#ebeleojechi

"I want to add more cultural diversity to the industry. That’s why I created BËLË, because I was seeing a lot of similar styles and colors from brand to brand. Not many sportswear brands take risks these days, unless they are collaborating with a fashion brand. So I hope for BËLË to give people a type of sportswear that they haven’t been offered before. I also hope for it to teach people a bit about the aspects of African and British culture that have influenced my life. For example, the accents in my logo represent my Igbo heritage. They are semi circles to represent the half of the yellow sun in the Biafran flag; a topic that is very important to me." #chiamaka #nigerian #sablesouls #blackgirlmagic #blackhistory #nigeriandesigner #streetwear #london #ebeleojechi #fashion #bele

"I sadly don’t know too many current African artists. But I can tell you that my favorite African author, and author in general, is Chinua Achebe. His writings have had a big influence on my ideology and concepts. I also admire the late Malick Sidibé, the way he captured the authentic culture and lives of his subjects is unparalleled. Another photographer and illustrator I love right now is Yagazie Emezi; her photography is so honest and powerful." #80sfashion #70sfashion #areaboys #blackgirlmagic #blackhistory #ebeleojechi #chiamaka #nigeriandesigner #nigerian #yagazieemezi #malicksidibé #chinuaachebe

"Growing up in London has had a massive influence on my perspective, I actually didn’t realize how much so until recently. As London is a mixing pot of many different cultures, growing up here has taught me how to combine various cultural influences into one work of art. For example, in London you’ll often see Muslim boys wearing their traditional thobe with a Nike puffer coat, some sick Nike trainers and a man bag. I’ve always loved that! The way they mix their religious attire with the typical wears of London youth; you can tell so much about their identity by just looking at them. Seeing things like that on a daily basis has definitely shaped the way I design. With BËLË I wanted to explore how I could represent my identity in this way." #sablesouls #ebeleojechi #chiamaka #nigeriandesigner #nigerian #fashion #streetwear #london #religiouswear

Ebele Ojechi: During my final year of university, studying fashion sportswear design, we were tasked with developing our own brand. I wanted my brand to represent my identity and what makes me the 23-year-old Londoner of Nigerian heritage that I am today. So my concept for BËLË was born from me wanting to combine the two cultures that have influenced my life the most; Nigerian and British culture. These cultures have been a constant source of inspiration for as long as I can remember, so it made sense for BËLË to be a way for me to channel these inspirations into functional men’s sportswear. #sablesouls #blackgirlmagic #blackhistory #twinsisters #bele #nigerian #nigeriandesigner #ebeleojechi #chiamaka #london

© EBELE OJECHI 2013