HIGHSNOBETTE EXCLUSIVE:Zulu Rose Interview

This is definitely a treat ,Alex The designer behing Zulu Rose Granted us an interview check out his thoughts and inspirations

SGP-where did the idea for Zulu Rose Stem From? Is it the need to create, Be lucrative?

 A-One of the core ideas behind Zulu Rose stems from my belief that the world is ready for people to start making powerful, beautiful, and original ideas. To be a Zulu Rose means to dare to be original in a time of rising conformity. Sometimes that originality just means embracing your own uniqueness and standing firm on what you believe in. But there is also that responsibility of being a modern human living in our degenerating landscape. I choose Zulu because it is an icon of personal strength, fraternity, and the discipline of a warrior (Shaka Zulu). The Rose is symbolic of nature – beautiful and now increasingly belligerent. I continue to feel the need to create, because I feel my message and ideas about life are relevant to the condition of the planet and beautiful people. I see fashion as a wonderful vehicle to express my vision in a way that is fun and accessible. I am not caught up in a trend or a particular fashion look. I am just working so hard, so that one day Zulu Rose can be a chic style all of its own.

 SGP-Africa in the Us,to me is mostly represented as an Aids and povery stricken continent Did you intentionally want to include fashion as one of its denominators or was it a coincidence?

A-I am so tired of how the United States media portrays Africa and foreign affairs in general. The world is no longer isolated, and shifts and trends in one region can have a tremendous effect across the globe. An artist in Africa could inspire a whole new movement (i.e., Fela Kuti). People need to know what is happening (I give thanks for spotlighting me in your magazine). It is so obscurant for the American media to paint Africa (and the rest of the world) with such a coarse brush. One of the defining themes of my label is to link Zulu Rose to the progressive spirit of post-colonial 1950-70’s Africa and the idea that Africa could be a tropical paradise. I love the music, art, and fashion from that period. I am always surrounding myself with that kind of energy and it is growing on me. My next collection is called “13 months of sunshine.” It is inspired by the inner light of African optimism that is continually shining, the colors, the positive vibrations, and the progressive energy that characterized the art, photography, fashion and music of African countries that had just won their independence in 1950s-1970s. I think that era has much to teach us still, and I want to show Africa and the Diaspora as being inviting, fresh, culturally diverse, global aware, spiritually independent, economically savvy, fun, fashion forward, and most importantly commercial. There is already so much negativity in Africa. The AIDS, poverty, brutality, corruption, molestation, genocide and evil all exist beyond my understanding. Why focus on what is already known and over blown.

  SGP-Do you consider Zulu Rose an afrocentric Label? If yes Why and if no why?

This depends on how you define Afrocentric. Zulu Rose is for everybody, so I think it is safe to say “Zulu Rose is nature-centric.” It is the natural style, elements and environment of Africa that I use to inform my ideas and aesthetic. If you like nature then you will like Zulu Rose, because Africa is very natural and my particular style is an extension of that. I think what makes Zulu Rose special and authentic is my connection to Nature, my mind, and my love for art, quality apparel and fashion. Anyone could make an Africa T-shirt but it would not be a Zulu Rose. On the other hand, a main stream label could lift some of my graphics and no body would think it was ‘African.’ Zulu Rose is a fusion just like me (my mother’s family is North African and my father’s family is Caribbean and European).  

SGP-What is the Dynamic between you and Wunmi´

 Wunmi is my lover and business partner(in that order). She also helps me to realize my designs because I am still learning the intricacies of professional tailoring and pattern making and she has so much experience as a world class costume designer.

Take a lookafter the jump for more of ZuluRose……­­­.

Alex Thanks so Much!!!!

HAppy Monday

SgP