BY LATIFA PINNOCK

One of the biggest questions asked of children, very early in life is “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Back in the days, the typical answers would be, lawyers, doctors, police and firemen. If you were to ask children of the new millennium what they want to be when they grow up, their answers would be mind-blowing.

Back in the days, leading up to the late 90’s, children were way more susceptible to walk in the footsteps of their parents. In fact, in some households, it was almost forbidden to follow your own dreams and become who you want to be. “I am so glad that we are past that era!”

As a young adult I have always been fascinated with the industry of fashion, but my biggest fascination was watching people in the industry doing what they love to do and having so much fun while doing it; to me, it was the epitome of a dream job.

Do you consider the job that you’re doing to be your dream job? Does it bring you joy? Do you wake up each morning, with new and exciting ideas relating to your job? If you answered yes to all three questions, this article is not for you, but we all know someone that can certainly relate. Studies show that 8 out of 10 people are not doing what they love, and are simply working for the sole purpose of a paycheck, but what if you could get paid while doing what you love?

Truth is, most entrepreneurs start their careers working for companies for many years, before they decide to start their own business. Some use their skills/years of experience, simply to start their own companies within the same field, while others branch off into something totally different. The decision to be your own boss is one of the biggest life decisions you will ever make, and one should first test their passion for the business, before making the transition. Start off by making the business a side hustle. Unless you win the lottery, then it’s a completely different ball game.

My passion for fashion was not a childhood dream, to be honest. If someone told me years ago that this would be my dream job, I probably would have laughed and said, “As much as I love fashion, I don’t think I’m going to become a big designer or anything.” Well I guess I would be putting my foot in my mouth, because, in 2022, that is exactly what I am striving to be!

I started my brand in 2015, but I didn’t have the drive or the passion that I have today, but the one thing that kept me going was when I realized that people were willing to pay for what I was selling. It took me a few years to realize that I had something special, and another few more years to even foresee a future in fashion. I didn’t have a plan, I had no money put away, but some way, somehow, I was going to make it happen, Once the decision was made, I knew that in order for me to succeed, I was going to have to juggle my day job and my dream job for a while, until I am able to figure out a flexible plan and budget.

To be continued….

BY LATIFA PINNOCK

The great Denzel Washington once said, “When you do not understand something, you label it, and condemn it.”

Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a world, free from judgment and condemnation, a world in which freedom of expression does not sustain scrutiny or backlash?

Truth is, it is not what you grow through that defines you. It is how you perceive and handle it that leaves a lasting impression about your character.

One of the safe havens for freedom of expression is fashion!

The evolution of fashion has found its era in the year 2022. By that I mean the fashion industry has never before been so transparent. Not only are brands being more open regarding public interactions, they are creating next level designs, and amazing product content. Fashion as we know it has hit a remarkable phase, and it will only continue to evolve to levels beyond our imagination.

As a creative designer, I am always looking for ways to expand and elevate my brand, and 2022 is definitely the year I can say that I have found my niche. Not only did I showcase style at my recent fashion show, I showed off versatility through art.

In 2022, I can honestly say that fashion and style has reached a new level, and I am loving all the inspiration. Designers are taking old ideas, adding a new fashion industry is currently one of the most competitive and profitable industries.

If you pay close attention to runway styles, you will notice that it is looking more like an art show than a fashion show, and social media has given us a front row seat to all of the latest styles and trends as soon as they hit the runway. Social media is the greatest influencer on the planet, and it has impacted the fashion industry in a delightful way. Fashion has always been at the forefront of innovation, and today fashion technology is growing at a faster pace than ever.

My advice to any entrepreneur or individual looking to start up a business that is not within the fashion industry is to do some research on fashion and technology to see how you can incorporate fashion into your business plan. Fashion can be incorporated into any business, and it will keep you one step ahead of the game.

Hooters gained popularity based on their waitress’s uniforms, and even though many might argue that it is all about sex appeal, the uniforms were fashionable then, and still are today.

One of the most common phrases used to boost someone’s self-esteem is “Be yourself.” It sounds so simple, but sometimes being you is one of the hardest things to do. A great way to start is expressing yourself through your style, and social media is a great tool to display freedom of self-expression.

“Fashion comes and goes, but styles last forever”

Coco Chanel

BY LATIFA PINNOCK

“Every moment in life is precious and can never happen again.” Zelig Pliskin

Ever since I stepped into the fashion industry, having a fashion show was always something I wanted to achieve, and on Friday June 17^th, 2022, I did that.

The event was held at the beautiful Grand Bizarre Beach club. It was kept outdoors, and it was the club’s grand reopening since the pandemic. The show was produced by the Toronto Fashion Academy, who provided some of the models, hair and makeup. I also had the pleasure of sharing the runway with a talented male designer, and stylist Mr. Kassius.

When I was first approached to do the show, I had no idea what pieces I wanted to make for the show, but one thing I was sure about, was that I was going to use this fashion show, to show my versatility.

I decided to do 12 pieces, there was less than three weeks left before the show, and I still had no clue what I wanted to make. Exactly two weeks before the show I created my first piece. It was the first of two pieces and these designs were going to be the show stopping, statement pieces. I was so excited when I finished the first piece, it looked like art, it was perfect, and it was exactly what I envisioned. Once my statement pieces were completed, I created the others designs with ease.

After a month of planning the show, my big day was finally here, and I was ready! I brought everything that I could think of, just in case there were any outfit malfunctions. I even brought my portable sewing machine. Now if that’s not a recipe for success, I don’t know what is.

When I got to the venue, I met with all the models for the first time; they were all so beautiful, and very compliant. Things were running smoothly and I was quite calm. Apart from a few outfit switches, we were right on track. The models did a quick rehearsal and it was show time.

One by one all 12 models walked out in my designs. It was a very proud moment indeed. I stood in the background smiling from ear to ear, like a proud mother watching her children. The show only lasted about ten minutes, but a lot took place in those ten minutes. Fucha Couture was being screamed over the microphone. People, who had never heard of my brand before, were there, witnessing one of the most important days of my life. The show was vibrant, artistic, interactive, and everything I could have imagined my first show to be.

Finally, my moment! The DJ called my name “Latifa Pinnock.” I walked out confidently across the runway, took my place in front of the models, waved to the crowd and applauded the models. We all walked off the stage and we were all smiles at the end of the show.

“Life is a mountain,

Your goal is to find your path,

Not to reach the top.”

Latifa Pinnock,