NOÉMIE
WILSON
THE FASHION PRODIGY BEHIND THE EMERGING LUXURY STREETWEAR BRAND
NOÉMIE
WILSON
THE FASHION PRODIGY BEHIND THE EMERGING LUXURY STREETWEAR BRAND
Born to Caribbean parents, Naomi was raised in both Derby and London. The culture clash between these three locations inspires her ideas, coupled with her desire to improve representation and diversity in the fashion industry. Although she started sewing in her teens, it wasn’t until Naomi began University and studied pattern cutting that she started to understand how to create garments from 2D to 3D.
Naomi credits her years at London College of Fashion for teaching her how to “follow her gut” while also “taking criticism”. She continues, “If you feel this is something you want to do, you should at least try it. If you want to be groundbreaking, people may not understand you at first. Just spend time and keep re-designing”.
Born to Caribbean parents, Naomi was raised in both Derby and London. The culture clash between these three locations inspires her ideas, coupled with her desire to improve representation and diversity in the fashion industry. Although she started sewing in her teens, it wasn’t until Naomi began University and studied pattern cutting that she started to understand how to create garments from 2D to 3D.
Naomi credits her years at London College of Fashion for teaching her how to “follow her gut” while also “taking criticism”. She continues, “If you feel this is something you want to do, you should at least try it. If you want to be groundbreaking, people may not understand you at first. Just spend time and keep re-designing”.
Born to Caribbean parents, Naomi was raised in both Derby and London. The culture clash between these three locations inspires her ideas, coupled with her desire to improve representation and diversity in the fashion industry. Although she started sewing in her teens, it wasn’t until Naomi began University and studied pattern cutting that she started to understand how to create garments from 2D to 3D.
Naomi credits her years at London College of Fashion for teaching her how to “follow her gut” while also “taking criticism”. She continues, “If you feel this is something you want to do, you should at least try it. If you want to be groundbreaking, people may not understand you at first. Just spend time and keep re-designing”.
During this time, she interned for Nasir Mazhar, Jonathon Saunders and Marc Jacobs in New York, working in a range of sectors, from design to production and also in the sample room, further developing her skills as a designer.
Soon after, Naomi set up a bespoke service creating Ankara outfits for clients going to traditional Nigerian weddings and parties. Encouraged by her friends, Naomi showcased at ‘MyRunway’ in 2017, and the positive feedback is what inspired her to create the Noémie Wilson brand.
During this time, she interned for Nasir Mazhar, Jonathon Saunders and Marc Jacobs in New York, working in a range of sectors, from design to production and also in the sample room, further developing her skills as a designer.
Soon after, Naomi set up a bespoke service creating Ankara outfits for clients going to traditional Nigerian weddings and parties. Encouraged by her friends, Naomi showcased at ‘MyRunway’ in 2017, and the positive feedback is what inspired her to create the Noémie Wilson brand.
During this time, she interned for Nasir Mazhar, Jonathon Saunders and Marc Jacobs in New York, working in a range of sectors, from design to production and also in the sample room, further developing her skills as a designer.
Soon after, Naomi set up a bespoke service creating Ankara outfits for clients going to traditional Nigerian weddings and parties. Encouraged by her friends, Naomi showcased at ‘MyRunway’ in 2017, and the positive feedback is what inspired her to create the Noémie Wilson brand.
Nasir Mazhar was the first place I felt I could relate to how he was designing - being experimental within a small team. It was there that I realised I wanted to launch my own brand and that it could be within my reach. Working at Marc Jacobs was a different ball game. Living in New York really opened my ideas to the wider world. It taught me the cycle of putting out a collection and all the elements that go into the collection outside of design.
— Noémie Wilson
Nasir Mazhar was the first place I felt I could relate to how he was designing - being experimental within a small team. It was there that I realised I wanted to launch my own brand and that it could be within my reach. Working at Marc Jacobs was a different ball game. Living in New York really opened my ideas to the wider world. It taught me the cycle of putting out a collection and all the elements that go into the collection outside of design.
— Noémie Wilson
Aiming to introduce a unique perspective, Noémie Wilson is made up of seasonal collections, taking inspiration from viewing the world through the lens of a young black woman living in London. Naomi is highly interested in unconventional fabrics, and often works with PVC and Neoprene. She enjoys not only the texture and weight of the fabrics but also the associated context of BDSM fashion, futurism and athletics combined with a utilitarian approach.
Over the last 2 years, the Noémie Wilson brand has gone from strength to strength, being worn by music artists such as Nadia Rose and Afro B, while also featuring in music videos for Ms Banks and Alicai Harley. According to Naomi, in the beginning, she was “a bit of an introvert”, but eventually, word-of-mouth led to incredible opportunities. She tells us, “I was able to connect with music artists who wanted to wear my garments. It’s such a rare feeling seeing someone you admire perform in your clothes and style it in their own way.”
Having to handle every aspect of the business, including production, sales, marketing, admin and social media, it’s no surprise that being a one-woman brand comes with an enormous amount of pressure. Looking up to her idols like Dapper Dan and Miuccia Prada, Naomi has set her sights on one day having her own concept store, producing her own events and releasing bi-annual collections with international stockists.
If you don't see a person who looks like you in the higher-end fashion companies, there is a feeling that there isn't a space for you. I think the lack of diversity behind the scenes is probably one of the main reasons I wanted to start my own brand. There is power in creating your own lane.
— Noémie Wilson
If you don't see a person who looks like you in the higher-end fashion companies, there is a feeling that there isn't a space for you. I think the lack of diversity behind the scenes is probably one of the main reasons I wanted to start my own brand. There is power in creating your own lane.
— Noémie Wilson
If you don't see a person who looks like you in the higher-end fashion companies, there is a feeling that there isn't a space for you. I think the lack of diversity behind the scenes is probably one of the main reasons I wanted to start my own brand. There is power in creating your own lane.
— Noémie Wilson
NOÉMIE WILSON IS AVAILABLE TO BUY AT NOEMIEWILSON.COM
NOÉMIE WILSON IS AVAILABLE TO BUY AT NOEMIEWILSON.COM
Photography: Chris Reid @Bychrisreid
Styling: Jo London @Jo.london_
Models: @D_benj @Agirlcalledcleo @Kingpr1ncess @Blackanesehippy_ @Tobilogun @Khadija.hx