Ifeoluwa Akinola, Author at Tribune Online

In an exclusive interview with Ifeoluwa Akinola, 25-year-old fashion designer and entrepreneur Lawrence Ugochukwu Scholastica shares her journey, inspirations, and aspirations in the fashion industry. Known for her innovative designs and meticulous craftsmanship, Lawrence opens up about the challenges she faces, her creative process, and her vision for the future of her fashion company, ‘FOLLOWING TRENDS LTD.’ Read on to discover the story behind the threads that are weaving a new narrative in Nigerian fashion. Tell us briefly about yourself My name is Lawrence Ugochukwu Scholastica, and I am a 25-year-old fashion enthusiast and entrepreneur. I love trying new things and experimenting with fresh ideas. Designing and sewing dresses from scratch are my favorite activities because they allow me to bring my imagination to life. I am cheerful, friendly, and hardworking, with a strong and positive work ethic. I am always striving to improve my skills. Beyond designing and sewing, I enjoy traveling, reading, watching movies, and listening to music in my spare time. These activities are a source of inspiration for me. My goal is to become one of the best fashion designers from Nigeria and make a positive impact in the fashion industry. Why did you choose to be a fashion designer, and how long have you been in the business? I chose to be a designer because I have always been passionate about fashion and creativity. From a young age, I loved experimenting with different fabrics and styles, sewing unique pieces for my friends and family. This allowed me to bring my ideas to life, and I am grateful for their trust in me to this day. I have been in the business for over two years now, and during that time, I have learned a lot and grown as a designer. It has been both exciting and challenging, but I appreciate every single moment. Tell us about your fashion company and what's unique about it. My fashion company, "FOLLOWING TRENDS LTD," is all about creating beautiful, stylish, and high-quality clothes. What makes it unique is my focus on innovation and creativity. I design and sew everything from scratch, ensuring that each piece is special and meaningful. I take the time to understand each customer’s personal style and create custom designs just for them. How would you describe fashion and style? Personally, I feel that fashion is about the latest trends in clothing and accessories and how people present themselves daily. I believe fashion varies depending on the season and cultural influences. On the other hand, style is personal. Everyone has their unique style, which they use to represent themselves based on how they feel at a particular time. What inspires your creative designs? I derive inspiration for my designs from various sources. I often draw inspiration from both past and present trends, fusing them to create something unique and special. Exploring fashion magazines and watching fashion shows are also significant sources of inspiration for my designs. How do you handle difficult clients? When dealing with difficult clients, I ensure that I remain calm and professional. I put myself in their shoes and try to understand their perspective. This helps me find a solution to their problem without compromising my values, while also ensuring their satisfaction. Tell us about your most memorable and unpleasant experiences as a fashion designer? One of my most memorable experiences was the day I showcased my collection at a fashion event. Styling my models and seeing the joy and appreciation from the audience was truly amazing. The thrill of seeing them rock my designs on the runway and receiving positive feedback was unforgettable. An unpleasant experience was dealing with a client who was difficult to please. They didn’t appreciate my effort and rendered my hard work useless. It was challenging, but we eventually came to a mutual agreement, which taught me valuable lessons in patience and problem-solving. Who are your mentors or role models in the fashion industry, both locally and internationally? Locally, I greatly admire and look up to Veekee James. She is currently one of the best fashion designers in Nigeria, and her work is very innovative and inspiring. I aspire to be as good as her and hope to work with her one day. Internationally, I am inspired by designers like Vivienne Westwood and Simone Rocha. Their unique style and creativity have significantly influenced my approach to fashion and design. What challenges do you face as a fashion entrepreneur in Nigeria? As a fashion designer in Nigeria, one of my main challenges is accessing quality materials and fabrics. It is difficult to find quality materials, and when I do find them, they are usually very expensive due to transportation costs and exchange rates during importation. Another challenge is the constantly fluctuating exchange rate and inflation, which affects the cost of production. This makes it difficult for everyone to afford my designs, reducing patronage. How would you describe the journey so far, and what are your future plans for the fashion company? The journey so far has been both challenging and rewarding. Over the past two years, I have learned a lot and grown significantly as a designer and entrepreneur. There have been many challenges, but I always face them head-on. This has helped me improve my skills as a designer and learn valuable lessons in fashion design and business. My future plans for my company include expanding the services I offer and reaching a wider audience, with the goal of making my brand international. I also plan to collaborate more with other designers to create unique collections and gain more visibility both online and offline.