MEET THE CEO OF SELARA LIFESTYLE

Arafa Ukonga ( née Moma) is the Creative Director of ‘ Selera Glam’ a women’s wear fashion line based in Abuja. She started business over ten years ago with her make-up line and later a skin care range. 

Arafa is woman with many talents and what you call a ‘Boss Lady’ . The multi-talented entrepreneur is a graduate of Central College Pella , Iowa , and has masters in international relations from San Francisco university California . She returned to Nigeria after her education, serving at the ECOWAS HQ is Abuja. After taking time off to have her twins, the fabulous mother of two then decided to ditch the 9-5 routine and ventured into the fashion business with her sister. The make-up line and studio was No1 in the capital city, this also birthed a beauty pageant (selara Faces) and the skincare range. Arafa’s love for fashion and natural flair for putting things together got her styling a few high profile clients and then she ventured into interiors after demands from  friends who wanted the ‘magical touch’ she put in her own home and that of a few close friends.

Her love for eating healthy and Fitness led to her opening a fitness studio ( she is an internationally certified Zumba instructor) as well as opening a salad and smoothie bar. 

Women can multi-task and Arafa is a testimony that with good business acumen and good structures, one can run multiple successive business. With five businesses already running, Arafa launched her Selara Casuals in 2015 and this led to her launching a ‘The Glam Collection’ which she launched officially with a ‘St Tropez’ themed collection in Abuja in July. The show was a huge success and put her on the map as one to watch on the Nigerian fashion. With established brands like Moet and SpiceTV supporting her maiden show, Arafa looks set to take the fashion world by storm.