Youssou Bamar Gueye, also known as Bamar, is a young emerging creator in the fashion field. In the following interview, we’ve talked about the power of “out of the box fashion”, especially about its social responsibility in daily life and towards the future. Bamar is based in Milan, where he founded @MaisonBamar, which is his big dream in terms of fashion. His project is able to tell a story about two cultures that best represent the essence of his personality.
It is a way to express a personality, a thought, a desire without opening the mouth, it is wonderful.
“Wake up and create.” Is this your motto?
"Wake up and create" is my motto and by “create”, I mean “to create anything in any field”. The important thing is to have the courage to do it, because I consider creating a way to get out of the normality imposed by society and live for a few minutes, or forever, inside your own bubble.
Do you have a benchmark?
No, I am absolutely flexible and I have a great curiosity that leads me to explore every field.
Fashion means to me…
...simply non-verbal communication. It is a way to express a personality, a thought, a desire without opening the mouth, it is wonderful.
What role do you think social-media play today in fashion?
Social-media certainly play an important role, because they have the power to amplify our message to the entire world and this represents a benefit for everyone.
Empathy is fundamental
What is your must-have?
I would say my beloved beanie and accessories, from pins to pearls.
How significant is fashion sustainability to you?
What is happening in the world is now clear to everyone and empathy is fundamental. Everyone has to move a pawn to win. From idea to final consumption. Considering that everything I like is second hand or vintage in terms of consumption, I don’t have to commit so much to that ahahah because I already do it spontaneously.
I have always been self-taught and learned by observing. I try to learn something new every day from everyone.
Let’s talk about Maison Bamar. What is its philosophy?
Maison Bamar represents myself and any person, who is between two cultures and must constantly balance one and the other to get the right equilibrium.
Maison Bamar expresses myself and my creations in a paradigmatic way, it represents the desire to find a visual synthesis that integrates the aesthetic and cultural characteristics of my country of origin with those of the places with which I come into contact. I realize that through a constant exchange between the African and the Western worlds.
What differentiates your projects from other designers?
Unfortunately, I have never attended any fashion school, I have always been self-taught and learned by observing. I try to learn something new every day from everyone. Maison Bamar doesn’t invent anything, but it believes in a true story and then turns it into reality through clothes.
How important are fabrics to you?
A lot. Actually, everything is based on the use of fabrics. Using African fabrics and harmoniously mixing them with the most common ones.
Would you like to design a collection in collaboration with other creators?
I would really like to get the chance to do that in the future. Dreams stay big.
A few days ago, I heard from your stories on Instagram, that you have been involved in an episode of racism. What effect has it had on you? Do you find the fashion industry more inclusive on this topic?
It was an episode that worried me but at the same time had no effect on me, because I’m used to it and the fact that I am used to it expresses the gravity of the situation. I am not worried about myself, but about those who may be more fragile in facing these problems and who may feel wrong.
Fashion is partly very inclusive, I say ‘partly’ because there is still a huge part of this world that hasn’t changed yet but it will, and it is going also to include certain figures.
Where do you see yourself and your brand in the next 5 years?
Maison Bamar is the dream of a lifetime, so I will do my best to tell this story to as many people as possible.
Well, in my opinion, courage in fashion means defining “normal” what others call “crazy”
What is your idea of fashion in the future?
I have expectations. I hope that, in the future, fashion can be more accessible and inclusive.
How would you express the ‘dare’ idea through fashion?
Well, in my opinion, courage in fashion means defining “normal” what others call “crazy”.
And even if others will comment and judge, you must always and increasingly be convinced that it is you who decide what is "normal", no matter what.
Stay tuned on @maisonbamar and @bamar Instagram profiles.
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