About Me
Hello, I'm Yemisi, a graduate from Norwich University of the Arts.
I am a designer of Nigerian heritage who loves to explore the traditions and art within my Yoruba tribal culture. My tribe sparked my interest in Fashion at a young age, seeing all the vibrant colours, traditional outfits and materials displayed at parties. In addition, music plays a significant role in my work, inspiring the mood and initial ideas.
The celebration of culture and diversity is my driving force. This is expressed through the use of colour and surface print design with my styles and techniques inspired my African/Afro descent designers and African cultural prints. I believe print and colour bring life to any garment and provides insight into the wearer's identity; it lets you know part of who they are and what they stand for. For my graduate collection, I have explored surface design and textiles to express who I am.
INSPIRATION
The 'AIYE' Capsule Collection (pron. eye-yay in Yoruba, meaning 'Life').
My initial research involved looking at black hairstyles accessorised with beads as I feel they are reminiscent of a black girls childhood. I also started looking at the textiles and fabrics within my culture. The curved shapes of the beads drew me to the 'adire oniko' Yoruba tie dyeing technique which involves tying small stones within cotton fabric with raffia and dyed in natural indigo dye. The final pattern shapes are circular and quite playful when dyed in lighter colours, linking to childhood.
Female attire in Yoruba culture speaks; it is loud and carries attitude. This is shown through the "gele' or head gear/head wrap. It can be tied with various fabrics including Ankara/African Print, Aso Oke, Sego etc. For my collection, I decided to explore the stiffest 'gele' material, Sego, and subvert it. Though there were doubts, it worked and allowed me to connect and express my heritage in a new way.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Concept Board
Colour Board
Initial Research
'Gele' Research
Motifs inspired by shape research
Initial Design Development
Further Design Development
Adire Oniko sample process
Development of Look 1
Further Development of Look 1
Pattern Proportions with Final Fabric
Bead Embellishment Samples
Development of Look 2
Further Development of Look 2
Final Line Up
Technical Drawings
Photoshoot Images
DETAIL
Beads and Vibrancy.
My idea of beading was inspired by Nigerian designer Lisa Folawiyo, who creates heavily beaded Ankara garments. My aim was to capture the vibrance and spontaneity of being a child and life itself. My process while beading didn't follow a specific pattern but much of it was decided along the way. The beads I used include hair beads, glass beads and other acrylic/plastic beads. My hope is that my work livens and brightens the wearer and viewers; I hope my work ushers in change.
A new dress doesn't get you anywhere, but the life in the dress. - Diana Vreeland
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