Niamh
Mannion

OMO

Inspired by the indigenous Mursi and Surma tribes of the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. This collection represents the violence and brutality a tribal youth is faced with as they transition from child to warrior. ‘Omo’ reflects the tribes many unique cultural traditions, clashed with a contemporary urban sportswear aesthetic. It explores their culture’s unique artistic use of nature and body paint, along with their many unusual violent traditions (such as stick-fighting, lip-stretching, and scarification), all in aim to attract the opposite sex.

Contemporary fabrics such as scuba jerseys, laytex and paint coated fabrics, leatherettes and denims are used throughout this collection. “Omo” consists of techniques such as hand painted design on fabric and appliqued layers of frayed bag strapping.

Work Placement

Jean-Pierre Braganza, London. Michael Van Der Ham, London