Intuitively, I knew that Omer Asim was someone to keep on my radar after seeing his 2010 Autumn Winter collection titled, The Vulture and The Baby, (which was also inspired by award-winning photographer by Kevin Carter). Asim’s different direction in regards to his educational accomplishments has catapulted his career as well as exposed his work to an elite audience. Seasonally, Asim has continued to impress and provide exceptional work. Moreover, his work never lacks integrity, thoughtfulness, and care. It’s very easy to see that he is passionate about his work.
Asim originally studied Architecture at The Bartlett followed by a postgraduate degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. After being inspired by his research for a PhD topic sourrounding Anthropology, Asim became infashuated by the feminine psyche. He wanted to understand why women in repressed cultures were able to find autonomy through dance and costume. And it was in this moment that Asim made a major transition into what we see today.
In his most recent spring\summer 2012 collection, Asim explores post-modern, clean, and interesting pattern development with a smidge of color. At first glance, Asim’s odd color palette choices would certainly be perfect for summer, but would not typically speak volumes. He also plays with textures, utilizing lightweight sheer materials, leathers, and even crepe-like textured fabrics. When pairing minty pastels with crisp whites, it’s not unexpected that pieces could be likened to hospital attire.
To halt any presumption leading to clinical uniforms, Asim brilliantly infuses details from many different wardrobes and cultures. Asim plays around with modified mandarin collars, fabric mixing, leather paneling and a few really interesting multi-colored pixel prints. Some of his pixel prints take the form of long, unfinished maxi skirts or bias-cut draped dresses reminiscent of Greek garbs. To aid in this plethora of visual goodness, Asim has continued this season by collaborating with jewelry designer, Maya Antoun. The duo has created ethnic Sudanese inspired jewelry, which utilizes traditional, labor intensive and complicated techniques of filigree. Antoun and Asim are also working with artisans and craftsmen from Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo to design traditional filigree jewelry, which is a dying trade. The goal of this collaboration is to also develop a fair-trade partnership within this region of Africa. Fashion critics and everyday people globally desire delightful clothing, but acquired goods from artisans and craftsmen take priority when social responsibility is considered.
Images via Omer Asim Lookbook SS12
