Founder | Creative Director of Onyx by Valentina – Fashion & Interior Design Brand
Valentina Utoh’s story begins with a spark—one that flickered quietly in her heart long before she ever knew it would ignite into a global brand. Born and raised in Nigeria, Valentina grew up in a home steeped in beauty and creativity. Her father, an avid art collector, filled their home with bold statements and visual poetry, while her mother, with impeccable taste and grace, expressed artistry through fashion and interior elegance. That world, rich with colour, detail, and emotion, imprinted itself on young Valentina’s soul. She didn’t just observe—she absorbed. In 2004, fresh out of college and newly married, Valentina found herself at a life crossroads. With a degree in Applied Chemistry from the University of Uyo, Nigeria, her academic path was secure—but her spirit craved something more expressive. She had a deep yearning to create, to build spaces that spoke, and to craft garments that told stories. That quiet desire soon grew louder, impossible to ignore. By 2005, while raising her young family, Valentina began helping friends and relatives design their homes. Word of her innate gift spread organically. One home led to another, one room at a time. She wasn’t running a business yet—she was building trust, one beautiful transformation after another. Her work spoke for her, and so did the referrals that flowed steadily in. But life, as it often does, brought new chapters. Three children came along, and in the beautiful chaos of motherhood, a new idea took shape. In 2014, Valentina began designing clothes—not for a market, but for herself and close relatives. It was practical, yes, but also deeply personal. Her love for fashion had always lived inside her. Now it had room to breathe. And with that, Onyx by Valentina was born—not as a grand launch, but as a whisper of a dream in her guest bedroom. With no visibility, no studio, and no formal runway, Valentina did what visionary entrepreneurs do best—she created anyway. She turned her guest room into a mini boutique, filled her car trunk with ready-to-wear pieces, and drove from home to home, sharing her craft. Her designs weren’t just beautiful—they were art in motion, wearable expressions of identity. Women were drawn to her work, not only because of its elegance but because it reflected something bold and true.
She sold out of her car trunk until her clients trusted her enough to visit her home showroom. There, in that intimate space, they experienced what would one day become a global brand. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t easy. But it was honest. And it was hers. As the years unfolded, Valentina didn’t just focus on creativity—she honed her business instincts. She became deeply prudent, tracking every sale, investing in savings, and building the foundation for something bigger. By 2016, her focus sharpened further. She wasn’t just dreaming anymore—she was executing with intention.
Challenges came, as they always do in entrepreneurship. There were seasons of low visibility, of doubt, of near-exhaustion. But Valentina held fast to her purpose. She knew that her work mattered. And because she loved it, the journey never felt like a burden—it felt like becoming.
Supported by a growing community of women who admired not just her talent but her tenacity, Valentina’s brand began to rise. Her wearable art drew attention. Her unique eye for design—rooted in her childhood home and polished through grit—resonated deeply. In March 2019, she launched her atelier and interior décor showroom in Lagos, Nigeria—a space that was more than a storefront; it was a dream finally given a physical form. Women from all walks of life, all over the world, began to wear her designs. Onyx by Valentina had become a statement of style, strength, and sophistication.
By September 2023, her story took another bold leap across continents. Now living in Saskatoon, Canada, Valentina extended her brand’s presence to North America. Even in new terrain, her work continued to speak—a global language of class, culture, and courage. But Valentina’s journey is not just about fashion or interiors. It’s about building something from nothing. It’s about starting in a guest room and believing in your vision when no one else sees it yet. It’s about knowing that there is no beginning too small—and that every small step, if taken with intention, leads somewhere great.
She now passionately mentors young female entrepreneurs, offering not only encouragement but practical, hard-earned insights. She teaches them how to navigate challenges, save early, and believe deeply in their path. Her story is both a guide and a beacon. To the young generation looking for inspiration, Valentina Utoh is living proof that purpose doesn’t need permission. It needs patience, persistence, and an unwavering belief that your art—whatever it may be—is worth sharing with the world.
From Nigeria to Canada, from chemistry to couture, from trunk sales to global clients, Valentina has woven her own masterpiece—one that reminds us all that dreams stitched with courage can never unravel.
