Interview: Aamoke

Recently I got a chance to interview an upcoming fashion designer based in Canada, so I could get a little more knowledge behind her fashion line, inspirations, aspirations and style. It was quite fun... Enjoy xx

Rinsola (Founder &CEO)

Tell me a bit about you?

    I am an extremely hyperactive individual who likes to look at the intricacy, delicacy and simplicity of various ideologies and aspects of life. Moreover I am a 21 year old Nigerian studying an honours in Economics, Major in IPE (int political economy) and minor in Int. Studies. I am extremely down to earth and a foodie at heart, love singing even if it bothers the neighbours and I’m extremely passionate about fashion.

At what age did you realise you had a passion for fashion?

  I realised this when I was much younger, around my early teenage years, plus I lived in Nigeria at the time and was always excited when my mom gave me new fabric and got to design an outfit and give it to a tailor. Would sketch ideas in minutes and not even doubt it.

How would you describe your style?

   I am very versatile with style, love to keep it low key with the basics (tee, loose jeans, converses and the leather jacket) extremely in love with the classy attire, much similar to that of Audrey Hepburn.

Why did you decide to become a designer?

  I figured I owed it to myself to do at least one thing that I’m really interested in before the real world hits me. Moreover, my mother is an artist and seeing her draw and paint all the time made me want to do the same things as she and I wanted to be as amazing as her, then combining that dream with my liking for fashion just made me realise that I probably had what it takes to make it in fashion design.

How do you get inspired?

   Funny enough, I get inspiration from: walking on the street, especially when I have music playing, helps to keep the imagination and creativity juices flowing or even sleep and dreams

What makes you different from other designers or aspiring designers?

  I honestly can’t say, but I’d think it’s because I adore evoking the various aspects of african heritage in my designs, but most importantly because I enjoy creating basic, simple outfits. I strongly believe in the phrase “there’s beauty in simplicity”

Meaning behind the name aamoke?

  Aamoke is a yoruba oriki (a praise) that was given to me as a child by my paternal grandparents, it means “a child who enjoys being spoiled”

Fashion influences?

  I really don’t have many to be honest. Majority of the influences I have come from the people, models and upcoming designers that I’ve met and gotten to know, looking at blogs of fashion week in NYC, Paris, Milan etc. When it comes down to popular brands and figures, it most definitely would be, without a doubt, Audrey Hepburn. For brands, I just like the simple ones and there are a lot out there, so I can’t necessarily give names.

Favourite Fashion Season?

   Spring and Summer. I really like warm, cool and bright colours. Not a huge fan of the dark side lol

Did you learn illustration and sewing from school?

  I’m actually self taught in this field. From reading books, watching a lot of youtube tutorials and following a lot of blogs, I taught myself how to sew and sketch. Also from asking friends too.

How did you decide what type of designs to do and how do you choose materials?

 I’m not even kidding you on this but all this happens through daydreaming and actual night time dreaming. Basically I just ask my parents to send me any fabric they can whenever they are coming to visit me and whatever the give, I make the most out of it. In making the designs like I said this happens  either in my sleep or when I'm day dreaming, because I recall things that I’ve seen and make things up in my head. I figure out a color scheme and figure out which patterns and fabric go with each other and then end up sketching the design and making it into a reality.

Is this a one person label?

 For now, yes, but I am open to collaborating and merging with other designers in the future.

How do you feel about completing your first line?

  Honestly, I am nerve-wrecked about it, but at the same time extremely ecstatic. I am happy and proud of myself. I achieved something that I’ve always wanted to do for a really long time, but at the same time now I am basically in a new playground and have to try and stand out from the rest of the kids out there and basically make new friends with the right people, so there’s a bit of pressure lol, overall though, I am super happy, excited and thrilled.

Is this line limited edition or do we get to purchase it anytime?

  We could call it a limited edition and yes it can be purchased lol but for now it’s more of a lookbook to give people an idea on how to combine their everyday wear with african prints, I mean we can’t just have tribal, floral and graffiti prints out there.

Is delivery just within Canada?

  Until I find a suitable economical and reliable way to ship out internationally, delivery is just within Canada.

What are your plans for the future?

  With Aamoke, I really want to make the most of it. I do plan on going  international with the line very soon, try and collaborate with other designers, take on a lot of fashion shows anywhere in the world and hopefully host my own events in the future. With me, after I graduate next year, I want to either work out here in Canada, anywhere in the world or back home, try and integrate Economics and Fashion together and see what opportunities come at me

Advice to aspiring designers?

  Never ever give up on an idea, dream or feeling when it comes to fashion always act on it, be daring and different, but most of all be yourself in all that you do.

Website/Lookbook: Aamoke Lookbook