She is, by nature, a very quiet person. No noise, but plenty of substance. Those who have known Princess Folashade Ogunwusi Fadairo for years will tell you that she has always carried herself like royalty long before her brother, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi became the Ooni of Ife. And now, being the elder sister to the king means more responsibility which she is more than capable to deal with. This very gorgeous woman recently began a new phase in her life, she has ventured into the flourishing fashion business and seems destined for great things. Her fashion line, Wuraola by Fola couture has already taken off and she’s leaving no stone unturned to ensure that she transforms the brand into one of the biggest in the country. At the recently held City People Online Fashion and Beauty Awards, pretty Princess Folashade was recognised for her outstanding fashion and style. City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL spoke to her shortly after she picked up her award and she talked about her fashion line and why she’s decided to venture into that sector. Enjoy the excerpts.
Congrats, on the awards you just received from City People. Can you share with us your feelings at this moment?
It’s wonderful. I feel fulfilled. I think it’s an eye-opener for me concerning what I want to go into. Honestly, I feel fulfilled. Though I have started but yet to come out in a big way, but receiving this award is definitely an eye-opener for me. It will surely spur me on to take things to the next level.
You are a very quiet and conservative person by nature, yet everyone can see you’re a very beautiful woman. And despite all of the attention and publicity that follow you as the elder sister to the Ooni of Ife, you still keep it simple and modest. Tell us, what kind of person are you besides what we see on the outside?
You are absolutely right. Thank you very much for the compliment. Actually, I’m a very quiet person, very conservative. That’s the kind of person I am. That’s who I’ve always been, very quiet and not the loud type. I will say that my brother becoming the king of Ile-Ife has really dragged me out and now I have no other choice but to learn how to cope when you’re out there. But I have always loved fashion. I inherited that from my mum because she was someone who loved fashion a great deal. I have always had that passion for it and I’ve always treaded along that line, hoping that someday I would become a fashion icon. So, now my brother becoming the king of Ile-Ife has drawn attention to me, making people realize that I have that passion for fashion. Based on that, I have taken the initiative to open my own fashion line called Wuraola by Fola Couture. It’s in the name of my late mum.
What would you say is the reason why you have held back this side of you for so long, given that a lady with your privileged background could’ve ventured into this line very easily?
Like I said, I am a very shy person and that has been holding me back but now I don’t have any choice but to come out. I believe that whatever talent God has given you, one has to explore that talent and that’s exactly what I’m doing now. I have to put all that shyness behind me and showcase the gift the Almighty has given to me.
Give us an insight into what that clothing line would be all about.
Presently, I have a Bling Boubou that I designed. Although I have my mentor, she’s called Blingshiki. She’s been into for a while, though I have my own designs and they are a bit different from hers and it comes in different colours, so I am starting with that. I’m also starting with an Italian fabric that’s presently rare in the market. I import it from Dubai. I think it will be very nice and beautiful on ladies that love fashion. And that’s what I’m wearing now, this is also my design by the way (she shows off her beautiful gown).
I must say it looks really lovely on you. Tell us, what types of dresses fascinated you as a much younger lady?
Well, I don’t know o, and I hope nobody will abuse me for saying this, but the truth about me is that I don’t like exposing myself. I love the full coverage type of dress. As an African woman, you have to cover up. Like my husband will tell me, he likes ladies to be covered so that men will be wondering what is inside there, you know (laughs). It’s funny but if you look at it it also makes a lot of sense. But for me, naturally, I love to be formally dressed, fully dressed and yet still look good. You can see that with my outfit, I’m not exposing any part of my body and it looks really nice.
Let’s talk about African fabrics, have they always fascinated you even when you were younger?
Yes, I love African fabrics. I love Aso-oke. Most of my pictures you find on Instagram, I’m fully dressed with my headgear, in Aso-oke and all sorts. I love Adire also and I hope to go into that soon, but I would like to take it one step after the other. I really want to go into African prints.
How big are you hoping to take this, because a lot of people who know you will be wondering that given your quiet nature, how do you hope to turn this around?
It’s God that will make a person. I don’t want to boast or anything like that, but I can tell you that it’s God that will bring me out, let me just put it like that. I have started already so there’s no going back, God will bring me out.
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