Walé Oyéjidé: Fashion that celebrates African strength and spirit
Vale Ojeđide (Walé Oyéjidé): Moda koja slavi afričku snagu i duh
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,
iz istorije pišu pobednici,
to aspire for something greater
da teže ka nečemu većem
of their own glorious pasts?
o njihovoj sopstvenoj slavnoj prošlosti?
as a mere maker of clothing,
samo kao izrađivač odeće,
and modern textiles,
i modernom tekstilu
of providing representation
da omogućim predstavljanje
of our society,
the most vulnerable among us
i najosetljivijima među nama
to compromise themselves
with an uncompromising majority.
u beskompromisnu većinu.
consider to be trivial,
smatraju da je trivijalna,
for dismantling bias
za raskrinkavanje pristrasnosti
of underrepresented populations.
nedovoljno zastupljenih populacija.
as a vehicle for social change
kao vozila za društvenu promenu
znam kako lako termin „afrički“
I know how easily the term "African"
an ordinary geographic descriptor
da je uobičajen geografski opisni termin
from this beautiful continent,
sa ovog prelepog kontinenta,
biti inspirisan kulturom
hope for the future.
nadom za budućnost.
the misguided perceptions that many have
pogrešne percepcije koje mnogi imaju
kao sredstvo da pričam priče,
all throughout the African diaspora.
svuda širom afričke dijaspore.
to correct the historical record,
da ispravim istorijski zapis,
where any of us is from,
odakle je bilo ko od nas,
by the complicated histories
komplikovane istorije
to a foreign land.
u stranu zemlju.
the way we view the world,
na koji vidimo svet
we carry around with us.
koje nosimo sa sobom.
from different parts of the globe
iz različitih delova sveta
about the importance
from classic European art
iz klasične evropske umetnosti
sa afričkom estetikom,
in roles of prominence,
sa uglednim ulogama,
accepted narrative of African inferiority,
priče o afričkoj inferiornosti
for people of color
themselves depicted without sophistication
prikazane bez sofisticiranosti
koja menja kulturu
very coincidentally wearing right now.
sasvim slučajno nosim upravo sada.
in a structure of European classicism,
strukturom evropskog klasicizma,
the merits of African empowerment.
zasluge afričkog osnaživanja.
become masterworks
postaje majstorski rad
who were once subservient.
koji su nekada bili podređeni.
beyond the realm of art
širom oblasti umetnosti
or world-changing entrepreneurs,
ili preduzetnici koji menjaju svet,
the freedom to present themselves
sloboda da predstavljaju sebe
their own unique identities,
sopstvene jedinstvene identitete,
our true, authentic selves.
naše istinsko, autentično biće.
in turn become more educated,
zauzvrat postaju obrazovaniji,
of their different points of view.
drugačijim tačkama gledišta.
of diplomatic soft power.
diplomatske blage moći.
can serve as bridges
može nam poslužiti kao most
before you as a mere maker of clothing.
ispred vas kao izrađivač odeće.
been about more than fashion.
bio nešto više od mode.
to rewrite the cultural narratives
prepravljanje kulturoloških narativa
in a new and nuanced light,
pod novim i nijansiranim svetlom
that the stories of history
be dictated by a troubled past.
budućnost diktira problematična prošlost.
to tell our own stories
da pričamo naše sopstvene priče
for what you are about to hear?
za ono što ćete da čujete?
we are coming regardless.
mi dolazimo bez obzira na to.
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