By Naeem UI Hassan
Fashion entrepreneurship plays a vital role in the economic sector due to its contribution to employment, trade, and overall economic growth. According to Jing Daily, women are few and far between at the top ranks of major global fashion houses. In today’s male-dominated and fiercely competitive environment, only female professional role models in the fashion sector can effectively inspire and guide more women to succeed as fashion designers and entrepreneurs. Multi-award-winning fashion entrepreneur Dr. Chebra Dorsey has emerged as a role model for the next wave of female fashion entrepreneurs and designers.
Dr. Dorsey is the founder and CEO of the O’ Chea Fashion label. Her rise to prominence as a fashion industry trailblazer is really inspiring. She is sometimes referred to as “O’ Chea.”
Dr. Dorsey’s 20-year career as a beautician began in her San Diego hair salon, “Extensions.” Her high-end hair shop was established on the simple idea of complementing her clients’ natural attractiveness. She has spent many years coaching her clients on how to maintain healthy skin and hair, both with and without extensions.
Dr. Dorsey was unique in that she was well-known in her community for offering special services to former cancer patients who had suffered hair loss as a result of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Her ability to create organic solutions tailored to each client’s hair and skin care needs is one of her most distinguished qualities, which she continues to promote. Because of her love for the beauty industry, she launched the O’ Chea Fashion Boutique in 2010.
O’ Chea Fashion Design has emerged as one of the top female-owned fashion brands because of Dr. Dorsey’s hard work, innovative ideas, and astute leadership. The brand is dedicated to making each lady feel attractive and adorned in the most flattering and personal style. Each costume is tailored to a person’s style, mood, frame, and taste while reflecting the newest fashion trends.
O’ Chea Fashion Designs remains active in the community. It has appeared and been worn at various fashion shows in San Diego as well as countless red carpet events in Los Angeles. Former First Lady Michelle Obama praised it during the White House Dinner in Washington, D.C. FINE, a premium lifestyle magazine, and African American EBONY magazine have both highlighted it on their covers. Dr. Dorsey’s purpose to spread love and beauty throughout the world through O’ Chea Fashion Design is what makes the brand unique.
“O’ Chea means love, peace, calmness, and No to racial discrimination. My mission is to heal the world through O’ Chea. My outfits are unique, made specifically for you from beads, stones, diamonds, and pearls. My designs are made for all, beyond age, race, and ethnicity, and all of my clothing collections are hand-beaded or customized specifically for you. Our fascinating fashions are designed to make a unique, graceful, and bold statement. I believe that women feel empowered by what they wear; it reflects not only their grace and grandeur but also their strong personality and soul.
As the Black Business owner of O’ Chea Fashion Boutique, I stand in solidarity against racial injustice. Our business is considered a retailer, but I also produce hand-made hair and skin products for women of all ages and ethnicities and provide hair services to all by appointment only,” explained Dr. Dorsey.
Dr. Dorsey’s accomplishments are just too many to list here. She has won numerous awards, including the 2017 Lady in Red Motion Picture Award, the Icon Motion Picture Multicultural Association Award, the 2018 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, which was signed by President Donald J. Trump, the 2024 Miracle Women Award, the 2024 Women of the Year Award, the 2024 Global Society for Female Entrepreneurs (GSFE), and the Disabled International Annual Honorary Award. She has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate for her excellent accomplishments. Her award-winning book, What are you wearing?: The inspirational spiritual side of fashion, is a trailblazing initiative in the fashion world.
The fashion industry is the best career option for the next generation of females who are artistic, innovative, inventive, and fashionable. It opens the door to a variety of jobs, including fashion designers, fashion coordinators, stylists, fashion retailers, textile analysts, product managers, fashion managers, shop managers, fashion journalism, and fashion blogging. In today’s increasingly competitive workplace environment, highly accomplished female fashion industry professionals, such as Dr. Dorsey, may guide new and aspiring female fashion designers, especially fashion entrepreneurs, to achieve professional goals.
“Develop healthy habits in your lifestyle.
Plan, Plan, Plan. A strong strategy is the first step in starting a new business, which helps you set objectives.
Be creative and trendy, and come up with new and original ideas.
Know your target market and the needs and preferences of your clients.
Clearly define your target and goals.
Stay focused.
Develop a distinctive brand identity, which may set you apart from your competitors.
Don’t be afraid to take risks. Making risky decisions and stepping out of your comfort zone will only help move the business forward.
Create a strong social media presence because, in today’s increasingly competitive environment, it is a powerful platform to connect with clients and build brand awareness,” advises Dr. Dorsey.