March 9,2014

INTERVIEW WITH YOUNG KISUMU URBAN FASHION PRACTITIONER, TAIB NYAMENYA OF TJ WEAR CLOTHING LINE

Last weekend I had the pleasure of finally talking to Taib Nyamenya popularly known as TJ about this blog that I was working on where I sought to profile artists in Kisumu who I thought were doing a very good job but do not have enough presence online.

Having talked to him on few art related stuff before, it was great to have him open up about his experiences as a creative in Kisumu and about his specific line of work as a fashion designer. His brand is relatively well known in Kisumu among the young, hip population and that is evidence of the fact that he’s got the passion and energy needed to push his brand to the next level both as an artist and as a fashion entrepreneur.

TJ’s passion for what he does-championing high quality craftsmanship; breathing life into the still very infant Kisumu street wear fashion industry; working with other upcoming local fashion designers to hold fashion exhibitions and shows; operating with very limited resources-is a good example for many other creatives around this lakeside city. He is a spirited fighter on a mission to make the Kisumu fashion industry more vibrant as well as selling his own personal brand to not only Kenya but the world. TJWEAR Clothing Line has specialized in making customized clothing in the Kisumu fashion industry. These range from T-shirts, shirts, dress tops etc. With his urban inspired designs borrowing from history and modern Kisumu culture, it is very normal to see Martin Luther King Jr, Tom Mboya, Raila Odinga, Dedan Kimathi and Gor Mahia on his clothes.

TG: How does it feel to be a creative in Kisumu?

TJ: First off, thank you so much for having me as a part of this noble idea to tell the experiences of Kisumu’s creatives to the world. The internet is doing great stuff as far as telling people’s stories is concerned. Well, to your question, being a creative and an artist in Kisumu just like in any other place is an honor and has its own challenges. Challenges come about as a result of people’s mixed reactions to what artists do.

TG: When did you start doing what you do?

TJ: I started out in high school as something I knew I could do art wise.  Later on after high school I then developed my craft after lots of practicing and experimenting then I started operating professionally in December 2012. This is my second year in business.

TG: Have you linked up with any other people who engage in creative processes similar to what you do? (Who, how)

TJ: Yes I have. At the moment I’m in a group known as JANEQO KRIETIV MAINDS. Through this, different artists come together to encourage and learn a few stuff from each other in weekly and bi-weekly sessions. I have also met other upcoming fashion designers in several fashion events within Kisumu and outside Kisumu.

TG: We both know how being a creative in Kisumu comes with a whole lot of challenges. Which ones for example have you faced?

TJ: For me, there has always been a shortage of resources, buyers and platforms to showcase my work as far as being a professional fashion designer is concerned. Over time I have diversified to not only deal with clothes but to also fuse my designs into bags and shoes. This requires more funds and materials. The Kisumu market is still kind of conservative in terms of design and price. Most people are not willing to try something new or if they are they are not willing to pay up the costs that come with having my unique and custom made designs. As a result, my clientele is still kind of limited though I am working on ways of enabling more people to afford my works. At the end of the day you realize that you have made quite a lot of T-shirts for example and that if you don’t sell them, you will get stuck somehow. This then means that as an artist and fashion practitioner, you will have to compromise on your rates. I have however been able to maintain and better the quality of my works despite reducing the rates in some instances. There are also very limited platforms through which fashion practitioners can sell and showcase their works in Kisumu compared to other places like Nairobi for example. However, of late there have been efforts by artists and other concerned parties in the fashion industry to bridge the gap between buyers and artists. The link between the corporate sector and the arts sector as two entities that should work together still hasn't been found in Kisumu. As far as general awareness about my works is concerned, online channels especially Facebook have been working for me so far. But you will agree with me only that is never enough.

TG: How have you solved these setbacks?

TJ: As I have said, I am very active on social media as a way of marketing myself through my official page. I have also approached some of my loyal clients to collaborate with them in exhibiting my works in more elevated platforms. I have also approached established boutiques and fashion shops as a way of pushing my designs to the high-end clientele.

TG: Is there enough and good competition in the field of creativity that you engage in?

TJ: To be honest with you, apart from few notable designers I see around, a good number of people are trying to copy my style. I am however well ahead as I have always been able to come up with new better quality designs.

TG: In your own view, what are some of the things you have achieved that you view as your achievements?

TJ:  Last year in the Spin Your Art Creatives Competition I emerged as the winner in the Best Visual Artist Category. I also took part in nine major fashion events last year both in Nairobi and Kisumu. My works have also appealed to buyers from the international market who have come here in Kisumu to buy them. I attribute this to the hard work I put into my works and always updating my Facebook page. I have also received calls from clients in other towns within Kenya who wanted me to produce customized works for them. I always go by the principle that the customer is always right.

TG: There is a perception out there that Kisumu artists and creatives are not good enough. Do you agree with this? Can anything be done about this?

TJ: I disagree. Creatives, not just artists in Kisumu are equally as good as creatives in Nairobi and Mombasa for example. It’s only that in Kisumu there isn't enough media coverage for creatives consequently you find many artists for example not being as active and hardworking as they ought to be. And as we all know, the opposite of the statement practice makes perfect is just as true. So it’s not that they do not fit the bill, it’s just that most artists don’t see what they would benefit from concentrating much on their creative works while they are still based in Kisumu. And true to this, we have seen artists from Kisumu like Suzanna Owiyo who only managed to break out after they shifted base to Nairobi.

A model rocking one of TJ's designs at a fashion event in December last year.

TG: What kind of support have you got from the people around you?

TJ: My friends have always challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and do something new. They also inform me of new trends for me to see if that can inspire me to produce something better.

TG: Who inspires you?

TJ: The environment around me inspires me. There is a lot of beauty around, both natural and artificial that makes me think of something new I can make:  a design I should try out, a material I should use or a new size I can try make for example.

TG: Where do you hope to have taken your career as a fashion practitioner in the next five years?

TJ: I am working hard towards making TJWEAR CLOTHING LINE a major fashion house in the region. Most importantly, I want to be a brand that all age groups can easily associate with like Tommy Hilfiger for example. I also want to expand and provide an employment opportunity for other people.

Among the fashion events that TJ has showcased in are:

1     Kisumu Fashion Week

          Kisumu Fashion Week 2

    Insigne-Runway of Eden

    Lake side Fashion Week 2

    Insigne fashion event (2)

           Spin Your Art On Creativity Competition

    Kisumu Haute Couture Event

   Make sure to check out TJ’s page on Facebook for his latest works and upcoming events here >> https://www.facebook.com/TjwearClothingLine254

He is  a very good basketballer too and is a member of his university's team.