Dr. Sandra Odige is a Nigerian-born entrepreneur now based in the UK, whose journey from banking to building a global fashion and lifestyle brand is nothing short of inspiring. Founder of La Mode Magazine and the Green October Event, she has dedicated her career to blending creativity with purpose—using fashion, lifestyle, and media to create awareness, support people with disabilities, and celebrate humanitarian efforts. Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature her story, as her journey resonates deeply with our global community of 5 million members working towards women’s empowerment, inclusivity, and the spirit of He for She and She for She.
Q: Sandra, could you start by telling us a little about yourself and your journey?
A: My name is Dr. Sandra Odige. I’m originally from Nigeria but now based in the UK. I started my career in banking, where I worked for about five years, but I always had a passion for entrepreneurship. That passion led me to launch La Mode Magazine, a fashion and lifestyle publication. Initially, I was running it part-time, but after resigning from banking in 2015, I dedicated myself fully to it, turning it into a consistent monthly publication. Since then, the brand has grown into not just a magazine but also fashion shows, awards, events, and even a foundation supporting people with disabilities.
Q: What inspired the creation of your magazine and the Green October Event?
A: While still in banking, I started La Mode Magazine out of my love for fashion, lifestyle, and beauty. After I left, I had the time to really expand the vision. That’s how the Green October Event was born in 2015. It’s held annually on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1st, and has become one of the biggest independence celebrations in the country. The event combines fashion and charity, giving humanitarian awards and raising awareness and support for persons with disabilities. It’s about using fashion as a force for good.
Q: What are some of the other initiatives you’ve led under La Mode?
A: We’ve published over 90 editions of the magazine, supported countless fashion designers and models through reality shows, and expanded our reach globally. In the UK, we now have La Mode Group UK, which includes our fashion brand, PR services, and media initiatives. We also launched the Influential Leading African Women event in London on International Women’s Day, showcasing and celebrating African women leaders globally.
Q: Who do you see as your primary audience?
A: While our work reaches both men and women, about 80% of our audience are women, given the nature of fashion, lifestyle, and design. That said, with PR and communications services, we cater to organizations and leaders of all kinds.
Q: What challenges have you faced in this journey, and how do you handle them?
A: Challenges are part of life—they make us stronger. For us, challenges often come in the form of financial or technical issues. For example, a big project might need more budget than expected. Instead of stopping, we look for solutions: selling more advert pages, seeking sponsorships, doubling our efforts. Challenges force us to think creatively, strategize better, and ultimately grow stronger as a brand.
Q: What is your vision for the future of La Mode?
A: By 2025 and beyond, our goal is to position La Mode as one of the leading global fashion and lifestyle brands. We want others in the industry to look to us for inspiration in strategy, creativity, and quality. We’ve been consistent since 2011, and we’ll continue to innovate, dream bigger, and stay at the forefront.
Q: What message would you like to share with our readers?
A: My message is simple: keep dreaming, don’t stop. Along the way, people may discourage you or fail to understand your vision. But if you keep pushing, one day you’ll look back and be proud of how far you’ve come. Everything you do today will be worth it tomorrow.
“Keep dreaming, keep pushing, and don’t stop. One day, it will all be worth it.” — Dr. Sandra Odige
Connect with Dr. Sandra Odige:
- Instagram: @lamodemag
- Website: lamodesports.com
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
