Published: 12 July 2024
Amole Ayobami, MSc Public Health alumnus, and Business Head and Talent Manager at African fashion company, Outterspace Integrated Luxury, tells the story of his successful family business, how studying at the university developed his critical thinking, and the excellent support from academic staff.
“Running your own business is not a 9-5 job - it’s a lifestyle.”, explains Amole, as he details an impressive list of his creative fashion company’s recent achievements, including a feature in Vogue Magazine and being part of London Fashion Week earlier this year.
The business, Outterspace Integrated Luxury, which Amole runs with a small group of family and friends, designs and markets a range of bold, luxury African style fashion items - aimed at customers in Africa and the African diaspora, in Europe and America, who want to “look unique and different”.
“The world is really embracing Afrobeats and there’s an opportunity to embrace African style and fashion – in Africa and worldwide.”, says Amole, passionately.
Being part of the global village
As Amole explains, his time at the university has positively influenced his success, giving him the skills he needed to drive the company’s growth.
“Studying at the University of Sunderland in London, with its incredibly diverse student population, provided the opportunity to share new ideas and experiences - getting me to see the world as a one global village.”.
In what is a highly competitive market, Amole explains how Outterspace is meeting the challenge, by developing a loyal customer base and working on new designs and styles telling the stories of African heroes.
Guiding Amole to business success
“My MSc Public Health course really developed my critical thinking. I gained an understanding of the true complexity and diversity of the ‘public’ and I have used the knowledge to develop Outterspace’s sustainability goals.”.
The encouragement of university staff was also critical. With Amole explaining how academics, such as Dr Geeta Hitch, Public Health Lecturer, had prepared him and fellow students to “hold our heads high and strive to the best of our abilities.”.
“The extra courses the university offers to students, in areas such as project management and digital marketing, also really grew my research and analytical skills which have guided our business to success”.
“With everything I’ve gained, I would greatly encourage anyone to thinking about studying at the University of Sunderland in London to do so.”.