Rising Stars: Meet Bosede Iyewarun

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bosede Iyewarun.

Hi Bosede, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started as a self-taught jewelry designer in 2011 and created a jewelry brand called Earkandie! It became a sensation and each year for my anniversary which was in November; I came up with a new collection and would opt to showcase each new collection on the runway as I did not have an actual storefront. Every year I would select a non-for-profit organization to donate a portion of the proceeds to and the show would sell out every year. After five years of having the Earkandie! Fashion Show Extravaganza; God gave me a bigger vision allowing me to showcase more designers, offer more models an opportunity and give back more! So the 6th year; I began to work on rebranding Earkandie! Fashion Show Extravaganza into Heartland International Fashion Week! So in 2017, HIFW was founded and created. Heartland International Fashion Week is a ‘Faith-Based’ organization LAUNCHING A WORLDWIDE FASHION EXPERIENCE with direct ACCESS to ENTERTAINMENT, FASHION, and DIFFERENT CULTURES WITH INDUSTRY MOVERS AND SHAKERS!

The destination is FASHION WITH A JOURNEY through ART and STYLE. We want to bridge the gap and connect the CONTINENT through fashion! Introducing Heartland International Fashion Week; a five day event in some of Kansas City’s premier locations showcasing the Retail, Art, and Cultural Communities. Our GOAL is to ensure that Heartland International Fashion Week will become one of the largest fashion and entertainment events of 2021. You will be immersed in a week full of runway shows, live entertainment, and throughout the month of May; learning sessions, model workshops and network events to bridge the gap and connect countries through fashion. This star-studded affair will be entertaining and designed to benefit local and national charities all in the name of fashion! Season 1 just took place May 11-15, 2021 and it was absolutely EPIC!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was a lot of ups and downs as with any huge task and brand. I went through a period of losing team members and really having to stay faithful and believing God would bring the right people to help me bring the vision to life. I knew I had to surround myself with not only believers of faith but also individuals who knew what it was to run a brand and be committed to finishing what they start. Sponsors and Partners were also a bit difficult to find due to the fact that this was new and nobody had heard of HIFW. After establishing a strong following on Instagram, Facebook, Google Plus and traffic on the website; it came easier to have conversations with Boutiques and local organizations to get them on board. We were fortunate to acquire partnerships with Dillard’s Oak Park Mall, Oak Park Beauty, The Negro League Baseball Museum, The Lee’s Summit Airport, The Gown Gallery Kansas City, Giselle’s Bridal KC and Bellus Academy Manhattan to name a few for Season 1.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Bosede A Iyewarun is the Founder and Visionary of Heartland International Fashion WeekTM, CEO of Lady Bosses International, Director and Founder of Branding Masterclass By HIFW.

Leveraging her business skills and her love for Sales, Marketing and Fashion; she founded her Jewelry line EarKandie! in 2010. In 2012 she founded Lady Bosses International which is a nonprofit organization in an effort to Uplift, Empower, and Encourage Lady Bosses from all around the globe through Professional Etiquette courses and Business/Personal Branding. The EarKandie! Model Academy and Management Company was founded June 2015 and later transformed into Branding Masterclass By HIFW in 2020. Her passion lies in investing in the youth and young adults with emphasis on instilling Self-Esteem and Confidence Building both in the Modeling Industry and for Personal Life Skills. Her desire to also create a platform for not only American models but models, designers and entrepreneurs from every part of the world drove her to establish Heartland International Fashion Week, Known for her role in the fashion industry in Kansas City Missouri, her desire to train and Mentor models of all shapes and sizes, and her affiliation with Fashion Group International, Ms. Iyewarun has created a brand as well as a following which enables her to create a platform that is well received within the fashion industry.

What sets me apart from others is using my skills to bring out the confidence and drive in each individual bringing them to see what is truly within them. I do it by incorporating faith-based training and encouragement.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Is it possible to be an entrepreneur and NOT take risks? I don’t think it’s possible! As much as we would all like to play it safe; how would you ever know what you are truly capable of accomplishing if you don’t take risks? Should you seek out that partnership? Is that collaboration going to work out or should you listen to what everybody else is saying without finding out for yourself and later regret the decision? At what point should you call it quits with a potential project or should you go all in?!

These and so many other questions I find myself asking myself! LOL. At the end of the day. Taking risks teach us and we become wiser!

Contact Info:

• Email: heartlandinternationalfw@gmail.com
• Website: http://www.heartlandinternationalfw.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandinternationalfw/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HIFW2020
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpYIVPeZ_QM2jknrdRbS57Q/featured

Image Credits
Jerome Hutchinson Photography AKIMPRESSIONS J Pamela Still Photography Models: Jordon Delehant Jordan Wilson Marlon King Keziah Slinkard Karla Torres Sam Carrillo Roniel Jupiter Marrian McCurry Chrystin Bruce Trejean Friesons Alli Colbert Jorge Luis Garcia Curbelo