It is the season of simplicity for the summer and in our movies you will often find that “the dress” is being re-invented as no longer for the child but for the teen and adult. The Fashion Gods have spoken and in comes, Ieashia Hopkins, a designer who is redefining the use of silk and cotton; coupled with the art of crochet.
History laments that crochet is French, however we know better because traditionally it is found among the Asiatic and peoples of the Americas. Empire State based Ms. Hopkins has delivered on a promise to provide us interview and exclusive views of her latest apparel. Three words that capture the collection are: Inventive, Chic, and Jaw dropping.
Ieashia Hopkins has taken a conventional mode of crochet and given it a neavou-funk exposure for our generation. The collection is meant to catch attention that we so crave any time we watch a Ghanaian or Nigerian film production in which the lead wears that beautiful dress.
Credit must be given to the African Film Industry for inspiring us in our mode of dress. I can name five actresses in Ghana that have influenced us positively when in comes to the use of unusual color and patterns. These on-screen revolutions could not be possible without the creativity of the seamstress behind the clothes. Art imitates life and Ms Hopkins is proof because when asked about her style icons, she graciously responded, “my absolute favourites include Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Tonto Dikeh, Rihanna, and Beyonce Knowles. I just can not wait to see what these ladies will wear”.
If you noticed the all purple, red form fitting piece, in my opinion Genevieve Nnaji or Yvonne Nelson were created for goddess-like nature of the style. In African cinema you generally see a mix of modern costuming mixed with old-fashioned costuming as way of bridging the gap if you will. I can’t help but think of Homowo celebrations in Accra and how-if permitted- we lay persons could rock that particular white dress. On her current achievements, Ms Hopkins believes what influenced her to enter the fashion field she states, “I have been fascinated with fashion and style since I was a little girl. I was raised by my mother and sister who were both fashion forward and stylish women. I knew when I grew up; I wanted to make people feel as beautiful in their clothes, as my mother and sister felt in their clothing”.
Ieashia Hopkins allowed Ghanacelebrities.com to add a sample of her work to this article, if you desire to contact her please feel free to directly contact us or [email protected]
Below you will find the remainder of the interview…
GhanaCelebrities.com: So tell me, what style Icons do you admire?
Ieashia Hopkins: I have so many style icons. My absolute favorites include Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Tonto Dikeh, Rihanna, and Beyonce Knowles. I just can not wait to see what these ladies will wear.
GhanaCelebrities.com: Name 3 words to describe your work.
Ieashia Hopkins: Inventive, Chic, and Jaw dropping.
GhanaCelebrities.com: In African cinema you generally see a mix of modern costuming mixed with old-fashioned costuming as way of bridging the gap if you will. With your current achievements, what/who would you say sparked your desire to enter the fashion field-are you still influenced by it?
Ieashia Hopkins: I have been fascinated with fashion and style since I was a little girl. I was raised by my mother and sister who were both fashion forward and stylish women. I knew when I grew up; I wanted to make people feel as beautiful in their clothes, as my mother and sister felt in their clothing.
GhanaCelebrities.com: Tell me about the kinds of clothes you design, do you have a preference for a type of color and material?
Ieashia Hopkins: Since the age of nine I have been crocheting clothing. That is what makes my designs stand out the most. I took my love of stitching yarn and started creating clothes that would generally be made with sewing fabrics. I use a wide variety of colors and cottons. I create clothing that is youthful, new, and fun. I love to play with colors and asymmetrical layers. I design outerwear, women’s intimates, work apparel, men’s casual, and children’s clothing. It’s definitely not your grandmother’s style of crocheting!
GhanaCelebrities.com: In Africa the seasons tend to be more on the humid to warm side, but then it can be rainy as well. Do you have season specific designs?
Ieashia Hopkins: The beautiful thing about crocheting is with different stitches you can create different layers for different temperatures. I can use an extremely thick cotton with tight stitching for the winter and a really light silk/cotton blend with open stitching for hotter temperatures. Any design will work well in the rain and dries quickly.
GhanaCelebrities.com: I know you can design specifically for a star, what do you look for before you come up with a design for him/her?
Ieashia Hopkins: I always look for what fits a person’s individual personality and style. I study their clothing history and make a piece with a twist to what they would normally wear. If they are fun and risqué, I will design a piece that is totally out there and will catch everyone’s eye. If the person is reserved and shy I will create a piece that they will feel comfortable in, but will still be an attention grabber. I always make sure to accentuate the best features for the person’s body.
GhanaCelebrities.com: Do you design for a specific gender, age group, body type?
Ieashia Hopkins: I design for all. From toddlers, boys, girls, women and men. I can blankets and drapes as well.
GhanaCelebrities.com: Iaeshia thanks again for your time. More Blessings
Ieashia Hopkins: Thank you also. I just want to say thank you so much for the opportunity. I am very excited about this chance and excited about being featured on my favourite website. Speak with you soon and have many blessings!
GhanaCelebrities.com: You are welcome.
nice designs
Okay now those clothes just look tacky. C’mon now, to be frank people will just stare at you all day if you wear these. No offense.
@Spankydeluv, thats the essence of fashion. if nobody looks at you den wht u’ve got on is crap…..dats ma mind.Opanin has spoken…
true talk! sorry for all the time you spent on them honey but these are just funny! the red one is the worst!
and the model? hmmmmmm! her shape is a bit ……! it aint that she aint got hips- but she still manages to look androgenous!
maybe that’s the point, if you got it, flaunt it. and if you want to flaunt it, work-it-out so you can get the body right
Hi there is an auditioning going on and we want to know if u are interested Its about acting a movie and if u are fluent in the english language u can send a message of acceptance because auditioning starts in october and comes off in kumasi. call for more info: 0273 609845 Thank you
i love these clothes. great innovation. if only she had a bigger chest, u knw wht i mean………….are these available in GH?
lol why dont you email her to find out and let us know Opanin
Trash go get some real materials it is nasty I wouldn’t give it to a villager mpo aaa wat is dis go to a gud designer school okay no offence I love u just trying to help a confused designer.
nice designs