In Candid Fashion

MEET MIMI UDUEZE Mimi Uduezue is a multifaceted executive with specialties in marketing and managerial accounting, business law, tax planning and finance. She studied at the University of Massachusetts where she bagged a degree in Marketing and communication and a minor in psychology. Mimi went on to get two MBAs, one from ESSEC Business school where she obtained an MBA in Luxury, Retail and Strategy and more recently an MBA in Marketing from the Northwestern University- Kellogg School of Management. Prior to her current role at Target, Mimi garnered work experience from firms such as PwC where she worked as a tax associate. She also worked with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) as a revenue agent and with Cherry Bekaert LLP as a senior tax consultant. She moved to Target in 2017 and rose through the ranks to become a senior buyer in 2019. This conversation was recorded in April-May 2021. www.isoken.ca

MEET TENIQUE BERNARD Tenique Bernard is a talented public relations officer with over 14 years of experience in corporate, marketing and internal communications. She began her career in fashion in 2007 as a freelancer at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) where she worked to support the PR and events team at the CFDA Awards. Teni proceeded to secure more jobs and worked with renowned brands like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren where she worked for eight years At Ralph Lauren, she developed and executed different communication strategies for the companies’ initiatives, helped strengthen the relationship with media partners to secure brand coverage and features for the brand After her stint at Ralph Lauren, Tenique joined KCD in 2016 and worked on major red carpets and runway shows with a wide range of clients from Kate Spade to Brandon Maxwell. At present, she runs her own consulting firm, Tenique Bernard Consulting where she uses her knowledge and experience to cater for Black-owned brands, women-led brands as well as emerging brands.

MEET WANDE ABE Wande obtained her undergraduate degree in Applied Economics and Business Management with distinction from the Imperial College, London. where she was awarded the Orwin Prize. She proceeded to London School of Economics and Politics and the Harvard Business School where she obtained an MBA in Business Administration and Management. She has garnered work experience from top organizations including but not limited to Standard Chartered Bank, McKinsey & Company among others. At present, she works at LVMH, where Wande has received both peer and industry acknowledgement. In 2019, she was named of the 30 young leaders to build bridges between France and Africa by AFD, a French-African Foundation Initiative. This conversation was recorded in April-May 2021. www.isoken.ca

MEET SYAMA MEAGHER Syama Meagher is the founder and chief retail strategist of Scaling Retail. A Web3 and consumer specialist, she has also been named one of WWD’s Top 20 Women in Business (2017). Syama Meagher has succeeded in establishing an international retail consulting and brand marketing agency which guides startup, growth stage, and enterprise fashion companies seeking to launch, pivot or scale. Prior to this, she had worked with the United Nations and also garnered experience from working with brands like Macy’s and Barneys as a buyer, planner and merchandiser. Meagher is an expert in retail and fashion, a field she has had so many successes, including helping to double Gucci’s outlet division sales from $50 million to $100 million in two years. She is a seasoned thought leader and has featured in speaking engagements such as MAGIC, TEDxLA, and she has also regularly quoted in NPR in reputable press such as NPR, The Financial Post, Inc. and more. This conversation was recorded in April-May 2021. www.isoken.ca

Adjoa Atuahene is one of the young individuals who are redefining the way we do business. She is an experienced marketing and events professional who is well-versed in fashion, sports and entertainment. The Toronto-based marketer earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from the University of Guelph-Humber. Adjoa has a passion for creating compelling brand stories through public relations. She has worked with some of the best companies across fashion, sport and entertainment. Brands like Nike, Live Nation, OVO have entrusted Adjoa to help bring their vision to life. She also worked with the Jordan Brand and the NBA All-star 2016. In 2020, Adjoa founded the Canadian Black Standard which is Canada's premier networking and advocacy platform created with the aim of creating an answer to systemic racial barriers that exist in the business landscape as well as ensuring inclusion of Black Canadian women in the sector of marketing. Adjoa was named in Bay Street Bull's 30X30, class of 2021 list which showcases Canadian leaders who are redefining the way we do business and championing their communities. She also volunteers as a mentor for Monday Girl Social Club, Canada's leading career platform for professional women. This conversation was recorded in April-May 2021. www.isoken.ca

MEET SHARIFA MURDOCK Sharifa Murdock is one the leading figures in the fashion industry. The “mother of menswear” as she is often regarded is the founding partner of Liberty Fairs where she focuses on  on cultivating relationships and elevating new brands in the men’s and women’s fashion space through showcase.. She has a strong grasp of industry trends and emerging brands and she has over 20 years of experience in fashion and retail. She went on to work at Atrium, Michael Kors, Donna Karan and Louis Vuitton. Sharifa has since expanded her career and has gone on to create additional companies such as Project Trade Show with her mentor and now business partner Sam Ben-Avraham which was later sold, and Envsn Fest. Sharifa’s work and personal style has been featured in top media outlets such as Glamour, Instyle, Essence and Elle and she was recently announced as the Chief of People & Culture and eventually Chief Impact Officer of legacy menswear brand KITH.

MEET MICHELLE OKEKE Michelle Okeke is a seasoned marketer with more than 10 years of experience strategizing, developing and executing market campaigns. She garnered work experience from working with organisations like Twitter , Facebook, and Time. Currently, she works as a Creator Marketing Manager at Pinterest where she is committed to ensuring that creators get excited about creating content directly on the platform. This conversation was recorded in April 2021. www.isoken.ca

Wonder’s Lola Okuyiga on The Importance of Collaboration & How to Create a Bestselling Product This week, Lola Okuyiga , Founder of Wonder & Head of Contemporary at Threads Styling, gives us an inside look at her over a decade old fashion career spanning buying, merchandising, editorial, retail, product development and marketing; the inner workings of past high profile collaborations like the much lauded Homecoming x Browns activation in Lagos and tells us all about the core philosophy that inspires her and her soon to launch brand, Wonder. This conversation was recorded in April 2021. www.isoken.ca

Introducing the In Candid Fashion podcast - Hosted by Isoken Ogiemwonyi, premiere episode will launch Feb 24th everywhere you listen to podcasts!