Collaborating for the “Desperados Collective”, the pair discover how others interpret creative visions through their respective crafts. Speaking on the project ShutaBug explains, “I have always wanted to explore fashion with my art. Having an amazing model like Loza to help bring one of my creations to life is really the push I needed to explore this path fully.” They have both created an individual piece of Desperados-focused artwork, and together, they present a collaborative piece that sees African influences beating heavily throughout.
HYPEBEAST sat down with Loza Maléombho to discuss her journey with fashion, the future of Ivory Coast’s creative scene and what inspired her Desperados design. Check out the full interview below.
HYPEBEAST: What inspires your work?
Loza Maléombho: I am inspired by the history behind different African cultures but also triggered by anything visual in a cultural aesthetic such as shapes, colors, contrasts, textures and symbols.
Tell us a bit about your artistic background?
I have a Bachelor of fine art in animation from the University of Arts Philadelphia. During my years of college, I was also interested in fashion which led me to intern with designers Jill Stuart, Yigal Azrouel and Cynthia Rowley in New York City before deciding to start my own brand. I launched my first pre-collection in 2009 in NYC and moved back to Cote d’Ivoire in 2012 where the production and conception of my brand now takes place.
Why is exploring culture through art important to you?
Art is a way for me to reconnect with my heritage. It is also a deep desire to imagine Africa as it would be in the future. I use my imagination in conjunction with references from the past to create, and within that process I do a lot of research on history and heritage. I always come out having learned a little bit more about the culture. I would say that exploring culture through art is as much of an expression of fantasy as it is an education for me.
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