Helena’s Story

Fashion graduate Helena seeks a mentor to help launch the fashion brand she has dreamed of all her life.

Helena’s story is one of breathtaking determination to realise a childhood dream of becoming a fashion designer. 

Growing up in a small village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she was surrounded by creativity, colour, and beautiful fabric. Her mother embroidered and her aunt traded in Batik Wax. 

‘I watched my mother with her embroidery craft work, the colours, how she was stitching. From there I developed a desire to become a fashion designer,’ Helena said. ‘And I did enjoy watching fashion show catwalks. That was my passion!’ 

Life in the DRC was difficult and complicated, and Helena left Congo and travelled at the age of 25, to study in Belgium. In Belgium, she studied distance learning courses in Fashion/ Styling until, after three years, she was granted leave to remain status and could enrol in college to study as a seamstress. 

After ten years in Belgium, unable to find suitable work and with the desire to improve her English language and IT skills, and her determination not to give up on her dream, Helena moved to England. 

Now in her thirties, she had three primary school aged children and needed to support her family. In the evening, she would study makeup artistry, hairdressing, anything that would bring her closer to the fashion world. 

By day, she took jobs as a catering assistant in Gatwick airport and then later, in Manchester, sorted letters at Royal Mail. She later moved to Milton Keynes and worked as a sandwich maker in a factory, as well as as a dining room assistant at McDonalds. 

She explained: ‘I didn’t enjoy the work I was doing. I said, I’ve got skills, you know, I don’t want to do those types of jobs really all my life. I said, ok I am going to improve my seamstress skills.’ 

She spent two years at Milton Keynes college studying an UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Clothing and Fashion and then a BA Hons in Art /Design in fashion at the University of Northampton followed. In 2020, months after lockdown, Helena was awarded a fashion degree. 

Armed with her degree and aiming to study a master’s degree in Luxury Brand and find work, she moved to London and, needing support with accommodation, came to us. 

‘I don’t know where I would be without Islington Centre. All the people are nice, helpful, and supportive,’ she said. ‘They helped me with my accommodation, and I started an English course online with Tiggy and Jack, and one of the staff came to introduce the Centre and said if you have any problems, just contact us.’ 

Helena sought technical support from a volunteer at the Centre to set up a website and Instagram account to showcase her fashion designs. Additionally, Helena worked with the Referrals Lead to create a CV and apply for work as a teaching assistant. At present she is working as a Teaching Assistant in a Primary School and designing accessories.

‘I love the Centre. I can help the community with translating French and Lingala. I really enjoy helping. Sometimes I am on the front desk helping, I help in the sewing section, and I love the Protein Dance.’ 

At our 25th Anniversary event in November 2022 Helena presented her work in a fashion show and she has set up a business: Lennaa’D .

Her designs incorporate historical elements with a contemporary twist and include Batiks Wax/Ankara of Helena’s childhood. ‘Furthermore, I am working on a video clip for a choreographic to promoting my brand “Lenaa’D” on YouTube,’ she said. 

Now, Helena is looking to take her business to the next level and is seeking a business mentor to help with setting up a website where she can sell her fashion accessories. ‘I know I can create beautiful things, but I need help to make the business work,’ she said.

If you can help Helena in setting up an online business, or know someone who can, please contact our Head of Fundraising and Communications, Anna Giokas on anna.islingtoncentre@gmail.com

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