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| Bogolan Bench |
APiF: Please introduce your business and your designs.
Nasozi Kakembo: I
am a Ugandan-American living in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, and I am responsible for everything at OSxN, short for Origins Style
by Nasozi. OSxN is a fun and
evolving company that specializes in wax print interior decor.
The
business was inspired by a trip to Senegal
two years ago. I had long-since detoured from my pursuit of becoming an
architect, but my love of home design never left me. OSxN is about much more
than aesthetics. It is about a legacy and beauty that is often left out
of recounts of Africa. It is about normalizing the "ethnic" (I abhor the
word) and celebrating its influence on worldwide culture.
APiF: If your label would be a person, what kind of person would it be?
Nasozi: A fearless person. One who is
not afraid to live and design outside of the box. One who is bold,
much like the patterns that I use, and stands up for what they believe in
and love. One who has a story and a historical
perspective.
APiF: How does your heritage inspire you?
Nasozi: My
heritage is 75% the inspiration behind my business. I am half Ugandan
and grew up in America, but my home remained a constant reminder of my
roots. African artifacts were and are still a key element in the decor
of my parents' home, and to an extent, mine too. Wax prints were a
regular part of my wardrobe even as a child. So when I wanted to get
back into my creative skin again, I called upon my heritage for
inspiration!
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| Apron |
APiF: What is your favorite or bestselling item in your collection?
Nasozi: The
Bogolan bench is by far the favorite item among Etsy shoppers and fans.
The best selling item overall are the pillows: Currently the top three prints are SUNSET Flower,
NILE Lotus, and LAVA Waves. The Fair Trade aprons from Uganda are also a
big hit.
APiF: How do you market your designs and how do you make them accessible to a global audience?
Nasozi: I
market my designs mostly on Facebook and Etsy. A much more labor-intense but effective form of
marketing is simply vending at street festivals and artists
markets. This is how I started my mailing
list. You must
establish a presence in your communities, and word will spread quickly
from there. I find that I make the most connections here and generate
the most buzz. Also, all items (except for the furniture for now) ship
overseas, and my shop appears in standard internet searches. So with
that, my product is available worldwide and has already been shipped as far away
as Australia!
APiF: Any tips for new designers/start-ups in the industry?
Nasozi: Make sure
that it is something you're absolutely passionate about. There will be
times when you'll second guess your decision to forge out on your own,
or to take on yet another job, but if
your intentions behind it are pure and genuine, then you'll get over any
doubt.
And don't sell yourself short! If you've created a superior
product, that will show in your work and it should be priced
accordingly. Anyone who appreciates the detail and craftsmanship of
handmade goods especially will pay the price for it.
Find out more:
w:http://www.etsy.com/shop/osxn
f: https://www.facebook.com/OriginsStyle
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