Unlike every regular Fresher, I resumed school on the 20th of January, two weeks earlier than the actual resumption date. Was it about the usual excitement and eager that comes with entering the University? Certainly not!
My case was different, much more of a nightmare than the regular impatience to be in school.
I anticipated to leave home more than anything else, and school seems like the only avenue, thus leading me to quickly embrace a transitioning into the University. To be honest, home was great, I had a loving parent and I was the only child so there wasn’t much or any haggle with siblings. I lived the luxury any other girl would have wanted and was well catered for.
However, home was more of a social gathering than a personal space. My Dad was into ministry, while mum aside giving support to Dad in ministry, was a well known public speaker. People were always trooping in and out of the house, while some will even stay overnight. What’s more was that, I am a complete introvert, and cherished my personal space, but there were intruders at every nook and crannies, weekends were the worst.
I was desperate for freedom, not freedom to go wild like many other students, rather to be isolated.
Much more than the home social engagements, there was a new found love birthed within me that begged to be unleashed. Which needed time for meditating and cultivating, and that was only possible in an isolated area “in school”.
It all started two months back, when I went to stay at my aunt’s, we had both went for a fashion bootcamp which lasted a week. It turned out greater than expected, every part of the program was exotic. We had different Fashion specialist speak to us and train us on different aspect of fashion. They spoke about how Fashion was an evolving world on it own, it was all about using materials in your possession to create a living masterpiece, metaphorically, dresses that have mouths and just their appearance introduces you to the world. We also got to exercise our creativity, we were divided into teams whereby each team was provided with random materials to make dresses. The most outstanding team was going to be voted by the audience on the last day of the program during the party and award giving night. My team won the third place, just there and then a spark was ignited in me, “I wanted to be a Fashion Designer.”
Since that night there grew an unsettlement in my Spirit, I wanted to be more than my parents child, more than a regular citizen, I wanted a definition to my life.
As I sat on my bed, it dawned on me, in life there includes a series of moving train, in every of this trains there’s one person behind the wheel and this one person directs the path of the others, you can either join the already moving train and be a passenger or be the owner and leader of your own train.
The latter was my choice, all my life I’ve been influenced by others, now was my turn to influence.
Now that I was in school, my life is laid down on my palms like a piece of fabric, it is my call on whatever to sew out of it.
I stood up and walked up to my wardrobe almost as though I was walking prophetically into the newest chapter of my life. I ran my hands through the neatly arranged dresses and finally hit a stop at my pajamas, changed into them and picked up my journal, sat at my table and wrote boldly on the first page; FASHION IN SIZES. From there began my journey of exploration into the world of fashion, next I carefully defined my vision.
VISION;
To redefine beauty standards by creating fashion that celebrates all body types, empowering every individual to feel seen, confident, and stylish in their true sizes.
Of course fashion shouldn’t be limited by body sizes, the vision was to find a balance for everyone and that starts with me. A little detail I forgot to mention was that I was a plus size.
Passion for fashion was absurd for a person like me, however I stood strong in the world of fashion as a prove that fat isn’t a flaw, it’s a fact and it’s fabulous, and also that fashion is all inclusive, fits and flatters all body types.
Next after defining my vision, I set up goals directed towards achieving them. One after the other I listed them out, and this goals I give to every of you to establish your own game and take the lead in the Fashion realm.
- Build your signature style and aesthetic. Develop a unique design identity.
- Set fashion trends, not just follow them.
- Build a strong network of friends also interested in Fashion. One thing I recognized early was that Isolation is key a factor in development, however socialization also plays a key role in advancement. You must find a balance on both levels.
- You must master construction techniques, improve your fabric knowledge, color matching and learn digital tools. Make use of design apps like Adobe illustrator, CLO3D etc
- Last but not least that I leave with you, create and grow your own fashion brand, be consistent and engage in award winning competitions.
Today I stand before you as a fulfilled Fashion ambassador, I have written my story, sewed a beautiful garment our of my life, now I’m passing the baton to you all, each of you are the future of the emerging fashion world, I said as I stretched my hands towards the audience seated before me.
It all wasn’t a easy ride and it won’t be for you either, and that’s why it is very important to guard diligently your passion, fall in love with the process and most importantly latch unto God for help and strength, and these three factors are what will sustain you through your sojourn in the Fashion world.
Written by,
Ogundeji Oluwanifemi
Intern, OHR Publishing Comms. Unit
