Adebimpe Adebambo: ‘I Do Several Things To Keep Sane’

Artist and fashion designer, Adebimpe Adebambo, is taking the Nigerian fashion world by storm with her breath-taking designs. It is not a surprise therefore that her first job as a costumier for Tunde Kelani's movie 'Dazzling Mirage' earned her nomination for Best Costume Designer in the African Magic Viewers Choice Award  (AMVCA) 2015. She told Mary Ekah about the excitement of being nominated and more

How do you feel being a nominee for the AMVCA 2015?

I was nominated in the category of Best Costume Designer for the work I did on legendary filmmaker: Tunde Kelani's movie 'Dazzling Mirage' alongside 2 other Nigerian productions, a Ghanaian one and a Kenyan one.
I feel very blessed as a nominee and I really would like to applaud Multichoice, Africa Magic and the lead sponsors: Amstel Malta of Nigeria Breweries Limited for choosing to reward and celebrate the professionals in the film and television industry. It also validates my work as a creative person and shows I must be doing something right.  For this, I really feel elated and grateful to God and Tunde Kelani who had a lot of trust in my work and me. I have never been on a production set and had no previous body of work in that field to show before I got on the set of Dazzling Mirage. Not even as an assistant in anything and I don't even watch much TV so for TK to put the Costume Design of his classic film in the hands of a newcomer to the industry says a lot about the man. I can't get over the nomination!  For me to have my first job recognised and nominated on this platform is something I will never, ever forget.

Tell us in details about what you do for a living?
I am a trained visual artist, I studied Fine Arts at the Ibadan Polytechnic obtaining a National Diploma and went on to specialise and obtain a Higher National Diploma in Painting at the Yaba College of Technology so technically, I should call my self a painter but I'd rather say I am a creative person.  For a living, I get my self involved in any creative or legitimate venture as I don't like to box myself but for the past few years, I have worked as a fashion designer under my Beampeh label even though also I have worked in art related organisations.
I have been a Fine Art teacher (and I still give informal art and craft classes), Assistant Gallery Curator and Interior Decorator. I love to write as well and I have contributed to magazines and a newspaper in the past. I always like to try my hands on new things so far I have the capacity for it.

You seem to do a lot of things at the same time.  How do you cope?
I guess its God given energy. I am a very restless person by nature and in order to 'keep sane', I have to do several things at a time! I guess that's part and parcel of being an artist and a Nigerian! You can keep us down. We must survive!

If you were to make a choice, which will you chose as your first love and why?
Difficult question! I will also make a good scientist as I love research. I think I was born to be a creative person as it runs in the family though I can pretty much do any legitimate job if I have the training. My parents are creative people and interestingly, they encouraged me to study Fine Art which was not common at all then because then I was a young girl. I was a science student and Fine Art was my only Art course in Secondary School. I actually wanted to study Architecture or Food Science and Technology in the University but having the most amazing parents who knew their daughter well, I was encouraged in the direction of Art.
Then, parents were encouraging or forcing their children to study 'reasonable' and 'professional' like Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy, Law etc. I am happy with my chosen profession and have no regrets. I could have done some things differently but no regrets at all.

How did you start the whole thing?
I graduated from Yabatech in 1998 and since then as I said earlier, I have been working in different art related fields. In April 2004, on my father's would be birthday (he passed away December the previous year) I launched my first collection of one-off Ready -to-wear clothes and accessories in a show tagged 'Rare Earth' in gratitude to him. I did with two other friends of mine. It was quite interesting and memorable and I haven't looked back since then.

How would you describe your journey so far?
As we all know, life is full of challenges and I have had my fair share of them.
I have wanted to just pack it all up several times but with God's grace, encouragement and support from friends and family, I have kept going on.
There has been starry lovely moments along the way that have lit up really dark, arduous and long nights.  Last year 2014 was really challenging for me and my dear country and one of those excruciatingly dark moments but I still kept on and then in December I got this nomination which I saw as a sign that my work and efforts were not in vain.

How old are you at the moment?
JAMB question! I will tell you my age next year! Seriously, people say I don't look my age so let me continue in that vein!

You appear to be the youngest that has made some remarkable impacts in this terrain?
No I am not the youngest at all that has made remarkable impact and would I even ask; have I made remarkable impact? Its people that will say. Many people don't know me or my label but I am working to make the world a more beautiful place.  I get a lot of information online and from books and when I learnt the Giorgio Armani and Vera Wang started their label when they were 40 years, I knew that in the design world its not how early but how well. They have built and are sustaining their empires. Life does really begin at 40! There are people half my age that are doing well in the industry and I am really happy for them.
This is a great time to be young and hard working since world over, there is more recognition and appreciation of the arts and entertainment industry and Nigeria is on the lead. I say that with pride! I am 100% Nigerian!

Do you in any or at anytime feel intimidated by the well-established Nigerian fashion designers?
No I don't and I look up to them even. They have done well and are putting Nigeria firmly on the world map and most especially creating jobs.
There are also so many people in Nigeria with different taste levels and budgets so there is something for everyone. Though it will be great if older designers mentor younger ones more and show them the ropes without fear.

