Trendy Fashion Spotlight: Meet the Masterminds behind Blackbird Jeans

As the climate in the world of African fashion continues to boast a favorable forecast, it’s only inevitable that the landscape expands to accommodate a new crop of freshly minted designers who are poised to secure their position in the growing line of industry nomads.

Blackbird Jeans is a label that needs to be in the rolodex of every trendsetter not just because of they are acute futuristic sensibilities but also because they are on the verge of changing the scope of men’s fashion indefinitely.

Zeddy Lukoe and Sidney Owino are fashion globetrotters of Kenyan descent who have indexed their collections with a parade of vibrantly energetic hues encased in architecturally constructed suits, secularly functional separates, and an array of smartly executed T-shirts and flexible denim.

The key to longevity in the world of fashion is contingent on the right ingredients mixing to produce the winning formula. Zeddy and Sidney have invented their own particular brand of distilled charm that encompasses a heavy dose of tribal sophistication mixed in with stylish functionality with that zing of exuberant edginess.

They have their rich cultural background as their compass but they are determined to spread their creative tentacles as far as possible to reach the masses that hunger for a wardrobe that continually inspires.

We caught up with the designing duo to get a little more insight on how they make it all come together so brilliantly.

MTB: Designers aim to develop a signature look that distinguishes them from the rest of the tribe. What would you say your trademark imprints are?

BJ: Our signature loud and proud menswear suits in maasai shuka and drop crouch.

MTB: The fashion industry is quite chaotic and competitive. What are some of the challenges you have encountered as relatively new designers on the scene?

BJ: Capitol is the biggest challenge in the fashion industry. Economic factor would be the change of prices for raw materials so we have to keep our cost low and this is difficult when imports and exports cost are prone to increase. Socio Cultural factors: we also have to make sure we keep on trend and follow the cultural expectation of each franchise because we want to be a worldwide company we need to ensure for each country we will sell products that are fashionable for their culture.

MTB: Apart from your obvious African heritage, where else do you draw inspiration for your designs? And how would you describe the process of interpretation?

BJ: We draw our inspiration from anything it can be a soccer ball; flashes of color in an art gallery a cert community or anything that we feel is unique.

MTB: How do you feel about the keen global interest in African fashion and where do you think Blackbird Jeans fits in this expanding portfolio?

BJ: The brand has really grown fast and we thank God for all that, right now we have things laid down in plans to see the brand on another new level.