Embarking on the path of creating your own fashion brand is no small endeavor. At ALOMAA, we wholeheartedly celebrate individuals like Sade, who epitomize the essence of unique vision, unyielding creativity, and unwavering determination as they work to turn their dreams into reality. We recently had the privilege of sitting down with Sade, a rising entrepreneur whose journey in establishing her fashion brand, Ivie, is inspiring proof of dreams and determination.
Sade’s story is a shining example of what it takes to transform a vision into a tangible reality. Her journey is not just about herself, but about the shared experience of aspiring entrepreneurs. It’s about finding inspiration and learning from those who have walked similar paths. In Sade’s case, her muse is Beyoncé, a powerhouse in music and fashion.
As we dive into Sade’s insights, it becomes clear that her journey and the wisdom she’s garnered from Beyoncé’s leadership hold valuable lessons for us all. The key takeaway here is not just about Sade’s personal journey but how her story can resonate with you. So, as you read about Sade’s journey and her source of inspiration in Beyoncé, think about how these lessons can apply to your own aspirations.
Finding Inspiration in Beyoncé’s Leadership
ALOMAA: If you were to have dinner with an icon, who would it be?
Sade: … Easy Beyonce. Easy peasy. I would say Beyonce just because I admire the way that she stays true to who she is. She keeps her personality in check. But also when she’s on a team, and she’s leading it.
…like she just says what needs to happen and what needs to happen is what needs to happen. Like there’s no argument there’s no like moving it around you just clear and direct, and she also lets you know when you sign up like this is gonna be a lot of work and this might be very hard…
Like Sade, you can take sound inspiration from your favorite icons. Allowing them to inspire you and you pick lessons to apply to areas you wish to improve on. Sade aspires to adopt Beyoncé’s leadership style, characterized by directness and a clear vision. She values Beyoncé’s no-nonsense approach and her willingness to acknowledge the hard work required to achieve her goals. Beyoncé’s authenticity and her ability to set the bar high resonate with Sade and influence her approach to business and leadership.
Key Achievements and Goals
ALOMAA: What are the key achievements that you’ve had this year?
Sade: This year, I think this year, what I’m most proud of is that I’m starting my fashion brand called the Ivie. I’m proud of that, you know, that was like two years coming at least now. So to see it start to pick up and build and fruition start to get its attention. That means a lot to me, so I’m proud of how that’s going.
Her proudest moment and achievement is the start of her fashion brand, Ivie. Sade shares how the brand’s first year was dedicated to ideation and research, transforming her vision into a tangible reality. Her goal for the near future is to see her creations on a rack, which signifies the first step towards making her fashion brand accessible to the public.
Facing Doubt and Overcoming Challenges
“…who doesn’t have doubt at some point or another? I want to say the human experience but I realized very recently that you’re gonna have doubt and you’re gonna have failures and you’re gonna have bad moments, no matter what do something you actually care about.”
Doubt is often a part of any creative journey and facing those doubts and challenges head-on is a natural aspect of pursuing something we deeply care about. One of Sade’s challenges in her journey to start her fashion brand includes feeling overwhelmed. Being overwhelmed is a common challenge we face when starting a business because not everyone knows all the steps involved. We learn on the journey Sade mentions external criticism and market acceptance. She has doubts about her designs being unique or marketable enough.
It can be difficult to strike a balance between creativity and market demands as a starting fashion brand. Hence one of Sade’s fears is that her designs may not be distinctive or marketable enough. Her approach to overcoming these doubts is to give it time and space, rather than pushing through forcefully. Sade recognizes that taking a step back, practicing self-care, and returning with a refreshed perspective can be more effective than trying to power through doubts.
Importance of Community Support in Starting a Fashion Brand
“…I think that’s a great help. Even better than, of course, mentors. Mentors definitely have their place but it’s so meaningful to have someone who’s doing the same thing that you are, and that applies beyond business. It really helps to have someone who’s in the same place that you are and has the same goal.”
Sade values the importance of a supportive community in her journey. She acknowledges that friends who share her entrepreneurial spirit have been invaluable. Having someone to run alongside, share business troubles, and exchange ideas and concerns with is an essential source of support. Additionally, she appreciates the input of her family, who provide honest feedback on her designs and decisions.
Defining Her Style
“So I actually did this trick a bit ago where you pick three or two or three really keywords and you just base your entire style off of that. And the keywords I chose, let me see if I can remember them were; classic and timeless, but also Barbie, right? So it’s classic, Barbie, and fun!”
Sade’s style, which also reflects her brand, is described with three keywords: classic, Barbie, and fun. She hopes for a timeless, feminine, and playful style, allowing her to feel both well-suited to any situation and true to herself. Her style choices reflect her desire to create unique and fun clothing with an architectural twist.
Final Word of Advice
On a final note, Sade offers a valuable piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs:
Sade: “Decide what you really want, and no matter what obstacles come your way, keep going.”
Sade’s journey embodies this advice. Her dedication to her brand, her admiration for Beyoncé’s leadership style, and her unique approach to fashion have set her on a path of success. As she continues to overcome challenges and achieve her goals, we hope her journey serves as an inspiration to others pursuing their dreams in the fashion industry.
Get the full insights into Sade’s Ivie Fashion Brand journey on our YouTube Channel, ALOMAA.
