As a 12-year-old in Nigeria, Sarah Akinbuwa recalls the time when she was bullied over her love of needlework, a pastime she shared with her circle of friends.
Then living in Somerville and devoted to the art, the 18- year- ancient is winning acclaim for one of her latest creations: a vivid green, floor- length prom dress adorned with roses, complete with a matching shrug and handbag. Her inside-the-scenes investigation of the design process raised her account and confirmed her powers.
Akinbuwa, who spends time crocheting routine, is glad she did not allow those hurtful comment stop her.
Akinbuwa, who graduated last time, saw an opportunity to display her talents when one of her best buddies invited her to become his time at the May Somerville High School homecoming.
With a concept in mind — a strapless dress designed by Valentino Haute Couture that one of her favorite artists, — Akinbuwa headed to Michaels, an arts and crafts store she attends, and bought $60 fair of fabric.
She said, “I was already aware that I was going to become popular once I started making it. Making your prom dress is very unique.”
A few days before the event, she just had a few days to make the clothing, a sewing project that required time and endurance in addition to her lace wire and strands of red thread. She never doubted that despite the tight date, she would be able to finish the project.
She produced a costume that has won the hearts of millions of people, including Law Roach, a well-known fashion designer who has long collaborated with Zendaya, in only three diligent time. Akinbuwa was happy when he commented on one of her Instagram messages.
“He said it was therefore cute”, said Akinbuwa, a great friend of his job. “No one can bring me down again.”
She and her household relocated from Nigeria to New York in 2019. They relocated to Somerville during the pandemic after two years of living it. Akinbuwa began devoted almost all of her day to crocheting in an effort to pursue a career in fashion design. When she turned 16, she intensified her determination, and for the past two years, has been crocheting “nonstop”.
Akinbuwa regularly posts her, with some, made for her clothing brand ( her Nigerian first name ), or created for custom orders. Her home is filled with clothes she crocheted.
Akinbuwa said she also takes ideas from God and the Bible, even though she admires famous people like Zendaya and Cardi B. The Garden of Eden is her future floral-themed series.
She had hoped that one of her parts would be widely regarded as a matter of time. But she did not anticipate getting this little media attention.
Akinbuwa said it took her nearly 30 minutes to use the restroom at her friend’s prom because people were raving about the vintage gown.
“I love your dress”, one man tells her in a. “Thank you, I made it”, Akinbuwa answers.
“After, I was just crying because I was quite moved”, she said. “There’s a lot of nice people in this world.”
Some admirers have contacted her about purchasing the dress, but she isn’t sure if she’s going to part with it. Her sister and father, who moved with her to Massachusetts from Nigeria, are among her biggest followers, she said.
“How several views do you have then on TikTok”? her uncle asked her on Tuesday. She told him the matter had surpassed 26 million.
“Wooooow”, she recalled him saying.
“I have great home help”, she said. “They are always there for me, always taking video, always supporting me.”
After this time, Akinbuwa plans to study clothing and enrolls at Framingham State University. She hopes that one day people will want to buy at and purchase the clothes she designs.
“If I am a fashion designer, I did not feel like I’m working because I love doing this”, she said. “It’s my joy”