Being Irene Legunsen
Introducing The Many 'Me's'.
Diaries Of A City Girl, the platform on which I uplift and encourage people with scriptures and my life experiences.
Irene, A mother to a beautiful young girl. A wife to an incredible man. Founder of Belle Mode Reve to the world of fashion. A social worker to the families whom I work with. The founder of Social Work Bridges, an educative platform to students and social workers that need a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry on within their social work career. A woman of faith, from which I take strength to carry the many responsibilities anchored to my existence.
"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
-2Corinthians 12:9
The Game Changer
Belle Mode Reve had always been on the cards, year on year I would successfully release collections that I would be proud of. Unbeknown to me, after releasing my SS15 Collection during a fashion inspired holiday in Milan, there was something else that was due to be birthed. After the euphoria of the trip, I was rudely awakened to the reality of pregnancy, from the mood swings to the lack of motivation to morning sickness. So different to my innate character.
"Irene's pregnant, she's fallen off, She used to be such a go-getter, she must be pregnant".
"Many times they have persecuted me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed against me.
-Psalm 129:2
Who you choose to spend the rest of your life with can literally make or break you. With the weight of pregnancy, producing my next collection was the LAST thing on my mind. Tosin gave the push I needed to keep going, his passion for Belle Mode Reve surpassed mine at this point and ignited my fire for creativity.
8 Months pregnant, with an upcoming baby shower. After days of frustration, looking for the perfect maternity dress, with no luck. It dawned on me, I was the solution to my own problem. I designed a maternity cape dress for the special day. Thus birthing Belle Mode Reve Maternity, the second facet of my beloved fashion brand.
I was greatly unprepared for the customer interest, yet I was thankful to God for leading me to a land of prosperity. With the determination to maximise my maternity leave I invested into this new gift. Along with Belle Mode Reve, I continued building the Social Work Bridges brand, taking on students, preparing them for social work interviews and careers. Thankfully God led me to collaborate with two God-fearing women who ran with the brand's vision.
The Marriage Shaker
Despite being on maternity leave, the life I lived was severely hectic. My days were spent being a typical mum, from breastfeeding to keeping my daughter entertained. My evenings consisted of cooking a family meal and brief conversations with Tosin. My nights were spent in our home office, on the computer or on the sewing machine churning out orders. I couldn't remember the last time I made time for God, the one who blessed me with everything I love so dearly.
Naivety led me to believe that I was being an all-rounded businesswoman, mother and wife. Little did I know, my home was under attack right under my nose. Infidelity, not only crept into my home but consumed us both. Unbeknown to my conscious mind I was secretly married to my new hectic lifestyle, not only replacing my husband but replacing God with the blessings he gave me. Likewise, my husband was entrapped in the claws of 'Delilah'.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
-Isaiah 54:17
God didn't say it wouldn't show up at my door, he said it wouldn't prosper. My oh so perfect life, family, home, shattered. I quickly learnt that prayer was the only thing that could grant me happiness & peace, whilst shielding my husband from 'Delilah'.
This was the biggest blow to my existence and I could not see a way out. Prepared to walk away from it all, God revealed to me that I had a significant part to play in the leading up to the breaking of my home. My eyes were opened, wisdom knocked on my door and brought with it, my remorseful husband.
Fast forward months, restoration came with immense joy, deep love, peace and happiness. With wisdom as my guide, my priorities are in order, my home is in order, my businesses are excelling, my husband launched his new fitness app, MUNCHit and God remains the centre of it all.
A Lesson Learnt
Moral of my story, being a woman of many talents is great but something had to GIVE. When I was able to GIVE everything back to God, this gave Him room to take residence in my businesses and in my home. Giving me an abundance of everything I had ever wanted in my business life and married life.
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”.
-Luke 6:38
The Journey Continues......
I believe my story is far from finished and
I still have a lot of learning and growing to do,
but I am proud of my experiences,
my resilience and the woman I am today.
For I am WHOLE,
in Christ.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all else will be added onto you.
-Matthew 6:33
Find Me:
Instagram: @diariesofacitygirl
Instagram: @BelleModeReve
Instagram: @BelleModeReve.Maternity
Instagram: @SocialWorkBridges