{"id":15838,"date":"2017-10-29T17:52:44","date_gmt":"2017-10-29T17:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevoiceoflondon.co.uk\/?p=15838"},"modified":"2017-10-29T17:52:44","modified_gmt":"2017-10-29T17:52:44","slug":"from-the-gram-to-the-catwalk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/from-the-gram-to-the-catwalk\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Gram to the Catwalk"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seems like celebrities will always sell a name ahead of the real people. But then where does this generation of young entrepreneurs stand?<\/h3>\n

A decade ago, the fashion industry had been<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and still is,<\/span> conquered by a roster of well-known and talented brands such as Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood etc. Even socialites such as Rob Kardashian<\/span>, <\/span>Megan McKenna or even Sophia Richie who have no form of experience at all, have managed to jump straight into their own labels, whatever happened to the saying \u2018A dream doesn’t become reality through magic\u2019. Must be nice having the power to be whoever they want to be \u2013 a lawyer today and an actress the next.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Becoming a designer has always been a dream of mine but in order to get where I want to be, I have to put in 101% effort because it\u2019s a tough world. Celebrities get it so easy when others have spent time and effort studying, practicing and experimenting with fashion.<\/span><\/p>\n

– Alexandra Roberts, a student at the University of Arts<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Whilst doing research online it seems that there\u2019s a rise of new designers spiraling from Instagram. The photo-sharing app which was first launched in 2010 can be seen as the modern way to network and give recognition to start up businesses. Many famous models, singers and even designers were discovered on this platform, however, how far can Instagram really take you without an education? <\/span><\/p>\n

Tumisola Ladega, a young fashion designer and current student at the University of Westminster, had her life pretty much sorted. At the young age <\/span>of <\/span>15, she had already done shows in Europe, America, and Africa, showcasing her extravagant designs from Tumila (her clothing brand). The success of her brand she achieved with the help of Instagram as a creative platform to get her work out there.<\/span><\/p>\n

We invited the young entrepreneur Tumisola Ladega, who is now in her second year studying Fashion design, for an interview to tell us how she started her own successful label through social media and why she felt the need to go back to University.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the young age of 15 was inspired you to start your own fashion label?<\/b><\/p>\n

Initially, I only started doing it for fun and for my own need, like I would go shopping and realised the sizes don\u2019t do my figure any justice as I am a woman with extremely long legs. So from there, I thought I try something one day and design a pair of trousers, surprising they turned out great. My mum had helped with the stitching though, can\u2019t take all the credit, she laughed.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo by @tumiila<\/a> via Instagram<\/p><\/div>\n

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How did \u2018Tumila\u2019 get popula<\/b>r within the space of a few months?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2018Till today I don\u2019t even know how to answer the question myself. I would\u00a0<\/span>have to say Instagram became a massive platform that contributed to\u00a0<\/span>Tumila\u2019s success. People saw my designs and began to post supportive and\u00a0<\/span>repost it on Instagram, I really didn\u2019t have to put that much effort in.<\/p>\n

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Photo by @Tumiila<\/a> via Instagram<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

What type of recognition did you achieve from Tumiila?<\/b><\/p>\n

Wow, where do <\/span>I<\/span> begin, well firstly as a young black woman, <\/span>I<\/span> was invited to Nigeria to feature\u00a0<\/span>my collection at Lagos fashion week. <\/span>I<\/span> was so excited, \u00a0my first\u00a0<\/span>catwalk! in addition, I received a bursary award from Ji<\/span>m<\/span>my <\/span>C<\/span>hoo, one of my greatest achievements yet. <\/span>It<\/span> was amazing meeting professor <\/span>C<\/span>hoo face to face. <\/span>I<\/span> was also invited to showcase my work at <\/span>A<\/span>frica fashion week in <\/span>L<\/span>ondon, <\/span>I<\/span> was also invited to various shows in <\/span>V<\/span>ancouver and <\/span>P<\/span>aris.<\/span><\/p>\n

How important was Instagram to you in helping you build Tumila?<\/b><\/p>\n

It was extremely helpful, it got\u00a0Tumiila where it is today.\u00a0Also,\u00a0I\u00a0feel like in modern-day fashion, having a platform is a necessity.\u00a0My tutor always talks about how it’s not only down to how\u00a0God you are as a designer but how you are as a \u00a0person, people want to get to know the person behind the brand and social media like Instagram helps in taking you way beyond your reach.<\/p>\n

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Photos by @Tumilla<\/a> via Instagram<\/p><\/div>\n

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So after al<\/b>l t<\/b>his, why\u00a0<\/b>go back to university?<\/b><\/p>\n

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Photo by Whitney Ajudua<\/p><\/div>\n

T<\/span>o be honest, even though <\/span>I <\/span>knew that if <\/span>I <\/span>push myself more <\/span>I<\/span> could have made <\/span>Tumiila<\/span><\/i> a well-known brand but <\/span>I<\/span> just felt like there was so much more <\/span>I<\/span> need to understand in terms of the technical aspect of fashion. <\/span>T<\/span>hat’s not something you can learn overnight. <\/span>E<\/span>ven though <\/span>I<\/span> self-taught myself most things <\/span>I<\/span> feel university has definitely enhanced my knowledge. There’s only so much social media can do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, what are your thoughts about celebrities having the upper hand in fashion? <\/b><\/p>\n

P<\/span>ersonally, <\/span>I <\/span>feel like celebrities will always have more of an advantage in the fashion world, which is why <\/span>I<\/span> wanted to go to university, learning and understanding fashion, in my opinion, gives me the upper hand. <\/span>T<\/span>hey just wave a magic wand and BOOM! they have a perfectly designed dress online, only thing is we all know they didn’t design it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you hope to achieve when you graduate?<\/b><\/p>\n

I hope to make Tumiila an international label. I want to walk outside and see people wearing something <\/span>I<\/span> designed, that would be a dream come true!<\/span><\/p>\n

To see more of Tumila\u2019s design follow her Instagram page @tum<\/a>iila and go visit her website <\/span>www.tumisolaladega.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Words: Whitney Ajudua | Subbing: Miriam Cocuzza<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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