Daily Inspiration: Meet Barakat ‘Barrie’ Ladipo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barakat ‘Barrie’ Ladipo.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
God. He’s honestly the author of my story and I’m just blessed enough to tell it. Growing up as a first-generation immigrant child, the oldest of three, there was a lot of things that was stripped from me. My childhood, my relationship with my father, my innocence, and plethora of other things. One thing that I continuously found freedom and happiness in was my style. From my mother forcing me to wear dresses and keep my hijab on in secondary school, those small pockets of life curated the young woman you see today. Seeing my mother navigate an unknown land guided me to do the same in the world of fashion. I took many internships for fashion and beauty PR agencies (back in the day when internships weren’t paying) and worked them like a 9-5 to assisting many celebrity stylists, to being invited to new york fashion week, propelled me to believe that there was more for me in this cut-throat industry. As I was building my fashion career, I took another leap of faith and moved to the Hollywood of the south, Atlanta, Ga. My migration in September 2016 from New York to Atlanta was nothing less than humbling.

From experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and heartbreak all in one season (which seemed like 5 years straight) certainly had me beginning to believe I wasn’t who I thought I was. In the same sense, that little voice that repeatedly said “keep going, I got You”, became louder and louder each day. So I followed that voice. I began to seek opportunities that landed me into styling photo shoots with Atlanta’s most talented photographers and designers. That network created a path for me to style music videos for all types of A-list celebrities. I continued to follow that voice that later on blessed me with campaigns for Coca-Cola and Adidas. That same voice leads me into doing art direction and wardrobe consulting for films and tv shows. Today, I am humbly just an inspiring black woman who comes from a Nigerian mother that wanted a better life her children. God did her one better. Her daughter’s creative gifts are sustaining her and many others other around her.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Obstacles? Definitely. From just the feeling of always being an outcast in your own community to not ever having the right luxury items the next person may have can play with your self-confidence and motivation to keep going. Also, the financial part isn’t always the best part when you’re chasing a dream. I definitely had to get a job working in dental office which was a gift in disguise. That job taught me managerial skills and how to always make sure your time is being well spent. The decision to leave that job was as well because it was comforting to know I would be receiving compensation bi-weekly. Betting on yourself certainly comes with a cost and you have to be prepared for those valleys when you need to (or allow others) pick yourself up.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am all-around creative. I specialize in wardrobe styling/consulting, Art Direction, and content creating. I am mainly known for my fashion style and humor. (I know, random). I am very proud that my journey has the potential to inspire someone else to begin their own journey. What sets me apart as cliche as it sounds, my faith. I truly wear my faithful out loud and unapologetically.

What does success mean to you?
Success to me always involves other people. If I am able to help others to grow positively (internally and/or externally), receive better opportunities for their well-being and those around them, then I have touched success. I believe that Success is a “WE” thing, not a “ME” thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: Barriemeingold.com
• Instagram: Barriemeingold