A 23-year-old sustainable fashion designer is taking the world by storm after winning a streetwear competition on BBC.
Kemi Gbadebo, founder of Gbadebo, appeared and won BBC’s show The Drop just last year, and she has been working and extending her sustainable fashion brand ever since.
The Drop is a BBC streetwear competition in which nine fashion creatives go head to head as singer Miguel searched for a star.
Kemi says her experience on the show was a “rollercoaster” which pushed her outside of her comfort zone.
Kemi told the News Shopper: “It made me the designer and advocate that I am today.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity they gave me not just in terms of the price, but in terms of the lifelong friendships that I’ve made, from the contestants all the way to the judges.
“During the show, I was hungry to learn, and I feel as though that is what kept me motivated, although it would have been great to win the things that I took from the show and the way I was able to dissect my brand and build it made the whole process so much more valuable.”
From carrying out workshops in popular locations such as Shoreditch and Oxford Street, she now how has her latest clothing collection in much-loved Flannels’ stores.
With a vision to make eco-conscious streetwear more accessible to a wider market, Kemi has a dream to become a “household name”.
Kemi said: “At the moment, although being based in Manchester, I am constantly in London.
“A majority of my collaborations have been with London brands whereby I have held workshops in their flagship stores.
“In the next few weeks, I will be speaking on a panel with UAP at Somerset house and also hope to host some more workshops following my collection.
“I want to provide opportunities for young creatives.
“So being in a position where I can freely give back to my community for the sole purpose of promoting a better industry and environment is where I hope to be.”
As an advocate for inclusivity, Kemi focuses Gbadebo on creating pieces which are unisex, androgynous, and come in a variety of sizes from extra small to plus size.
Kemi’s latest streetwear collection represents a powerful redefinition of sustainable fashion, by breaking away from “generic stereotypes”.
Inspired by the vibrant and bold energy of the 90s, Gbadebo has reinvented classic streetwear silhouettes and aesthetics to blend eco-consciousness with style.
Kemi added: “This collection elevates sustainable fashion beyond traditional thrifting and up-cycling, while maintaining the same positive impact on the environment.
“Offering a guilt-free choice to express individuality and changing the narrative that there’s limitations to sustainability.
“We aim to empower individuals to make sustainable choices without compromising on style, fostering a culture of conscious consumption that resonates with a new generation.”
To celebrate the launch, Kemi and her friends, family and supporters gathered at Soho houses’s Redchurch Street Studios, where people had the opportunity to dance, drink and create tote bags.
“I’m so grateful that I was able to launch this collection surrounded by people I loved and people that were pivotal to my brand's success”, Kemi added.
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