Blessing Patrick is more than just a name. She is the editor of The Infinity Fashion Magazine base in the United Kingdom. She is also a fashion designer who started designing her own clothes from childhood. In this interview with FLORENCE AMAGIYA, she talks about her talent hunt project in Nigeria, her acting career and much more.

Enjoy!  

How did you launch into fashion to the extent that you are an editor in a foreign magazine?

I have always loved fashion since my childhood. My mum of blessed memory was a fashion designer. So I grew up imbibing all l needed to know about fashion, designing of clothes and the actual sewing of these fabrics from her. I also learnt to be a creative person and from childhood, l started making my own clothes.

Blessing Patrick

During one of my visits to the United Kingdom, I was selected to be one of the judges during a fashion show. After the show, I was approached by the publisher of The Infinity International Magazine and the rest is history.
You  also work as a designer, how did you get into that?

I must say that God has been so good to me. The Infinity international magazine which also publishes the Infinity Fashion gave me a platform to operate without any struggle. And so, l became an editor of the fashion magazine and a designer also.
What were the difficulties you experienced while growing your fashion art?

I don’t think there were many difficulties except that I was a young child who was forced by her mum to learn to do what she didn’t understand at first. As a child, one would expect that l would be carrying my dolls and playing everywhere like my mates were doing.

But my mum didn’t allow me to play! I used to stand and watch her cut the clothes, learn how to march the sewing machines, l learnt as a child to be accurate in taking measurement of whomever l am making clothes for.  At that time, it was not funny at all, but l am a happy person today because of all that stress l went through. It made me become who l am today. I wish my mother is here for me to say thanks to her for all her efforts in building up my person.

What is Magic lens production talent hunt project all about?
Magic production talent hunt project is a platform to help our youths attain what they have always wanted in the area of getting jobs in the showbiz world.

Unemployment is a major setback in the lives of the youths in Nigeria. So, even after graduation, they are seen roaming the streets looking for daily bread and all that, whereas they are already breadwinners in their different homes.

It is sad that the same  talented youths are the ones used by our politicians and drug barons to perpetrate their crimes, but if jobs were provided for them, crimes would be minimal in the society. The talent hunt project is set to create job opportunities for those who are talented enough to go into acting, for the would- be Nollywood stars.

Has this talent hunt project got anything to do with your childhood?
The talent hunt project has nothing to do with my childhood! I am using this medium to give back to the society because it is in giving that you also receive. Gone are the days we sit and wait for the government to do everything for us. I believe God has given us all that we need to do that positive thing we need to do.

The youths being used in the Northern part of the country would not want to end their lives because of a few millions given to their families if they have productive things doing. After all, we have actors and artistes from the north who are doing well in the entertainment world.

The youths in the Niger Delta, the youths in Cross River state and the youths in the South-East would be busy going for sessions in studios, locations and all that instead of kidnapping the innocents for ransoms. This is to me an avenue to create impact; this is my way of giving back.

Tell us about your childhood, what was it like?

My childhood was interesting because l grew up before my mates and if l am asked to put it into words, l would say it was wonderful because l started doing what my mates were not doing at that time. I was always with my mother who was a great fashion designer and I practically learnt all that l know in fashion, designing and making of clothes.

Who knows why my mother made it compulsory for me to learn how to make use of a sewing machine when l was only a child? Perhaps she knew that she won’t be with me for long. My mother left this world when l was only a teenager, but she left with me a legacy and today l am who l am because of that.
Tell us your name for the records

My name is Blessing Patrick.

With this kind of name you are bearing Nigerians would wonder if you are a white person or perhaps a Ghanaian, where are you from?

{Laugh} I am a Nigerian! I am from Cross River State. These days, we are nick- named Cross-Riverians. My mother is from Niger Delta, Edo state to be precise.
I would definitely be amazed if you tell me that you do more than all these you have talked about! What else do you do?
Apart from being an entrepreneur, I am fully involved in Nollywood and my church programme.

When you say that you are involved in Nollywood, what do you mean?

I mean that l am also an actress. Acting is my hobby! l just launched into Nollywood myself, but acting has always been there. I started acting when I was a child, I joined a dramatic society in my primary school and in my secondary school days, a lot of people advised me to make sure I succeed in acting because of the talents l displayed while interpreting roles during social nights back in school.

Which notable face have you acted alongside in  Nollywood?

I have acted alongside reputable actresses like Mercy Johnson, Chioma Chukwuka, Patience Ozokwor, Ini Edo and Tonto Dike and among male actors, l have acted alongside Kenneth Okonkwo, Jim Iyke and many more.

Your face is surprisingly not so popular, can you tell us movies you have featured in?

I have featured in movies like the World of a Prince; Enter the Place; Wave of  Glory; Blast of the Mafia; Sexy Vampires and Masquerade Dancer and many not yet in the market.