Here with us today we have the founders of Butterfly Effect world, Valentine Alade and Yinka Otesanya.
This unique clothing movement aims at providing services for fashion, design, art, clothing and entertainment aimed at brightening your day.
Hello, how are you guys doing today?
Valentine: We’re not too bad, yourself?
I’m ok you know, just can’t wait to get this interview started.
Yinka: We are very glad that you are having us today.
Ok, so tell me a little about yourselves, you know, what are your names, how old are you, where you guys from, what college/uni you go to and what you study?
Name: Valentine Joseph Alade (J.A.V)
Age: 21+
Location: Kent (UK) & Ireland
Brief intro into Val’s world:
As funny as it may sound, I’m currently a final year student studying biomedical science at the university of Greenwich not graphic design or anything media and fashion related*laugh*.
Looking forward to starting a bioentrepreneur PHD programme in September. I work part time for Sky TV (TLC) and spend the rest the hours left in my day working on the progression of B.E. I believe in making every day count. I love fashion. Even more I love when creativity, fashion statement, originality and tender care is put into making a garment that you wear, it makes you feel special. We can all agree that knowing our garment is personalised just for us alone does put that smock on our face.
Name: Yinka Otesanya
Age: 19
London: Kent
Brief intro into Yinka’s world:
I’m on my Gap year at the moment, working on my music, promoting and event managements and you know giving B.E all the attention it needs.
How did you two meet?
It was so random! [Both laughs] it was at a mate’s house. We were all chatting about fashion, different fashion styles that have been and gone and how the black community is taking likes to the Mohawk hair style and we were the only two in the house that could agree on similar things. We realised that we share the same views, ideas and concept...like I start a sentence and he finishes it. By then B.E clothing was still in its “trial phase”. I (Valentine) have just finished organising the first fashion show at the University at Medway with the help of one of my mate...someone I call a legend; ms royalty. He saw a couple of designs and concepts that I was working on at the time and loved it. He had interesting ideas to bring to the table too so we decided to run B.E together. From there, we put a few of our ideas to paper, brought them to life on the computer and printed them on tees and sweatshirts. We actually began by wearing the garments ourselves to clubs, raves and events and people loved it! In fact, I gave out more numbers that night than I have given my entire life. So we got a couple of texts asking us to make them the tees we were wearing from that night. We also got some criticisms which we worked on in order to create better garment. Which we put on e-bay to sell and they went like no man’s business. We did a little bit of restructuring to B.E, some polishing and here we are.
What made you guys want to get into fashion industry?
I have always been into fashion! My mum who is a great inspirer to me with her own boutique. Every time she gets new deliveries, I critically look at every garment bit by bit telling my mum what they could have done differently to improve each garment. These were world class clothing lines and I was 15. I add a little bit of ME to every cloth I own and sometimes I get in trouble for it...Have always believed in taking peoples opinions into consideration and this is what I do with B.E. I create garment that suit you, feels good on you. Personalised every inch of the way from the colour to the designs.
When was B.E Clothing born? What sparked the birth of this articulate clothing line?
B.E Clothing was born in early February, 2009...we are only three months old and we’ve done great things. Basically, B.E started from B.E ent as most people know, hosting events, did a couple in Ireland and some in the U.K. what inspired this clothing line is the dream of seeing thousands or even millions of people rocking the B.E tees at our event...the name B.E (Butterfly Effect) was chosen by myself and ms royalty at the time because we believe in making Ripples effect (kind of a physic theory) influence one time to influence millions...all you need to do is get the ball rolling.
What is the concept behind you brand?
The concept behind B.E Clothing is simple “Y.O.U”
Y-your idea and lifestyle
O-our concept, design and love
U-urban retro
Our garments are inspired by people’s idea, the “what if factor”...what if I can have a t-shirt of hoody that says_ _ _. B.E Clothing create garment for the laidback lifestyle oriented people as well as our fellow ravers. We all share one common aim in life; TO ENJOY IT and everyone likes being special. So we created CLUB B.E CLOTHING were people can tell us what they want, what fashion statement they want to make and we create it for them using pretty retro designs and colour with our CLUB B.E LOGO at the bottom. CLUB B.E is a family club as well has a movement. If u believe you are someone who believes they are destined for greatness, then CLUB B.E is home , we have DJ’S, recording artists, students and they are all rocking the CLUB B.E tee, each one personalised for them. We have always had 100% job satisfaction from people
You know they say doing business with friends isn’t a good idea, how do you feel about this? Has it been true for you, come on you can tell us, who’s the annoying one? *Laughs*
Nah*Laugh* well we have our moments. I’m (Valentine) always the annoying one. I believe in perfection! Either u on it or not! After all, what is worth doing at all is worth doing well.
Yinka: he once got into a massive argument with our printer because he missed the deadline by a day*laugh*
What makes your designs unique, I mean there’s so many people doing what you’re doing today, what’s going to make me want to buy your brand?
The designs are pretty simple and with deep interpretation. Every one that has ordered a B.E clothing testify to the fact that they say “awwwww” after opening it. That can only be achieved from creating a garment with the customer at heart.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Everything and everyone! Most especially from club and event scene around. We started off has a party label now we more than just that.
What makes your clothing line relevant to today’s society?
Positive outlook on life and the key to any great society and that what we do at B.E CLOTHING. All our garments are created to inspire you, from positive quote like the one used for the after dark fashion show (B.E creative, B.E fashionable, B.E Inspiring, B.E Focus, B.E charming) to our funny Mickey tees with interesting concept like the I CAN DO IT TOO MICKY TEES...I’m a big fan of Mickey mouse myself.
