When one thinks of Avant-Garde designs one thinks of innovation, opulence, experimentation, and even grandeur. Sustainability has never been associated to such a term, that was until Joseph Ejiro decided to flip the script. With a passion for design, Joseph started setting the foundation for the brand at an early age. From as early as 15 Joseph was working with used fabrics and hand me downs to repair and transform ordinary pieces of clothing into one of the kind statement pieces he is now known for. Over the years Joseph Ejiro has graced the pages of numerous renowned fashion magazines such as Belle Monde, Vogue Mania and Vanity Teen Magazine.
With such an extensive portfolio we were excited to be able to sit down with the designer and find out about his vision, mission and how he champions sustainability through his designs.
What inspired you to start your Brand?
Growing up I’ve always loved to alter clothing to suit my aesthetics, I’ve always wanted to do this, so after working with several designers and attending a brief fashion program, I decided it was time to spread my wings and finally launch my brand.
What/who inspires your designs?
I would say it’s everyday people and my cultural heritage. I grew up in one of the most traditional cities in the world, Benin city and I always go back to my roots to draw inspiration for my collections. This is reflected through my fabric choices, silhouette and how I interact with my customers
What does sustainability mean to you?
With the world becoming more conscious of how we produce and distribute products, brands are at a bit of a crossroads. We need to be able to reduce our environmental impact, produce quality clothes and champion various social issues. So, for me when I talk about sustainability I mean zero waste, local sourcing of fabrics and materials, recycling and upcycling.
What are the sustainable goals of your Brand?
There are a lot! I want the brand to embody sustainability. I am working on incorporating recycled fabric waste in-house in the nearest future as well as organizing training programs for local artisans so we can reduce our impact throughout of supply chain.
Where do you see Joseph Ejiro in 5 years?
In the next 5 years, I hope to become a household name when it comes to sustainable fashion while being at the forefront of African tailoring and craftsmanship.
What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?
Our biggest accomplishment to date has been the collaborations we have done over the past year with other young creatives in Nigeria. It gives me joy that we, the younger generation of fashion creatives, are not waiting on the validation of big publications and instead creating our own platform to cater to our people.
We cant wait to see more from Joseph as he continues to release new collections and work with other talented designers.
Very impressive designs. The world needs more of these.