It's always amazing for us at LPNY to see those we discover and interview, grow and achieve their dreams and get the recognition they deserve! That's the case with model Richmond Ekow Barnes! Read on to find out what our first model to be interviewed is up to; pure growth.
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LPNY: Adebayo Oke-Lawal, is a name to be remembered as Lapetitenewyorkaine has read and seen, Orange Culture as described by the founder is a “movement”. Please elaborate on what you mean by “movement”
AO: Orange cultures foundation is built on the idea that it’s okay to be different, to be unique or an individual in a world filled with robots – in a continent were masculinity is wrongly defined. It’s a brand that is built to push that movement - a brand that believes in individuality at all costs.
LPNY: How did Orange Culture begin? Did it start as a hobby? Purely by accident? Intentionally designed?
AO: Very much intentional . I’ve been designing since I was 10 years old – even when Id be in school during my classes id turn to the back of my notebook and design. It was very much the only thing I knew I always wanted to do even then.
LPNY: What event/ opportunity truly opened doors for Orange Culture in the fashion industry?
AO: Lagos fashion and design week gave me my first ever shot. Omoyemi Akerele and her amazing team believed in me even when people thought I was making the biggest mistake lol. They pushed me and gave me opportunities I never thought I’d get. Also thankful to LVMH prize as that did expand my horizon as a designer and exposed me to an even wider audience and the Ethical fashion initiative with Pitti Uomo .
LPNY: At Lapetitenewyorkaine we’re big on teamwork, how important is teamwork to Orange Culture?What is your work environment/ work culture?
AO: My team is quite small but I love them all. Ola , Francis, Onyinye , Amaka, Kazeem, Chidi and my amazing tailors. We spend a lot of time laughing as we work – and opening up to each other – I am truly privileged.
LPNY: Who are the members of your core team? What role do they play in the success of Orange Culture?
AO: Core team is made up of Ola – International brand manager , Onyinye – Brand andcommunications manager in Nigeria, Francis – Illustrator, Kazeem – Visual, sound and graphics manager, Amaka – Operations and administration and Chidi – personal assistant. I am the C.E.O and creative director for the brand
LPNY: What challenges has the line faced with being an African brand? What challenges has the line faced with being a brand originating from Nigeria specifically? If any
AO: As much as there is an interest in the industry – a lot of disbelief in the quality of products and labor is still attached – (country of origin concept) . So we do have a lot of issues convincing buyers that we can handle expectations. It is a general issue for designers here not just orange culture. Major issue though is lack of support from the government financially, in terms of infrastructure and just generally. It has taken individuals and private companies for this industry to grow to this extent. Education is also a major issue – as a lot of foundation issues are rooted in a lack of proper education in fashion.
LPNY: The decision to transition or rather incorporate menswear while having started with womenswear, how did this come about?
AO: Real people giving me real advice actually , they saw potential in my mens and in the strength of the story – plus who says I wouldn’t go into womens again lol – it might be momentary.
Adebayo beat us to the chase with that last comment, as we’re all wondering whether womenswear would be a thing at Orange Culture again to which he responded “I’m considering it. Lol” – Adebayo Oke-Lawal
LPNY: How do you begin to piece together a collection? Or does it vary per collection?
AO: It varies but what is consistent is a story is always connected to the beginning. An experience –sometimes good, sometimes otherwise.
LPNY: In your opinion, what are some of the highest qualities/ designs/ methods/visions/inspiration that Africa has to offer in the fashion industry?
We couldn’t agree more with Adebayo’s statement that “ Our culture is so inspiring and so rich it is one of the best parts of being African – truly a well of inspiration.”
We can expect to see “everything and everywhere” for Orange Culture in the future as CEO Adebayo informs us “I’m not limiting myself at all”
LPNY: What is your best advice for upcoming designers? What are your three do’s and don’t’s?
AO: Do’s - Be honest as a designer - Internships - Explore all forms of art – be inspired
Don’ts - Do not be a copycat - Don’t do it for fame - Don’t do it for the money
“Be sure you can’t live without it – it truly is your passion”
Lapetitenewyorkaine is not only honored but ecstatic to bring you closer to the man Africa is buzzing about; Lukhanyo Mdingi.
LPNY: Lukhanyo Mdingi, tell us where are you from, where were you born, where do your roots trace to.
LM: Please let's keep it casual, 'Lukhanyo' is just fine! I'm from the East Coast of South Africa, born in a tiny little beach town where surfing and sports was the norm. It was beautiful, in many different ways. For me it also seemed as though it was a weird reality check, it wasn't too long before I knew that it was a town that it would be best to live my childhood but explore my adulthood.
