By Chinazam Ikechi-Uko.
Recently, the internet has become fascinated with the concept of personal style. This has sparked a trend where individuals are determined to discover a unique style that, although they may have never encountered it before, they believe can be personal to them. For Kehinde Balogun, authentic style is a breeze, something she has never struggled to find. But with her skin-cut hair and bright-coloured looks, the dark-skinned designer has created a signature look for herself and her brand.
Once upon a time, the habit of last-minute clothing shopping. However, with ready-to-wear shops and fast fashion, people are used to having their purchases delivered in days. The Detty December season in Nigeria saw shoppers order clothes a few days before events. At the other end of this pole was 25-year-old Kehinde Balogun, founder of RÍRÁN, losing hours of sleep sewing these garments. It is her first major crazy December season, and she had miscalculated her brand’s popularity.
RÍRÁN recently celebrated its fifth anniversary but it has been two years since the brand got its big break in the industry. In the words of Balogun, the item that lit the match was the Pink Bebi Set in 2023. Since then, the brand has sold hundreds of Bebi sets. This increased interest in the brand’s catalogue. Its fun and colourful silhouettes have made it a choice brand for events and festivals.
Balogun in The Pink Bebi Set.
RÍRÁN’s signature shapes include bubble bottoms, asymmetrical hemlines, cowl necklines, drapes, and vibrant colours. This consistency makes spotting RÍRÁN in public easier than Argy did Odysseus.
This outcome has put Balogun in a constant state of gratitude and fear. “A lot of people depend on me. It motivates me because they believe in me and are willing to take a risk on me. It keeps me going, but it reminds me that I have a lot at stake,” she says.
When Balogun says people, she is referring to both her staff and community. The break in 2023 enabled Balogun to hire a team, before that, she did everything. The sewing, ironing, pattern-making, cutting, and designing in the first three years were entirely handled by her. An impressive feat, however, these days, the protégé spends her time at her studio training and overseeing her staff. Gleefully, she says, “I still make the samples.”
MEET KEHINDE BALOGUN OF RÍRÁN:
Balogun’s glee is closely attached to her passion for fashion. It began in her early years, dating back to her Secondary School days. She recalls, “I started this journey when I took Home Economics. I grew to like sewing, so I kept on doing it. I was 14.”
It’s been a decade since then, and now, in between bookkeeping records and repainting her studio, on a Google Meet call, she discusses the five years of RÍRÁN, the next five years, and how they have changed her.
A few minutes in and Balogun’s words remind me a lot of our previous president, as she says repeatedly, “I am shocked.”
MEET RÍRAN:
A lot seems to be happening at the moment. Can you explain what it is like at the RÍRÁN studio today?
Kehinde Balogun: We are redecorating and repainting.
And you, what is it like today?
Kehinde Balogun: I’m motivated. It is very different from the beginning years, which were hard. My family has a strong support system. Now, I’m at a point where I’m sleeping and can pace myself. I used to feel so guilty sleeping that I was in a constant panic stage.
Of course you were; you were your team. Excluding the increase in staff, what else has changed?
Kehinde Balogun: We didn’t have a structure a few years ago. We really just made designs that I like. Our most recent drop was actually our first cohesive collection. I sat down, designed this and then named it.
Reverie collection.
Named it? That’s new, often the name comes first.
Kehinde Balogun: It felt different for me, I wanted something that represented the RÍRAN woman. Once I saw the pieces, I was mind blown— in a dream state. That’s why I called it Reverie.
Despite the addition of staff, RÍRAN still operates within the slow fashion movement. How do you work?
Kehinde Balogun: Okay, so it takes a day (sometimes more) to make a piece. We are rather bespoke, so we make the items once a payment is made. People are quite accustomed to fast fashion so they expect it the next day. That’s not what we do. We cut patterns; our pieces are technically cut.
That is a very diligent process. How did that work in December? IJGBs are last-minute shoppers.
Kehinde Balogun: Oh, December was a learning experience. This was our first real December. We closed late— December 28— not out of greed but out of obligation. Our estimate was way off. We had scheduled to close on the 15th, but we received so many orders after our announcement that we found ourselves overwhelmed. We had to talk to a lot of customers to explain the situation. We were barely sleeping, some days I didn’t sleep. We slept on the studio floor. We learned a lot. We are more analytical now.
When you say you learned, what does that mean for this year’s Detty December at RÍRAN?
Kehinde Balogun: We will close in November! Probably that, and maybe have a December pop-up or just an end-of-the-year party for my clients. My clients are the best. They are so sweet.
Now that we know the RÍRAN client, what is RÍRAN and what does it mean?
Kehinde Balogun: The name RÍRÁN translates from the Yoruba word for “sew”. It was the result of a brainstorming session with her sister. We sat down and started throwing words. The idea was a brand for the girl’s girl. For the girl next door, I wanted designs to scream friendly.
Which came first— the bright colours of RÍRÁN or your obsession with vivid hues?
Kehinde Balogun: Haha, you know it was not always an obsession. Growing up, I never wore black because people would say I was too dark to wear shades of colour. So, I unconsciously sought out colours that pop. Colour has a way of improving people’s moods. I want that for RÍRÁN ladies. That positivity is our essence.
RÍRAN is celebrating five years, but when did it truly get its start?
Kehinde Balogun: I got the idea shortly after my master’s. I did my Bachelor’s in Architecture and my Master’s in environmental design. By this time, I had become skilled in the art of womenswear. I started designing and making clothes, but not much of a structure. I learned quickly that I was more creative then business oriented and my family stepped in to help with the business. Thus, RÍRAN was born.
Has your business sense improved? What would you say has been the most productive means of marketing for the brand?
Kehinde Balogun: Yes, it has, and it is still improving. I learn each day. Lately, I have been learning that Pinterest is as helpful for our brand as Instagram. Nothing beats Word of Mouth, but social media has been a vital part of my career.
This might seem generic, but where do you see RÍRAN in the next five years?
Kehinde Balogun: In Vogue! Having a slot at Fashion Week and at retailers like Nordstrom!
And you, where do you see yourself in five years?
Kehinde Balogun: I hope I learn to sleep better, at least 8 hours at night.
