We caught up with Seyi Sokoya, the powerhouse behind Kamso, to learn a little more about what inspires her work ahead of the SS24 launch at MamaOwl this Thursday.

Seyi, your brand, Kamso, beautifully merges British and West-African influences. Could you share how your personal background and experiences shape the upcoming collection, and how you navigate blending traditional African design elements with a contemporary, global aesthetic?

As the founder of Kamso Kids, my multicultural upbringing between Nigeria and the UK forms the basis of our brand's fusion of British and West African styles. For our upcoming collection, my childhood memories and cultural heritage inspire a blend of vibrant West African textiles with modern British fashion, reflecting both worlds seamlessly. Balancing traditional African design with global appeal involves reinterpreting motifs innovatively, ensuring our pieces resonate with today's audience while honouring West African craftsmanship. Our commitment to inclusivity and sustainability is evident throughout, prioritising eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices. Ultimately, our collection aims to celebrate diversity, foster connection, and bring joy to families worldwide, driven by my personal experiences and ethos.

Kamso's commitment to community wellbeing is evident in your ethos. How does this translate into the creation of your designs, and can you share any specific ways in which the upcoming collection supports local artisans or communities in West Africa?

At Kamso Kids, community wellbeing is integral to our brand. This ethos influences all aspects of our design process and operations, aiming for a positive impact, particularly in West Africa… to begin with!

We support local artisans, like the Kofar Mata Dye Pit Community in Kano, Nigeria, known for their ancient indigo dyeing techniques. Their fabric has been used in both the Mali and Malam Shirts as well as the Indigo Remi Trousers, so each of these pieces incorporate the beauty of ancient African history in our modern wardrobe. 

We empower local economies by sourcing printed wax cotton locally from small Nigerian vendors in Abuja markets and employing skilled artisans. We prioritise fair trade practices, ensuring fair pay and respect for all involved. Our commitment to community wellbeing is evident in everything we do. Through our collections and partnerships, we proudly uplift West African communities and share their cultural heritage with the world.

Embracing nature is a core aspect of Kamso's philosophy. How does the beauty of African nature inspire the colour palette and design choices in the upcoming collection? Are there specific natural elements that served as a muse during the creative process?

I draw endless inspiration from the breathtaking beauty of African nature, from lush green landscapes to vibrant streets. Nigeria's natural environment constantly fuels our design process. Our upcoming collection reflects Africa's diverse landscapes with a curated colour palette. Earthy tones like rich browns, deep greens, and warm oranges evoke the African sun and earth, celebrating the region's natural beauty and fostering a connection to the land.

Specific natural elements inspire our designs directly. For instance, the golden orange light of daybreak inspired our 'Sunset Wave' print shorts, while 'Sage Blossom' dresses and rompers and 'Dark Fern' shirt and shorts draw from native flora. Traditional African art and architecture's geometric shapes also influence our collection.

Overall, our upcoming collection celebrates African nature's diversity and beauty. Through our designs, we aim to share the magic of the natural world with families worldwide.

Kamso's almost utilitarian design makes the collection versatile for both boys and girls. How do you approach gender inclusivity in your designs, and are there any challenges or successes you've encountered while ensuring that the pieces resonate with a diverse audience?

I advocate for clothing that embraces individuality over traditional gender norms. Our designs prioritise versatility, comfort, and empowerment for all children, irrespective of gender identity. We emphasise functionality, comfort, and style, using clean lines and high-quality materials to create inclusive clothing suitable for any child's gender expression.

Our collection offers diverse colours, patterns, and silhouettes to appeal to a wide range of tastes and styles, including vibrant prints inspired by West African textiles and classic silhouettes with modern twists.

Despite challenges, such as the limited availability of gender-neutral options in the mainstream market, we've proactively filled this gap by designing inclusive pieces based on customer feedback and our values.

We're pleased with the positive response from parents and children alike, as our commitment to gender inclusivity has built a loyal customer base. Witnessing children confidently wearing our designs regardless of gender or age drives us to continue challenging stereotypes in children's fashion.

Kamso serves as a cultural ambassador, introducing aspects of West African heritage to a broader audience. How do you envision using Kamso's upcoming collection to educate and foster cultural appreciation among children and their families?

At Kamso Kids, we're more than just stylish and comfy kid's clothing. We're cultural ambassadors, sharing West Africa's vibrant heritage globally. Our upcoming collection doubles as a storytelling tool, showcasing designs, patterns, and colours inspired by West African traditions to spark curiosity and understanding.

To deepen cultural appreciation, we plan to accompany our collection with fun facts about designs, and insights into their cultural significance soon. This summer, our aim is to offer workshops on traditional crafts and storytelling sessions featuring folktales from the region.

Our marketing campaigns prioritise diversity, ensuring children from all backgrounds see themselves reflected in our brand. Ultimately, we aim to foster meaningful connections and inspire a new generation to celebrate and respect global cultures through Kamso Kids.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share a little bit about your gorgeous brand Seyi! Our customers will be able to shop the collection with us from 15/02/24 and can follow along with your journey and ever-beautiful behind the scenes at @kamsokids .