At just sixteen years old, London-born designer Elendaeval Jones is already staking her claim in the global fashion arena. With a Nigerian father and a Bulgarian–South Sudanese mother, her work is shaped by a richly layered cultural heritage—one that comes sharply into focus with the launch of her new label, HOUSE OF EVAL.
On 30 November 2025, inside the grand ceremonial hall of the Military Club in Sofia, Bulgaria, Elendaeval unveiled her debut collection, “Golden Hands.” The show drew an audience of diplomats, creatives, influencers, and fashion insiders, marking a significant first step for the young designer. The event was produced by her mother’s company, Albena International LTD, setting a polished and confident tone for the brand’s introduction to the fashion world.
A Collection Grounded in Heritage, Craft, and Black Dandyism
The title Golden Hands is drawn from a proverb passed down by Elendaeval’s grandmother. Each look in the collection featured a striking and symbolic signature: real castings of the designer’s own hand, positioned at the neck, waist, or shoulder. These sculptural elements served as a tribute to artisans everywhere—those whose hands shape beauty, culture, and legacy.
Beyond craftsmanship, the collection is deeply informed by Black Dandyism for women—a fashion movement in which Black women use refined tailoring, bold accessories, and deliberate style to assert identity, challenge stereotypes, and command space. In Golden Hands, this influence is evident in the strong silhouettes, confident headwear, and the assured presence of every look. Elendaeval positions herself within a lineage of women who dress not only to be seen, but to be heard.
Her work reinforces the idea that fashion is more than clothing; it is a language. For Nigerian women—who continue to shape culture, business, politics, and the arts both on the continent and across the diaspora—Black Dandyism offers a vocabulary of elegance, authority, and self-possession. With Golden Hands, HOUSE OF EVAL carries this legacy forward, inviting a new generation of African women to dress boldly, think freely, and move through the world with quiet royal confidence.
The collection moved seamlessly from casual wear to sporty elegance and high evening fashion, demonstrating the designer’s natural versatility and instinctive understanding of form and function.
A Name Rooted in Royal Meaning
The brand name itself carries deep cultural significance. “Eval” translates to “Royal,” positioning HOUSE OF EVAL as a symbolic “house of royalty”—a space where heritage and modernity converge to shape a future-facing vision of fashion.
Elendaeval’s use of tartan further reflects this cultural dialogue. Inspired by Queen Victoria’s influence on the iconic pattern, the fabric nods to British history while being reinterpreted through the designer’s youthful perspective. The result is a distinctive blend of British tradition, Nigerian-African heritage, and Bulgarian-European identity.
A Night of Applause and Promise
The debut show welcomed sixty distinguished guests, including diplomats, public figures, fashion influencers, and members of the media. Each look was met with warm applause, as the audience responded to the collection’s balance of ease, structure, and elegance. Golden Hands emerged not just as a fashion statement, but as a celebration of youth, creativity, and the courage to transform vision into reality.
An Invitation to Nigeria—Her Fatherland
In honour of her Nigerian roots, Elendaeval Jones is extending a special first invitation to leading women in Nigeria, exclusively through A-CHOICES African Lifestyle Magazine. Clients are invited to order custom-made pieces from the Golden Hands collection, tailored precisely to individual measurements.
Orders can be placed via the official website, www.houseofeval.com. Each bespoke piece will be crafted and delivered within one month, shipped securely via DHL to any location in Nigeria.
This gesture stands as a heartfelt tribute to the designer’s late father. Through the support of Nigerian women, Elendaeval hopes her work will gain recognition not only across Europe, but also open the door to creating and showcasing her designs on African soil—bringing HOUSE OF EVAL home.
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Author: Gbenga Teejay Okunlola
London, UK
teejayok@gmail.com
