Buba Bojang, a Gambia-born fashion designer, has established BOJANG, his own fashion label in Vienna, merging cultural heritage with modern design. BOJANG stands for high-quality, timeless pieces that offer comfort and a contemporary look, reflecting Buba’s commitment to simplicity and detail. Although launched in 2020, the brand has achieved international reach and recognition. In this exclusive chat, we explore the dynamic intersection of heritage and innovation through the lens of BOJANG and uncover the inspirations driving Buba’s creative vision in the ever-evolving world of fashion.
FAB: Moving to Vienna must have been a significant transition. Can you walk us through that journey and how it has shaped your identity as a designer and entrepreneur?
Buba Bojang: The move to Vienna was naturally spectacular for me because it provided me with opportunities that I would never have had in Gambia. My life really started in Vienna, as I moved here at a young age and couldn’t take much from my home country.
FAB: What were some of the biggest cultural differences you experienced when moving from Gambia to Vienna, and how did you adapt to them?
Buba Bojang: The first adjustment was mainly the language, the food, the transportation options, and the weather conditions.
As an English speaker, I initially communicated with my fellow human beings. After a year, however, I was already able to speak the language, which made communication easier for me, as I attended kindergarten and school at a young age and had an easier time learning German and settling in.
FAB: Do you in any way engage with the Gambian community in Vienna, and how does it enrich your life in the diaspora?
Buba Bojang: I couldn’t really interact with the Gambian community in Vienna, as we are not really represented here, and I was mostly with the environment I knew from school days.
FAB: How have your experiences in Vienna influenced your approach to fashion and your creative process?
Buba Bojang: As a young teenager, I started to dress more fashionably. It started with colour combinations, and since I was in an environment where people loved to dress more fashionably and also looked up to world stars for inspiration, I got a lot of inspiration over the years, especially in the world of music and football. Later on, when I started modelling, I discovered the true world of fashion and realised how diverse fashion itself is, and through the experiences I gained from modelling, I expanded my knowledge.
As a model, I paid even more attention to how I presented myself and to my appearance. As a model, you have to be versatile, and I wanted to represent these qualities in the brand as well, which is why my fashion brand stands for “versatile” and “progressive,” as the brand brings a future-oriented diversity.
FAB: Looking ahead to 2024, what fashion trends do you anticipate dominating the industry, and how is your label aligning with or challenging these trends?
Buba Bojang: In 2024, I am currently working on various styles, partly based on what the big-name luxury designers publish and based on the styles that were already in existence years ago, as fashion largely repeats itself. From this, I create a mixture and thus let my own creativity run free and create my style. However, the focus will primarily be on the clothing cuts and, as before, on continually improving the quality.
FAB: Consumer demand for personalised fashion experiences is growing. How does your label approach customisation, and do you see this trend influencing the industry more in the coming years?
Buba Bojang: Many customers often shop online and do not know their correct size, and in many shops, it is not really possible to read which size they need, so many customers are lost due to this lack of information that customers need. I have therefore made it my task to offer the listing for the optimal fit to the customer based on their height and each of the models so that they can orient themselves on them. However, these features will be expanded to offer customers an even better and more detailed purchasing experience, which will make it easier for them to obtain their desired product in their optimal size.
FAB: Speaking of consumers, how does your label gather feedback from customers, and how do you incorporate consumer insights into your design and business strategies?
Buba Bojang: Many of our customers write us direct messages on our social media and thus also receive our feedback. Events have also been held where potential customers could view the garments up close and thus get an idea of the quality, and many of them became satisfied customers of ours as a result. Nowadays, a lot runs only through the internet, and as an online e-commerce company, it is all the more important to create such events like pop-up stores or to participate in events so that people who have physically met the product can also get to know it.
FAB: We have had how many fashion weeks already? What’s your takeaway from this year’s fashion week? What opportunities do you see for emerging designers at these events?
Buba Bojang: This year’s Fashion Week had many different silhouettes; designers differed mainly in several aspects: innovative designs that were often characterised by luxurious fabrics, printing techniques, extravagant cuts, and more discreet garments.
Fashion Week is the biggest stage for fashion enthusiasts, and as an aspiring designer, you have the opportunity to be inspired by the big ones and see which trends might be in, and thus try to reinvent yourself or expand your creativity through the inspirations.
FAB: Can you provide a sneak peek into your upcoming collection for 2024? What themes or inspirations have influenced your designs for the new season?
Buba Bojang: For the 24′ season, I am mainly working on refining our cuts, which should give customers the optimal wearing feeling, and being more timeless in designs, because less is sometimes more.
FAB: Are there any unique or experimental materials you’re currently exploring or plan to incorporate into future collections?
Buba Bojang: I am currently working on many styles for the coming years as I want to expand my range for the brand and want to achieve new stages with BOJANG and offer customers a variety.
FAB: How does your label prioritise sustainability in design, production, and sourcing, and what steps are you taking to minimise your environmental impact?
Buba Bojang: For me, the sustainability of the products I offer is very important, generally because customer satisfaction comes first and they also trust us, and I try to give that back by producing high-quality garments because I pay very attention to the fact that the clothing I personally wear remains with me in the long term. Above all, it is important for me to create garments that can be worn not only when they are trendy but for several years without them just lying in the closet.
Buba Bojang: A piece of advice I would give to upcoming designers is definitely to believe in themselves and their vision, even if there will be phases that will not be easy, to reinvent themselves again and again, and to have patience.
FAB: Are there any exciting partnerships or collaborations in the pipeline for your label in 2024, either with other brands, influencers, or organisations?
Buba Bojang: For the time being, no collaborations are planned with other brands or influencers, but I am still open to them and look forward to a productive year with BOJANG.
FAB Beauty, Fashion, and Fitness Hack with Buba Bojang
FAB: How do you maintain healthy hair?
Buba Bojang: I wash my hair regularly with various shampoos. I also use moisturisers and hair oil, and to better grip the hair, I use an afro comb and let the hair air dry.
Buba Bojang: A time-saving fitness hack is to incorporate high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into your workouts. HIIT involves alternating between short bursts of intense exercise and brief periods of rest or lower-intensity activity. This type of workout can be completed in a shorter amount of time compared to traditional steady-state cardio, yet it provides similar or even greater benefits in terms of calorie burn, cardiovascular health, and muscle building.
FAB: What is your favourite way to accessorise a basic outfit to make it more stylish?
Buba Bojang: The best way to give a basic outfit a certain touch is primarily accessories: a watch, rings, bracelets, or silk scarves complement outfits very well, and I always give my outfits that certain something. I also like to wear snapbacks with outfits, which gives the outfit a more casual touch. Stay up to date on the newest in the world of Fashion, Arts, Beauty and Lifestyle; Follow FAB on Instagram.
FAB: What are your top tips for packing efficiently for travel?
Buba Bojang: First and foremost, it is important to have a checklist of the things you need so that you don’t forget anything. Pack various clothes so that you have a wider selection to choose from.
Roll clothes if possible to save space. And for things that require more space, like a certain pair of shoes that are larger, wear them for the trip to save space. And leave room for souvenirs.
More Like This:
Tips and Tricks: 3 Minutes Makeup Hack For Zoom Call
Easy Methods to Incorporate Exercise in a Busy Daily Routine
Follow these expert tips to achieve your fitness goal in 2024 – Coach Mike
