Deola Sagoe Talks To ESSENCE.com
Posted on Wednesday, June 8th, 2011 at 12:00 AMBy Ijeoma Ndekwu
Nigerian designer, Deola Sagoe was interviewed by leading Black Women’s Magazine- ESSENCE.com. In the interview, the designer talks about her brand and how her Nigerian and African cultural influences are reflected in her designs.
Below are snippets from the interview:
ESSENCE.com: As an African designer, you are always seen is a representative of that continent. Is that how you wish to be seen, or as a designer with her own unique worldview?
DEOLA : Every true designer I know has his or her own deeply held point of view. This is usually fashioned by their environment and concerns, but also from that uniqueness that comes from within you, and as such is not defined by geography or location. I’m black, I’m a Nigerian, and I’m a woman – guess it’s no surprise that you’re going to see that in my work no more than if I was Japanese or Dutch.
ESSENCE.com: So you seek to strictly represent your homeland?
DEOLA: I would like to think I represent an Africa that is still yet to be fully appreciated, an Africa that is not just one homogenous blob but a rich continent of diversity and expression. African cultures are so fluid by the way, it’s mixes of European, British, French, Portuguese from our colonial past and American coming in from modern day enterprise and international business. If there’s a mixing pot somewhere on this Earth it’s got to be Africa that’s why things are often very rich here.
ESSENCE.com: How does your Nigerian culture in particular inform your work as a designer?
DEOLA: Nigeria is a nation often debated across the world but actually rarely truly investigated. Nigeria is a strong nation; the people are proud and culturally very rich and diverse. For me it’s like a goldmine that I can delve into. I go in the mine and when I return to the light I discover that I have gems of every description, and I’m usually surprised! What I mean is, whenever I’m designing I’ll start with some element of my culture and then I’ll go on and add myself to it, what I’m feeling at the time, and then, by a miracle, things start to just happen. It’s really the most wonderful thing to be a kind of conveyor or channel for something new to come into being, and yet you can feel its lineage.It has a link to history and culture. The Nigerian consciousness has yet to be fully explored but everyday it keeps offering up gems.
Love It!
Click to Read the full interview on ESSENCE.com
Credit: Essence.com | Photo-Blashionista.com
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow me on twitter: @ijeomandekwu
Tags: deola sagoe, ESSENCE.com
Badt Garl!!!
i just hope im the first #okbye
Dazzling photo! It’s encouraging to see our women doing big things.
First time of being first
JUST HEARING OF DEOLA FOR THE FIRST TIME. NICE ONE THOUGH
like whaaaatttt?!..its okay though. To helep you even more, check out her collections she is just too noice.
Loved her comment re the fluidity of African designs and the fact that its still evolving….well spoken Deola. I love her designs- very crisp and feminine at the same time. She’s repping Naija WELL!!
YAY!!!!!thats a huge one…kudos…..
Absolutely wonderful the way she is repping Naija, my love for this woman…sigh
First…I just thought I should say that
love it
Yay for Deola, my second fav naija designer next to Folake Folarin-Coker of Tiffany Amber…just awesome women
You go Deola……..you make us proud as Nigerians!!!!
“an Africa that is not just one homogenous blob but a rich continent of diversity and expression” , so true…thats why I love being African.
you lot screaming first are NOT first, so just give it up already. lol
nevre heard of her….
living under a rock much?
Nigeria is a nation often debated across the world but actually rarely truly investigated. Nigeria is a strong nation; the people are proud and culturally very rich and diverse. #WORD.
all of u keep screaming first but none of u is really the first,look before u leap…..@faith then you not trendy.
it has nothing to do with trendy!!!
She is an amazing fashion entrepreneur and a fantastic role model.
http://www.yesidefashionstore.com/clothing/dress
Deola Sagoe is just fantastic kudos to nigerians doing big things all over the world
wow very well said..She is articulate and represents us well i am very proud of her..Kudos Deola
She’s so eloquent!
I love her designs they are truly inspiring and really amazing!
Visit Face2FaceAfrica.com together we can restore the image of Africa Twitter @face2faceafrica
Blog http://www.face2faceafrica.com/
Http://www.youtube?v=VAdoxOjAGI8
As someone who is fashion conscious I love her response to the questions. Strongly reflective of someone who studies their field and not simply accustomed to just “winging it”. Great job Deola
I heart this woman .. In My Opinion, – she is the best fashion designer in Nigeria!
I love the way she described Nigeria&Africa…someone using her spot in the limelight to change the perception people have about naija.Love it!
Keep it up Deola. This ia just the beginning .The whole world will hear us, soon!!!!!
Nice…
Deola’s clothing designs has always being an encouragements to me…. Her pieces are breath takin…. she’s always a breath of fresh air in d nigerian fashion industry.
am not still sure d biggie about being first at all, i mean c’mon is there like a price?sheesh!!
rebranding self!
My favorite Nigerian designer…..u gotta love he designs so unique