Hogoè Kpessou

1. Who is Hogoè Kpessou? 

I’m a 23-year-old business owner. I was born in Lome, Togo but have since been residing in the states from age 6. I’ve started a brand in order to help pay for my education. 

2. How do you define fashion and or style? 

I find fashion to be abstract in its own way; left to understanding by the one dressing. Style is a way of self expression, a way of finding oneself in how you want to be received by an audience which is everyday society. 

3. What influences your style? ie travel, work, movies, magazines, social media trends, celebrities, color, etc. 

I have a wide range of interests. Sometimes I really want to work vintage or old Hollywood such as Diana Ross. Other times I find myself exploring other cultures and their styles, being so into dramas and shows for different regions. 

4. How has your style evolved? 

My style has just matured in its spontaneousness. I would say I've been getting more into making sure I wear things that flatter my figure rather than what I assume would look good in my head. I’ve grown to make an effort to understand my body and how different styles can enhance my body. 

5. What does your dream wardrobe consist of?

My dream wardrobe would consist of a variety of styles. I really like Blackpink’s aesthetic and a bit of old Hollywood like Monroe. I like the 2000’s glam as well. A closet that’s diverse in style and can make me live out a new character everyday would be a dream. 

6. If you were to give fashion advice to your younger self what would it be? 

To explore, and to not be so limited by my own idea of what kind of body I’d need to be able to wear something. To be honest to myself as well: when something doesn’t look good on me, it has nothing to do with me but everything to do with the clothing. It just was something that didn't compliment me and that’s okay. Just because it looks good on other people doesn’t mean you aren’t good looking if it doesn’t compliment you. 

7. How important is it to be body positive and to appreciate the skin that you're in? 

As someone that struggles with pcos, being appreciative of the body I am in is always needed. Having my weight change ever so often can play with my mind and my perspective on myself. I clearly have preferences in when I love my body the most. Still, I’ve gotten okay with the aspect of being okay when I'm not fully in love with my look. I believe that’s self love too- to be able to be honest with myself and not force it. 

8. What do you love about jewelry? What is your absolute favorite is it earrings, necklaces, etc. 

I really love Bollywood Jewelry. I love the glamour of the design and the uniqueness. It always makes me feel gorgeous. I love gold and the compliment it has on my skin. 

9. How do you incorporate accessories and jewelry into your daily looks? 

I love rings and headpieces. I often mix aesthetics but always incorporate Bollywood jewelry in the way I choose to dress. I often pair it with everything from jeans to dresses. 

10. What are your non-negotiables... What must you have / wear / do? and what are your, “I’m never ever doing or wearing that”? 

I don’t believe there’s anything I wouldn’t wear, but it depends on a lot of variables. The settings, the style, etc. I believe I’d have to be in that situation with clothing that I don’t like, then I'd decide I wouldn’t wear. 

11. Tell us why you choose fashion and style. So what we mean by that is, we don’t have to dress up, we don’t have to adorn ourselves with jewels and embellish with accessories, but we do, we choose to… why do you?

I believe in being the main character of my own story. Fashion allows you to participate in different plots and events just by dressing the part. It can always encourage you to learn to love yourself. When you learn what looks good on you, you can start learning ways to love different things about yourself because you’re actively choosing to wear things that enhance your beauty. 

12. What’s your favorite fashion/style quote or mantra? 

“Life is a movie, and I'm the main lead.” Maybe somewhere someone else has said and gotten credit for this quote that I don’t know. I think I started saying it senior year of high school. Regardless, I like the idea of fashion being a form of self expression and adding interest to everyday life. How you dress is usually what ends up determining how those around you react and continue on in the movie. 

13. How and where can people connect with you? 

On social media @negraitta https://www.instagram.com/negraitta/ or @hogoekpessou https://www.instagram.com/hogoekpessou/ for my brand.

I’ve always left ways to be connected with and dms open because I love receiving new ideas on future designs and/or collecting responses towards an outfit or idea I’ve had.

 

That's a beautiful way of thinking about life, Hogoè. Ladies, there's an affirmation for us, "I'm the main character of my movie!" Thanks for sharing your story with us. 

XoXo Golden Stories