Walé Oyéjidé: Fashion that celebrates African strength and spirit
ווייל אויג'יד: אופנה שחוגגת את העוצמה והרוח האפריקאית
TED Fellow Walé Oyéjidé combats bias with creative storytelling. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
נכתבים על ידי המנצחים,
of history are written by its victors,
to aspire for something greater
סיפורי התהילה מהעבר שלהם?
of their own glorious pasts?
as a mere maker of clothing,
and modern textiles,
והאריגים המודרנים,
of providing representation
of our society,
the most vulnerable among us
to compromise themselves
with an uncompromising majority.
עם הרוב הלא מתפשר.
consider to be trivial,
for dismantling bias
לפירוק הדעה הקדומה
of underrepresented populations.
האוכלוסיות הלא מיוצגות,
as a vehicle for social change
ככלי לשינוי חברתי
I know how easily the term "African"
המונח "אפריקאי"
an ordinary geographic descriptor
from this beautiful continent,
hope for the future.
the misguided perceptions that many have
all throughout the African diaspora.
התפוצות האפריקאיות.
to correct the historical record,
where any of us is from,
by the complicated histories
to a foreign land.
the way we view the world,
שבה אנחנו משקיפים על העולם,
we carry around with us.
שאנחנו נושאים איתנו.
from different parts of the globe
מאזורים שונים בעולם
about the importance
from classic European art
מהתרבות האירופאית,
in roles of prominence,
accepted narrative of African inferiority,
המקובל של הנחיתות האפריקאית,
for people of color
themselves depicted without sophistication
מתוארים ללא תחכום
very coincidentally wearing right now.
לובש כרגע.
in a structure of European classicism,
קלאסיקות אירופאיות,
the merits of African empowerment.
העצמה אפריקאית.
become masterworks
הופכים ליצירות מופת
who were once subservient.
beyond the realm of art
or world-changing entrepreneurs,
על ידי יזמים משני עולם,
the freedom to present themselves
their own unique identities,
our true, authentic selves.
עצמנו האמיתיים והאותנטים,
in turn become more educated,
of their different points of view.
of diplomatic soft power.
להשפעה דיפלומטית.
יכולים לשרת בתור גשרים
can serve as bridges
before you as a mere maker of clothing.
כיוצר בגדים סתמי.
been about more than fashion.
הייתה יותר מאופנה.
to rewrite the cultural narratives
את הנרטיב התרבותי
in a new and nuanced light,
יוכלו להיראות באור חדש,
that the stories of history
be dictated by a troubled past.
על ידי העבר המעוכר.
to tell our own stories
לספר את הסיפורים שלנו
for what you are about to hear?
we are coming regardless.
באים למרות זאת.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Walé Oyéjidé - Designer, writer, musician, lawyerTED Fellow Walé Oyéjidé combats bias with creative storytelling.
Why you should listen
As the founder of Ikiré Jones, Walé Oyéjidé, Esq. employs fashion design as a vehicle to celebrate the perspectives of marginalized populations.
In addition to his role as the brand's creative director, Walé Oyéjidé designs Ikiré Jones's textiles/accessories and serves as the company's writer. Oyéjidé is a TED Fellow, and his apparel design can be seen in the upcoming Marvel Studios film "Black Panther."
Oyéjidé's design work was part of the "Making Africa" contemporary design exhibit, which was at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain, the Kunsthal in Rotterdam, and the HIGH Museum of Art in Atlanta. He was also featured in the "Creative Africa" exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. His work exhibited at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and the Fowler Museum, UCLA. He has been invited to lecture about his work in Brazil, Ecuador, France and Tanzania. His designs also appeared as part of the "Generation Africa" fashion show at Pitti Uomo 89 in Florence, Italy.
Oyéjidé's writings include freelance creative copywriting for Airbnb. He is also an attorney, public speaker, and a recording artist/producer that has collaborated with J-Dilla and MF Doom, among others. And for what it's worth, Esquire Magazine noted Oyéjidé as one of the best-dressed men in the United States.
Walé Oyéjidé | Speaker | TED.com