Meet Our Rose, Luwa.

"I feel like the rose represents my being, 'cause I am love, but the thorns on the rose show that love is hard."

Meet Ayooluwa Akindeji-Oladeji. He was born in 2001 and went to school in Lagos, Nigeria.

Who was Luwa in Secondary School?

I was a very playful, curious and timid kid. I was really into fashion and spent a majority of my time scrolling through Tumblr looking for inspiration. Having a lot of friends around me was a priority to me because I never liked being alone.

Who are you now?

Now I’m still playful and very curious, I just feel like experience has helped understand my curiosity. Not as shy as I once was and I’m by myself and my fam more nowadays, don’t really go out as much.

What dreams did you have when you were younger?

Well damn, I always wanted to be a popstar. I remember repeatedly acting like I was on stage with Justin Bieber in my grandparents house, or writing songs during prep time in school. I dreamt of creating a worldwide clothing line and I also dreamt of playing pro football.

Have they changed over time?

The dreams are still pretty much the same apart from the football part.

Talk to us about your other interests. What do you do for fun?

I started graphic designing for fun and I was always writing songs, like always.

Did any of these interests influence your passion?

I think the designing definitely influenced my passion because it brought me into a world of infinite possibilities. Music for sure also had a part to play in it.

When did you realize you were interested in Fashion?

I think when I started graphic designing I knew that it was an instant passion. With Fashion Business Management, I wanted to know more about the intricacies of the fashion and business world.

What/Who inspired/helped you take Fashion to the next level?

Kanye West definitely inspired me to take it to the next level.

Were there any discouraging factors in your process?

The only discouraging factor was myself, so not really.

Did your secondary school play any role in elevating/deterring this passion?

Not really, honestly I can’t really say. I don’t feel like they played a role in deterring my passion, I also don’t feel like they played a role in elevating it.

Do you think secondary schools encourage students’ entrepreneurial minds?

Yes I do, but not really in the creative entrepreneurial aspect.

What are the most difficult & most rewarding aspects of doing KV?

Well, the most difficult aspects of this project really are just about communication, this being with my execution of ideas and the time taken really to perfect my designs, as well as the money involved. Another relation to communication is effectively delivering a concept that can be perceived because you actually can’t and should not rush the process. A rewarding aspect is the creative part of finally delivering the concept...when you know you have successfully created an individually distinguishable identity. Also, when we sell haha.

Have you ever wanted to give up? Why?

I don’t think I have ever wanted to give up, because when you understand this is something you love at your deepest core, giving up just seems like you’re giving up on yourself.

Where do you see KV in 3 years?

I literally see it everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I see it representing more than just fashion, but rather an army or coterie.

Where do you see yourself in 3 years?

I see myself in Time Square, at the Grammys and definitely in Fashion Week showcasing my work.

Whether you know it or not, we think you’re inspirational. With how you’ve gone about life so far, any words of advice to someone reading this?

Honestly, as cliche as this sounds, my only advice for anyone reading this is to trust yourself or rather embrace your individuality and continuously perfect it. All of us are oceans of creativity and light and what separates each of us from the other is our relationship with our infinite depth of personal meaning. So keep on diving deeper into yourself and don’t come back up. Find what inspires your core to keep on burning and arrange your life around that.

Do you have any advice for IgeLead & what we’re trying to do?

My advice to IgeLead is to literally not stop what you are doing, what you are trying to do is beyond amazing because your intention is coming from one of the purest parts of life, love. So with everything never stop trying to think outside of what has already been done, the box is always expanding, so keep pushing its boundaries.

Thanks for growing with us!