We recently connected with Omaru Washington and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Omaru, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My eldest sister Jenneh was a big part of my creative journey and realization that I wanted to create art for people to wear. She owned a big tailoring shop in Monrovia, Liberia where she would design and sew for the most influential women. As a punishment for being a troublesome boy, I had to come to her shop after school to do my homework and study. So I was always admiring the meticulous and beautiful work she was doing and how she made those women feel special and seen.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey began long before I launched my namesake brand OMARU in 2020. Being the youngest of six children and a survivor of Liberia’s civil war, I was born in Liberia and grew up in Guinea and Mali. Growing up, I was the only boy in our household to a mother who produced textile and sold in the markets (in Liberia, Guinea, and Mali), a father who was a mechanical engineer, and 5 elder sisters who were seamstresses and lovers of fashion. My sisters would always be experimenting with new style and design techniques. Naturally I became a fashion stylist to them – who would often ask me for advice on what shoes and jewelry best matched their dresses for the day or what dresses best suited their various occasions. I loved it and naturally learned at a young age that I love helping people look and feel their best. I watched my mother work with dyes and fabrics, and my sisters would stitch clothes from cotton and lace. The vibrant patterns and colors of the clothing worn in West Africa inspired me.

At about age 4 or 5, my family escaped Liberia’s civil war as refugees and moved back to our native country of Guinea, where my maternal grandmother played a critical role in my upbringing. She too produced textiles mostly in Mali and sold them to prominent society women in Guinea and Mali. She was a socialite who would often host gatherings with prominent women of Guinean and Malian society to celebrate art, fashion, music, and all things beauty. At this young age, my grandmother introduced me to Bazin (or Damask), a high quality, luxurious and colorful cotton fabric that caters to comfort and versatility. Bazin was worn by the most influential women and men at Guinea and Mali high society events. I fell in love with the fact that each woman and man’s Bazin was designed distinctively and articulated their personal style and personality. Each design has a unique background story to it, infused with comfort, history, and culture. At my grandmother’s parties, I would watch each person’s beautiful Bazin and see how easily the fabric draped on the bodies allowing ease of movement and comfort to dance and celebrate themselves and each other. The excitement in the spaces curated by my grandmother became a full experience for me to see firsthand the blend of beauty, comfort, and connection between people. And it was at this moment that I understood great products and designs bring people together, establish passion and bonds, and create atmospheres for people to be great. This is what inspired me to become a designer – to create timeline and innovative designs that make people feel good, feel joy in who they are and their communities, and connect with themselves and each other.

My love for great design and product innovation has taken me around the world, where I sought knowledge, experiences, and inspiration in places like Accra, Bamako, Conakry, Beijing, Cape Town, Cartagena, Dubai, Florence, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, London, Marrakech, Mexico City, Monrovia, Mumbai, Milan, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Today, I have fostered a deep understanding of the world’s art and the significance of human interaction. And therefore, I am committed to create designs and products that bring comfort, innovation, versatility, and timeless beauty to men and women and meanwhile bringing people together. I want my work and craft to reflect who I am – passionate, lively, and full of energy to bond well with others.

I am a self-taught designer with no professional schooling. My classroom has been from the women in my family, my worldly adventures, and my individual solo studies and practices – for example, I taught myself how to sketch the finest designs. Now, I am on a journey to create beautiful works of art that connect people to each other – which to me is the true blessing of humanity.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Seeing people smile and feeling a sense of comfort, joy and happiness in my pieces is most rewarding. I believe in creating things with need for them. As a creative, I am often traveling and acting as a sponge to discover human connections that later I turn into creative work. The joy of people is fascinating to me.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

The word “Luxury”. Personally, I am not a fan of the word because I believe over time the meaning has diluted and people often now associate it to high price. The reality is, great creative pieces are not cheap to make well, so naturally those pieces will cost more. I am a big believer in crafting the best, lasting pieces for people that they can wear as many times as they wish without sacrificing and risking for poor finished work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://omaru.nyc/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarunyc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omarushop/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/omarunyc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5vxyDMtUPFjska0OjUbfpg

Image Credits

Photographers: Jordan Tyler, Alex Cerdena, Antelmo Villarreal