LETTERS TO MY YOUNGER SELF
To Every Girl, a Message, a Mirror; You Are Seen. You Matter.
Letters to My Younger Self is a philanthropic fashion and storytelling campaign transforming personal letters from inspiring women into wearable affirmations.
Every piece carries a message of courage, self-worth, and possibility. Proceeds support vulnerable girls aged 7–17, helping them access the care, opportunities, and encouragement they need to thrive.
Every Girl Deserves to Believe in Herself.
As a young girl, I learned what it meant to hold on to the belief that my life could become more than my circumstances suggested.
That belief came at a cost. But it also taught me something profound: every girl deserves the freedom to believe in herself, define her own future, and become everything she was created to be.
Letters to My Younger Self was born from that conviction. It is my letter to the girl I once was, and an invitation to other women to share the words they wish someone had spoken to them. Together, we are passing those words on to girls who need them today.
“This is not just charity. It is solidarity.”
Every Piece Begins With a Letter.
What would you tell your younger self if you could?
We invited women leaders to reflect on their journeys and write letters to the girls they once were. Their words speak of courage, faith, resilience, self-acceptance and the freedom to dream. These letters have been transformed into a collection of statement pieces, each carrying affirmations that deserve to be heard, remembered and passed on.
The Rhoda Dress
You are loved. You are enough. You matter.
The Adenike Dress
Never cower. Do not shrink.
The Bamitale Set
You are not too much. You are exactly what the world needs.
The Ibukun Dress
Beautiful is the process. Enjoy the journey.
The Ekemini Dress
Trust that time is the best storyteller.
Beyond the Letters. Into Their Lives.
Our commitment goes beyond words.
Through Letters to My Younger Self, we are working to improve the quality of life of vulnerable girls aged 7–17, ensuring they have access to essential care, education, mentorship and opportunities to develop their potential.
Our journey began with visits to children’s homes, where women leaders shared their letters, connected with the girls, and offered encouragement and support.
Today, we have built on those conversations through needs assessments that will help us understand each girl’s circumstances, strengths, and aspirations.
A Five-Year Commitment to Every Girl's Potential
Our ambition is to support 100 vulnerable girls on their journeys towards greater stability, confidence and opportunity.
A sustained commitment to their wellbeing, education and personal development.
One Shared Belief
Every girl deserves to be seen, supported and empowered to shape her future.
Letters to My Younger Self is a not-for-profit initiative.Net proceeds from the collection, after production costs, will support the education, wellbeing, and personal development of vulnerable girls.
Our approach begins with listening. Through individual needs assessments, we are identifying the practical, educational and psychosocial support each girl requires. Our goal is to build pathways that respond to their needs while nurturing their unique strengths, interests and aspirations.
Our Fundraising Goal
$0 raised of $300,000 goal. Every purchase helps us move closer to our goal.
Wear the Message. Pass It On.
A letter can change how a girl sees herself. An act of generosity can change what becomes possible for her. Together, we can do both. Join us in reminding every girl that her story matters, her dreams are valid, and her future is worth investing in.
Shop the Collection
Wear a message of hope and help fund essential support for vulnerable girls.
Give to the Campaign
Make a contribution towards education, personal care, mentorship and wellbeing.
Write a Letter
Share the words you wish your younger self had heard and help inspire another girl.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PICTURES
Some Stories Deserve to Be Remembered.
Dear Canon and Pixeler Studios,
Some moments deserve more than to be lived. They deserve to be remembered. Thank you for helping us bring Letters to My Younger Self to life. From capturing the collection to documenting the moments when women shared their letters with girls who deserve to know they are loved, valued, and full of possibility.
We are grateful to Canon for partnering with us on this campaign, and to Canon Ambassador Pixeler Studios for photographing the collection and capturing the campaign’s story, both through the fashion shoot and the girls’ letter-reading experience.
Together, you have helped us preserve more than visuals. You have helped us preserve stories, affirmations, and moments of connection that will remain part of this campaign’s legacy.
Thank you for helping us make these stories visible.
With gratitude,
Letters to My Younger Self
Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
Letters to My Younger Self is a philanthropic fashion and storytelling campaign that transforms personal letters from inspiring women into wearable affirmations. Through these letters, women share lessons on courage, resilience, self-worth and becoming, while raising funds to support vulnerable girls. Our belief is simple: every girl deserves to know that she matters, that her dreams are valid and that her future is worth investing in.
Letters to My Younger Self is a personal philanthropic initiative founded by Ekemini Akpakpan. Inspired by her own experiences as a young girl, including a period of homelessness, Ekemini created the campaign to help girls develop the confidence, support and opportunities to shape their own futures. The campaign brings together women leaders, creatives and supporters who share this commitment.
Every piece in the collection is inspired by a personal letter written by a woman reflecting on her younger self. Words and affirmations from these letters are incorporated into the designs, transforming personal experiences into messages that can be worn, shared and passed on. Each purchase carries both a story and a purpose.
The campaign supports vulnerable girls aged 7–17, particularly girls living in children’s homes and those affected by abandonment, homelessness or difficult circumstances. We have a five-year ambition to support 100 girls.
Funds raised through the campaign will support programmes and essential needs that improve the girls’ wellbeing and opportunities. Support will be guided by individual needs assessments to ensure that assistance responds to the girls’ actual circumstances. Our priority areas include:
Personal care and dignity: Hygiene supplies, clothing and everyday essentials.
Education: School materials, learning support and educational opportunities.
Mentorship and emotional wellbeing: Confidence-building activities, positive role models and psychosocial support.
Skills and personal development: Opportunities to explore talents, develop practical skills and build confidence in their abilities.
We believe meaningful support begins with listening. Working with participating children’s homes, we conduct individual needs assessments to understand each girl’s educational circumstances, personal care needs, wellbeing, strengths and interests. These assessments help us identify priorities and develop appropriate support plans. Our goal is not simply to provide immediate assistance, but to help each girl build a stronger foundation for her future.
No. Letters to My Younger Self is designed as a sustained philanthropic initiative. Our five-year vision is to support vulnerable girls through essential care, education, mentorship and personal development. The fashion collection is one way of mobilising resources and inviting more people to participate in this commitment.
We are committed to transparency and accountability. As the programme progresses, we share periodic updates highlighting the support delivered, activities undertaken and progress towards our goals. These updates will focus on meaningful outcomes while respecting the privacy, dignity and safeguarding needs of the girls.
Absolutely! You can support Letters to My Younger Self by making a financial contribution, sharing the website link or helping us connect with individuals and organisations who believe in its mission. Every contribution helps us create more opportunities for girls to thrive.
Yes! At the heart of this campaign is the belief that our stories can inspire and encourage others. We welcome women who would like to share reflections, lessons and affirmations from their personal journeys. Your words could become a message of hope and encouragement for a girl who needs to hear them. Send a letter to letters@ekeminiakpakpan.com
We welcome partnerships with individuals, businesses and organisations interested in supporting girls’ education, wellbeing, mentorship and personal development.
Partnerships may include financial contributions, in-kind support, professional expertise or opportunities that enrich the girls’ learning and development.
To explore a partnership, please contact us via letters@ekeminiakpakpan.com