Omer Asim is a Sudanese born designer who studied architecture at The Bartlett UCL in London and then went on to do a post graduate degree in Organisational & Social Psychology.
Asim was about to start being analysed to become a Psychoanalyst when he made the switch to fashion design.
His academic achievement and background in architecture is evident in the lines and structure of his designs.
He worked under Vivienne Westwood for about a year, and has now gone on to present his first independent collection. The collection theme centres on a Pulitzer Prize winning photograph ‘The Vulture and The Baby’ and inspired by life as it approaches death.
It is interesting to point out that no interns or paid workers were used in the making of said collection.
mariankihogo.com speaks to the designer.
1.Thank you for this interview Omer.
What inspired you to move from architecture to Fashion design?
Thanks for having me. I didn’t make a direct move from architecture to fashion, in fact fashion never crossed my mind during or soon after architecture. I didn’t pursue architecture for personal reasons and I leaned towards the social & psychological side of things, even in design. My interest in fashion started to develop when I was researching for a PhD topic in anthropology. I was looking into ways through which women in repressed cultures come to terms with their repression through trance dance, costume, etc.
2.Your first collection is themed after ‘The Vulture and The Baby’ Pulitzer Prize winning photograph as captured by the late Kevin Carter. Please tell us a bit about this collection and how it came about.
Briefly, I wanted my first collection to be about something that continued to haunt me. I didn’t plan the collection at all. I started by making the white corset which to me resembled the vulture, I am ambivalent towards corsetry. The pleating of the corset had a circular-like pattern and that triggered the cut concept for the collection, which I thought would be perfect to echo the traverse of vulture around its prey.
3.What would you say is your ethos as a new designer?
I have great admiration for fashion history, but what would I make/design if I were blind…!
4.Your sculptural collection is seemingly influenced by architecture. Is this deliberate on your part and what are your thoughts on the relationship between fashion and architecture?
I didn’t attempt anything architectural. I suppose you can find similarities & difference between fashion and any random discipline if that is your intention. A bit like a legal argument!
5.The words organic, considered, intelligent and sculptural come to mind in reference to your designs. What five words would is synonymous with an Omer Asim piece in your opinion?
Pre-modern. Post-modern. Anti-modern. Concept and Cut.
6.The model used for the fittings and later in the look book is from the same region of Sudan where the Kevin Carter photograph was shot. Please tell us why you chose to create this apparent connection.
I think we are becoming more and more visually perverse, we consume so much visual material these days with little appreciation for the embodied meaning.
7.Who do you design in mind for?
Any woman who has had enough of the body-con! In all it’s variations.
8.What are you hoping to achieve as a fashion designer?
I need to succeed in the industry to stand any chance of achieving goals that are personal to me. I wish to never fall into the trend trap, and never make anything that lacks integrity in terms of essence and quality.
Images courtesy of Omer Asim from BLOW.
* kind thanks to Omer Asim for the interview and to Ashley Smith at BLOW PR
his work is thought provoking
very interesting interview marian
His theme for the collection is intriguing.
amazing designs,the first is beautiful and so technical
wow lovely designs
Wow, his work is phenomenal.
Fab interview darling.
wow, that’s something really amazing! thanks for sharing, darling.
xoxo
such brilliant designs. thanks so much for sharing dear!