THE UNTOLD STORY OF STYLE TEMPLE….OGUGUA OKONKWO THE SECRET INGREDIENT.

Dear diary,

 About a month ago , I interviewed someone. ..so spectacular is she that she makes the world go haywire with her classy timeless pieces. I walked into the style temple experience centre, a perfect blend of class and style with an ambience that gives you the soothing experience of a fashion adventure and there I met her.

Dark, Ebony skinned , she likes to refer to herself as a fashpreneur; Ogugua okonkwo popularly known as Og okonkwo is a medical laboratory science graduate of University of Nigeria Nsukka. First in a family of 3, she’s got just the perfect mindset of ‘live your life one day at a time’. She is the CEO of STYLETEMPLE an Abuja based fashion label that boasts over 115000 followers on instagram, a large clientele base of la crème de la crème de la societe ….hmmmm.  A recap of my interview with her below.

CAN WE MEET YOU? WHO IS OG OKONKWO?

 I am Ogugua Okonkwo, OG is short form for Ogugua. First in a family of 3; I have a brother and a sister. I studied medical laboratory science at the University of Nigeria Nsukka(UNN)

HOW DID YOU COME ABOUT THE STYLE TEMPLE CONCEPT?

I wanted a name that was simple and not really limited to clothing because in future, I’ll like to explore other aspects that are not strictly clothing.

AT WHAT POINT IN YOUR LIFE DID YOU KNOW THIS WAS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

 My grandmother was a tailor so we had a sewing machine at home and I always loved making clothes and drawing up designs and all so it started from there.

WHAT IS YOUR STARTUP STORY?

After my internship and youth service, I worked in a hospital for one year after which I went to a fashion house ‘Barris couture’ ; it was the best in Abuja at the time but I don’t think it’s still in existence now to do an internship. There, I worked as an associate designer and it was there I learnt how not to run a fashion house. That was where I met my partner with whom I started STYLE TEMPLE 4 years ago in 2012. We eventually parted ways 2 years ago.

WHAT WERE YOUR INITIAL FEARS AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE FEARS EVENTUALLY?

I didn’t have any fears. I just took it one day at a time.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HIGHEST AND LOWEST POINT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED ESPECIALLY AS PERTAINS YOUR BUSINESS?

My highest point…everyday when a customer fits her clothes and is satisfied with our services

My lowest point...whenever a client is dissatisfied with their clothing. That’s my lowest point.

Another high point for me was last year when I hosted a fabric show which typically involved displaying handbeaded fabrics that were draped on mannequins. See details of the STYLE TEMPLE FABRIC SHOW here(add link)

SO FAR,  WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FASHION STORY?

So far, its been good ; Dealing with my tailors, clients. I take it one day at a time.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS A DESIGNER ?

Power.  Power is the greatest challenge I encounter. Another is the crazy rent in Abuja and then the cost of labor.

WERE THERE TIMES YOU HATED YOUR JOB AND FELT LIKE QUITTING? WHAT STOPPED YOU FROM QUITTING?

NO! I’ve always loved what I do. Why would I want to quit? I mean, this is what I love doing. Even though there are days I just feel like staying at home and just sleeping but no, I have to get here and I have to keep pushing. I keep pushing. I love what I do.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY GOT YOU HERE?

God is number one and then hardwork. Hard work takes you farther than talent can.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO COMBINE DESIGNING, SEWING, YOUR FASHION SCHOOL AND RUNNING THE BUSINESS?

I compartmentalize. I take it one day at a time; I don’t really make long term plans. Just one day at a time.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO UPCOMING DESIGNERS AND EVERY OTHER PERSON THAT AIMS AT BEING A GREAT DESIGNER?

Keep pushing. Be consistent. Consistency is key.

IF TODAY WERE TO BE THE LAST DAY OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY? AND WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR WHEN YOU ARE GONE?

If today were the last day of my life, ( She’s calm and reflective) I’ll stay at home, make pancakes, eat and die.

I’ll love to be remembered as a fashion icon both locally and globally. I want to be remembered for the impact I’v made in fashion.

Well, that was how my interview with Creative designer Ogugua Okonkwo of style temple went. For more of her designs, follow on instagram @styletemple .