….Swanky’s Signatures boss bares it all
There is a tendency to see fashion as mere contrivance, a dreamer’s escape to fantasy, but Jeremiah Ogbodo uses it to transform reality. Jeremiah’s life is positively fantastic—the stuff of fairy tales, magazine covers and poster-sized portraits. But let’s not get carried away: he made his own destiny.
Jeremiah is a lot of things to everyone. He is an entrepreneur, a fashion stylist, a fashion designer and a visionary. “l live, eat and breathe fashion,” he said. That must be why Swanky Signatures, his fashion label is thriving. Thirty three months ago, he started off on a really nice note, he noted.
“When I introduced Swanky’s Signatures, it was almost as if the world was like ‘Yes, finally!’ Even though I had a lot of famous people support me, it was not an easy journey to the spot light. God almighty has been faithful to me and am super grateful,” he said.
Jeremiah’s designs are well suited to contemporary sartorial needs. The label is modeled to cater to modern fashion needs with speed, sophistication and simplicity. And it doesn’t deny anyone’s individuality rather it celebrates it.
“When styling a client, I try not to change their identity. I study my clients and make sure they are comfortable in whatever am styling them in,” he said.
Fifteen days after he launched Swanky’s Signatures, he jetted out to New York city, United States of America (USA) where he styled hip hop crooner, Davido’s music video. He also styled collections for designers at the New York fashion week.
“I have worked with almost every name you can think of in the entertainment industry, Who is who in the corporate business sector and political arena. I have styled various music videos, movies, photoshoots, red carpet, TVC’s beauty pageants, weddings, name it; I am still looking for my challenge. I have not met my challenge yet. Reason is I wake up every day knowing that the day might either be both a blessing and lesson so for this particular reason, I don’t notice challenges or failure. My job is full of so many challenges but I am always ready,” he said.
There is a sense of authenticity and pragmatism to Jeremiah’s couture that truly stands it out from Nigeria’s array of contemporary fashion ensembles. It glamourizes the fact that there is an idealistic yet practical and useful end to even the most creative pursuits.
As a designer, the boss of Swanky’s Signatures is always on the edge of everything, but he is never one to join the bandwagon; because even when he is working with the latest designs, he is always offering his own, deeply personal ideas and modes of expression.
Jeremiah consciously follows his intuition in the most rigorous way, on a daily basis. The beauty of such personal ethic is that, in those familiar work hours, there is the likelihood he would chance on those rare crucial moments that become universal; that reaches everybody. That’s the real magic of Swanky—he glorifies the courage to be genuine and free.
As an entrepreneur Jeremiah understands that changing the way folk see themselves can also change the world.
Through his designs, he acknowledges the extraordinary strength of keeping it real and remaining through to oneself. His constant inspiration, he said, is that nothing looks better on a client than the clarity, courage and conviction of his vision and the confidence it instills in the client.
Jeremiah is very excited about denim at the moment. “Denim is my favourite right now and always. It’s a classic any day, when put together nicely,” he said, adding that his most glorious moment was when he worked with former President Goodluck Jonathan. “It was a glorious moment for me, because 13 months earlier, I tweeted that I would love to work with the president and my dream came true during one of his presidential campaign visits to Lagos. I met him when he came to meet with Nigerian youths,” he said.
Jeremiah identified some of the celebrities that contributed to his big break in the fashion and showbiz sector. He said: “I have worked with the likes of Ice prince ,Davido, Ini Edo, Iyanya , Waje, Dbanj , Tuface, Dare Art-Alade, Yung L, Majid Micheal, MI, Yemi Alade, Seyi Shay, Toke makinwa, Annie Macaulay ,Timaya , Prais, Vector, Kayswitch, Juliet Ibrahim, Uti, Omawumi, Rukki Sanda, Wizkid, Daniella Okeke, Ruth Kadiri, May D, DJ Spinall, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Dammy Krane…the list is endless. I have worked with almost everyone who matters and they all contributed to my success story but the one celebrity that gave me the big break is Nollywood screen goddess, Tonto Dikeh,” he said.
Of all the names mentioned, Jeremiah has his favourite celebrities. “I have a few favourites, I must confess but anytime any day, Tonto Dikeh, Ice Prince, Dbanj , Iyanya, DJ Spinall and Tuface would be on that list.
Depending on the event, both a music star and movie star can appear wearing a suit, according to Jereniah’s swanky fashion register. “All I need to know is the event; where is the client going to and then boom, they will be looking fly,” he said.
The Swanky’s Signature boss advised young fashion designers to stay focused and believe in themselves. According to him, the key to success is being hardworking, setting goals and not resting on one’s oars until they are achieved. “Above all, be very prayerful as it is not going to be an easy journey,” he said.
