Design Interns X Obioma
MEET THE ARTIST
Abigail Afriyie
"When designing, I love to make things with my hands, bringing them to life with a sketch"
- Abigail A. (2022)
Abigail Afriyie is a learning fashion designer who interned for Obioma Fashion in 2022. She studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the art education program to teach Fashion.
Q1: Tell us about yourself?
A: My name is Abigail Owusu Afriyie and I am a recent graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I am earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Fashion Design. I am from Ghana, and because I spent the earlier years of my life there, a lot my artwork and practice is influenced by my Ghanaian culture and experiences.
Q2: A sentence to describe yourself.
A: I would describe myself as a creative and open-minded person. I am always willing and eager to learn something new, even if it is outside of my comfort zone.
Q3: A quote that you like.
'For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 'Philippians 4:13
Q4:Why did you chose to be a designer?
I’ve always been a very artistic individual and my passion for fashion design was something that came to me very early in life. Growing up in Ghana, I always saw the beautiful dresses women would wear, clothes made with Ankara fabric, Kente, lace, you name it. I would see these beautiful and bold colors that made my eyes shine with wonder and so I always knew that when I grew up, I wanted to have my own fashion company and make clothes like these.
Q5: Who's a designer that influenced you?
In my case, it wasn’t a particular designer that influenced me the most but rather a fabric company: Vlisco. I used to love their ad campaigns because it was such an opulent display and celebration of African textiles and styles.
Q6:Where did the inspiration for this collection come from? What is the vibe you want to put into this collection?
For this collection, I wanted to make the clothes fun, but also classy. Fashion has a way of elevating one’s self perception, and so I really wanted each person who wears these garments to feel important and beautiful.
Q7: What is your methodology for designing?
When I’m designing, I love to draw inspiration from current fashion trends, but also trends that have passed and gone. In making my fashion illustrations, I like to first sketch out my drawings by hand and then use photoshop to add any prints and further touch-ups.
Q8: What have you learned during your time at Obioma?
During my time as a fashion design intern at Obioma, I have learned so much about all that it takes to run a fashion business. I’ve worked behind the scenes, from designing a collection, to production, photoshoots, marketing, and selling, and so I’ve seen all the energy, teamwork, and hard work that goes into it. I’m very grateful for the experience and to have participated in it all!
Q9: What is your favorite part of your time here?
I would say my favorite part of this job is definitely photo and video shoots, as well as fashion shows. There’s always so much energy in the atmosphere and I just love it!
Abigail since Obioma...
I worked on wrapping up my Bachelor’s journey and developing my own fashion projects. In the next 10 years, I see myself either working under a big fashion label or establishing my own clothes.