You say have a mission, vision and focus, tell me about this?
Our vision is to providing artistically challenge garment with you in mind. Our mission is to pursue this vision to greatness and our focus is on you...Our customers!
How did you raise money for your business?
We put our personal money into organising party at time when we know is right, that generate few income that we use to pursue our dreams. We also have other side project that we run and they generate income as well.
How’d you make profit, did you lose more than you made?
With most events that we organise, we tend to make a profit or break even but couple of times we run at lost just like every other business but the key has always been saving the profit for rainy days. With the clothing, it is more of a hobby or more appropriately a career than a business, we enjoy doing it even if we don’t profit much from it. Well yea it has its few rewards as well.
What are you marketing strategies, like networking, advertising, have they proven efficient?
Our major market strategies are through events and youth show cases. We organise events as we are an entertainment movement, put our website address on it and promote our brand. If 5,000 copies of flyers are sent out for an event or party, you sure that 3,000 will look at the flyer, 2,000 will have a glimpse of your clothing and above a 1000 would visit your site and well some will make purchases because they want to wear the garment to your upcoming event. That’s the stats. Lately, i find out event flyers is a good means of getting message across to people. We also us other network like advert, web blog to get people entertained and sucked into the B.E world and finally you can’t leave out FACEBOOK.
What’s been the most significant marketing tool for you?
Definitely promoting through event or party flyer, uploaded music and facebook
Have you held any shows, or been in any shows to help promote your brand?
Yea! A couple and we have also got a couple lined out to attend this summer.
Who are your competitors?
I’ll say we have none! It’s a dream, a way of life for us. We in it for the fun. Chasing the dream not the competition
Who are your target audience?
Everyone really but most especially the young fashion conscious people, young adult from late teens to mid thirties.
Where do you eventually want your clothing to be at, at the level of Nike for example?
Nike? I was hoping there is another clothing brand greater than NIKE because with the determination and ambition we have, Nike would have to start following us in no time*laugh*
How do you plan on gaining the competitive advantage over your competitors, or do you think it’s just down to the likeness of your products?
It’s down to likeness of our product. Our concept is quite different from other people. It’s a family thing for us. We just extending our family love to millions out there.
What does your range consist of?
Tees, hoodies, sweetshirt, turtleneck, bags, v-neck, badges and lately we working on the design for our very own CLUB B.E necklace and paints (ART-OIL PAINTING)
What fabrics do you deal with?
Cotton! Has to be, the fabric has to feel with
Describe your collection to me in ten words?
POSITIVE, UNIQUE, CLASSIC, INTELLETUAL, ARTISTIC CREATIVE RETRO GARMENT INSPIRED by YOU
Do make you collection to fit the current season?
Not exactly, we just like bringing out a wow factor every session. Just limited piece of simple artistic garment
What has been the most important lesson you guys have learnt so far?
You can do anything if you put your mind to it.
Your site says that you created exclusive and personalised garments to suit every particular customer; does that mean you incorporate your customer’s personality into your clothing line? How have you done this?
CLUB B.E is where we create personalised garment just for you but we also taking into consideration what people would want to wear. We want people to buy our clothing not because it’s from B.E CLOTHING but because they love it and it suits and fits their lifestyle.
Do you have any role models or influences?
Wale Adeyemi and samanta X
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Believe it or not, I see the fact that people like my clothing line to the point of wearing it over other known labels. That is my biggest achievement.
Who designed your website?
Me (Valentine) you wouldn’t believe the skills you can learn from summer school. Make your holiday count, attend summer schools and learn new skills. No knowledge is lost.
Do you think it is visibly accessible and easy to use?
Definitely!
“Leaving you entertained is your moto”, how have you achieved this?
I’ll like to think so, right from the very moment you log on to our site, until you log off it is all filled with enlightening and entertaining stuff, the music is right,(diverse tune as well) the graphic is awesome, the vibe is pretty retro and summery. Try logging onto our site when you feeling down, see if you don’t get lifted*laugh* the site is updated daily...daily! To make sure there is something new every time you visit...
What is your advice for other young aspiring entrepreneurs out there looking to break into the fashion industry or other industries?
Love it well enough to be able to call it a career, not just a business. Avoid the market talk and listen to the sound in your heart. Do you!
So, what’s next for B.E Clothing?
We have got a couple of anti crime showcases lined up. We actually participating in one next month called youth can shine, why do crime? organised by clown ice production in Kent. Supporter of B.E MOVEMENT! We had a secret and huge something lined up for September this year in Ireland.*laugh*
So finally, before I leave you, I need to ask for your secret, come on, why have you been so successful, what’s your secret weapon?
LOL! Ummm! I believe it’s my humbleness, love for the industry and hardwork but Yinka might think otherwise...Laughs!
Yinka: *laugh* Nah, it’s basically all of the above plus our zeal to success. Failure is a word we don’t associate to. Laughs
Thanks Valentine Alade and Yinka Otesanya it was a pleasure having you with us and being able to do this interview, but before we leave is there any way people interested in your brand or just looking for general enquiries could contact you?
Yes! Our website, http://www.butterflyeffectworld.info . Add us on Facebook B.E clothing and you might find us hosting or attending a party or event near you*laugh*
Thanks, all the best and until next time.
