Meet Chinonye Uwakwe | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chinonye Uwakwe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chinonye, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, I loved the idea of being independent, of being able to work on what I wanted, when I wanted and how I wanted. I see myself as an excellent team worker and subordinate, but the thrill and joy of having a creative freedom was better than working under someone. Also I love being a boss

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a fashion designer. A creative. I love to make the female population feel beautiful and comfortable. Women are usually placed in boxes, either by society, family, religion and many other things. There are a lot of expectations from women which in turn affects how a girl or lady sees herself. Men look for girls with big boobs, big ass, curvy body, if you like money then you’re materialistic, as a girl you should dress like this, don’t wear short things, don’t wear this and all that. But my brand tells every girl, lady and woman that no matter what you wear, your body size or shape, you are beautiful. I’m very grateful for where I am now, even though I’m not where I want to be yet. It wasn’t easy, I had to force my parents to allow me study art in school, but thankfully, they finally came onboard. Trying to expand knowledge without funds can be very frustrating and I know how that feels too well. But I’m happy I got through most of them. I stayed focused, you know, tried to meet the right people who helped to build my brand one way or the other, didn’t listen to what people had to say, and by people, because you can get discouraged when you listen to everybody, realised that I am not in a competition with everyone and my time would come.
I’m excited when a client comes for fitting, you know, I love to see the happiness on the face of my client whenever they see their outfits. It brings a lot of joy to me. I’ve learned not to force things you know, with people, nature. Just do your best and trust in God Almighty. He knows the best for you.
I want the world to know that women should be allowed to live their lives beautifully, and my brand is here to help women be comfortable and beautiful in their own skin

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I’m not really familiar with a lot of places here since I only just started here in May, but I’m a pizza lover so we would first go eat pizza at pizza jungle, at IMSU junction, I also love movies, so we would go see a movie at Shoprite or Genesis cinema, and finally, for an evening hang out, we would go to Amari garden, at Egbeada

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am grateful to God. He’s the biggest constant in my life and has brought me this far. I would love to say a big thank you to my family. I am who I am because of them and I am grateful I to have blood ties with them. I’m grateful for my friends. I’ve had genuine friendships. People who wish me well, who love to see me do better and help me do better. I would call names, but they’re so many. I’m glad I surrounded myself with such people 😊😊

Instagram: style___goddess

Facebook: Uwakwe Chinonye

Image Credits
Uwakwe Chinonye