Interview with Ivy Ekong
Ivy Ekong, a versatile entrepreneur and mother of three, emerged from the world of beauty pageants in Nigeria to establish her fashion brand, Ivy Ekong, in the UK. With a focus on empowering women, Ivy's brand initially tackled post-pregnancy fashion challenges with innovative bandage dresses. Despite facing challenges as a black woman in the industry, IV navigates them with resilience, using her brand's online presence to share personal stories and connect with a diverse audience.
Who is Ivy Ekong?
Ivy is a mom of three, a wife, a content creator and a businesswoman.
How did you start your journey into the fashion world, and what inspired your brand?
Back in Nigeria, my friend suggested I participate in a beauty pageant, and I ended up winning. This experience exposed me to charity work, and I chose HIV/AIDS awareness as my project. Fast forward, I moved to the UK with my husband, and I had my first daughter. So when I had her, I struggled to find clothes post-pregnancy, and that led to the idea of starting a brand. Initially, we focused on bandage dresses, creating a unique formula with Spanx to help women feel confident after childbirth. It was a massive success.
Impressive. How do you manage work-life balance and prioritize self-care?It's challenging but doable. My kids are my top priority. I keep a balance by prioritizing them, and self-care is crucial. I schedule time for self-care within my busy routine, ensuring I stay grounded.
As a black woman, have you faced challenges in the fashion industry, and how do you navigate them? Absolutely, and it's ongoing. However, I use it as motivation to excel in my craft and empower other black women. I want to break the barriers and show that we can thrive in the industry.
Your brand has a strong online presence. How do you use digital platforms to connect with your audience and share your brand's story? We share personal journeys, listen to our customers, and focus on women's empowerment. The brand is not just about fashion but a project to empower women. We receive emails from women who relate to our brand and goals, making our online presence meaningful.
What are your long-term goals for your brand and yourself? I aim to make Ivy Ekong a household name, invest more in the business, and expand into beauty, perfume, and lifestyle items. Personally, my goal is to continue empowering women and breaking boundaries.
Any advice for someone wanting to follow a similar path? Be determined, consistent, and passionate about what you do. Prioritize what you love, as passion keeps you going even in challenging times.
What passions or influences inspire your creativity and perspective? My kids are my main inspiration, and empowering women of colour like me. Their sketches and ideas drive me to create. It's a motivation to show that as a woman of colour, anything is possible.
Lastly, what's your favourite collection that you've ever made? The Cleopatra collection we shot last year. It's a favourite because of its success and the demand it created especially the kaftan style.
