Seeking the Creative: Nneamaka Odom, Creative Director and Stylist

CREDIT: Nneamaka Odom

How would you describe your art in three words?

My art in three words would be dramatic, flavorful, and mutable.

Nneamaka Odom, a 20 year old Creative Director and Stylist from Abuja, Nigeria, was gifted with a creative vision that doesn’t tolerate hesitation or sameness. Nneamaka’s mind is constantly brainstorming artistic projects that represent her bold, unapologetic sense of self. Starting from a young age, when she would experiment and play dress up in her childhood bedroom, Nneamaka gathers inspiration from her colorful world and creates fashion looks that catch your attention instantly. Whether it be simply choosing an outfit to wear that day, or styling models for a photoshoot, this young visionary is always assembling a show stopping outfit. Nneamaka creates with the intention of breaking barriers, and invites those viewing her work to step outside their comfort zones and ignore “the rules of fashion,” because for Nneamaka, fashion is what you make of it.

Where/how do you gather inspiration?

A lot of my inspiration comes from my identity being black, particularly Nigerian, and a woman. I am inspired by the colors and environment I grew up around in Nigeria. I was lucky enough to grow up in a city that is still abundant with nature and animals and trees. So as much as I am a city kid, being outside surrounded with insects and greenery was a big part of my childhood. I am also very inspired by my culture, whether that be through elements and aesthetics of my tribe (igbo), my religion (christianity), or my means of communication (Nigerian slang and etiquette). My mind really runs at 100 miles per hour so I am never short of ideas. I always have something I am trying to bring to life. Whether it’s a music video treatment for a song that hit a lil harder that one listen. Or a journalistic story Idea to pursue. Or an outfit to put together. I am really multifaceted and I thank God for giving me such skill in the various creative tasks I undertake because the Sagittarius in me can’t stay on a job for more than 2 days at a time; a blessing and a curse.

What do you hope audiences retain from your work?

Most importantly, with everything I put out I hope the audience at least acknowledges the effort and dedication that was put in. Not everyone is going to understand or agree with my art and I am completely fine with that. I would just hope that a shimmer of the pride and value I hold towards what I create is reflected and received. For my audience that my art does and will resonate with, I hope it makes them feel seen and less crazy. My thoughts and ideas, to me, are so unique and individualistic but I will never be convinced that I am the only person that thinks up the shit I do. There’s no way; the world must have more cool people lol. So for whatever reason, whether it be that these people are maybe too scared (I once was) or not too sure how to translate their thoughts to art, I would love to be a visual mouth/head piece for them. So they can be like “omg yes! This is what I’ve been trying to say! Or do! Or be!”. I love when my message and theme is easily retained. I hope to inspire people to be more of the person they’ve always craved to be, no matter how wacky 🙂