Walé Oyéjidé: Fashion that celebrates African strength and spirit
Walé Oyéjidé: Moda que celebra a força e o espírito africano
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,
da História são escritas pelos vencedores
to aspire for something greater
of their own glorious pasts?
dos seus passados gloriosos?
as a mere maker of clothing,
ser um simples criador de vestuário,
and modern textiles,
de tecidos antigos e têxteis modernos,
of providing representation
de dar representação
of our society,
da nossa sociedade,
the most vulnerable among us
aos mais vulneráveis de entre nós
to compromise themselves
a si próprios
with an uncompromising majority.
maioria que não se compromete.
consider to be trivial,
consideram trivial,
for dismantling bias
para descontruir preconceitos
of underrepresented populations.
de populações sub-representadas.
as a vehicle for social change
como veículo de mudança social
I know how easily the term "African"
eu sei que o termo "africano"
an ordinary geographic descriptor
de simples designador geográfico
from this beautiful continent,
hope for the future.
esperança para o futuro.
the misguided perceptions that many have
as perceções erradas que muitos têm
maneira de contar histórias,
all throughout the African diaspora.
em toda a diáspora africana.
to correct the historical record,
para corrigir o registo histórico,
where any of us is from,
de onde cada um de nós vem,
by the complicated histories
pelas histórias complicadas
to a foreign land.
a um país estrangeiro.
the way we view the world,
à maneira como vemos o mundo,
we carry around with us.
que trazemos connosco.
from different parts of the globe
de diferentes partes do mundo
about the importance
sobre a importância
from classic European art
da arte clássica europeia
in roles of prominence,
em papéis de proeminência,
accepted narrative of African inferiority,
aceite da inferioridade africana
for people of color
para as pessoas de cor
themselves depicted without sophistication
representadas sem sofisticação
very coincidentally wearing right now.
por coincidência, estou a usar agora.
in a structure of European classicism,
por uma estrutura de classicismo europeu,
the merits of African empowerment.
os méritos do empoderamento africano.
become masterworks
tornam-se obras de mestre
who were once subservient.
que já foram subservientes.
beyond the realm of art
para além da esfera da arte,
or world-changing entrepreneurs,
como por empresários que mudam o mundo,
the freedom to present themselves
a liberdade de se apresentarem
their own unique identities,
as suas identidades únicas,
our true, authentic selves.
verdadeiro e autêntico ser.
in turn become more educated,
por seu turno, tornam-se mais educados,
of their different points of view.
a pontos de vista diferentes.
of diplomatic soft power.
de "soft power" diplomático.
can serve as bridges
podem servir de pontes
aparentemente díspares.
before you as a mere maker of clothing.
ser um simples criador de vestuário.
been about more than fashion.
sempre foi mais do que costura.
to rewrite the cultural narratives
as narrativas culturais
in a new and nuanced light,
a uma luz nova e matizada,
that the stories of history
que as histórias da História
que não vão deixar
be dictated by a troubled past.
por um passado turbulento.
to tell our own stories
a contar as nossas próprias histórias
for what you are about to hear?
para o que estão prestes a ouvir?
we are coming regardless.
estamos a chegar, seja como for.
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