User:Rosiesheart/sandbox

Kenneth Ize
Kenneth Ize was born in Lagos, Nigeria on October 5, 1990. He is a designer who is committed & passionate about the very thing he loves most, fashion. Ize's strive and goal in the fashion world is to introduce a new sense of style the fashion industry hasn't yet really been seen before and to also influence others on the Nigerian culture.
 * Instagram: @KennethIze
 * Website: https://www.kennethize.net/

Life and Education
Kenneth graduated from the University of Applied Arts Vienna where he studied design in 2013 and later launched his very own fashion label in 2015. Although Ize had just graduated school when he first launched his label, he knew it all felt right as he had said "I wanted to have my own brand as soon as I found my aesthetic." Once Kenneth presented his spectacular S/S14 show at Lagos Fashion week for the very first time, it brought forth unisex garments that used traditional African practices, which gave a clear and moving portrayal of a diverse culture. After this accomplishment, Ize decided to take a two-year break to return back to the University of Applied Arts, where he studied for his master's under fashion designer, Hussein Chalayan. After graduating, Kenneth took it upon himself to return with a daring S/S16 collection at Lagos Fashion Week for the second time, to showcase yet another inspiring and moving idea. He emphasized artisanal practices that were passed down from generation to generation, as he went on to express that, "I would rather research into how to make everything sustainable." Kenneth takes his work as something everyone can enjoy and be inspired by in all aspects, to the extent that it can be useful to everyone, while also being fashionable and making a statement.

Career
Since the early start of Ize's career, he would always like to work in his studio that he's had in the Lagos Suburb of Sabo Yaba. He would collaborate often with design groups and artists all across Nigeria in Kwara, Kogi, and Lagos. Ize would also love to "collaborate with small community weavers local to Lagos." Ize has been proudly influencing the creative arts curriculum in local schools to create "traditional fashion." Kenneth has always been a person to include local people from his communities, where he's from, to be a part of his accomplished fashion career, which is greatly appreciated by everyone who knows Kenneth personally. He takes his fashion career as something that is sentimental and meaningful, rather than just a straightforward business. For this reason and many more, he has gone on to work with fashion household names, that he has always looked up to such as Karl Langerfeld and Naomi Campbell, amongst many more. He has also always been recognized for his unique and gravitating fashion pieces, with many very distinctive colors, patterns, and fabrics used, which makes him one of the best and most appreciated Fashion Designers today.

Achievements

 * 2021 - Launched Loom Exhibition
 * 2021 - Collaborated with Karl Langerfeld, capsule collection
 * 2021 - International Woolmark Prize Winner
 * 2020 - Debut at Paris Fashion Week & was cheered on by organization there
 * 2020 - Praised in an Elle article, Greatly Advocating Nigerian Craft
 * 2020 - Winner at Arise Fashion Week, 30 under 30
 * 2020 - Naomi Campbell walked Ize's runway as the final look of his fall collection
 * 2019 - Named Designer of the Year at Arise Fashion Week
 * 2019 - Finalist for the LVMH Prize
 * 2013 - Launched His Namesake Collection

Inspirations/Influences
Ize has continuously expressed his gratitude & love for Nigerian Culture. This proudly is shown in all his clothing pieces and styles to date, as he doesn't shy away from sharing how the culture has heavily impacted his brand entirely. Kenneth expressed how his family played a part in influencing the Nigerian culture on him, as he was growing up in Austria, helping him develop a wide viewpoint on it. Ize went on to say how, "Nigerian culture prizes elegance," and how it plays a role in his founded aesthetic. As for inspiration, Kenneth has expressed how his mother's wardrobe excessively had a major influence on the way he viewed clothing, specifically how his mother would approach clothing when going to church. He admired the in-depth way his mother would have a unique approach when it came to her wardrobe for different occasions. As he was growing up, he loved and was inspired to choose fabrics with his mother for all her handmaid outfits. He happily expressed, "I was never really not going to be a designer," all based on the heavy influence of the Nigerian culture and inspiration from his mother, which gave Ize the experience and love he greatly developed for fashion.