From Commercial/Celebrity Tailoring to Fashion Design, This Creative Maven Has Been Activating Radical African Diasporaic Sustainability Throughout The Fashion Industry

If you don’t know about ZUNYDA … then you’re going to learn today! She is a sustainable style phenom and up-cycling activist through creative expression! From commercial/celebrity tailoring and fashion design to visual art and modeling - this creative maven has been activating radical African diasporic sustainability throughout the fashion and music industry for many years.

Check out this interview:

How do you define sustainability? sustainable fashion?

Sustainable Fashion looks like no mass production and discarding over produced pieces. Sustainable fashion is being able to consider reusable materials as a primary source for your designs. It's another form of art to reimagine a piece that already exists or to cut up something and turn it into a completely new concept.

As a designer, how is your brand ethical/sustainable?

My brand is ethical because I make one of a kind pieces and I am mindful of the materials I am using. I also study versatility in my designs. I love a piece that can be worn multiple ways and paired with multiple pieces.

Does being a Black woman influence your work as designer?

Being a black woman is reflected in everything I create or get my hands in. From my experiences growing up to reaching in my African roots. My fabric selections are bold yet elegant. My silhouettes exude confidence. I'm so intrigued by the art of adornment and how that permeates throughout so many cultures and generations.

What are the beauties and challenges of being a tailor?

The beauties of being a tailor is that you get to see behind doors than many people never will. I get to see the beauty and the gritty work that brings these imaginary worlds to life.

I do have to work on tight deadlines and make miracles happen for people to look/feel their best. It has been stressful at times because as a freelancer my reputation is on the line every single time but i wouldn't trade it for the world. Character is also soo important. I would not be where I am without that on top of the skills.

As a tailor I do play a small role and it helps me understand my next step into the creative industry even more.

What are your goals in the future as it relates to sustainability and fashion?

My goals in the future in the sustainable space is to be apart of reimagining the current industry model and for it to be less exploitative. Sustainability relates to class because the more sustainable to more expensive but i think thru educating consumers about their habits it will create a more mindful space for designers to thrive.

I am going to continue working on Costume Design projects and form ideas for one of a kind product launches in addition to tailoring.