Chioma pictured here with a wooden carve out of her Print Design
Its been long overdue and partly because we have been trying to coordinate schedules, but we finally did. Dear members of #TEAMTHANDOS we would like you to meet the artist behind the print design for the Akonmi Collection, Chioma.
Chioma is a call representative by night (she works the night shift), but during the day, she daydreams of being a world-renowned artist. We are beyond thrilled to have partnered with her on the Akonmi Collection and look forward to working with her in the future.
We conducted a brief interview with Chioma to get to know her a bit better and here's what we found out:
Q: First, and foremost, how does it feel to be wearing a pair of Thando’s flats that you designed?
A: Half the time it's a surreal feeling and the other I am simply grateful to have been given this opportunity. It's a beautiful feeling.
Chioma autographing her "Akonmi" print design
Q: Tell us a little bit about your design and how it came to be?
A: Rain is necessary for our survival but it is also destructive and in trying to tell the story between the two truths, this design was born
Q: How did you hear about Thando’s?
A: I initially found out about Thando's through a facebook post regarding a design competition. I attended the info session, sat in the front row and listened to Taffi and J.G. outline their vision. It was INSPIRING!
Q: How has winning the design competition changed your life?
A: The competition has given renewed confidence in myself and my art. It has made me realize that I CAN DO THIS!
Q: What inspires you?
A: I can not really point at a specific thing as a source of inspiration, I just have a general desire to produce excellent work
Chioma overlooking the lagoon in Lagos, Nigeria
Q: What is your vision/hope for Nigeria?
A: I see a Nigeria that is truly the giant of Africa, in sports, in medicine, in art, in culinary arts, in hospitality, in design, in all areas. I see a very wealthy Nigeria
Q: What excites you most about partnering with Thando’s?
A: I get to be part of history. Thando's is the first company of its kind in Africa. By providing a platform for African artists such as myself to showcase our talent to the world, Thando's has a mission that I believe in
Q: Finish this sentence. Shoes are important because.........
A: ....they define you
Chioma chillin' by Lagos traffic in the Akonmi Goddess Canvas Flat