FITNESS. FASHION. FOOD.
Fashion Designer, Gym Inspired: Safiyah Kamara talks about her passion for fashion and her newfound inspiration.
By Giada Bocca 19 April 2018
Photo: Curtesy of Safiyah Kamara
“I’ve always wanted my own business and I’ve always been into fashion. I knew I would eventually combine the two, but I wanted to bring something new and interesting to the industry hence why I decided on swimsuits with an edge,” says British swimwear designer, Safiyah Kamara, 24 (https://www.instagram.com/safiyahkamara/?hl=en).
She was nineteen and was working in Marc Jacobs when the inspiration hit and the story behind the clothes and attention to detail helped her create her own collection in which she ‘could tell a story through’.
But now, she has a new inspiration.
“I did consider myself as an active person rather than a sporty person as I was always on the move and busy but didn’t actually do any sport. However, now – since a few months ago – I’ve been going to the gym nonstop,” Kamara says.
“It’s like I need to go because I feel it’s like an outlet for me and my emotions, and it actually is a place of inspiration for my future collections,” she adds.
As of now, Kamara is working on her Bond Girl 3000 Collection, which looks through the eyes of an early ‘Bond Girl’ as ‘she gazes into the future of modern culture’. While maintaining her dominant retro underline, statuesque physique and undeniable sex appeal, she is armed with a new set of features which go beyond what meets the eye.
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Photo: Curtesy of Safiyah Kamara
“I dipped into the world of fiction for inspiration. I focused on female characters with a captivating edge. Something to hide. An agenda,” Kamara talks about her collection, adding that these characters can leave you with an ‘uneasy feeling which makes you question the line between insanity and passion’.
“When I say that going to the gym helped me with my inspiration, I mean that when I see people – men and women of every age – try to reach a goal, that is inspiring for me. Whether it’s because they want to lose weight, or they want to be healthier, they have the determination to achieve those goals. I admire that.”
Other than be a fashion designer, Safiyah Kamara has also worked as a stylist.
“When styling, I was most inspired by pieces that demanded confidence to pull off – pieces with personality,” she says, adding that the ability to make an unspoken statement with what people wear and how they wear it, is what she wants to achieve with her own designs.
“I’ve always felt swimwear demands the most confidence to pull off but lacked the creative freedom and expression in which the main collection scream volumes off,” Kamara says.
“I wanted to change that and redefine the limits of High Fashion Swim.”
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ONE PIECE
Types of Swimwear
BIKINI
TANKINI
One of Kamara’s followers, Anita Salset, 23, loves her designs.
“I’ve been following her for a while on Instagram. She doesn’t post much of herself, just pictures of what is her inspiration and a few of her collection, but I love her designs. I bought one for this summer and I can’t wait to show it off!”
Kamara’s designs are between high-street fashion and luxury: a piece will be around £70 to £170.
“They are definitely not cheap, but they are accessible to anyone with an income,” says the designer.
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Images courtesy of Wix
