She's A What!? He's A Who? #3

She's a What!? He's a Who!?


Name(s): Edwina and Jennifer, Ofori.

Origin: Ghanese Descent. Born and raised in New York.

*Triumphant Discovery's: You can't run a business alone. "I am glad to have my sister as my partner, we work well together."

Top 5 Creativity Essentials: 1.) God! 2.) Confidence / An Ego 3.) Support of family & friends 4.) Optimism 5.) Acceptance of Failure (it's part of Growth) 6.) Drive - it won't allow you to ever give up even if you want to. (sorry they HAD to add 6).

Influence: Josette


Within our existence, the results of your daily shop drops revolving upon a gracious rack, favored finding or a personalized sample size is simply well, not a normality. While spotting a promise on a rack is quite limited, in Fashion House "Zhozet Incorporated", your sure to encounter "endless possibilities".

Sisters Jennifer and Edwina Ofori are setting standards and breaking stereotypes for African-American females in a big, thriving city. From the delicacy of their craft, to their enchanting vision, artistic collections and embrace of purity, Zhozet has truly incorporated a vision that allows clientele to embrace their own distinct elegance. "We've merged our dreams to build a brand where our love for fashion and elegance has intertwined." Says co-owner Edwina.

Exhilarated and equipped, I journed for a quiet conversation with the two sisters. Truly, Zhozet gave an innovative approach to 'Moda' at 13 Stanton st. Quietly pleated into a strip of auspicious small businesses, their establishment stood strong, firm and polished amongst their gritty, art-scaped neighbors on little ole' Stanton st. Collectively, their fresh store front added a cheek yet definitive shine to the entirety of this classic Manhattan neighborhood. My observations rode fine and elegant amongst their ethnically inspired abode on this Lower East Side block of New York City.

Triumph: Afternoon Lady's, How's everything?

Pearly white smiles accented by angular faces and chiseled features granted me a double greeting. Rosy smiles and "how do you do's", a lively fashion ridden below the tunes of "Neyo", as well as the unraveling of my notepad.

Triumph: Alright, so I've known you guys for about one year now- and I've seen all sorts of colors, styles, cuts and textures so overall, what would you say is Zhozet boutique's specialty?
Jenn: Well- altogether Zhozet provides a haven of unique designs for fashion conscience woman. We represent designers that understand fashion trends and understand our clients need for that distinct look.
Edwina: Pretty much each designer offers us a piece that gives us a story to present to our clients.

Triumph: Mnnnnn, nice- and how has the industry reacted to your boutiques specialty's?
Edwina: Very well from a clients aspect because our pieces are one of it's kind. Everyone seems to love the exclusivity, the fits, customization- the list goes on. We offer a lot without breaking your pockets.

Above: Sisters & owners, (l-r) Edwina and Jennifer Ofori.

Triumph: What have been a few of you all's challenges as a boutique?- and how have you two overcome them?
Jenn: Well one of the challenges we've experienced is getting people to recognize the concept and brand. During the hard economic times, people are scared to explore a new fashion outlet and it seems to me that the term "exclusive" has deterred people from wanting to explore what we're about being that the term "exclusive" generally goes with the word "expensive".
Edwina: Another thing we've done to overcome our challenges is focusing on marketing. We host monthly shopping events such as Shecky's, "Girls Night Out" while focusing on online advertising and things like trunk shows to give our clients the opportunity to know what our "exclusivity" is all about.


Triumph: Wooh girls night out, huh? Sounds super exclusive. *Wink*
Edwina: *Laughs* Yea, but we haven't overcome any challenges altogether. No one ever does. Business has improved but we are consistently looking to take Zhozet to the next level. We're looking more into branding the experience were providing.

Triumph: That sounds like a solution- and I say this because I've noticed that people don't just want to shop anymore. Especially in a crowded store, so I'm sure this new shop by appointment gimmick is setting you all sorts of waves apart from that cliche'.
Edwina: Oh yes, were innovating a lot. We're even gearing up for wines to be served for our shop by appointment clients. I'm pretty excited to see how they'll respond to that.

Triumph: Hmm, well I know where I need to bring my momma!
Ofori's: *Laughs*

Triumph: In three words, how would you describe your boutique?
Jenn: Exciting..... Chic- Unconventional.

