Style - The Best Armor

Hi guys, how are you? First of all, I hold my hands up, I admit that it has been an absolute eternity since I last posted. Sorry – life happened.  2018 was a lot but with the bad comes the good and I can honestly say that I have learnt a lot.

Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Ordella Fentan the introvert, extrovert, teacher, turned mother, turned Interior Designer and Stylist. 

There are a plethora of reasons as to why I decided to embark on this career change. One said reason is my growing obsession to dispel the peculiar notion that as a working mother I am expected to negate the feeling that one ought to work as if one does not have children, while raising one’s child as if one does not have a job – I mean WTH?!  I liked being an English teacher (actually, I loved it) but when I returned to work following a twelve-month maternity leave and was faced to weigh up the options of a narrow, curriculum that lacked cultural sensitivity, whist forcing children to regurgitate information for the purpose of an absurd amount of exams, marking, marking and more marking, whilst raising a small human versus the idea of challenge, growth, writing my own rules, building a business with my daughters needs prioritised, all whilst being immersed in creativity - the latter was a lot more appealing. So here I am, an Interior Designer and Stylist, the CEO of Ordella Fentan HQ. I am building a brand that centers around design and creating aesthetically pleasing spaces, the brand loves all things creative. Most importantly, Ordella Fentan HQ is here to make space whilst championing women and their choices.  I am a CEO and a mother - it is time to change the “you can’t be XYZ because you’re a mother” narrative. Here’s a crazy idea, let’s start allowing mothers to determine the parameters in which they are able to work. 

Earlier this year I met a potential client for our initial consultation and one of the first things that she said was “Ordella, you really are very fashionable.” I’m not actually. I mean, was grateful for the compliment but I’m really not fashionable at all. My vibe is basic bitch but with a certain quel-que chose special – my dress sense, like my interior style, is seemingly simple but with something statement.  Take a minute to contemplate, how would you define the word style? To me style really isn’t about following trends or having the latest shoes or sofa; quite the contrary. Style is more of an attitude. It’s how you do things, the way you walk, your way of putting pieces together, it’s your look, it’s your vibe. Ultimately, style is a way of expressing who you are or who you want to be, unapologetically. I say that to say this, Ordella Fentan HQ are here to help you to style the shit out of your space. 

If you’re visiting my website with the hope that we’ll be able to find you a fab floral print to match your futon – sorry hun, wrong place.  Ordella Fentan HQ are pulling up a seat at the table (if you know, you know) and are gently opening conversations that challenge an archaic, rigid storyline.  It’s time to find your voice. We are here to encourage and help you to create a personal, unique space. We encourage luxury textures, bold colours, statement art, monochrome, print, we encourage expression.  Have you heard of Modern Luxury? It’s where simplicity and decadence met and fell in love.  Often people will hear the term ‘modern’ and visualise vast white walls, fifty shades grey (paint, guys, I’m talking about paint), blush pinks and Nordic styles. This style is cool, but I am here to shine a light on an alternative contemporary. Modern Luxury explores the concept of sleek styling, contemporary living, functionality, colour, texture and statement art.  By art I mean whichever creative discipline it is that you want to envelope yourself in. We want to encourage that art into your space. Consider a beautiful minimalist space that has been dusted with decadence. Leonardo Di Vinci said, "Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication." I concur. I mean, I’m not going to be out here arguing with the Di Vinci. However, why not be sophisticated and stylish?

O x