LPNY: Tell Lapetitenewyorkaine about how Lukhanyo Mdingi began as a brand
LM: I wasn't ready for it. It was so unexpected. Essentially it all started with the inaugural South Africa Menswear Week, in November of 2014 I was invited to take part in the Fashion Week which was in February 2015. After that showcase, the brand pretty much began.
LPNY: Why did you choose to name your brand Lukhanyo Mdingi?
LM: I'm proud of the name. My name.
LPNY: What does Lukhanyo Mdingi stand for when it started? Does the brand still hold true to that today?
LM: Empowering South African Fashion.
LPNY: What truly opened doors for you in the fashion industry and watch?
LM: My first collection that I did for a local South African Fashion Design competition - ELLE in Association with Mr Price Rising Star Competition. It took place in 2013 in my undergraduate year. I created a women's wear collection based on basic shapes and the human body.
LPNY: Tell us about your team? What are your dynamics?
“Truly one of the best parts about being a South African creative. ”
LM: Having had the opportunity to work with individuals that are on-pare and even more talented than I has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. It's allowed me to better myself and do better than my best. Finding my team was a beautiful journey, but one that didn't take very long, I had the greatest pleasure of having the opportunity to work with creatives like Katja Marr, Kent Andreasen, Amber Caplan, Tarryn Oppel and Justin Polkey - having them use my pieces was pretty rad. But all of this has led to me working with people that believe in me with 100% certainty as much as I do for them. Travys Owen, Gabrielle Kannemeyer and Amori Birch have been such a force and it's relationship that we will nature and value. We all contribute to one another in one way or the other and that's really special.
LPNY: What is your work culture? (The environment: fun, serious, go with the flow)
LM: Ah man, it differs. I don't have a studio so the sketching process takes place at one of my favorite restaurants in Cape Town. When it comes to production it can become quite nuts, I take a lot of taxis and do a lot of traveling with public transport. Getting from A to B differs all the time, because my seamstresses and patten maker all have their own studios I'm always jumping from one suburb to the next. The whole production process is a whirlwind of energies but it's all truly amazing and so damn worth it when you see the final product.
LPNY: Do you think Africa has had an influence on your designs, concepts, and visions for the future? How so?
LM: What truly is African design? I feel like the world thinks immediately of bright prints and colours but I feel because Africa is so mixed in cultures, it's really tricky to distinguish certain things.
Through and through, Yes. Africa has influenced some of my concepts. And for the visions of the future, I only think of Africa. This is a continent filled with gold, literally and figuratively.
LPNY: What are some of the challenges you have faced as an African brand?
LM: Lack of Textiles. Lack of Funding. Lack of Governmental and Council Support. Minimal Capital.
LPNY: How do you begin to piece together a collection?
LM: In a NUTSHELL
- Do Sketches
- Source Fabric Options
- Do Technical Drawings
- Take Technical Drawings to Pattern Maker
- Finalise Fabric choices and purchases.
- Take Finished Patterns and fabrics to Seamstresses.
- Seamstress, Cut > Sew > Press
LPNY: What is your latest released concept? What does it represent?
LM: To be honest, a sense of purity. The aim was to create a clean, well thought after collection with effortless and timeless designs.
The Taintless collection embodied all the qualities that I had envisioned.
LPNY: Regarding the newest concept, where did the inspiration come from?
LM: The colour Navy. This led to oriental aesthetics. Again, it was important to have a collection that pure in every possible way, that's where the name of the collection originates from...Taintless.
LPNY: In your opinion, what does Africa have to offer to the fashion industry?
So much! Diversity.
LPNY: What extras would you like our readers at Lapetitenewyorkaine to know?
Any exclusives?
“Ah man...I love music, I just fucking love it. ”
Via: ELLE
LPNY: What is your advice to designers who are just starting up? What is your top three Do’s and Don’t’s for them?
LM: It's so difficult to answer this question because I to am in a position where I'm still learning myself.
“The best advice though is to have love, passion and perseverance”
Happy New Year fellow readers! It's good to be back to basics, which aren't so basic this year. 2015 is looking more promising and more inspirational than the lapetitenewyorkaine family could imagine. Starting off this blogging season 1 with the very first LPNY model interview! Although we are dedicated to the inspirational designers and brands that emerge from African roots, we cannot deny that models are the foundation for every designer showing and shape how we view and understand each piece. What would we do without their strut and poses, and so much more they offer to this world! World, meet.. "that crazy and funky dude" - Richmond Ekow Barnes!
Lapetitenewyorkaine had the privilege of coming across Ekow (as we get to call him) on the infamous Instagram where it was immediately apparent that this young Ghanian model had a promising future not only in modeling but in any endeavor he chose to pursue. A clear leader amongst his peers and followers, Ekow is a symbol of inspiration for lapetitenewyorkaine.
