MAESTRO'S MEDIA EXCLUSIVE
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| OSIME SAIBU OF SIMEOGIEME |
We came across the quiet, but brilliant Osime Saibu at the just concluded Africa Fashion Week London 2013. Her designs from the emerging label - Simeogieme were quite simply- 'classic, body shape enhancing and very functional' , to us a breath of fresh air.
She got everyone's attention because prior to her showcase, she just moved around without any 'airs' and inconspicuously not wanting to draw to herself any undue attention.
But the moment the models came out one after the other, wearing her creation with much aplomb! Everyone immediately exhaled that they were seeing a 'bright star' in the making, a fashion meteorite has landed, ready to make an impact. She was one of the highlights (BRIGHT SPARKS) of the 3 days fashion extravaganza at the old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch.
We had a great interview with the Creative Director of the emerging label and it was qyite insightful.
Interview was conducted by Abiola O. Aloba for Maestro's Media. ENJOY!!!
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| SIM SIMMA 2O14 COLLECTION AS SHOWN AT THE AFWL 2013 |
How did you come into fashion? What made you embrace it as a career path?
I have always been interested in fashion since I was a
child. I believe the interest developed as a result of being around the tailors
my mum hired for her tailoring business, which was established using the garage
of my home in Lagos, Nigeria. I was interested to see how yards and yards of
fabric could be transformed into something really elegant for women to wear, so
I would always help out after school. My mum eventually taught me how to sew. I
enjoyed sketching, so I would imagine different dresses and sketch them on a
pad. This was a hobby at the time.
As I became an adult, my interest in fashion increased
especially as I had moved to live and study in London, the fashion capital of
the UK. So I bought a sewing machine and for practice, I would cut up bed sheets
to make little dresses and skirts. Also, sketching designs during lunch breaks
at work became a habit. My interest had become a passion, and this led me to ask
Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah if I could intern with him. He agreed.
Then I was asked to be a bride’s maid at my friend’s wedding
and the bridal train had to buy a particular fabric “aso-ebi” to make dresses
with for the wedding. I decided to sew my dress for the wedding myself. This
was the first time I would make a dress which would be worn for an occasion. At
the wedding, which was in Washington DC, I received several compliments on my
dress and a few people asked to take pictures of my dress. This was a massive
confidence boost for me, and that led me to establish the business.
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