Swanky's Signatures: July 2012

thank you for taking time out ot visit Swanky's Signatures blog.....

To help you understand more about Swanky Signatures i've decided to put up my 1st interview which is extremely detailed and tells you all about me , the business, my vision and what to expect in the future...

Name: Jeremiah Ogbodo
Position: CEO Swanky’s Signatures
Birth date: July 4
Favorite television show: Top Chef and American Idol
Guilty pleasure: Television and good food

Tell us about Swanky’sSignatures Swanky’s Signature by Jeremiah ogbodo is a lifestyle and fashion brand that caters to both males and female and provides service such as Unisex designer accessories, Public Relations for individuals, public figures and corporate bodies, image consultancy and styling.
Swanky’s Signatures accessories is the newest subsidiary of the Swanky’s Signatures group .The vision for the unisex accessories label which launches officially at the end of June is to create accessories that are both luxurious and wearable. Jeremiah popularly known as Swanky Jerry strives to make fashion that is timeless in its elegance
The first collection comprises of waist coat, bow ties and shoes in various exceptional African fabric. Swanky’s Signatures designer accessories pride itself in highly perfected detailing. : To offer one clear example, Jerry is known already for his delectable styling which is usually seen on his numerous a-list celebrity clients.
What were the challenges you had creating this subsidiary of Swanky’s Signatures?
I love every aspect of fashion and lifestyle and trying to decide which area to concentrate on was probably the most difficult challenge.
What was your favorite piece from your collection?
"I love all the accessories made with "KENTE". It is a brilliantly colorful fabric, entirely hand-woven by Ghanaian weavers. The brilliant colors and intricate designs associated with Kente have definitely made this fabric the best known of all Ghanaian, and perhaps even all West African textiles. I travelled to Ghana for a short break and couldn’t help myself I still went on to buy fabrics and fell in love with the Kente, Every design has a story with a proverbial meaning, giving each cloth its own distinction.It was really fun because I got a chance to do something that I was really content with.
You got the chance to work with a lot of great people In fashion. Did anyone in particular make a big impact on you?
"Let me think... Toyin Lawani. She's so wonderful. She is so fun to work with. She knows designers and her client and is very opinionated about fashion and she has showed me that you don't have to sketch to be a great designer or win a challenge. It is a lot of fun working with her."
Did you always know you wanted to be in fashion?
I always knew I wanted to work in magazines. When I was in high school, I would sit between my free periods and read fashion magazines cover to cover. People use that term loosely, but I would literally devour every page -- even the ads. I was really attracted to the branding, the designers... I was attracted to all the fashion photography. This sounds so corny now, but I would look at a fashion story in Vogue and test myself and say, "Is this Louis Dell ‘Olio for Anne Klein? Is that Claude Montana?" Then I'd look at the credits and go, "Yes! That is it!"I think when I was younger, I translated that as loving fashion -- and I do -- but it was only when I got older, I started to see that I actually loved styling. Now that I'm even older, I realize I love media. I'm a huge pop culture junkie, so I watch tons of television. I see every movie, fashion show and entertainment news to keep me in the know.
Did you have any early indication that you'd be dressing some of the most famous people in Nigeria?
I’ve been styling for years now with the fashion house I work for and I put in my best to everything I do so yes I knew at some point I’d be styling and designing accessories and with the help of God I’ve managed to build a good portfolio both here and in other African countries. Really, designing for a character is super interesting and lets you delve into different aspects of designing.
Did you find it difficult to work with a lot of celebrities on those big jobs?
I was embracing celebrity culture early on -- and still -- because I actually respect and appreciate it. I think a lot of fashion people don't like celebrity culture. I think [for] a lot of them, it's been an infringement on their world a little. I love an actress, a musician, an athlete because they have a personality and a dimension they bring to something that I can't get from an 18-year-old model. Celebrities bring something else to fashion, to pictures.
You mentioned you grew up obsessed with television. Was there someone on the pop culture landscape or fashion world at the time that had a huge influence on you?
There were so many people on TV that influenced my drive into fashion. People like
Tom Ford ; who is my main role model in fashion and has become one of today’s most influential fashion designers, he started off really humble and gradually progressed into being the fashion god he is today with his clothing line and perfume line.
George Clooney: His biggest contribution to fashion has been his bringing back of the suit as a fashion mainstay. While so many men fell victim to the idea that jeans are appropriate for every occasion, thanks to George Clooney, it suddenly became cool again to wear a suit.
Sean ‘diddy’ Combs is expanding his Sean John clothing line as he attempts to change fashion from the inside out, just as he changed hip-hop. That’s a huge step for anyone.
9 You have this fabulous-sounding career now, but entry-level jobs in fashion are notoriously tough. What was your least glamorous gig starting out?
People do think my life is so glamorous, but even now, there are so many moments now where it really isn't .I started off as a PR person then I had younger clients and used to promote events and parties for friends whilst in school. It was one hell of a job because I was dealing mostly with friends who would sometimes offer to pay and some who wouldn’t. I look back now and I think, "I can't believe I did that." At the time I was likes, "I can't believe I get to go to these shows!" I was so excited by the experience. Now, with the interns or even assistants, its like, "No one is doing that!"
10 Of course not, they want to run the magazine and get to the top quick…
That whole entitlement thing is baffling. When I was doing the PR thing, I was so happy to meet that person at the showroom -- and the person was the receptionist. Nowadays, if [interns] don't go on a photo shoot they are really upset. I think you've got to earn that
11 Many fashion designers have told me over the years that they feel somewhat forced to be part of the celebrity game, especially when it comes to dressing stars for award shows. How would you characterize the overall feeling of fashion towards celebrities today?
There is a segment of fashion that really embraces it, and there's a segment that really feels they have to embrace it and there's a segment that says, 'You know what? I can do without them.' I respect all of them because if we were all homogenous, it wouldn't really work. Are we all chasing celebs? I think we all are a little bit. Is it over- saturated? It is sometimes, but I don't see it letting up any time soon. Like it or not, it's part of the culture we live in. [Celebrities] account for a big part of [the fashion] business. Something worn by "X" celebrity can translate into huge sales. Award shows have become red carpets. The Oscar pre-show is more interesting than the awards. People care more about what someone looks like than they do about who won Best Actress.
12 So what do you have to say to your fans?
Fans? I’m not a celebrity I don’t like that tag, im trying to create a brand as a fashion and business mogul, I prefer to be called a business man. However I’d like to encourage everyone to believe in their self and trust God.

Monday, 2 July 2012

SWANKY'S SIGNATURES OFFICIAL LAUNCH INFO

Red carpet start 4pm - 6pm promt

for more information on guestlist and event
CALL : 07035047911

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email: swankyssignatures@gmail.com

Sunday, 1 July 2012

WELCOME NOTE