TRUDY-ANN’S passion FOR DESIGN
TYALLAHS, St Thomas: RUDY-ANN JOHNSON, a native of Yallahs, St Thomas, has had a passion for designing since age 12 when she made outfits for her dolls and later began redesigning her own clothes before wearing them.
“When I started high school, the passion grew as I excelled in clothing and textiles and the arts. In 2006, I did a one-year course in fashion designing because I wanted to make my designs a reality,” she said, adding that after completing her studies, she was able to make everything – from a swimsuit to a wedding gown.
Johnson explained that she branched off into a specific market and took on the line of ‘executive wear’.
She said she began working with various companies in the clothing industry to gain the necessary experience but never stayed there for long, as she always felt limited. About a year later, Johnson officially decided to go her own way and to create her own market while she operated from home.
According to her: “TruOketa Designs is a female clothing brand known for excellent, quality finishes inside out and a unique twist of modern English designs. I offer custom-made designs and I’m currently transitioning into ready-made designs.”
The 31-year-old woman expressed that business has been going well but is always open to new clients, and that she has bigger plans for the future.
“I plan on opening a fashion house/boutique and then on to franchises, capturing a wide local and international market, employing and mentoring young ladies. I also wish to encourage entrepreneurship as being the change we want to see as individuals,” she said.