Who is Malik Barry? Omojjo®

As you see yourself, who is Malik Barry?

I am Malik, fashion designer, now I am 33 and I had a long journey to meet you today, which I am more than happy. I am an African, born and raised in France. I worked in the financial industry for several years while building my designer project step by step.

My patterns are the results of my African education, interest for these cultures across our continent and my will to share our ways to view and approach, no matter where you are from, what you would have done; just go for! Optimistic by nature, my designs are drawn to let the positive shine, even when microscopic, may seem sometimes according to inspiration time, this thing we cannot handle.

What brought you to the Apparel industry and the development of OMOJJO specifically?

I am graduated in economics and finance, my whole working experience is made within the financial industry, not really linked with the apparel one. In fact, the apparel industry is the one I always wanted to go at the good point of time. I remember talking to my brother when I was 15 years old about some ideas and things I would love to make appear on clothes. I always consider the importance of the one sight strongly and for life influencing, garments can do it for eyes. Having the will was one important thing, in parallel, I used my time in my most inspiring land, in fact, the African continent to strengthen my knowledge while insisting to keep my singularity to express, and this has led me to step-in in 2017. The surrounding message I wanted to express is the recognition of beauty, beauty in form an in substance, people able to see what is beautiful in them and other people are rich from the robust foundation to build and strengthen in every duality, the positive aspect should be the point of focus. I believe in this important principle, that’s why the brand Omojjo®, meaning she or he is beautiful in Fulfulde language.

What and/or who influenced the designs that you share with the world?

My designs are the results of life experience, we are all, whatever where we are from driven by hope and influenced by events and our perception of these events. It is often that success and positive events lead to further success, Omojjo’s mission is an invitation to emphasize on looking for these positive aspects that generate will to go for what we want.

Those I will remember for life and brought me the greatest legacy are those people living in simplicity, at all times, in line with what they believe in.

What’s happened in your career that makes you feel that apparel industry for you?

The apparel design is a fast lane to dedicate my days to what I am, want to express and leave a legacy. Feeling confident, it is now time to jump.

What was the biggest obstacle to getting to your current phase of business?

I consider myself very lucky to know since the very beginning what I want to d and where I want to go, in that I am happy to not face an obstacle in progression. The most difficult, I would consider as the obstacle is visibility, how to have my designs known by the public.

What do you want people to get from your clothing and its designs?

I hope more than clothes, I would like people to focus on the signification of designs and I would be happy if these add value to them on their will to concentrate on more than physical beauty, what is more, beautiful than someone empowering herself or himself and sharing optimistic and legacy. Every situation comes from a past one or the World, I am expressing few words, keep it up!

Tell us about your current clothing designs?

My designs are inspired by the traditional garments made in Africa especially the bogolan. The messages are surrounding every aspect of life. For me, having them on the garment is the key, the way to keep them in mind for those wearing and seeing! Keeping important things in mind and avoid being flooded with day to day routine is more than best to have. People need to see wider than today and continuously see and act for what they want.

The principle governing at Omojjo® is to have synchronized form and substance, garments represent, for a part, people wearing them.
The patterns are, for example, symbolizing hope and love under the same sign, which generally signifies things wanted or loved by people. Others are representing the fact that we all HAVE TO choose a way, this can be for success and the fact to be fine with their soul. The colors are here to signify that thinking and acting smoothly is one other but important aspect.

What do you feel has been your greatest life achievement so far?

Greatest achievement I would not compare to anything else is to now be closer to myself, in peace and in adequation with what I am. Doing things I know what they are done for, things that I am convinced have a real interest in others and me. It may seem very spiritual, but spirituality is this important thing giving sense to long-term as well as every second question.

If you could collaborate with one designer, living or dead, who would it be and why?

The designers I would love to collaborate with are, unfortunately, not well known. It is more than a dream for me to meet them, learn from what and how they do. These old women in many lands of Africa, drawing to educate people, or share messages that encourage people for the perenity of values, these values like never resignate, be patient while putting necessary efforts, share what you can… all about concrete things for daily or whole life.

If you had to pick one design of yours, that really explains YOU, what would it be?

The djuuri design is the one I prefer, this one looks like me, it is the first one I did after long road to concretize my project, Omojjo®!
On djuuri, in Fulfulde, it means I have reached.

The design is expressing the need to make choices and keep the chosen way hardly. As it is the case for so many people, the way is full of barriers which are looking high at the beginning. As it is also the case for so many people, we always think our problems are specific to ourselves.

Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” moment

Crunch a habanero at 6 years old. Listen to your parents!

About Omojjo®:

Omojjo launched in 2017 and is quickly becoming one of the most sought out luxury street wear brands. The Omojjo name originated from beauty in Fulfulde, language spoken in West Africa is a luxury clothing line; consisting of fashion accessories, t-shirts, hoodies and other one of a kind fashion pieces.

“ Fashion and what you wear is a free form of expression, that a great deal of men and women take pride in, I created Omojjo to add flare, substance, and innovativeness to the fashion sector.” States Malik Barry owner and head designer of Omojjo

There is always something fresh and sublime about putting on a new crisp T-shirt, with your favorite pair of jeans, Omojjo’s outwear provides that “confidence” to each customer and fashion lover. “ All of our pieces are made with much afterthought and passion.”

Although the new luxury brand Omojjo’s roots are implanted in Africa, the luxury street wear brand has plans on crossing over to a international brand, wearable to everyone who chooses to indulge, in a brand that stands for “Individuality and quality”.

Since launching a little under a year ago, the logo and monogram unisex T-shirts and flip-flops have been a number one seller, across the board. “ We believe consumers find our patterns and designs both unique and fun.”

The Omojjo brand sees luxury as a choice of life, the extravagance in the fit, fabic and pattern makes for easy wearable garments that can attract attention anywhere.

Future goals for the ready to go fashion line included designing new pieces for both women and children, a capsule collection this winter, and becoming a global fashion phenomenon.

Website: www.omojjo.com

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