April 21 (THEWILL) – Ifiokobong Akan, who runs the favored vogue model Home of Borah, talks to IVORY UKONU about fulfilling his future by means of his craft and his calling to make a distinction in folks's lives by means of of his lectures and his acts of charity. Excerpts:
You latterly celebrated 10 years within the vogue trade. How has it been?
It's been superb; Many classes have been realized. It has not been simple to stay as a mom, spouse and businesswoman. In fact, there have been disappointments, tears and struggles. doing enterprise in Nigeria will not be simple. There are various inside and exterior forces combating to deliver down your online business. Typically it may be authorities insurance policies, lack of fundamental infrastructure, and so on. Every thing I do, I do it with concern and I do my greatest. The reality is that it has not been simple, nevertheless it has been value it. Nonetheless, we’re referred to as right here to meet future and that’s the reason I see that being a dressmaker is a future that I need to fulfill and if you find yourself fulfilling future, you don’t hand over. So, in commemoration of my 10 years as a dressmaker, I made a decision to chronicle my journey within the vogue trade with the guide 'Within the material of Style'.
The guide is mainly about me telling my story and stating that I’m right here to remain for the lengthy haul. I notice that Africans usually are not consultants in telling their distinctive tales. So the guide is simply me laying out the snippets of what I needed to undergo to construct a vogue model, the difficulties and techniques I used to succeed as a result of you’ll be able to't construct any model with out implementing some modalities. Additionally being a spouse, mom and businesswoman and likewise having to construct the model within the metropolis of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in a metropolis the place vogue was not likely taken into consideration, so to talk, a spot the place I got here and adjusted. the dynamics of what till now they felt was vogue and the way they used to see vogue designers. This guide is essential as a result of I converse on numerous boards and folks ask me quite a lot of questions, particularly about my story. They need to understand how I’ve been in a position to navigate by means of the totally different sides of my life. So I assumed, why not simply put all of the solutions to those questions in a single guide so I can simply suggest folks learn the guide for each query they ask me?
Why is the guide essential for vogue designers?
It’s a vogue mannequin that will probably be helpful for freshmen, aspiring vogue designers and veterans. Many chapters of the guide are devoted to vogue entrepreneurs. I discussed a few of the distinctive locations the place I supply my materials, relatable tales within the vogue industries. I additionally talked about model preferences, how folks ought to simply make designs that stand out, as there’ll at all times be somebody who will like them. Many occasions, vogue designers suppose that persons are solely involved in a specific design, with out realizing that vogue is so versatile. Style designers ought to simply embrace their creativity and never restrict themselves. Style is likely one of the fundamental wants of life. So whether or not you prefer it or not, folks will at all times put on garments. Why restrict your self?
What’s the remaining conclusion of the guide?
I talked about how we people are the sunshine of the world. God has referred to as us to be the sunshine of the world. We’re like a metropolis constructed on the highest of a hill that can not be hidden and that’s the reason we should let our mild shine in line with Matthew Chapter 5. I feel folks don't actually shine their mild as a result of they’re shy, they concern the unknown and so they concern that individuals do it. Not accepting them as they’re and what they’re doing. We can’t be a metropolis set on a hill and be hidden or missing creativity. So it signifies that we have to research to indicate ourselves accepted. We now have worth to contribute to the world and that’s the reason now we have to proceed inspiring different folks. That's why we’re right here on earth. So this guide is me telling those who it's time to shine, to interrupt that mentality of pondering little. It's time for them to inform their story as a result of the world wants to listen to it. That is how they will form their narratives. There are various individuals who have totally different perceptions about African entrepreneurs and what we do. So I feel we have to speak extra and shine brighter. Let Africa as a complete know that one thing is going on right here. Allow us to be greater than God has created us to be. It's kind of like spreading the gospel.
How did your love for vogue start?
Style has at all times been my predominant curiosity. It's my love for vogue that made me pursue it within the first place. I really like vogue. I feel it's what each human being ought to do. It’s huge like oil and fuel. Folks will at all times put on garments.
What would you contemplate to be your biggest achievement since changing into a dressmaker?
I'm truly a piece in progress, however one among my greatest accomplishments will probably be releasing this guide as a result of it's big, particularly since so many individuals have instructed me that I encourage them by means of what I do.
The place do you see your self in 10 years?
I’m already world. I see myself telling extra of my African tales. By this guide, I’m already spreading mild and I imagine that within the subsequent 10 years I’ll see extra folks come out being themselves, dwelling their essence and telling their tales and being who God referred to as them to be. Though it is probably not within the vogue world.
What else do you do in addition to vogue?
I’m additionally devoted to the actual property sector. I’m additionally, as I discussed earlier than, a mentor and coach to many individuals. I additionally get pleasure from writing. I'm a speechwriter. I write quite a lot of speeches for my husband and his political mates.
How would you evaluate the style of 10 years in the past with what is offered as we speak?
It's completely superb now. The brand new era of vogue designers, Era Z or GenZ, are doing very effectively and are actually altering quite a bit and bringing quite a lot of dynamics to the sport. These new designers are simply making designs that appeared a bit troublesome in these days. They’re actually making it recognized that individuals can get the very best masterpieces in days and hours. I really like your creativity. I additionally love their collaborative spirit.
The elders didn’t collaborate a lot, they didn’t know the best way to mentor or practice, preferring to shine alone. I don't suppose vogue must be restricted as a result of I’ve seen some members of Era Z not doing it effectively as a result of they’re getting bored with attempting to do a specific model and likewise doing various things on the similar time. I feel they need to tone issues down. There are various issues that may come from the style trade.
Sadly, we don't have a assist system. The Financial institution of Trade, BOI, must be there to assist us. Sorry, I don't know what they're actually doing. They highlighted a few of my mentees who skilled difficulties when attempting to use for loans. The federal government wants to manage the trade as a result of there’s a lot that may be taken benefit of. The expansion of the trade has not been dangerous however it may be higher.
Are you a member of any vogue affiliation?
I used to be as soon as a member of the Style Designers Affiliation of Nigeria, FADAN, however I resigned as a result of, in my view, it was not effectively regulated. There may be now one in Akwa Ibom referred to as the Akwa Ibom State Skilled Tailors and Style Designers Guild. That works for me as we proceed to sponsor future vogue entrepreneurs.
What’s the identify of your humanitarian and mentoring platform?
'I Exude' humanitarian basis the place I do quite a lot of empowerment to individuals who deserve it. I even have many social media platforms the place I can speak to folks and impart information. It's what I do for enjoyable.