Kobi Bennett,Fashion, KAEB
Established in May 2019, by 22 year old self taught designer Kobi Bennett. KAEB or httpsKAEB is a London based unisex streetwear designer brand.
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Driven by her great eye for detail and colour, KAEB is a brand that will constantly evolve as years proceed due to the nature of how it was conceived and has since been perceived. Every design and meaning organically shifts and evokes the opportunity for the next, offering a very limitless world for where we can see the brand developing in the future.
Kobi's previous background in Architecture promises a lot of direction in where the brand could grow as she sees herself one day wanting to produce furniture and other lifestyle essentials within the brand, bringing all her knowledge and creativity to life.
Creative Core
What does your creative discipline mean to you?
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I’ve found that during my years of education I have always been very academic; studying subjects that were totally separate from the arts/creativity. However, during these years, I always found time to be creative daily and I’ve learnt that it’s my way of expression. It’s how I uniquely identify who I am, through various mediums. Whether that be music, fashion, architecture, photography or graphics.
Where do you draw most of your inspiration from?
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God. No cap
Who inspires you creatively?
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I’m inspired so much, even just by being black; culture, food, music, architecture, insta babes, insta mcms everything. I definitely think my creative style is a direct reflection of me, the style approach and graphic is very much how I carry myself daily and how people perceive me.
Race
How has race had an impact on your creativity?
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Being black has definitely made a subconscious but also heavy conscious impact on my creativity. Down to our wide range of skin tones, our food, music and culture; the topic of discussions we constantly evoke as the influential race. There are so many layers to us and it’s reflected in my approach to how I create my many mediums of art.
What sort of obstacles have you faced whilst being a black creative?
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Let’s just say I had a family member ask what the hell one of my bags were and then say “what people are gonna buy that? With your initials on it?” As to say this family member doesn’t drip in BIG name designers
Is your creative work Full-Time or Part-Time?
Full-Time
How do you cope mentally? How do you make time for self care, a social life/family life too. Do you ever get frustrated and want to quit building something you’re passionate about? How do you overcome these negative/dark emotions.
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I think my passion for art and it being something I’ve constantly done outside of
education and work, stops it from feeling like a secondary job and is kind of a therapeutic down time that has now doubled up as my second job as its now giving me a second source of income. I feel discouraged when I go into my full time job and my skills are being undermined and undervalued. I start trying to weigh out if I should take the risk of just focusing on being creative and praying it will pay off but the risk is too great. Sharing my work and hearing the positive feedback from people is definitely what keeps me going. Without that I definitely wouldn’t stand a chance. I don’t have clout ahaha.
Advice
What institutions would you suggest for someone starting out to join, one that can help jumpstart their career or give them guidance?
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Prayer. I’ve got a lot of people around me right now doing things in fashion and they’re selling huge numbers and have a lot more word on the street than me, but I believe in Gods Speed and I believe in the quality of work I am producing and that should be enough - even though it’s not. The biggest thing to remember is your biggest fans/supporters are going to be the people you don’t know. Don’t let the people you know make you feel inferior or incapable, because everyone is. Just stay true to yourself and trust in God’s Speed.
What advice would you give to someone doing something similar to you?
What advice would you give them if they were struggling mentally?
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Honestly I have no idea, and if anyone knows please share with me because I have no idea what I’m doing at all. I’m winging it daily
@httpsKAEB sold out with less than 100 followers on their first release.Their new hoodies will be out next month and their highly anticipated tracksuit will be out soon, in the meantime go have a look at what they’ve got in stock and follow them to stay tuned.