Triumph: Well, that's quite a range.
Edwina: *Smirk* Hence our slogan, "endless possibility's".

Triumph: Yes, that's true. So what exactly sparked this Zhozet vision?
Edwina: Well I got most of my inspirations going to a fashion school. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Marketing and an Associate of Arts in Merchandising and Buying. After college, I worked for a few people but I was always determined to work for myself. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm into fashion- I always sketch and outline things so the creativity and coordinating came natural.
Jenn: There's also a huge sentimental value behind our name, Tony. The boutiques name derives from our younger sister Josette but we choose to pronounce the boutique based upon it's French pronunciation of "Zhozet". It's our way of dedication to Josette being that she's mentally disabled so it serves as a way to bring us altogether for a family oriented business.

Triumph: Wow, you girls are blowing me away. There's sooo much inspiration behind this camp. Where are you guys from?
Edwina: We're both born and raised in New York but our parents are from Ghana.

Triumph: And what type of morals did they raise you under?- Has it impacted the way that you run your business?
Jenn: My parents always pushed hard for us to achieve as children- and now as an adult, my biggest two terms are patience and determination.
*Edwina nods her head to agree*
Jenn(continued): And patience is a bitch to maintain, but we have to keep hustling for success.

Triumph: Wooh-hooh. Bravo! *Applause*
*Exchange of laughter*

Triumph: What about your childhood as a whole, did it help you to define the passion that you have for your work?
Edwina: Oh for sure. We watched our parents host lots of party's growing up. They were social butterfly's. I'd sit and watch my mom get ready to go out with her friends, most of them were from the Studio 54 era. My mother had such fabulous friends- one was so fab that she had every detail of fashion down packed from the furs, shades, expensive wigs, crazy colors, everything- you name it. Yet in the long run I actually think this particular friend of my moms was a man dressed as a woman, but she in particular inspired me so much with her boldness. When she and my mom were getting ready I'd always run and grab my sketch book and sketch out everything they were wearing.
Jenn: Yea, I would always go through my mothers jewelry, shoes, makeup and especially her clothes. And then my father, he's magnificent African artist.

Triumph: Are you serious? What's his name?-- My grandfather collects loads of African work. It spooked me out so bad when I was a little kid but as an adult I think it's such a great craft. What is your fathers name?
Jenn: Edwin Atta' Ofori. He actually graduated from FIT.

Triumph: Ah, I see. And as far as your educational experiences go, did any of it influence you to start the business?
Edwina: Well I'm an FIT graduate just like my father so I had no choice but to be inspired through college.
Jenn: My educational experiences helped me with understanding the process of building a successful business. I generally just utilize everything that I've learned.

*I raised from my seat to browse their pieces while Jenn circled the store to assist a few guest. A glide into their mixed and matched racks offered me a variety of appeals that fused an infatuating bond between myself and most of their collections. I'd like to call them, great endorsers of "Trend Bending".*

Triumph: Edwina, which of these designers have been the most successful in Zhozet?
Edwina: I'd have to say Kephera designs.

Triumph: Oh yea?
Edwina: Yes, she has a very creative mind with the patterns and colors. And she likes to work with denim to create timeless pieces for a lot of occasions. Plus when she gets custom orders they're never a problem for her to handle.

Triumph: So I'm assuming most designers appeal to your average working class female?
Edwina: Oh definitely not, we just had a whole swarm of girls come in looking for prom dresses not too long ago. We've actually sold about three of the one right next to you, this week.
*Edwina pointed to a mini dress with a complicated design, funky patterns and an Afro-centric scheme. As opposed to classic earth tones, this design showcased a distinctive use of neon colors while maintaining an afro-centric appeal.*


Triumph: Well, you guys seem to have a pretty consistent customer base. What type of new clients are you looking to bring in?
Edwina: Editors, bloggers, celebrity stylist....
*Jen tunes in*
Jenn: Socialites, celebrity's, the whole nine!

Triumph: Haha, you tell em' Jen. Alright, alright! I hear it,'cause you know what they say, your possibility's are endless.



*Triumphant Discovery's: Obligations or endearments that were discovered in the process of creating their business. Things that they would have never known without undergoing the process of this creation.

~Interview conducted specifically for: www.zhozet.com~

Thanks for tuning in!
Peace and Discovery,

Tony Triumph