We are all about supporting new and established Canadian designers, so we have partnered with the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards (CAFA) to help introduce our readers to each of the four nominees for The Menswear Designer of the Year Award at the 2024 CAFA, taking place on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in Toronto. Created to recognize and promote outstanding achievement and emerging talent in Canadian fashion, CAFA celebrates the very best in fashion every year with their namesake awards and events throughout the year.
In our final installment, we sit down with Spencer Badu. Born to working-class parents who migrated from Ghana to North America, Spencer’s work is a semi-autobiographical collection that uses fashion to explore culture and acts as a self-reflective body of work, presenting the idea of uniforms as ever-changing and fluid. His designs exude experimental vigor and detailed craftsmanship, all while alluding to tales of migration while transforming rich cultural subtext into each piece. His brand has started to gain a cult like following and has been worn by rappers like Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky.
What made you first decide to design a menswear collection?
My love for creativity and the lack of clothing that I wanted to wear ultimately.
If you had to describe the DNA of your brand that goes across all collections in a few words, what would it be?
My brand is very autobiographical but the pillars that I feel are consistent with in the collection are uniforms, Experimentation, and cultural exploration.
Where did you draw inspiration for the latest collection?
I think there’s a consistent story within the work every collection we try to look at things from a different angle or go deeper into the tops we research. I’m obsessed with the idea of uniforms and how clothing plays a role in identity especially for people who are environments where that aren’t native to.
If there is one look or piece from your collection that every man needs in his closet, what would it be?
Yes, our knitted tie polo. It’s a true representation of our brand, looking at the idea of uniform flipping on its head and making tit more modern for today’s life.
What’s your favourite part about being a fashion designer? Least favourite thing?
The creative freedom and the ability to create things that can impact people all over the world. The pretentiousness that comes with the industry at times.
As the world changes at a frantic pace, what do you think the role of fashion is? Or what do you think it will become?
Think fashion will become a platform for other topics and issues beyond clothing.
Finally, what’s next for your brand?
Global expansion, collaborations – just growing and getting exposed to more people.
The CAFA 2024 menswear designers of the year, presented by Harry Rosen, are: By David Kollar, Raised by Wolves, SECTION 35 and Spencer Badu. The winner will be announced at the CAFA ceremony in downtown Toronto on Saturday October 19, 2024.
READ all of our interviews with the 2024 CAFA nominated menswear designers:
– Get To Know 2024 CAFA Nominated Menswear Designer: David Kollar
– Get To Know 2024 CAFA Nominated Menswear Designer: Raised by Wolves
– Get To Know 2024 CAFA Nominated Menswear Designer: Section 35
– Get To Know 2024 CAFA Nominated Menswear Designer: Spencer Badu
