For most college students, the day begins with classes and ends with studying, socializing or sleeping. But for student, mother and designer Ronlonda “Londa” Robinson, the same principle doesn’t ring true.
Robinson, 22, is a textile and merchandising junior at LSU studying apparel design. By day, Robinson attends early-morning classes and clocks into work. By night, she spends time with her two children, Naomi Robinson, 5, and Lawrence Hawkins Jr., 1.
“I always say this, ‘there is never enough hours in the day’ for everything I have to do, but I manage to get it done and start it back over the next day,” Robinson said.
Robinson began college pursuing a degree in engineering. Her daughter was turning 2 years-old, and Robinson was still learning how to balance college, a social life and motherhood. It wasn’t until her “wake-up call,” that Robinson realized balancing motherhood and college would take dedication.
“[My] second year [of college] I almost got kicked out,” Robinson said. “I had to make so many clothes to get into summer school and literally made A’s and B’s in the hardest classes because I was not going to let myself get kicked out of school.”
After raising her grades, a few major changes and receiving a free sewing machine, Robinson chose the field she was most passionate about — apparel design.
“I began to work harder, take more opportunities with help and began to change my ways and buckle down because [as a freshmen] I still wanted to live a little, but when you become a mother … you can’t do everything you can when you don’t have kids,” Robinson said.
From there, she developed and expanded her designing abilities and started creating custom garments for clients.
In January 2016, Robinson won the Hemline for Hearts paper heart dress competition sponsored by The American Heart Association. She competed alongside five other University textile and merchandising students in completing a garment made out of paper hearts in three hours.
From making garments in her mother’s house to renting her own office space, Robinson became the owner of Elle Elle Custom Clothing LLC. Robinson said designing clothes isn’t about money. She wants her clients to “look good and feel better” wearing their custom-made clothing.
Currently Robinson designs clothing upon request. She plans to have a website containing designs ready to be purchased and customized for clients. After college, her goal is to work in the fashion industry and eventually design on her own.
“It wasn’t until I got in this major that I was satisfied with my grades,” Robinson said. “That just goes to show you have to do what you love.”

Gallery • 7 Photos

Gallery • 2 Photos

Cynthea Corfah

Mom Design