going through, or how complex the design was, I always kept cutting.

Since then, I've upgraded to a pair of 10 inch Gingher scissors by Fiskar. They’re my absolute favorite! They're heavy-duty and reliable. Each person to ever visit my work space is always amazed at how big and pretty they are. I highly recommened them to anyone but especially my students. They’ve recently been featured in my latest project, Sew Savage University, where I teach students a beginner friendly way to create Hot Girl Summer essentials such as a swimsuit, biker shorts, and a fitted sundress.

Sew Savage University by Arné is my second favorite project to date. It is an event specifically held on a season to season basis (spring/summer, fall/winter). Each season, students learn something creative and new. Once enrollment is full, its gone until the next season! Students are provided with a Sew Savage mystery box curated by me. The class can be taken virtually for non-locals and in person for local beauties. This project is like my child. I cannot wait to see it progress even more!

As a designer, I pride myself on “never seen before” content. Often I get the, “girl, you made that?” remark and it's always so rewarding. I’ve watched my business baby grow. The genuine reaction of others has fueled me to keep going. I plan to become a trailblazer in the fashion industry by one day establishing myself as an icon. My overall goal is to create true happiness and generational wealth for others. I plan to give back and teach as much as I can. I’m excited to see where my career takes me.