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/

Who's up there?

So, we go on and on about how we need to walk the walk and talk the talk. Truth of the matter is that we would all really like to see other people who are walking the walk and talking the talk to reinforce our drive to do the same. We are after all social beings, what we do mostly comes from what we see around us. We wear what the designers are putting on the runways, what the hottest celebrities are wearing. We learn the new move in the latest hit video. (The dougie, jerk. we will all be doing the 10/10 dance in Naeto c's video soon. thank God that one is easy. lol) Yes, we are inherently all copycats. (Even if you refuse to admit it :p)

God knows this and thats why He said we should stick our heads in a church and "not forsake the brethren" because we need to see people professing the same faith we have and walking in our chosen paths to keep our faith alive. That's not to say I support the herd mentality or that we should totally put our future into other peoples hands! The Good Book still tells us to "work out OUR OWN salvation"

But basically, my point is whatever it is we want to do; sing, run a successful business, get a first class on your degree, live passionately for God,(I just listed all the things I wanna do..feel free to insert your own list..lol) it always helps seeing people that are doing the same thing successfully. It assures us that it is something that can be done especially if the current successors are in our immediate vicinity, then the smell of success/achievement becomes even closer and sweeter! It is very discouraging to say the least not having anyone to look up to and this has killed many dreams.

I have been actively trying to find people that I can look up to. People who are already on the path I would one day like to be. That is, generally people of excellence...there are too many mediocre people out there today and what's worse is that we are all comfortable stagnating in this mediocrity! That's where excellent people come in...they make us UNCOMFORTABLE!

Here are a few excellent people that I have come across this week that have inspired me.

Tosin Otiloju who was featured on Bella Naija this week.

She was a head girl at Queens College Lagos, had the best SSCE results in the country in 1996. Got a first class in Electrical Engineering at Howard University. Got a scholarship to the California Institute of Technology for postgraduate studies. Was awarded the young person award of the year for 2006. She teaches at the University of Lagos (Also taught at the University of Yola). Published a collection of poems and has acted in five full theatre productions! Sounds like superwoman. Do you feel uncomfortable now?! lol.

Next up, I stumbled upon one of Lola Adesioye's articles today and found my way to her website.

She looks very pretty right? I assure you, she is more than just a pretty face. She graduated for the University of Cambridge with a degree in Social and political science. She is an inspirational speaker, socio-political commentator and writer and contributor to established publications such as The Guardian, The Economist and The Huffington Post and Arise Magazine. She has made guest speaker appearances on CNN, BBC, Channel4, BET and AOL Voices. She also performs as a singer/songwriter and she runs a multi-media company called something2say. She has a beautiful inspirational blog and oh! She is a self professed born again christian! Erm...did I here 360 degree woman??..... yup I think I did!

This is just two of many! We all need to have people we know fighting the good fight. I am personally on the lookout to find a mentor (I don't really know how to get myself one of those *_* ) Who are some people you look up to? and If the answer to that question is non-existent, do find yourself someone/people. They do exist, you just have to look hard! And if all else fails...well you have Jesus! We are told to look up to him as the author and finisher of our faith!

Stay steady dreaming!