“I want to pave the way for other young African models and let them know that possible is what you say it is. ”
LPNY: Tell Lapetitenewyorkaine about you.
EB: I am Richmond Ekow Barnes, from Western Region of Ghana. I am currently based in the capital city, Accra. I draw inspiration from every African who is making waves across the globe; people like Fernando Cabral inspire me to be the best that I can. I aspire to be that African model that took on the world and did everything irrespective of the fact that I started with nothing. I want to beat the odds and be amongst the world’s most successful models.
LPNY: What opened your doors to the world of modeling?
EB: My modeling career started by chance when I went with a photographer friend to a photo shoot. The model for the shoot failed to show up and I was asked to stand in for him. The outcome of that shoot was so impressive that Idona, the photographer, said to me, "you are going to become a great model if you take this seriously"; I haven't looked back since.
LPNY: What are your hobbies and activities besides modeling?
EB: Aside modeling I love to read novels and inspirational books. I love music and I am also quite the party animal. And Oh, I am a full-time student too at the Ghana Technology University College studying Information Technology (IT).
Photographer: Nana Yaw Osei-Wusu Afriyie
Stylist: Jeason Jermaine
MUA: @Powderpuff.mua
LPNY: What is your favorite African brand/ designer? Why?
EB: The continent has a lot of great and unique designers in their own way but a personal favorite of mine would have to be Adebayo Oke Lawal of "Orange Culture " his sense of designs is not just for any ordinary man. And myself, I am a metro-sexual person, and so that x-factor he constantly introduces always gets me.
LPNY: What does being an African model represent to you? How does it make you different to models from different continents?
EB: Being An African model comes with its own unique challenges. The local industry prefers more built/muscular models, for high fashion shows, unlike London, Milan or Paris, where skinny guys make all the waves when it comes to high fashion jobs. So making it to the front of the line was one of the most challenging things I've ever had to do and I can gladly say the front row view is utterly amazing. Industry people compliment me genuinely so I know I fit the bill and I love it because I get to express a side of myself that I can't in everyday, mainstream society. I especially love it now that I have a few really great glam photographers/friends that I can work with on the regular.
With regards to the project displayed below, can you explain what the inspiration behind it was? What does it represent?
“When you think of a temptation it is usually something you can do, something you want to do but something you shouldn’t do because for one reason or the other, yourself and the people around you disapprove of them. I like to think if these as “the darkness of temptations”.”
LPNY: The project in question was photographed by Nigerian photographer Ofure Ighalo and was styled by Neal Davis. Here is what Ekow had to say about it.
I feel like the modeling and fashion industries especially in Ghana, are strangely considered temptations by a lot of our good talent; they can get involved, they want to get involved but feel like they shouldn't get involved because of certain misperceptions.
The idea of white temptations is simple! Yes, it's a temptation but one that is pure. If you can get involved and want to get involved, you should get involved. Like anything else, it's hard work and demands dedication but if you set your mind to it, success really beckons. A lot of the negative stereotypes about the industry that people base their decisions on are all lies. They're just there to "darken" the temptation. This shoot was a campaign for the "whiteness" of the temptation or the industry.
LPNY: In your opinion, what does Africa have to offer when it comes to the fashion world?
EB: Africa is truly a melting pot of what’s happening around the world and the fashion here reflects that. People from everywhere come here to be inspired and it’s now time that we leverage that to spur African fashion into the mainstream!
LPNY: Ekow has a little advice for young and aspiring models:
EB: They should just to keep their spirits alive; identify what they want, and keep working at it. I think it’s important to have strength of character and a strong sense of focus also. One of the things I find most important though, is happiness. We all deserve to be happy and so they shouldn't compromise on that; whatever you do, make sure you’re happy. Life is too short to be unhappy.
LPNY: As our interview comes to an end, what would you like our readers to know more about you, modeling, African fashion?
EB: I don't wait for someone to make me happy. I create my own fun and make others happy in the process. Efya And Irene Logan are my favorite female African songstress. I love them both so much. If I could live anywhere in the world it would be Paris. I am obsessed with French people. African Fashion Is The Future, you heard it here first.
Photographer: Nana Yaw Osei-Wusu Afriyie
Stylist: Jeason Jermaine
MUA: @Powderpuff.mua
Indeed Africa is the future, and lets talk about living in Paris? Lapetitenewyorkaine will gladly join you Richmond any day on that one! As the first model to be interviewed on Lapetitenewyorkaine, Richmond Ekow Barnes will always hold an important place in the lapetitenewyorkaine family and we can't wait to see where this ambitious young man will go next.
“In the words of Henry Ford, “whether you think you can or you cannot you are right”. I want our young women and men to understand and believe this with me as an example.”
Want to keep up with Ekow? follow him on Instagram & Twitter!
