Today we’d like to introduce you to Gynella Ngounou.
Gynella, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Students Expressing Life through Fashion (SELF) is an award-winning fashion sewing company that fancy in strategically providing a learning environment where students are enlightened on production-based fashion. SELF caters to all makers in fashion.
To that end, we provide a demanding curriculum structured around principles of design, unbounded creativity, and opportunities to prepare our students for proactive leadership in the dynamic and ultra-competitive global fashion industry. Also, our curriculum allows students to receive first-hand experiences to build to their resume and portfolio.
SELF first emerged as a student organization at Georgia Gwinnett College in 2013 to fill the void of [at the time] a fashion community. The organization met weekly to discuss the latest in fashion trends, and plan fashion events. What began as a 7-member club quickly rose to 60-members in days, through word of mouth. In late 2016, SELF expanded to Georgia State University. I noticed a high demand for a fashion sewing club from students and immediately met with my dear fashion friend (Miyori Holliman) to create a fashion design curriculum and begin teaching it on campus. From there, we cultivated an Executive team of 6 and would meet weekly with our 100+ members.
To maintain full ownership, I registered SELF as a LLC in August of 2018 and began to operate SELF as a company. Currently, I am the CEO and a Fashion Designer of SELF with an Executive team of creatives teaching our many members. It is a rewarding experience, to say the least.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not, but I have been faith-ing it until I make it. In the past, the major challenge was finding consistent leaders to fill my Executive team. Fortunately, today, God has blessed me with two strategic leaders who comprise of my Executive Board, as well as many creative members who I feel confident in assigning administrative tasks to.
Another challenge has been funding, which we are currently implementing new strategic methods on how to receive.
Thus far, this entrepreneurial road has not been the easiest – but I love a rewarding challenge!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Students Expressing Life through Fashion (SELF) – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am the Founder and CEO of Students Expressing Life through Fashion, also referred to as “SELF.” It is a new sewing company in downtown of Atlanta, Georgia. I specialize in fashion design and style consulting.
Personally, I am most proud of not allowing my speech impediment disrupt my dreams. Months prior to creating SELF in 2013, I felt pressured by my own negative thoughts to appoint another individual as President than myself. I felt like people would not take me seriously because of my stuttering. My professor/mentor, at the time, Dr. Nicole Ribianszky, advised that I challenge myself to best learn how to believe in myself. It was due to her words that tearfully made me reconsider, and have, today, made me realize the value I possess.
As far as SELF, what I am most proud of is the fact that we have accomplished so much since our transition as a company in August 2018. On October 6, 2018, we curated a successful event called: Business of Style – Influencers Edition. This event was to enlighten and empower people on business, bossing, branding, and voting. We partnered with Kevlar Rose Agency, Dillard’s, CNN, GA Stand Up, Lilybud Bakery, and Deep Eddy Vodka. I, along with Victorya Wagner (Founder of Kevlar Rose Agency), moderated a 6-panel of high-level African-American creatives in Atlanta. The panel included Tefferi Stewart (CNN Design Manager), Katie Kern (Partner and COO of Media Global Frenzy, and Founder of Fashion in Atlanta), Ahmad Barber (Managing Partner of SMC, and Art Director of Radiant Health Magazine), Ashley Sims (Founder of Aesthetic Girl Design Studio), Kara Stanton (Michael Kors Retail Coordinator), and Ateara Garrison (Associate Attorney for B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, P.C.) This event was so successful that attendees, and many people who could not attend, are demanding a part two — and I am giving it to them this Fall, 2019!
Apart from the event, our members have partaken in day-internships for great fashion brands like Megan Fullerton, Kevlar Rose Agency, and more. Also, we have solidified a gorgeous new studio where we create weekly. In fact, a SELF launch party is in the works to invite our family, friends, past and potential partners and sponsors to see what is to come for SELF.
My members have stated that what sets SELF apart from other sewing companies is the fact that SELF offers more services, and is not so regulated. I feel what keeps us at an advantage is that SELF listens to what aspiring sewists want and can cater to that. We do that while staying in align with our mission.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love best about our city is the diversity it serves. The diversity creates a rich exchange of ideas in the city, boosting inspiration and creativity in me.
An opportunity I do see for our city, among creatives, is that we need to be more in collaboration than competition. I have witnessed people with the “crab in the bucket” mentality, and solely wish for all to realize that there is plenty of room at the top for all of us to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sewwithself.com
- Phone: 6784049840
- Email: access@sewwithself.com
Image Credit:
Photographer by Gabrielle Arduini., Studio photographer by Ritesh Gautam., Customized “SELF” t-shirts by Space of Gratitude.
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
