She is a personal stylist, fashionpreneur and Style Editor of the online style blogazine, Madame Solange.com. Her business,
Madame Solange’s Personal Styling, offers personal image consulting, wardrobe evaluations, personal shopping, special events and party styling, interview styling, style parties/group seminars, and Solange’s magic makeovers.
CN: Who is Helen Solange Inengite?
HSI: I am a personal stylist/fashionpreneur, based in Lagos, Nigeria, but I travel throughout the region and around the world for my clients. Think about it; the busy executive, the banker, the business person, and the stay at home mum no longer have to be rich and famous to enjoy a style consultation. My services are created to suit the needs of clients from all walks of life.
I believe that in the city of Lagos, known as the commercial capital of Nigeria, it is hard not to be fashion forward. Although originally from Cameroon, I have lived in Lagos most of my life. Compared to the competitiveness of Nigerian fashion, I have been met with positive feedback and support from the Lagos fashion enthusiast.
I see fashion and style as a staple in city life when you are working in a place like Lagos, because it is integrated into the culture.
CN: Tell us a little bit about your background and your profession.
HSI: As a fashion expert, I hold a certificate in Fashion and Designing from the Singer School of Fashion & Designs. As a working professional, I obtained a degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Lagos, and am currently studying for a Master’s in Global Human Resources at the University of Liverpool.
Prior to my current discipline, I worked as a fashion buyer/stylist and merchandiser with private fashion stores like; Luomo- Ladies and Things. I also worked as a TV Producer with Africa’s premiere talk show host Mo Abudu, and I currently serve as an HR Administrator in one of Nigeria’s LNG companies in the oil and gas sector.
CN: What would you consider a remarkable turning point in your life?
HSI: It was when I got the inspiration to start a style blog called Madame Solange. My blog is filled with fashion news, style tips, designers, weddings, kids and much more. A popular section called ‘In Your Bag’ is where a selection of successful and stylish women share the contents of their bag. Currently, Madame Solange has 3000 visitors per day on the blog and a social media reach of 20,000 people per month.
Having come this far, I remember what my former boss Mo Abudu always says, “If you can think it, you can do it”. Why do I consider this remarkable? Well, the ability to conceive an idea is different from the ability to execute a thing. So, I believe I found my voice and uniqueness with Madame Solange. Through this platform, I am able to reach people like me who seek style inspiration and style advice.
CN: Why did you decide to start Madam Solange?
HSI: When it comes to fashion, nothing gives me more satisfaction than the joy of seeing someone wear that total look. And for me, having a total look means you’ve got style and this transcends to owning a total image. Thus, Madame Solange was inspired by my love for style. Fashion has always been a means for me to express how I feel about life, and this is how I express personal style.
CN: What were your biggest challenges starting out?
HSI: My biggest challenges were centred around having to combine my job as an HR administrator and a style blogger, because blogging can be a time consuming task. However, I knew that if I put my mind to it, I could combine my role as a fashion buyer/merchandiser with my regular day job.
CN: What three adjectives describe you best?
HSI: Fabulous, smart and stylish.
CN: Who are your role models/mentors?
HSI: Mo Abudu, an upward professional and inspirational model, because she inspires me with the Yes you can do it spirit”.
Coco Chanel, a great style mentor for her immense contribution to the fashion world, and most importantly defining what it means to be stylish.
Udo Okonjo- a lover of women, for her ability to make me and every other woman understand what it means to be a woman of worth.
CN: What books have you read that have helped you?
HSI: The Success Principles (How to get from where you are to be where you want to be)- Jack Canfield
You Can Do It Too (20 Essential things every budding entrepreneur should know) – Rachael Bridge
The Aladdin Factor – Jack Canfield
CN: What is your guiding principle/motto?
HSI: “If you can think it you can do it”
CN: A word for your readers?
HSI: I actually have more than a word (laughs). I always say to my clients – style is an essential aspect of a total image. Thus, “Don’t be a style rot, be a style sensation”. So, keep speaking style!
