Onesimo is a surface designer, artist and the founder of One I Am, a fashion brand that is about world making. His recycled plastic bag forms part of the five-part #RefashionPlastic collection. For this year’s #PlasticFreeMzansi campaign we collaborated with five designers who have made garments and accessories from plastic waste. Illustrating circular design, VIVIERS Studio, Our Workshop, One I AM, Not Just a Comb and Crystal Birch have given plastic the value it deserves. Their designer items are now in a surprise basket travelling between five personalities (one per week of July) who are re-wearing and styling these garments as they wish.
Onesimo’s design approach is organic. “There is no planning and I try not to use my mind, I let my hands take control and capture feelings that I am not even aware of. I consider my work my journal,” says Onesimo.
Onesimo spoke to us about #RefashionPlastic:
Making the bag
The bag was initially an A3 size tote bag made from black plastic bags cut into strips which I wove together – I am obsessed with grids. These were held together with contact sheet. But I had to think about the bag’s durability. I dis-assembled the first bag and used it as embellishment. The black bag became panels on a re-enforced Musica shopping bag to make the big, rectangular bag. So it’s safe to say I have recycled!
- Images by Jackie May and supplied by Onesimo
- We’ll be interviewing Onesimo on Twyg Instagram live on Friday 24 July, 2020 at 1.30pm
- You can read about the #RefashionProject here.
- Design collaborator, Crystal Birch here.
- Design collaborator, Hamzeh Alfaraneh here.
- Design collaborator Our Workshop here.
