About Me
Hi, I'm Esther, a fashion design graduate from Cardiff Met Uni
Esther Jibril is a creative from Nigeria who specialises in Afrocentric designs. Her techniques involves using traditional West African textiles and silhouettes through her designs which she uses to celebrate and educate people about her cultural heritage.
During my studies i discovered that the only way to put an end to cultural appropriation was to reappreciate aspects of my culture that was stolen. I am motivated by my culture and i am constantly inspired by the colours, prints, fabrics, arts and traditions that showcase the vast beauty of my culture. I am interested in textile embroidery and pattern making in 2d/3d which i use to highlight and celebrate my culture through my work. it is important for me as a creative to educate people about my culture, to help put an end to appropriation and support declining techniques through my crafts.
INSPIRATION
My initial Inspiration was an Ngas dance mask i discovered at the British Museum.
African Fashion is beyond one tribe or nation, it is a mixture of different tribes, traditions and communities that have their various techniques and values. The constant misrepresentation and appropriation by European brands has created a false belief about the origins, values, prints and textiles that belong to various African communities, cultural appropriation has caused the loss and decline of craftsmanship among minority cultures.
My research is inspired by the Ngas dance mask which is currently in the British museum and it belongs to the Ngas tribe of Jos, Plateau state in Nigeria. Having visited the museum with my mum and noticed her reaction to seeing her tribes cultural artifact in a different country was a sad experience and this motivated me to change that narrative.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
PORTFOLIO
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
Barka da Tushena
DETAIL
My collection was developed using textiles and designs inspired from Nigeria.
My collection is titled Barka da Tushena which translates to "Welcome to my Culture" is a welcoming embrace into the diversity of African fashion and an ode to the artisans in Africa who have cradled their craftsmanship to help support and encourage the customs and values of their culture through art. The silhouette of my designs are inspired by the shape of the Ngas dance mask, the fabrics used in developing this collection such as the Akwete was woven by Akwete weavers in Abia state, Nigeria. I created two embroidery different designs to highlight the importance of the mask and add some textural elements in my designs. Both embroidery designs are replicas of the mask using hand twisted cord yarns that are hand stitched onto the jacket and a digital embroidery created using silk threads. I hope my work would be able to introduce people to the richness and diversity of my culture, and educate them on appreciating the values and traditions of my culture.
"I am not African because i was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me" - Nkrumah Kwame
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