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/

Whatchudoing!

Writing has always been my thing. I wouldn’t say hobby, because that implies that it was something I just did mindlessly in my past time. I wouldn’t say gift/talent either because I feel there is a mass of way more talented writers out there who write blogs, magazine articles and books that inspire me constantly. It being my thing implies simply that it’s something I hold dear, something I do all the time and with purpose as a channel for my thoughts. I write because I am.

As a uni student, just recently turned 21, the prospects of graduating into the real world in these gloomy economic times, I have been hit by a stark dose reality and somewhat approaching what you could call a quarter life crisis; The frantic questioning of your existence and the usefulness of your life on earth so far. This may come at different stages for different folks; I’m assuming that the cut off age to qualify for “quarter life” goes all the way up to 30. At my age, you could say “oh, but you still have a lot of time”. But I only have to look around to see boundless examples of young people achieving impressive and amazing feats. And once more I curl back into my shell of frantic questions “what exactly are you doing with your life?!” I love fashion and dressing up generally ( as most girls) but if I was a real fashionista, I could have well been on my way to establishing a name for myself like the young girls behind the Virgos lounge collection recently featured on Bella Naija . Music, is also one of my passions, if it really was then I could have been churning out hits like the 21 year old Adele who is responsible for such beautiful hits as “Make you feel my love” and “chasing pavements”( Her new album 21 is stupendously beautiful by the way). And if, indeed I had any promise as a writer, I could well be on my way to publishing my first book like the 19 year old Chibundo Onuzo, who recently signed a two year book deal with the English publishers Faber. These are all examples of young dynamic people blessed with the opportunity to follow their passions and who are in fact beginning to make their mark on the world at such young ages. So, I’m afraid young age is not an excuse for anyone.

We may not all be opportune to get two year book contracts with a British publisher, nevertheless, we can take baby steps in whatever form we find to making our marks and living lives that count. For me, that could involve honing my literary voice through whatever medium I have found, blogs or otherwise. Practicing and improving on my singing and seeking out opportunities to perform in whatever I can, church choir, school shows...etc. But alas, as with the execution of every great idea comes obstacles. In my case, it was the big PROCRASTINATION leading to piles of school work and applications to be sorted through. It then progresses to the blame stage and we happily pour all of it on the devil even though he probably has no hand in this. I mean he is a liar, but you, not him, convinced yourself it would be a good idea to sit and watch the latest episode of Gossip girl instead of actually getting productive work done. Be it starting that business or just getting that first class degree that you had always pinned for. At the end of the day, like our shining examples earlier we have to pick ourselves up, dust off the grit and dust and put ourselves where we belong. Yes, I said “put ourselves”. I am one of those optimistic activist people who believe that we are in control of our destiny. Even if it means starting slowly and way earlier (age wise) like I said earlier at least you are moving! Needless to say, it’s never too early or too late either. So, here I am, in my room, typing away on my laptop...hopefully typing to my way to making my mark.