Tsemaye Binitie is no stranger here on SHF. We’ve featured his work several times and his A/W 2010 collection has received rave reviews in the media. Several pieces from the collection were either partially or completely made out of reclaimed aluminium. But it’s not just his green heart we love…his modern interpretation of classic and everyday designs, the edge factor in his cuts, his fusion of different fabrics and the variety of clothes on offer all gets a thumbs up from us. It’s amazing how a jellyfish was the muse behind the silhouette, fabrication and details of the collection. For our ‘Day in the Life of’ column, we have featured Hazel Aggrey Orleans and Zainab Ashadu in the past, now we turn the spot light on Nigeria’s greenest designer Tsemaye Binitie.
9 am: Wake up…feeling like I do every morning like I need more sleep. I am such a night owl that mornings are always tough on me. Take a shower and get into my uniform of black jeans, black tee, black hoodie, black baseball cap and vans then run out the house.
10 am: At the studio…first thing I do is get a cup of tea…or lucozade depending on how I feel that morning. Have a quick chat with the guys and contemplate where to begin my day.
10.30 am: Right now we are in the throngs of production for A/W 10/11, delivery has to be the first week in August so it’s an immensely busy time for us.
11 am: Csilla Deri, my assistant strolls in looking great in a printed silk dress from Issa (why she is not wearing me…..am not sure but…hmmm) and we get down to the task at hand. Today we have to go pick up some fabric, work on patterns, make a couple toiles and sketch some pieces for S/S 11.
11.20 am: We leave in search of some silk organza. Get to our fabric supplier book in the quantities we need and try to bargain harder to get the prices down…hmmm doesn’t work but we are happy to get all our fabrics.
1.30 pm: Meet my sister in town, have to head to Hermes to pick out a gift and a new belt…wish I could buy everything in the store though but alas I need deeper pockets!
2.15 pm: Head back to the fabric supplier, we forgot to book in our velvet!
2.45 pm: Jump on the tube and head back to the studio to get to work on patterns.
3.15 pm: Patterns for A/W 10/11 have to be prepared to be sent off for grading, so one after the other they are all labelled and counted packed into envelopes ready for pick up by the grader. This leads to an eureka moment and we start working on the new leg shape for our S/S 11 trouser. Toile up some new tees for S/S 11 and do some draping on the stand.
6.30 pm: I just remembered I have to prepare an order form for a bridal gown order I have just received. Once this is done and sent out, the bride to be calls and declares she needs me to do her bridesmaids dresses too, so I book them in an appointment.
7 pm: Csilla declares she must go…dinner with some friends…ohhh no! so must I.
I have to meet Tatianna Z, my stylist friend to consult on the new sketches for S/S 11. She is going to help style the collection before it is even made.
7.30 pm: Meet Tatianna in Starbucks, get out the sketches and we proceed to dissect them individually. For S/S 11 I looked at fashion from the eyes of a super blogger this coupled with spending time with my nieces gave rise to the idea of cutting things up to make a garment. Tatianna gives me her candid opinion about the sketches and we edit tightly so as to get a really cohesive line up.
9.30 pm: I talk to Tatianna about our impending presentation during fashion week in September 2010 and how realistic we think it would be to do it. I tell her about the location that we viewed the day prior and show her pictures. Leaving Tatianna I call my pattern cutter to arrange a time to come and see her.
11.20 pm: Get home…really tired but I have to work on some drawings tonight as I have to get them sent out to pattern cutter the next day. My sister is so amazing she made rice and stew…..so I eat and watch true blood on FX.
00.30 am: I take out my drawing pad and and go through my research folder which I have organised into groups and start drawing. First on the block are some leggings, then super skinny pants….then I move onto some patchwork dresses…this takes a little longer than I want…not quite getting on paper what I had in mind arrrgghhh! I need some diversion…get out some Haagen Daz ice cream and step away from my sketch pad.
3.15 am: After like 30 mins, I go back to my sketch pad all rejuvenated…liking the dress I had drawn previously…I then darken the drawing and put on a yes pile for scanning in.
4 am: Look at my blackberry and realise the time…..ohhhh I must sleep….I think. Head back to watch some more TVand fall asleep while watching BET.
SHF credits www.tsemayebinitie.com for images.
Fabulous. Love the inspiration and the collection! Where can we order for our new store in Chelsea.