Introducing ROUCH and the lady behind it

Ronke Ladipo, the model turned image consultant turned fashion designer is another of my talented friends. Even before she began her modelling career, Ronke always had drive and determination. She did what she wanted to no matter the obstacles and this attitude is what has brought her this far. She recently launched her fashion line, ROUCH, which showcased at the African Fashion week in New York. So, I sent here a few interview questions, so you all could get to know this determined young fashionista.

How did Rouch come about?

I got motivated after looking back on when I was about 5 years old. My grandfather used to make me these beautiful dresses in ankara. I had so many of them and I loved them. Recently, I visited the lace factory in Austria, where they produce different kinds of lace materials and immediately fell in love with it. I saw how designers used these laces to sew lovely and different designs and I was impressed to see how lace could look so glamorous and chic With this recent inspiration and being the fashionista that most of my friends call me, I decided to pick up designing and come up with my own brand.

Tell me about Rouch?

Rouch by Ronke is simply for the classy and confident individual. My first collection,which I showcased recently at the African fashion week New York (AFWNY), is a mixture of both African and lace fabric. My summer collection was inspired the beautiful natural colours we have here in Africa. Like the ocean, the grass, the earthy brown, the sun, the animals and of course the beautiful tough black skin. Rouch by Ronke is mostly vintage and retro and a bit modern and it’s for the age range of 15-50.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years time, I see myself being able to have established ROUCH in different countries and also dressing up the big celebs in New York, Paris, Milan etc.  I hope I can sit back relax and see what I have accomplished

Tell me one thing you do to constantly improve yourself?

What I always do to improve myself is take corrections and take constructive critiques. I also love to read a lot of high fashion magazines and old school videos where I get my vintage ideas. I watch a lot of project runway and I like to see myself as a perfectionist.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

I am working on making a wardrobe for a TV soap opera and also getting ROUCH into different stores.

Any advice to anyone trying to make it in the fashion industry?

I would advise anyone trying to get into the industry to really have a passion for what they are about to get into. Because everything is not as rosy as it looks on the outside. There’s a lot of hard work to it and it takes a lot of determination. They should never force anything. You either have it or you don’t. And like I always say image is everything! You need to work on yourself before trying to work on others.

Thanks Ronke!

N thats it folks! Check out the ROUCH website on http://rouchbyronke.com/

A poem

This piece was written by Feyi Sodipo (follow her on twitter @feefey). I love it because its written so simply, honestly and beautifully and I can identify with it.
I just had to share this so enjoy!
.......................................................................................................................
They don’t understand, yet I must stand.


I’m all alone but I need space. Is it in my mind or is it my mind?

I must be free but they push and prod. They don’t believe me...how should I believe?

I must retrace the steps and enter into my psyche, then I can help me and He could fix me.

But I being weak think I am strong. The admittance of frailty I mistake for strength, being broken, presuming whole.

I fake it and feign it, I am invincible and tough and smart and I hate it.

I need Him. He loves me but my folly has me in shackles. Beautiful shackles, they adorn me I say.



Now I turn violent, the chains are tightening. I’m on the edge.

I am tall and strong and...Empty.

He stays calling, reaching out. Unconditional love.

He frees me and holds me and loves me. And I hurt Him and push Him

I weaken and fall. Yet He holds on, drawing me close and helping me up.

I feel the love, it heals me. I need no analgesic, His love is my drug.

I am His, He is mine.

My saviour, my lover, my Jesus.

Natural Hair

So, I've been meaning to document my hair journey and hair state of mind for a while. In September 2010, I decided to cut my hair. I finally gave in to the urge after a long time of wanting to cut it but not being bold enough to. (see this post from 2010)

After getting over the initial shock, I loovved my short hair!

....but after a while I started missing my hair and just let it grow back.

I had initially planned to do a rihanna type mushroom cut when it grew back but somehow I got into this natural business. I have a couple of friends, one of who is Michelle, who has been natural  for years (and has a really cool natural hair blog) and they along with Solange, numerous youTubers and bloggers got me to consider going natural.

So, I played with my TWA for a bit. This was fun and frustrating at the same time because most of the time I didn't know what to do with it but I got excited everytime I found something that worked.

Right now my hair has grown much longer and fuller and I don't know what to do to it anymore. When I tell my natural friends this, they're like "Dami noo, don't quit! you're using the wrong conditioner/oil/pre poo..." I have been overwhelmed by the amount of product you need to try out as a natural head. In the beginning I was so ready to go out and buy after seeing like 100 YouTube videos, I was convinced I knew all I needed to. I went out and got some Shea butter from Nigeria, coconut oil, natural this, natural that. But after a couple of months I am convinced they cannot work on my super hard and unruly hair and I think I give up.

I read DatfunkyFro's blog (which is really cool by the way) and I came across this post. I am definitely not natural in my head yet. I still imagine myself with sleek relaxed hair and as much as I loove how beautiful natural hair can look, I might have to accept that my hair will never look like that and even if it could, I will always lust after sleek hair and being able to leave my hair out in a weavee!

I will probably cut my hair again at some point and I might not relax it just yet but the thing with hair is I think people take it too seriously with #teamnatural/short hair Vs #teamweave/relaxed hair. As long as you keep your healthy, I don't see a problem. Too much of everything isnt good, so obvs don't over relax, over-straighten, over-braid/weave or whatever to your hair. I'm one of the people that accepts the benefits of living in the 21st century, be that relaxers or the Internet.

At the end of the day, keep your hair healthy and rock it how you like it!

Peace, love and beautiful locks!

Day 7- Things I lust after

I would love to have a big fat moan fest right about now. But Alas, I shan't. I know I just spoke about faith but its proving to be quite hard. Still, God is good all the time and I'm learning to wait on him to strengthen me. :)

On to my challenge.Yes, I'm still trudging along with it. Trust me I want to give up like yesterday but its called a challenge nay? and I'm learning not to give up so easily sooo

Things I lust after *lovestruck smiley*

• My current laptop, which I affectionately call Grandma, is well past its use by date and it frustratessss the hell out of me! This new baby would be welcome with open arms!



Mac book pro

•  I went sight seeing the other day in town and tried this on in one of these opticians shop/eyewear shops and I fell in love lust. The cat eyes are so retro and glam! This would definitely make the ultimate summer accesory.

•  I heart these vivienne westwood shoes! Not my typical kind of shoe but again, I love how retro and glam and cute it is.( I don't know whats up with the retro glam ish) 

 I was meant to list 5..but I guess I'm not in full on lust mode cuz I could only think of 3.

Actually, an all expense paid holiday to New York would be nicee! :D