Shaka Maidoh

Designer — London

01Profile

A Shaka Maidoh Photo

03Interview

Name
Shaka Maidoh

What do you do?
Travelling tailor at Art Comes First.

Define your style in three words
Past, present, future.

How does the past inform your designs today?
Again, it’s past – present – future. Our designs are informed by the past and look to the future.

What role do people, travel and collecting have in your creative process?
It’s basically the basis of my inspiration. We start off with people who inspire us. From my forefather to my father. Definitely an inspiration is hand-me-downs, styles they’ve passed over to us are a big source of inspiration. Travelling changes your world view. Because of the nature of our business, we are constantly on the road. People wonder how we have the time to create, but we create whilst travelling – we pick up so many new things as we are constantly on the road.

How has your personal style evolved over the last decade?
The colour palette and silhouette has changed. To progress you have to move on with time – which is what I meant with past-present-future. I’ve been into many subcultures - from punk to skinhead, even hip hop. The hip hop style was baggy jeans and all that’s changed. It goes with time, and music is a big factor that helps determine the change.

How does music influence the way you dress and design?
Music is a big factor. Music and fashion, they are like a married couple. They are from the same family, and need to be together. A subculture needs a soundtrack. For creativity you need a soundtrack. We work closely with artists who inspire us, and we create concepts around them based on our relationships. Music is a big, big part of what we do.  

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
Toots & The Maytals - 'Pressure Drop'

A song from your favourite album?
'Tearz' - Wu-Tang Clan from Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers

A song you wish you had written?
Bob Marley - 'Africa Unite'

A music icon that has inspired you and favourite song?
Jimi Hendrix - 'Hey Joe'

What was the last piece of music you bought?
'Sankofa' (split with Salah Ragab and the Afro-Egyptian Ensemble) by Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

A song lyric that has inspired you.
'Straight Edge' by Minor Threat

Who is your biggest inspiration musically?
Thelonious Monk

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Oasis - 'Wonderwall'

What music did you listen to growing up?
An eccentric mix; from Jazz like Miles Davis, Afro jazz Fela Kuti to Reggae Peter Tosh, Punk Rock like Bad Brains to Wu-Tang Clan to Michael Jackson, James Brown, Police, Rolling Stones... the list goes on.

Best love song of all time?
'Mind Sex' by Dead Prez is a great love song, same as 'A Woman’s Work' by Maxwell but I don't think it’s the best love song of all time though…

Best song to turn up loud?
'Fight The Power' - Public Enemy

A British music icon that has inspired you and favourite track.
Mick Jagger - 'Dancing in the Street', featuring David Bowie.

Best record to bring people together?
A Tribe Called Quest - 'Low End Theory'

03Interview

Name
Shaka Maidoh

What do you do?
Travelling tailor at Art Comes First.

Define your style in three words
Past, present, future.

How does the past inform your designs today?
Again, it’s past – present – future. Our designs are informed by the past and look to the future.

What role do people, travel and collecting have in your creative process?
It’s basically the basis of my inspiration. We start off with people who inspire us. From my forefather to my father. Definitely an inspiration is hand-me-downs, styles they’ve passed over to us are a big source of inspiration. Travelling changes your world view. Because of the nature of our business, we are constantly on the road. People wonder how we have the time to create, but we create whilst travelling – we pick up so many new things as we are constantly on the road.

How has your personal style evolved over the last decade?
The colour palette and silhouette has changed. To progress you have to move on with time – which is what I meant with past-present-future. I’ve been into many subcultures - from punk to skinhead, even hip hop. The hip hop style was baggy jeans and all that’s changed. It goes with time, and music is a big factor that helps determine the change.

How does music influence the way you dress and design?
Music is a big factor. Music and fashion, they are like a married couple. They are from the same family, and need to be together. A subculture needs a soundtrack. For creativity you need a soundtrack. We work closely with artists who inspire us, and we create concepts around them based on our relationships. Music is a big, big part of what we do.  

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
Toots & The Maytals - 'Pressure Drop'

A song from your favourite album?
'Tearz' - Wu-Tang Clan from Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers

A song you wish you had written?
Bob Marley - 'Africa Unite'

A music icon that has inspired you and favourite song?
Jimi Hendrix - 'Hey Joe'

What was the last piece of music you bought?
'Sankofa' (split with Salah Ragab and the Afro-Egyptian Ensemble) by Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

A song lyric that has inspired you.
'Straight Edge' by Minor Threat

Who is your biggest inspiration musically?
Thelonious Monk

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Oasis - 'Wonderwall'

What music did you listen to growing up?
An eccentric mix; from Jazz like Miles Davis, Afro jazz Fela Kuti to Reggae Peter Tosh, Punk Rock like Bad Brains to Wu-Tang Clan to Michael Jackson, James Brown, Police, Rolling Stones... the list goes on.

Best love song of all time?
'Mind Sex' by Dead Prez is a great love song, same as 'A Woman’s Work' by Maxwell but I don't think it’s the best love song of all time though…

Best song to turn up loud?
'Fight The Power' - Public Enemy

A British music icon that has inspired you and favourite track.
Mick Jagger - 'Dancing in the Street', featuring David Bowie.

Best record to bring people together?
A Tribe Called Quest - 'Low End Theory'