Collaborator. Artist. Academic. Osman Yousefzada’s unbounded creativity cannot be defined by a singular term.
Born into a family of artisans, Osman’s background nurtured his love for precision tailoring – having learned how to cut and sew before he was even 10 years old.
Taking in a varied academic life, including time spent at Central Saint Martins, SOAS, and committing to an MPHIL at Cambridge University, the designer has used his knowledge of a variety of cultural trends and artistic disciplines to create an eclectic style that he describes lovingly as ‘migrant soup’.
Osman introducing us to his then-new townhouse.
What's the mantra you tell yourself first thing in the morning?
It’s not so much a mantra for me, it’s more about feeling grateful and blessed.
How do you take your coffee? I
don’t drink coffee! I quit it about five years ago and I haven’t looked back. I don’t miss those energy slumps.
If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what would you be doing instead? I’d love to be a dancer!
If you could only keep one outfit in your wardrobe, which would it be?
It would probably have to be a tuxedo jacket. You can never be over- or under-dressed in a tuxedo jacket.
Elizabeth I of England, because she was a ballsy woman; she’s one of the first formidable women. She broke so many barriers of her time.
I would like my company to focus on eventually becoming plastic-free. These days everything is covered in plastic; it's in everything from the manufacturing process to packaging.
The actor, Jake Gyllenhaal.
My mother had a dress-making business and I really fell in love with being around women, what they were doing, and how they dressed themselves. The bug started from there.
Shop Osman Yousefzada:
More 8Qs:
+ Han Chong: "Fashion is the most versatile art form"
+ Tina Lutz: "I got a sewing machine from my parents and started sewing for the entire family"
+ Saloni Lodha: "I always wanted to be an artist and live by the sea in Pondicherry"
