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F
ashion designer Samson Soboye
has an interesting take on the
definition of ‘fashion’; in that
he sees fashion as something
personal and intimate, and
claims he is more motivated
by “individualism, rather
than what the ‘crowd’ is
doing.” It is perhaps this
strong vision, creativity and
self-assurance that led him
to become an established
fashion stylist and fashion
retailer as well as a jewellery
designer in his own right.
Samson has not forged a
name for himself in the cut-
throat industry of fashion,
based on luck or who he knows.
In fact it is sheer graft, common
sense and business acumen that
enabled him to become the
success he is today. Knowing that
he wanted to pursue a career in
the industry, Samson completed
a BA Honours in Fashion
Communication and Promotion
at Central Saint Martins School
of Art. It was whilst there that
he was able to build upon the
technical skills he had learned
during his tailoring course at the
London College of Fashion, and
gathered a “more artistic nature
that allowed me to be creative within
a framework.” After this, Samson went
on to put theory into practice when
he went to work with the iconic Lucinda
Chambers at
Vogue
.
Being a fashion retailer involves a
great deal more than number crunching,
SIMRAN GILL
EXPLORES THE
WORLD OF FASHION
AND JEWELLERY
DESIGNER SAMSON
SOBOYE
AND DISCOVERS THE
ARTISTIC BRAINS
BEHINDTHE
NAME.
especially
if
you’re
S a m s o n
Soboye; the fashion
stylist prides himself on
being “more of a curator
than a retailer.” He says:
“The aesthetic I present
is very important to me
and I want people that come
into SOBOYE to be inspired and
feel good about being here as well
as feel happy with their purchases.”
The emphasis he places on
sourcing only the most alternative
and exclusive of garments is
what adds to the character
and identity of SOBOYE.
Found in, arguably, one of the
city’s most diverse places –
Shoreditch, SOBOYE is well
placed and has presumably
inspired many of Samson’s visions.
He confesses that his retail
design signature is comprised
of “well-presented, colourful,
quirky, playful” items and that his
favourite fabrics to use are of the
luxury sort: fur, silk, suede, python
and leather. In fact, it isn’t just the
detail of the accessories, fabrics
and home-ware products in his
boutique that are eye-catching;
the same care and attention
has been applied to the décor.
The white-wash walls are a
backdrop to vibrancy and splashes
of colour and this only enhances the
eccentric and avant-gardist nature of
Samson’s pieces.
With such an eclectic and
bite
designer
profile