Meet Kemi O of Kemi Studio 5 in Historic West End

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kemi O.

Kemi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a child, my grandmother would always tell me to find something to do in this house. I’d find arts and craft supplies in our trash cans, junk drawers, and old electronics. Grandmother was resourceful stylish and an all-around craft woman whom I wanted to emulate. She was a costume/wedding dress designer, worked for the City of New York raised five daughters and an amazing chef. Fast forward, I’ve been up-cycling and selling my creative expression for over 15 years. I pay homage to her in each creation knowing she’s moving through my hands and soul.

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?
Ah! Smooth road lol. Perfected man goes through all the ways of life. The bumps in the road build character. As an Indigenous /African /Caribbean Woman in this society, I’ve faced a number of what some may see as “struggles”. I choose to see these as lessons and use them accordingly. One of the bushes challenges is staying consistent. As an artist /creator experiencing creative blocks come and I persevere. Travel helps inspire me along with revisiting journals, spending time with an artist who creates in other mediums like chefs and painters.

Kemi Studio 5 – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
So Kemi Studio 5 focuses on wearable art for your home and body. We use 75% repurposed fabric to create functional, fashionable art. Along with our retail and commissions, we teach sewing classes and workshops in the community at low cost. I’m known for turning “nothing into something” . I’ll find about a million ways to flip what others call “scraps”. Presently I’m most proud of my newest creation,The Ankara Alphabet Necklaces. I enjoy teaching the children in my life near or far how to read. The necklaces are inspired by the material I use doing so. This is what sets me apart from others in the cloth game. All of my products are functionally fashion forward and or upcycled from materials that would be otherwise be tossed into the dump, leaving a larger carbon footprint.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
To date, the proudest moment of my career has been the pleasure of being invited along with my partner Olu of Kalanchoe Crown Co. to WRFG as guests to speak about young entrepreneurs. This year will mark just two years as a resident of Georgia. I’m honored to be well accepted here within our thriving community as well be given such respect from a well respected Educator and Healer Queen Yenn of Queen Yenn Ministries. Finding your tribe is one thing, yet when they find you and love you and accept you….what a joy. When the student is ready, the teacher appears right?!!

Pricing:

• Sewing Classes start at $20 for youth
• Custom Ankara Alphabet Necklaces start at $30
• Custom Yeye Vests start at $55

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Kemistudio5

Image Credit:
@shotsbysb

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