How Gbadebo turned wardrobe renovation into a revolutionary clothing brand

Kemi Gbadebo is the visionary founder and creative director behind the luxury British fashion brand Gbadebo, which is currently blazing a path and leaving exceptional successes in its wake. Her journey is not just about designing stylish and sustainable clothing but also about empowering the next generation of designers to be and think more about everything from methods to materials, and marketing.

In an exclusive conversation with us, Kemi vividly recounts the captivating origin story of Gbadebo. During the lockdown, universities shuttered their doors, but Kemi embraced a self-taught journey. She turned her closet into a creative laboratory, tearing apart and reimagining garments. What started as an experiment ended in triumph when her Depop creations quickly sold out. This unexpected success birthed a mission: to craft a brand that marries sustainability and style, resonating with fashion-conscious, ethically-minded masses.

People were always asking when the next drop was, because they always sold out so quickly. So I just embraced the change and dedicated everything to it.

To bridge the gap between her creative talents and the business side of fashion, Kemi embarked on a self-guided learning journey. She sought inspiration from established brands that she admired and wasn’t hesitant to reach out to them for guidance. 

One such brand was Cold Laundry, known for its captivating marketing, quality clothing, and unique color palettes. Kemi reached out to Cerise, one-half of the brand’s creative duo, and openly discussed her aspirations and challenges. The seasoned brand owner commended her unwavering commitment to her vision, providing a treasure trove of guidance that propelled Kemi further into the realms of knowledge acquisition and expansion. The willingness of established brands to offer guidance played a pivotal role in Kemi’s growth as a founder and designer.

Kemi’s journey began with reworking and upcycling garments found in her closet, but the young designer would soon come to appreciate the true meaning behind circular fashion. With more than 85% of textiles going to the dump every year, Kemi took on the challenge of designing with the whole product life cycle in mind. 

When you’re running a sustainable brand, the role of a designer has to be expanded, you have to really think about the garments journey all the way from design up to its disposal. You’re trying to design pieces that are long-lasting, trans-seasonal, really great quality, and maybe even modular. 

Gbadebo isn’t just leading by example but also actively promoting collaboration. Kemi expressed her philosophy, highlighting the importance of working with various individuals and inspiring them to launch sustainable brands while championing local manufacturing in the UK. 

At the heart of the brand is the name, “Gbadebo”, which is Kemi’s last name, representing a commitment to her family’s upliftment. Many of the designer’s key moments, from their first sold-out drop on Depop to the monumental moment of winning BBC’s Season 1 of “The Drop” have been shared with her family members, who were right there beside her. 

I want to create this fashion house to lift my family up and to make the name mainstream

Gbadebo’s latest collection, launched exclusively with luxury retailer FLANNELS, represents a redefinition of sustainable fashion, breaking away from generic stereotypes. Inspired by the vibrant and bold energy of the ’90s, Kemi Gbadebo reinvents classic streetwear silhouettes while maintaining a positive impact on the environment. From two-tone tracksuits to dungarees with innovative cuts adorned with an all-over print of the brand’s logo, the collection is a great first step in their retail journey.

As Kemi continues her journey, she is not just designing clothing; she is weaving a narrative of sustainability, empowerment, and family legacy into every piece that bears the Gbadebo name. In her story, young designers can find inspiration, and in her brand, they can find a mentor on their own path toward success in the fashion world.

The journey from lockdown experiments to a sustainable fashion brand is far from over, but with Kemi Gbadebo leading the way, and the future of fashion is looks bright when put in hands such as theirs.

Read more GUAP fashion content here.