Q&A: Biyunka’s Bianca Cooper

“Take a look inside the mind of the Atlanta-based designer and her apparel brand.”- BOSCO

Cover Biyunka1214Models Adrienne Egolum (left) and RipMu rock Biyunka gear.Photos by Salim GarciaSo tell me a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a designer and artist.

I have never been fond of going too deep for the intro about myself to an audience. Mostly because I am constantly changing and growing, along with my process, so to tell all, it becomes monotonous. Also, I want people to think, pay attention to detail and speak with nonverbal communication. I am addicted to creating pieces that will challenge the mind and morale. This is why I create and will continue to create.


Your designs have such a geometric quality to them. I’m curious to know the background on that. How do you go about choosing your design and color palettes? Are you inspired by science and math?

Science and math are definitely how I create hell, how we all create. I have always paid close attention to particles and understood the power and importance of synapses in the brain. Sometimes, I create spontaneously. Sometimes I don’t “know” what I am doing. I just let my brain and hands work simultaneously. I am constantly studying art from textiles to oil painting to sculpture to music to grooming animals. Honestly, I have only taken, like, one art class my whole life. So I am what you call an “ignorant artist,” and I am perfectly OK with that because I will remain organic.


Cover Biyunka1114Adrienne Egolum for Biyunka What are the challenges you face being a designer of color?

None. I do not follow the status quo, so I never have to worry about comparing myself or my wants to it. I am beyond the societal construct of normalcy.


Is it hard drawing inspiration from smaller cities? What inspires you to push beyond the boundaries of “home?”

Not at all. My ancestral home, well the one I know about the most, is in the Highlands of the Appalachians, Clifton Forge and Covington, Virginia. Both are small cities well, one is a town but both are inspirational and organic. People are different up there. Nature is different. Animals are different. Etiquette is different. Growing up in small cities, I learned to appreciate the small stuff and to always remember that the sky’s the limit. Every summer, I go home for our family reunions, and I come back to Atlanta with more knowledge, spiritual power and a higher sense of fuckery. My parents are one-of-a-kind and so are our poodle pets, where I also draw inspiration. They all literally gave and give me life.

As far as Atlanta goes, it is still a very conservative, racially divided city, so yes, sometimes I find it difficult to find inspiration because people are too normal, especially since being Black does not fit the status quo. We may come off as being “too loud,” “too dirty,” “too vulgar,” etc. I spend a lot of my time walking the streets of this city, because that is where anything goes without any judgment and where I feel most comfortable. I catch a lot of random, funny shit in the streets. I do miss the old Atlanta though, where you could stand on the block or at a park without being harassed by the city for not really doing shit but gaining inspiration and motivation from one another or simply bonding. I definitely miss old Atlanta’s fashion. It just made sense. Also, I wish everyone would walk more!


In this political climate how do you stay inspired to create?

I do not let policy keep me from thinking and creating.


Where did you grow up, and how has it affected the person you are today?

Well, I was born on a military base in Berlin, Germany, then moved back to the states. From there, we lived in Virginia, Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia, all Southern states. Traveling at a young age taught me that there are levels to people and levels to life. It taught me that everything is not always supposed to make sense. It also taught me to never judge a book by its cover because conservatism will keep the truth about a person hidden, but I know how to read energy. My parents’ hometown also molded me into who I am today; it holds a dense history, and because of that I am disciplined, loose, tenacious, humorous and very aware. This makes my creative process a breeze because I still have my childlike imagination.


Cover Biyunka1314Margo Jane for BiyunkaYour designs seem very youthful and sort of cartoon-like/animated. Where does your inspiration for that come from?

Nature, animals and my poodles.


What advice could you give other designers pursuing their dreams?

Literally, do what feels natural to you, and always be original. Oh, and learn how to reference. I would also tell them to never create for popularity. A lot of people create for the internet instead of for the legacy. Do not do that.

For more info, visit biyunka.tumblr.com.






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