Today we’d like to introduce you to Olubusola Akanbi.
Hi Olubusola, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Although I made my brand OSA. official in May 2021, I’ve always been a brand in my own right. I’m a Yoruba woman that was born and raised in Baltimore city so I knew I was destined for greatness. My creative streak started in middle school when I started doing my own hair. I would dye it different colors like purple, pink, honey blonde and do all kinds of styles. In high school, I started creating wigs and I took cosmetology for two years before deciding that I wanted my focus to be more on the technical side. I got my bachelor’s in Computer Science from Towson University in 2018 but I still didn’t feel complete. I would always tell my friends how I needed to discover my passion and they’d always respond that it’s something that I already do on a daily basis. Besides trying different things with my hair, I was always very adventurous with my style. I’m actually not a big designer person. I’ve always been really gifted at seeing things in an item of clothing that other may not see and knowing how to put it together in a way that makes me feel my best. I find pleasure in finding unique pieces, especially at the thrift store, and transforming them into something that says “Busola”. I’ve always been defined by my style and I believe its the easiest way to express oneself but even more than that I’ve always believed that YOU make the outfit it should never make you. I’m also not confined to just one style. I can be a rockstar or I can be sultry and sexy. Once I decided that I didn’t have to be just one thing in life — that I could be whatever I wanted on any given day, OSA. was born.
Being able to work from home due to the pandemic actually gave me the chance to redefine what I wanted from life. I bought a sewing machine on November 22, 2020 and I never looked back. I’m a self-taught fashion designer and I continue to learn more about fashion and marketing everyday. Although I am still very a much a small business I can envision how big my brand will be. OSA are my initials and I want my brand to really speak to who I am. I’m confident but very much an introvert who loves to stand out without needing to say much (very contradictory I know). When I walk into a room I know two things: my hair and my fit are going to make me so distinctive and leave people wondering “who is she? where’d she come from?”. That’s how I want people to feel when they wear OSA. At times when I didn’t feel my most confident I knew I could put on any outfit in my closet and my entire mood would change. That’s what I want OSA. to do for the community. I know to some people they’re just clothes but to me clothes are a serotonin booster.
My first line was OSA. SWM which will be a special place for all my swimwear collections. OSA. will consist of many different things including: outerwear, dresses, skirts, women’s clothing, mens clothing, and much more. As time goes on I realized that I don’t need to rush or constrict myself I just need to move at my pace and create sustainable pieces for my supporters. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be where I am today without God, my family, and my friends, they’ve supported me every step of the way and pushed me to see what they see in me. So I’ll continue to do this for me and them — OSA. to the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest part of starting my brand was realizing that this was my passion. It was a long, long road that was filled with doubt, fear, and imposter syndrome. I’d pray to God every night to guide me and direct me to find the talent that I know he’d given me. There were many times before I started OSA. that I thought I’d just have a regular 9-5 and be “content” with life but who wants to just be content when you can be exuberant. I currently still have my 9-5 as a Consultant/Developer which feels so in the way at times but I know I have to stay down until I come up. I travel a lot so I know how much there is in this world to see and experience. The experiences that I’ve had have led me to where I am now and I wouldn’t change a single day of my past. Being a business owner now just feels surreal and not even a year in I’m in a magazine. I was unsure of so many things but I promised myself I’d just figure it out as I go and it’s better to just start than continue being stagnant. It is absolutely NOT easy but when you’re doing something that brings you peace it makes it fulfilling.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
OSA. was founded in May 2021 as a brand of expression. My business specializes in handmade pieces that will maximize one’s confidence. I create and sew my designs and put them into the world hoping that they’ll make at least one persons’ day. In the (almost) one year that OSA. has been in business, I’ve created swimwear, custom sustainable, reversible, and eco-friendly outerwear from recycled fabric, crochet skirts from recycled fabric, corsets, and unique mesh printed dresses with detachable sleeves. My focus at the moment are my own designs but I allow my customers to customize the pieces to their liking. Slow fashion is also important to me because we don’t want to lose the art of craftsmanship. Look at Thierry Mugler (RIP one of my favorite designers), I aspire to create like that one day. His dedication to femininity, inclusiveness, and overall confidence are astounding to me. I’m proud of how far I’ve come in general and I still feel my heart flutter each time I get a new order. It makes me feel like someone somewhere resonated with my piece and is going to feel so confident when they wear it. OSA. doesn’t specialize in just one thing but creating distinguished pieces is a top priority.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I moved to Houston in August 2021 knowing only one person and having only been to the city one time. I now have a community that surrounds me and supports me in everything that I do. It was imperative that I move away from my hometown so that I could truly grow and Houston has given me that opportunity. Being from the east coast where things alway seem so fast-paced and demanding, Houston has provided an opposite environment for me. Everybody is so nice and so helpful, the city is consistently lively, the culture is so evident, the food is amazing, and how can you beat the weather? There’s nothing like standing on my balcony at 10am in 70 degree weather. Things feel much less stressful here and Houston has really provided much needed structure in my life. I’ve really come into myself in this city and I grow to love it more and more each day.
My dislikes about Houston aren’t even real dislikes. A lot of people here are… interesting drivers to say the least but Maryland wasn’t much better. When I first moved here I expected many things from back home to be here as well but once I fully immersed myself into the city I grew to love what made Houston, Houston.
Pricing:
- Crochet Skirts – $45
- Perfect Summer dresses $80-$110
- Custom Jackets – $100
- Bikinis – $50
Contact Info:
- Email: market@osaofficial.com
- Website: www.osaofficial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osamarket/
Image Credits
Chevelle Taylor
Eugene Maddy
