Part Two: Building a Legacy Through Fashion and Purpose with Yolande Letshou

In Part One of our conversation with British-Congolese fashion and media professional, Yolande Letshou, we explored her journey from studying journalism to landing internships at top media houses, and eventually becoming a fashion director at age 24. She shared how her upbringing, creative instincts, and refusal to play small helped her break into one of the world’s most competitive industries.

Now in Part Two, Yolande takes us behind the scenes of her consulting and legacy-building work shining a light on the realities of leadership, influence, and mentoring across continents. From curating fashion exhibitions to advising global brands, her story is one of resilience, bold pivots, and authentic impact.

We sat down with Yolande once again to dig deeper into what it means to build a legacy with purpose.

Q: Where did your passion for journalism begin?
Yolande Letshou: I was always creative, drawing, painting, but didn’t initially think of it as a gift. At uni, I chose journalism as a mix of creativity and academic acceptance. It felt like a compromise I could justify to my
family.

Q: Did you go straight into journalism after graduating?
Yolande Letshou: In my final year, I realised I lacked experience. I jumped into internships writing for a charity magazine and The Voice newspaper. I balanced all that while finishing my dissertation. It was hectic, but worth it.

Q: Was freelancing a natural next step?
Yolanda: Yes. My media background and love for fashion pushed me towards freelance writing. I pitched articles, did interviews, and found ways to merge both worlds.

Q: What opened the door to your first big media job?
Yolande Letshou: I applied for a role at Something Else, a media company, and almost didn’t go for the interview because I was late. But showed up, gave it my all, and got the job. taught me not to count myself out.

Q: How did fashion writing come into the picture?
Yolande Letshou: I missed writing, so I pitched to Fashion Capital and later to New African Woman. Those experiences helped me understand fashion beyond style and how it reflects culture and identity.

Q: When did you realise you were stepping into fashion entrepreneurship?
Yolande Letshou: It started with freelancing and organising shows. I wasn’t just writing, I was consulting, producing, and helping brands grow. I became more interested in strategy than sewing.

Q: What does being a fashion entrepreneur mean to you?
Yolande Letshou: It’s about creating something, whether in design, events, consulting, or production, and building it into a business. I’ve worked across all of those.

Q: You became Fashion Director at Nolcha at just 24. How did that happen?
Yolande Letshou: A chance meeting during London Fashion Week led to me managing a high-profile event in London. After pulling that off, I was invited to join the Nolcha team. It was surreal.

Q: What were the biggest challenges in that leadership role?
Yolande Letshou: Managing older team members was tough. I had to build confidence quickly, learn emotional intelligence, and understand business strategy. It stretched me.

Q: Was the fashion industry what you expected?
Yolande Letshou: Not at all. It looked glamorous from the outside, but behind the scenes it was intense. Still, I loved helping designers succeed which made it all worth it.

Q: What’s your leadership style?
Yolande Letshou: Empowering but firm. I lead with empathy and try to build a supportive environment, but I’ve learned to set boundaries too.

Q: Tell us about producing the La Dolce Vita catwalk show in 2008.
Yolande Letshou: That was a massive 30,000 attendees over three days. I handled everything from casting to designer selection. It pushed me, but showed me what’s possible when you step up.

Q: You’ve worked with major brands like L’Oréal and Hush Puppies. How?
Yolande Letshou: Research and pitching. I’d tailor proposals to match their goals. Some worked, some didn’t. But every ‘no’ taught me how to refine my approach.

Q: You also worked with the Caribbean Export Development Agency.
Yolande Letshou: Yes, I helped bring 10 top Caribbean designers to London. It was rewarding to connect them with buyers and help them understand the UK market. That led to producing shows in Jamaica, too.

Q: You’ve worked across four continents. Tell us about Congo.
Yolande Letshou: I travelled solo to explore its fashion scene. It was a risk, but necessary. I met incredible local creatives. Being present helped me see what was possible and where help was needed.

Q: You’ve sat on panels and been featured in documentaries. Do you see yourself as an influencer?
Yolande Letshou: I see influence as the ability to shape thought and inspire. It’s not about followers, it’s about impact. If my journey can help someone else, I’ve done my job.

Q: What advice would you give aspiring fashion entrepreneurs?
Yolande Letshou: Keep learning, aim high, and don’t wait to feel “ready.” Be flexible. If something doesn’t work, ask what you can do differently. Your story and adaptability are your superpowers.

Yolande Letshou’s story is proof that building a legacy isn’t about fame; it’s about impact. Her journey shows that with vision, grit, and a deep sense of purpose, you can rise in any industry and still stay grounded in your roots.

We hope her story has inspired you to dream bigger and lead boldly wherever your creative journey may take you.

Are you building something bold or dreaming of it? What part of Yolande’s journey resonated with you the most? Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone in pursuit of purpose?

Send your thoughts or feedback to info@heartsonglive.co.uk

Let’s keep the conversation going.