For more information, visit;
www.madamesolange.com
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This article was first published on 27th September 2014
Comments (1)
She is a personal stylist, fashionpreneur and Style Editor of the online style blogazine, Madame Solange.com. Her business, Madame Solange’s Personal Styling, offers personal image consulting, wardrobe evaluations, personal shopping, special events and party styling, interview styling, style parties/group seminars, and Solange’s magic makeovers.
CN: Who is Helen Solange Inengite?
HSI: I am a personal stylist/fashionpreneur, based in Lagos, Nigeria, but I travel throughout the region and around the world for my clients. Think about it; the busy executive, the banker, the business person, and the stay at home mum no longer have to be rich and famous to enjoy a style consultation. My services are created to suit the needs of clients from all walks of life.
I believe that in the city of Lagos, known as the commercial capital of Nigeria, it is hard not to be fashion forward. Although originally from Cameroon, I have lived in Lagos most of my life. Compared to the competitiveness of Nigerian fashion, I have been met with positive feedback and support from the Lagos fashion enthusiast.
I see fashion and style as a staple in city life when you are working in a place like Lagos, because it is integrated into the culture.
CN: Tell us a little bit about your background and your profession.
HSI: As a fashion expert, I hold a certificate in Fashion and Designing from the Singer School of Fashion & Designs. As a working professional, I obtained a degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Lagos, and am currently studying for a Master’s in Global Human Resources at the University of Liverpool.
Prior to my current discipline, I worked as a fashion buyer/stylist and merchandiser with private fashion stores like; Luomo- Ladies and Things. I also worked as a TV Producer with Africa’s premiere talk show host Mo Abudu, and I currently serve as an HR Administrator in one of Nigeria’s LNG companies in the oil and gas sector.
CN: What would you consider a remarkable turning point in your life?
HSI: It was when I got the inspiration to start a style blog called Madame Solange. My blog is filled with fashion news, style tips, designers, weddings, kids and much more. A popular section called ‘In Your Bag’ is where a selection of successful and stylish women share the contents of their bag. Currently, Madame Solange has 3000 visitors per day on the blog and a social media reach of 20,000 people per month.
Having come this far, I remember what my former boss Mo Abudu always says, “If you can think it, you can do it”. Why do I consider this remarkable? Well, the ability to conceive an idea is different from the ability to execute a thing. So, I believe I found my voice and uniqueness with Madame Solange. Through this platform, I am able to reach people like me who seek style inspiration and style advice.
CN: Why did you decide to start Madam Solange?
HSI: When it comes to fashion, nothing gives me more satisfaction than the joy of seeing someone wear that total look. And for me, having a total look means you’ve got style and this transcends to owning a total image. Thus, Madame Solange was inspired by my love for style. Fashion has always been a means for me to express how I feel about life, and this is how I express personal style.
CN: What were your biggest challenges starting out?
HSI: My biggest challenges were centred around having to combine my job as an HR administrator and a style blogger, because blogging can be a time consuming task. However, I knew that if I put my mind to it, I could combine my role as a fashion buyer/merchandiser with my regular day job.
CN: What three adjectives describe you best?
HSI: Fabulous, smart and stylish.
CN: Who are your role models/mentors?
HSI: Mo Abudu, an upward professional and inspirational model, because she inspires me with the Yes you can do it spirit”.
Coco Chanel, a great style mentor for her immense contribution to the fashion world, and most importantly defining what it means to be stylish.
Udo Okonjo- a lover of women, for her ability to make me and every other woman understand what it means to be a woman of worth.
CN: What books have you read that have helped you?
HSI: The Success Principles (How to get from where you are to be where you want to be)- Jack Canfield
You Can Do It Too (20 Essential things every budding entrepreneur should know) – Rachael Bridge
The Aladdin Factor – Jack Canfield
CN: What is your guiding principle/motto?
HSI: “If you can think it you can do it”
CN: A word for your readers?
HSI: I actually have more than a word (laughs). I always say to my clients – style is an essential aspect of a total image. Thus, “Don’t be a style rot, be a style sensation”. So, keep speaking style!
For more information, visit; www.madamesolange.com
I like Madamesolange