Today we’d like to introduce you to Etheldreda Esomba.
Etheldreda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Although my story is only in its exposition, the origins of ARCMND (ArchaicMind) as a brand began at a time of transition. I was about 15 and while in the process of being more familiar with myself, I decided it was time that I leave my former tagline(s) behind in replacement for something for fitting. The name itself is derived from a mixture of my nature, my biological name, as well as my ethnicity. I wanted to affiliate myself with something that was not only timeless but as equality inquisitive, so I stuck with the name and started “playing to win,” and here we are!
As far as where I’ve taken my brand so far, I started off wardrobe styling in early 2017 while working at a modeling agency. I can’t say I saw it coming, as it surely wasn’t in my plans to take up styling (I was leaning more towards the commerce side of fashion) nor can I say I thought or knew very much about styling before I started, but in hindsight I realized it been something I’ve prepared for long before. When the opportunity arose and I was given a chance to curate and style an editorial that included multiple models, I was literally shaking in my boots the day I got on set (no literally, ask anyone there). I say this to say that I vividly remember at the end of the shoot when the team regrouped in utter exhaustion and relief, the high I felt after knowing I tried something new and created something to be proud of is the same feeling I still chase and look forward to after every shoot.
When pertaining to my photography, it came out of a place of both frustration and curiosity. Frustration in the sense that along with the logistics involved with shooting, I personally didn’t see too many black female photographers in my medium to look to and an even fewer amount to choose from in Atlanta. As much as I still hold these artists in high regard, I still felt/feel like there was/is so much to be created and I wanted a chance to have at it. I tend to be very curious by nature, and there’s just something about being intimidated by something I knew nothing about that made me want to conquer it even more. It wasn’t easy and I’m still in the learning process but I think my favorite part of it has been the liability in encapsulating the moment. If the timing, the lighting, and/or the angle is off? It could change everything.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it has been smooth but then again, what good comes easy? Much like many aspects of life, I’ve realized that there’s always waxing and waning. To be honest, I’ve found that out of the “problems” that have occurred within my brand, the most pronounced have tended to be a bit more internal. I know that many may think that it’s easy to just “throw some clothes on a model” or “click a camera,” and while both these statements may be objectively valid, the same actions turn to be extremely subjective when coming from the perspective of a creative.
I think in our times, there may be a sense of pressure to produce and maintain relevancy, especially when there’s so much weight that seems to be put into titles! So I think that it can be a bit of an uphill battle when dealing with gaining confidence within a new vocation while strengthening repour, and doing so while staying completely authentic.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I enjoy the freedom in being a Jack (…or is it Jill?) of many trades. At the moment, my work is more concentrated in offering my wardrobe styling and photography services, but I’ve also been known to dabble into many different avenues and plan to do more exploration and expanding.
If it’s one thing that I’ve been proud of most as a company, it’s always the final product. Every time I get on set and I’m able to create, I’m proud. The fact that I can turn 2D to 3D and vice versa is an ability I’m very proud about. And when my work has recognition with only my style/signature as my identification, it doesn’t get any better.
What sets me apart from others, other than my style of work, surely would be my values. I consciously attempt to uphold the virtues of authenticity and freedom within my business as well as with everyone I meet, and I’d like to think these attributes have had a contribution to the abundance I’ve received during this path.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Unfortunately for me, I don’t remember very much of my actual childhood, but I think my favorite memory through my adolescence was probably thrifting with my grandma. At the time, the only jobs available to someone my age were at fast-food restaurants or six flags and considering neither options appealed to me, I took to the internet and began reselling. I think my favorite part of the entire experience probably had to be meeting my exhausted grandma at the register, after holding her hostage for hours on end for the sake of the hunt… and her senior discount. I loved coming back home for the “thrift haul” that I’d perform for her and my mother. I found it to be absolutely hysterical to see their reactions to what I brought back. Funny enough, my grandma later confessed that as much as she found the items I chose to be absurdly questionable, she had even higher concerns for the people buying them.
Contact Info:
- Website: arcmnd.co
- Email: contact@arcmnd.co
- Instagram: instagram.com/arcmnd
- Twitter: twitter.com/arcmnd
Image Credit:
Chinedu Nwakudu
Nicole Hernandez
Ryan Stokes
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