Life Is Magic

…slow down and you’ll feel it

The year is 2016. Leks and I had just graduated with our B.Sc. degrees (a year late, thanks to the strike). With more free time, I decided to finally express my love for fashion by starting a blog. Leks helped me set it up, and we named it Mikunstyles—inspired by my name, Ayomikun.

It was my first time working on the backend of WordPress, and let me tell you, I was so confused and overwhelmed. (I’m not exactly a “techie techie” person!)

I remember heading to UNILAG with Leks to shoot outfits for the blog. Back then, I’d also film OOTDs in my room. Good ol’ days! By the way, if you’ve been around since the times I filmed videos from my neck to my knees—raising one leg just so you could see my shoes because I was too self-conscious about the acne on my face—you’re an OG, and I love you! Oh, and let’s not forget my phone perched precariously on a stool on my bed, unable to capture below my knees.

Those late nights spent texting Leks for help with WordPress were a whole vibe. I worked solely from my phone, which, if you’ve ever tried, you know can be overwhelming.

I blogged for a couple of years but eventually, I had to let the blog go—I simply couldn’t afford it at the time, and I miss it to this day.

It is now 2018, Ola had graduated too, and the three of us were still heading to UNILAG for blog photoshoots and long walks. We’d talk about our dreams and goals during long strolls—without sunscreen (we’d never do that now!).

August 2018 was a tough time for me (we’ll talk about it another day). Thankfully, I had friends like Shubs, who cheered me on through everything—and still does to this day. There was even a time when I didn’t have money to buy yarn. I came up with an idea to sell some of the pieces I’d already made, just so I could afford more yarn to practice with. Shubs bought a few pieces from me, and not only that, she’d randomly send me pictures of herself wearing them. She has this way of reaching out at just the right time. I always joke that we share some kind of telekinetic connection.

One day in 2018 Ola and Leks decided to start a branding company called Spydatrix. In true Virgo fashion, Ola even drafted a contract for Leks and I to sign, with me as the witness. We were so excited, dreaming and planning, but life happened, and we never quite saw it through. Someday, we’ll talk about the struggles of growing up “upper lower class,” but today is not that day.

We all went our separate ways for a while. Leks returned to school for his master’s (yep, he’s Masters Leke now! Shubs & Tems- who you’ll meet soon are also Masters lol…maybe Ola and I someday) and Leks became tech guy.

Ola launched two brands: Subs & Giggles and Happy Jar Store. As for me, I started my crochet and knitwear brand, Asano.

It is now January of 2022, it was time for a rebrand. While I loved my old business name, Mikunstitch, and it still holds a special place in my heart, it was time to evolve. I chose the name Asano, inspired by the Yoruba pronunciation of my Arabic name, Hasanat.

Rebranding wasn’t just about the name—it was about taking my brand to the next level. I needed to be more “legit.” Losing orders because I didn’t have a website hurt, but I get it sha.

That night at Tems Surulere apartment (gosh we loved that house) while planning our futures with my friends, I took the plunge and bought a domain name. Unintentionally, I became the first client of Spydatrix. Talk about full circle!

There were pauses—mostly for financial reasons—but in 2024, Ola and I finally set up the website. Ola built this website from scratch, Thanks to her, this very site you’re reading from now and you can now shop my pieces now exists. I am plugging Spydatrix, (spydatrix@gmail.com) for all your branding and or rebranding needs, trust me, you’ll be in great hands.

It is not lost on me how the girls and Leks, over the years have all contributed immensely to my growth, I am also very aware of how you guys have supported me over the years and for that, I am so grateful.

Looking back, it’s easy to miss the magic in these moments—the small, beautiful experiences hidden amidst the hustle and bustle of life.

Today, I’m slowing down. I’m grateful for this life, for the love and support of those around me, for the people who say, “We go run am,” and for the chance to grow and experience dreams coming true.

For all the struggles, I’m thankful too.

To wrap this up: life is magic. I hope you’re able to slow down and feel it.

Don’t forget to breathe.

With love,
Hasanat