I’ve always been different compared to the people in my surroundings, and I have this feeling I always will. Not because I desperately want to be different, but just because I am the way I am.

From the age of 6, I was bullied (not in a severe way though), called teacher’s pet, made fun of etc. In my teenage years, I wasn’t bullied, but I think very misunderstood. I wasn’t a typical teenage girl. I’ve always been more mature for my age.

I used to feel awkward and out of place, though I had many friends. I was the kid with all the different groups of friends. In high school I was friends with the nerds, but also with the beauty queens, the punkers and the rockers, and also with the basketball team. It was because these ‘’groups’’, all had something that I had within me, they all represented a certain side of me.
I remember at my 16^th birthday party, I invited all the groups, and I was running around from group to group to give them my attention, because, they didn’t seem to get along as one. It was a great party though, I think it was called the party of the year at school. I come from Paramaribo, Suriname in South America, with only 500,000 people, so it’s small community where news travels fast.

My closest relationships are with people older than me and my boyfriends always have been a lot older than me as well. Somehow, I seem to be able to communicate and connect with them better on a certain level. No, I’m not superior to anyone else of my age, I’m just different. Some people say I have an old soul. All I know is, my focus, attention and priorities have always been more serious/mature, ambitious and there was a lot less playing around, ever since I can remember really. I’ve always been searching for more real,  deeper connections.

Although I remember my mom telling me to be myself and that I didn’t have to act a certain way, because the rest was acting that way, I always thought there was something wrong with me. And I’ve really hated it, until the past few years.

Even today, I’m in a place in my life at age of 24, being an entrepreneur, owner of my own successful brand, while others are still playing around, focusing on completely different things.
For the first time in my life, I am at a point where I am embracing this ‘’being different’’. I see it as a gift. Coco Chanel said ‘’In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different’’ and I completely agree with her. Nobody can be Nadira, the way I walk, talk, think, smile, my energy, my vibe, my grace.  Same goes for you. There is a lot that can be copied, but if it’s not genuine, it will never leave an impression.

I believe everyone is unique, but not everyone is or wants to be aware of it, they rather hide behind others and blend in the mass. In my opinion this is fine too, because it automatically gives the spotlight to those who dare to be and express themselves in whatever way that may be. I think it’s the most beautiful thing, to embrace your unique self and share it proudly with the world.

I am ready, to take over the world with Wulterkens, that is shaped by me and my partner’s unique selves, beliefs and visions, with which we want to inspire others to share theirs. When we had to come up with a slogan for our brand, we started with what Wulterkens stands for. We wanted to create clothing for those who really want to set a statement, distinct themselves from the grey mass and were tired of the mass clothing that was available in all the stores. We came up with the slogan ’’Lead When Others Follow’’.

But what is a leader? The only thing that makes a leader, is the followers. Being a leader has nothing to do with rank, intelligence or superiority. If people are willing to follow you, you are a leader. What is a follower? Someone who chooses to follow you, your style or message. If your style or thoughts happen to be unique, that makes you the leader and everyone else thereafter the follower.
What Wulterkens really praises is the idea of distinction, being different from the mass, being the leader in your own uniqueness, wearing our statement clothing. We do not mean to manipulate you in any ways, we want to inspire you. Inspire you to express yourself and your beliefs through wearing our clothing, making you Lead when others follow.

Don’t bother with all the followers and copycats after, they can never be YOU!

You’re unique, embrace it and LEAD!

Love,

Nadira

Outfit: T-shirt: Wulterkens: www.wulterkensclothing.com ; Pants: Zara, Jacket: Amisu; Shoes: Colin Stuart