A talented 25-year-old fashion illustrator, Olulola Odubela shares her inspiring journey of turning her passion into a successful business in an interview with iGEN NEWS.
Born in Jigawa state to a medical doctor and midwife, Olulola’s creative journey began at age seven with her parents’ encouragement and support while also providing her with ample materials to hone her skills.
Olulola’s fascination with fashion illustration started after watching a Disney Channel commercial, which sparked her interest in drawing dresses.
She developed her skills consistently, and her parents supported her by providing every art material she needed. This early exposure to art laid the foundation for her future career as a fashion illustrator.
She said: “My parents read fairy tales and stories to me everyday so I picked up on reading and visual differentiation at the age of 3.
“I’ve always been drawn towards writing and drawing, I’m thankful my parents noticed early on so they provided me with surplus paper and pencils to keep at it.
“My parents never stopped me from being arty. They provided me with every ridiculous art material I asked for. This privilege helped me grow too. So when I eventually decided to make this a business, my Dad bought me the sturdiest table in the world to tail on.
“Consistency! I kept at it. My skills developed over time, infact I wash them down now because I want my drawings to look cartoonish. I started with drawing random things then saw this commercial on Disney Channel that asked girls to draw Disney Princess Dresses to stand a chance to win a prize, this sparked my interest in fashion illustration even though I didn’t know that’s what it was called then. I didn’t partake in the competition but I started to draw dresses and even sew clothes for my dolls. I was probably 7 or 8 here”.
As she grew older, Olulola’s passion for fashion illustration only intensified. She pursued higher education, studying Human Anatomy at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and earning her Master’s degree in Neuroscience from the same institution. Her academic background in anatomy has given her a unique understanding of the human form, which she applies to her fashion illustrations.
Despite her recorded success, Olulola has faced numerous challenges and moments of self-doubt. She shared that she has wanted to quit many times, highlighting the difference between enjoying a hobby and building a lasting brand.
Now a Lagos-based fashion illustrator, Olulola emphasises that creating a brand requires immense hard work and dedication and there have been instances where quitting seemed like the easiest option, but her self-reflection and determination have kept her going.
“I’ve wanted to quit so many times, you see there’s a difference between doing a hobby and building a brand that’ll outlast one. Building the brand is harder work and honestly, quitting has come to mind a number of times but looking at myself in the mirror keeps me going”, she said.
She recognises that setbacks are an inevitable part of the journey to success and that perseverance is key.
Despite facing challenges, Olulola’s self-belief and driving force is her family.
Olulola’s craft is gaining recognition in Nigeria and internationally, with brands from Canada, the UK, USA, Ghana, and Cameroon patronising her services.
Her expertise has led to collaborations with various brands, and she hopes to work with renowned fashion houses like Dior, Chanel, and Valentino in the future.
To expand her business, Olulola has hired a team to manage customer relations and paperwork, allowing her to focus on sketching.
Her ongoing 100-day challenge, which started on January 6, 2025, aims to increase engagement and attract more brand recommendations. Beyond fashion illustration, Olulola is a social media strategist and enjoys reading, watching series, and home decor.
“Expansion has started for me, this year the plan is to push myself through my currently ongoing 100-day challenge which will garner more engagement and in turn brand recommendations and recognition”.
Olulola’s journey is a shining example of how dedication and perseverance can lead to success. She has proven that with hard work and determination, anyone can turn their passion into a fulfilling career. As she continues to grow and expand her business, Olulola remains committed to inspiring others to pursue their dreams, just as she has done.
In addition to her fashion illustration business, Olulola is also passionate about empowering others through her art. She believes that art has the power to bring people together and inspire positive change. Through her work, Olulola aims to make a lasting impact on the fashion industry and beyond.
“You have to understand there’s so much more to it than just drawing and painting. Fashion illustration is people trusting you to take their brand to the next level, they rely on you to determine the style they want to be known for and you have to deliver. Stay consistent too!”.
Speaking of self-doubt, the Fashion enthusiast said she rarely get in that space.
“I hardly doubt myself, in fact I feel I believe in myself more than anyone I know aside from God. Imposter syndrome hardly has a hold on me. I see myself each day and I see someone much greater so doubt rarely hangs around”, she said.
Through her work, Olulola aims to make a lasting impact on the fashion industry and beyond.