What have been the challenges of trying to survive as a fashion designer in Nigeria considering the situations in Nigeria?
Major problems that beset any business in Nigeria is lack of infrastructure, proper funding, proper staff etc. Many people also like to be identified with success and only work with known names or brands. Corporate organisations should also reach out to nameless first timers as you don't know what they have in store and can add to you and the society. You won't be doing this interview if I weren't an AMVCA nominee and I wouldn't be a nominee if Tunde Kelani had not given a 1st timer Costumier the opportunity to work on his set. So you see, we need more people and brands like him to truly support and promote upcoming people. There is so much talent in this country and it grieves me that its being wasted and young people or 'ordinary' people most times are not being supported many times. You must know someone that knows someone that knows someone.

How would you describe the fashion / creative industry in Nigeria?
There has been some improvement but its just a drop In the ocean. I wish I could have an audience with ministers in those key areas.  So much ought to be done and not just lip service and giving some 'handouts' from time to time.  Real professionals that are striving and working hard should get financial and moral support and not fake people masquerading as professionals getting all the funds because they know people that matter.

How was growing up?
My growing up years could fill a book! It was really chequered and great fun!
Wonderful parents, amazing siblings, fantastic extended family and friends and the fact that I schooled in different Nigerian cities and have seen beautiful places in this blessed land have really shaped me and made me love my country, culture and its people more.

In what way did your study at school influence who you are today?
My study at the schools of art I attended and my own personal studies, have given me a creative way of solving problems and some high degree of resilience. I would actually try breaking through a brick wall than stopping in front of it.

They say we artists have some screws missing in our heads! Great! Some insanity helps! Art school was fun though rough and tough too but being in the studio with similar 'insane' people brings out the best in you really especially when you are studying a course where you are few and there are few girls.  In the two Higher Institutions I attended, we were only 14 students in class and just four girls out of the 14 so you can't hide and you are all treated the same. At times you are addressed as gentlemen.  It wasn't all rosy as we all have different points of view and different levels of talent but all in all, it was great.

What are the qualities that set you aside from others in your filed of endeavours?
I know that I pay great, painful attention to detail which at times annoys some people! But that's just me and that's hereditary too I think. My father was extremely meticulous.   Patience is not my most achieved virtue and I am still work in progress in that field.  I know that I am also diplomatic where necessary and can be really persistent to an almost grating degree which has helped many times. These qualities have really helped me and especially on the set of Dazzling Mirage but I don't think my wardrobe assistants found them particularly pleasant then but it really paid off eventually.

Who are your target audience and can you mention a view of the clients you have worked with?
My target audience are women and men from ages 18 to 70 who love their African roots and love to be comfortable and stylish. When I launched my label 11 years ago, I called it wearable art.  I love music and I happened to have made a few clothes and performance outfits for Ade Bantu the musician and activist and Afropolitan vibes originator. I love easy breezy comfortable clothes that are not too restrictive so that's what I like to make. You should be able to jump, run, dance in clothes though maybe not all but my fashion philosophy is Style, Fun and Identity. My clothes and accessories should be able to make the wearer and people around them happy.

What inspires your design and artwork?
So many things, The starting point is God's creation which he made out of nothing so nature, humans, some animals, in animate objects as well and also what he has caused man to be able to make due to the intelligence and will he gave us. I could be inspired by a canoe, a bridge, nuts and bolts, a tree trunk and a rabbit and will find a way to connect all of them in a collection.

Where do you see yourself and your organisation in few years to come?
As much as I would like to say that I see myself having a very big production unit and boutiques and stores all over Nigeria giving employment to so many people and adding value to their lives, its God that has the final say and He only knows what will happen in a few hours and few years.

What legacy do you intend to leave behind?
That she made the world a better place through her God given talents that she put to good use.

If you are eventually announced winner for the AMVCA. How would that impact your life?
Hmmmnn, when I am announced winner, I would know! It will surely raise my profile in my profession. The nomination even is already doing that. I am really overwhelmed in a good way that my first job is nominated in this type of prestigious award.

What even made you think you could be a costumier for a movie and then do it so well at your first trial.
I have always dreamt of working as a Costume Designer on a movie set, music video and stage production. I have an art background and I am also a fashion designer. Many international, Oscar award winning Costumiers have a background in the arts whether visual or performing.  When the opportunity to work on a Tunde Kelani set as a first time Costumier came up, I gave it all I had, knowing that working with a legendary and iconic film maker like him who is Internationally known, I could not do half measures. I never do half measures in anything so I worked very hard because I wanted to make the movie very memorable from the Costume Design point since it was already an amazing story with equally fantastic cast and highly professional crew.

I was really nervous because I know people always expect a lot from a Tunde Kelani Mainframe Production but I just prayed and worked. I also had a lot of moral support from family and friends and the actors all loved what they wore and were comfortable in them. When we shot the last scene and I thanked Tunde Kelani for giving me this great opportunity and asked if he was happy with my work, he said he was pleased sure that my work in the movie will be nominated and win awards. His words have now come to pass!

So what does it entail to be a costumier on a movie set?
Understanding the script, interpreting the directors vision, fleshing out all the characters and a very strong will.