The Amazing and Extremely Talented Richard Braqo

Dear Readers, welcome to our first FAR interview!

This month, we're interviewing Richard Braqo, he's an amazing shoe designer whose shoes have been seen on the likes of Madonna, Nicole Sherzinger, Ciara, Rihanna and a few others. He can count Elle Magazine and Vogue Italia amongst the publications he's been very favorably featured in. Richard is originally from Ghana and well, we thought we should interview him because even though he's not on the continent at the moment (his studio is based in London), it's always great to see Africans doing impressive things.

The best thing about him is that he is ridiculously down to earth, and the kind of person you would trust to design something you want on your feet. Sadly, i hardly ever wear heels so still waiting for him to release a line of ballet pumps or kitten heeled beauts that I can invest in.

Madonna in Richard Braqo heels

View Richard's lookbook here

Hi Richard, at what age did you decide you wanted to be a designer?

Probably before I knew what a designer was. I was sketching and drawing fashion long before I read about Tom Ford at the age of 14 which helped me determine my career path.

Once this happened, how did you get started?

I enrolled at Parsons. It offers one of the best levels of art and design education in the world and the experience of living and working in New York City is invaluable for any creative entrepreneur. I also spent my free time while at Parsons interning and perfecting my business plan.

So you must have a target customer then?

Yes. An audacious dresser with a discerning taste level.

What are some of your greatest challenges being a young entrepreneur?

In fashion, unfortunately, creativity doesn't always translate to a great business and a lot of sacrifices have to be made to create a commercially viable business.

Is there anything else that you're passionate about?

I actually love to write. I used to write a lot of fictional short stories growing up as a form of escapism and I still want to keep writing creatively, but I simply don't have the time anymore, but I will continue one day.

You definitely should! Hopefully you'll find some time soon... So if you could invite three people to a dinner party (famous or otherwise), who would they be and why?

Kevin Spacey: He absolutely terrifies me as an actor and I've always admired his work but I love his melodramatic role on House of Cards so I imagine he'd be an interesting dinner guest.

Oprah Winfrey: I live by her philanthropic rule of thumb and everything from her career as a journalist to her other efforts have always been in service to bettering herself and humanity and I respect that.

Tom Ford: I could learn a great deal from him first hand.

What is the biggest risk and mistake you've made and how did you overcome it?

Starting my own business, every choice is a never ending risk. Start-up businesses are wrought with daily mistakes which I've learned to come to terms with because it really is all a learning curve and there's never one right answer (several ways to skin a cat). I overcome them by balancing my life with friends and family that support and lighten the weight of it all with their love and laughter.

How would you like to inspire other young people?

I hope through my resilience. To be honest, I think I already have. A few friends have told me that me starting my business has inspired them to go for it when before they felt they were too young or inexperienced.

What do you feel are the top 3 qualities a well- rounded individual should have?

First a true sense of self which means being fully aware of ones flaws and strengths especially now that we live in the age of public self-adulation through social media. We're all guilty of it but being aware of it's impact and insignificance keeps one from deluding oneself.

Empathy for all regardless of background or circumstance. I learnt this from Brene Brown: "All levels pain require ample compassion" and I try to live by it.

Not to be ruled by anger. I find a lot of people make really avoidable mistakes by acting on their anger, but it's an emotion like any other and it needs time to pass, but unfortunately it seems to be one of the more difficult emotions to control because it's a direct blow to the ego, but a well rounded person really has control over restraining urges that are born from anger.

Do you think the Richard Braqo shoes might diversify into other things (bags for instance) in the near future?

I sure do hope the brand will expand at the right pace for me and the business.

Follow Richard on Instagram here

and visit his website www.richardbraqo.com

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