Edvin Thompson of Theophilo is a Brooklyn-based clothier whose Jamaican heritage kinds the underlying foundation of his model. Since his love for trend developed early on in highschool Thompson turned desperate to study all the things he may about trend. Upon shifting to the Huge Apple, he has by no means let go of the cultural affect of Jamaica, his beginning nation. Every assortment he produces references the island’s flag.
Staying true to himself and his heritage led him to win the CFDA Vogue Award for American Rising Designer of The 12 months in 2021. For Thompson’s Spring 2022 runway present, he drew inspiration from the island’s nationwide air provider, Air Jamaica. It was the primary plane he took when immigrating to America from the West Indian Isle. His Spring 2023 assortment, titled “Homecoming,” was an homage to himself touring again dwelling to Kingston, Jamaica whereas additionally celebrating his life within the U.S.
Although he now resides Stateside, he’ll at all times be a Kingston boy at coronary heart. In keeping with Thompson, his line, Theophilio, is a wearable autobiography of his lived experiences on this nation. Try his backstory beneath.
EBONY: Inform us slightly bit about your heritage and backgroundEdvin Thompson: I used to be born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. My complete household is Jamaican. After I was 9 years previous, my grandmother, mom, siblings and I moved to New Jersey the place we lived for eight years. Then, in 2010 my complete household, together with my father, moved to Atlanta, the place we lived for 4 years. Atlanta is the place I accomplished highschool. An internet class with the Academy of Artwork College based mostly in San Francisco prompted my transfer to New York in 2014, the place I now at the moment reside.
How did you get into design?Vogue design has at all times been part of my life however after my on-line class with the Academy of Artwork College, I needed to achieve a extra hands-on studying expertise in trend design. I had hoped to review on the Vogue Institute of Expertise however was unable to on the time as a result of my monetary standing.
I used to be lucky sufficient to achieve mentors throughout this time that supported my need to enter the business. I started interning with numerous photographers, stylists and types. Internships with Amanda Uprichard and Gypsy Sport allowed me to acquire entry to a wide range of assets: material shops, chopping rooms and tailors. These internships acted as a pillar to studying extra in regards to the trend business.
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How has your Jamaican heritage knowledgeable your designs? My Jamaican heritage has knowledgeable all the things from my fabrications to my colours to my silhouettes. Denim is the material used closely all through my designs, and I keep in mind fondly when my mother would gown my siblings and me up in distressed denim and denim shorts with trucker jackets.
Jersey is one other material I typically gravitate in the direction of; it’s harking back to basketball units and netted shirts us children used to put on on the island. Rising up, my aunts and grandmother had been those who sewed my college uniforms. Even from a younger age, I used to be at all times acutely aware of how garments functioned and the way they made me really feel.
Worth: $200
Store at Theophilio
Worth: $150
Store at Theophilio
Inform us about your newest assortment.My newest assortment, “Homecoming, is a love letter to Jamaica and a celebration of the city cities I lived in since shifting to the USA. Theophilio is a wearable autobiography making each assortment a set of my lived experiences. Forward of the debut of the gathering, my group and I had been capable of take an attractive journey again dwelling to Jamaica to shoot an editorial that coincided with the message of the bigger assortment.
Worth: $300
Store at Theophilio
What challenges have you ever confronted as a global designer?As a global designer, one of many best challenges I face is elevating funding. I didn’t have any capital to start out my model. My very early initiatives and collections had been funded by each penny I saved working earlier jobs. I’m extraordinarily grateful for the mentors and assist I’ve in constructing the enterprise to the place it’s at the moment, however I nonetheless assume the business must make a continued effort to assist rising designers and Black-owned companies.
Worth: $325
Store at Theophilio
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