Walé Oyéjidé: Fashion that celebrates African strength and spirit
والي أوييجيدي: الموضة التي تحتفي بالقوة والروح الأفريقيتين
TED Fellow Walé Oyéjidé combats bias with creative storytelling. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
of history are written by its victors,
يكتبها المنتصرون،
to aspire for something greater
of their own glorious pasts?
as a mere maker of clothing,
كمجرد صانع ملابس،
and modern textiles,
والمنسوجات الحديثة،
of providing representation
of our society,
the most vulnerable among us
to compromise themselves
with an uncompromising majority.
consider to be trivial,
for dismantling bias
للقضاء على التحيّز
of underrepresented populations.
as a vehicle for social change
كأداة للتغيير الاجتماعي
I know how easily the term "African"
أن ينتقل مصطلح "أفريقي"
an ordinary geographic descriptor
from this beautiful continent,
أن تستمد إلهامك من الثقافة
hope for the future.
في المستقبل.
the misguided perceptions that many have
التصورات الخاطئة لدى الكثيرين
all throughout the African diaspora.
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,
we carry around with us.
from different parts of the globe
about the importance
from classic European art
من الفن الأوروبي الكلاسيكي
in roles of prominence,
أدوارًا بارزة،
accepted narrative of African inferiority,
المعزِّزة للدونية الأفريقية،
for people of color
themselves depicted without sophistication
very coincidentally wearing right now.
مثل هذا الذي أرتديه أنا الآن صدفةً.
in a structure of European classicism,
the merits of African empowerment.
على مزايا التمكين الأفريقي.
become masterworks
تصبح أدوات الجهابذة تحفًا فنية
who were once subservient.
فيما مضى.
beyond the realm of art
or world-changing entrepreneurs,
أو رجال أعمال بارزون،
the freedom to present themselves
their own unique identities,
our true, authentic selves.
in turn become more educated,
يصبحون بدورهم مثقفين أكثر،
of their different points of view.
مع وجهات نظرهم المختلفة.
of diplomatic soft power.
للقوة الدبلوماسية الناعمة.
can serve as bridges
يمكن أن تُشكِّل جسورًا
before you as a mere maker of clothing.
كمجرد صانع ملابس.
been about more than fashion.
ما هو أكثر من الموضة.
to rewrite the cultural narratives
هو إعادة كتابة الروايات الثقافية
in a new and nuanced light,
في ضوء جديد وأكثر وضوحًا،
لأفريقيا جنوب الصحراء الكبرى،
that the stories of history
be dictated by a troubled past.
أن يُملي عليهم مستقبلهم.
to tell our own stories
for what you are about to hear?
we are coming regardless.
لأننا ماضون دون الالتفات إلى أي شيء.
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