Chieff Bosompra is a fourth-year communications student who was born in Ghana and raised in Mississauga, Ont. He is the founder of the clothing brand ‘Bad Habits’ that he started with two friends in his first year at Carleton.
Most students know the Bad Habits logo and clothing across campus, but they won’t always recognize man behind the brand.
Bosompra was a basketball player throughout high school. He came from a strict family and most of his friends from home were athletes. As we sit in his apartment, his style is as casual as his personality; laid back, yet put together.
He speaks with confidence, and laughs as he admits that he is a shy person.
“When people find out I have my own line they’re usually so surprised because I’m so laid back and relaxed about it,” he said.
Bosompra again laughs when he is asked to describe himself.
“I like to enjoy life and have a good time. I’m all about experiencing as much as I can, and as I do that I like to reflect and take it all in.”
Bosompra’s interest in fashion stemmed in high school, when he would go shopping and buy clothes to wear to his monthly civvies day.
“People made fashion groups at our school and others, and people started to like my stuff so that’s kinda where it started,” he said.
His own venture started when he was sick of the street fashion in stores. “I remember vividly back in 2009 over the course of a few days I kept going shopping and thought ‘wow, there’s nothing here that I like that is worth my money’ and that was it,” he explains.
“I was laying in bed one day, and I got the idea of wearing my own stuff. Like wearing myself head to toe,” he says. “Each day passed, and I thought of a name, a slogan, it just grew and grew.”
Bosompra feels he has also grown from this. “I know a bit more about myself now. I’ve become less shy, I know how to put that to the side and I can interact and meet new people.”
“I feel like I bring other things into it besides the clothes. Music, the world, and different influences have been behind the clothes we put out – it’s more than just fashion.”
But Bosompra feels that the venture taught him how to read people well. “I can tell that certain people have their own agendas. If you’re just trying to pry for information, I’m gonna pick up on it,” he said.
“I always feel that there are people who have approached me who wouldn’t have if I wasn’t with the brand.”
The main thing Bosompra has learned from this is looking out for you and staying focused. He explains, “What you’re doing needs to be at the center of your focus because people might wanna help you, but by helping you it’s really helping them.”
He is working with YEAH!Films on a new show called ‘Poser’, which will air on April 2. After graduation, Bosompra plans to continue his work with Bad Habits full time.
The next thing Carleton can expect from Bosompra and Bad Habits is their spring line.
“I saw that no other brands have really used many African influences, so I really wanted to try that out and incorporate my background,” he said.