Meet Anu Odugbesan: Art Director at Calvin Klein, co-owner of her own brand atijo, and a multifaceted creative force in the fashion industry. From a young age, Anu’s curiosity and passion for fashion paved the way for a career that blends styling, art direction, and sustainable practices.
At Calvin Klein, she collaborates with talented teams to bring the brand’s vision to life, ensuring the highest quality in every detail. Balancing a busy career with self-care, Anu is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of sustainability and inclusivity in fashion. Her journey is a powerful example of how passion and hard work can create meaningful change.
T. What initially sparked your interest in fashion and art direction?
A. Growing up I’ve always had an interest and curiosity in fashion. And when trying to navigate my way through the industry it was styling that really resonated with me, it felt like the most natural thing for me to do, it gives me a sense of excitement. Art direction has been an extension of this and felt like the most strategic move for growth in my career.
Building our brand atijo it allows me to incorporate both styling and art direction together whilst working on a project that I’m truly excited and passionate about.
T. What are the key responsibilities and tasks you handle as a Senior Art Director at Calvin Klein?
A.As a senior art director, my role is to ensure we attain the highest level of quality for PDP. This role is very collaborative which consists of a team that includes photographers, models, hair and makeup artists, stylists, and digi’s.
I oversee the sets, ensuring that the overall output aligns with the brand’s vision.
Being able to collaborate with like-minded creatives every day is one of the highlights of the role for me.
T. Can you walk us through your creative process when working on a new campaign or project?
A. With our brand atijo we’re working on a new project with a seamstress to rework some of our favourite denim cuts. This feels like an exciting moment for the brand as we evolve and segway into a slightly different direction. We wanted to create pieces that would seamlessly fit into our everyday wardrobe yet feel elevated and authentic to our style.
We’ve been working on this project for over a year, starting with concepting and developing the idea, through researching and creating mood boards. From there designing the pieces, and working with the seamstress, sourcing and selecting the fabrics.
We always want to be as sustainable as we can, so ensuring we have minimal waste is really important to us, the collection will be made to pre order to further support this.
The samples are now ready, and we are in the process of shooting our lookbook and preparing our launch and marketing strategy.
As a brand your aim is to always evolve and grow and I feel we’re really doing this in an organic way.
T. How do you see the fashion industry evolving in the next few years, and what role do you hope to play in that evolution?
A. I think from what we’re seeing, technology and innovation will be some of the biggest driving forces within the fashion industry as we continue to lean heavily towards a more digital era. Collectively as an industry I hope we continue to push the narrative of sustainability and inclusivity. Moving away from it being performative and it being more authentically engraved and integral within all facets of the industry.
For me, I will continue to advocate this within the work that I do and push for greater inclusivity and representation
T. What skills do you think are crucial for an art director?
A. Within art direction there are several different paths you can take but I think some of the most important skills would be concept developing, communication, team leadership and problem solving these are some of the key attributes that would really help steer and navigate through the role.
T. What strategies do you use to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A. Setting boundaries is a real tool that I practice both with work and my personal life.
From limiting the amount of work I take home with me/ or answering emails outside of working hours. Or just sometimes simply having lunch by myself to take a moment away from everything.
I try to keep Sundays as free as possible which is my day to really unwind and switch off, this really helps me with my mental.
And then self-care, massages, working out and meditating. This always makes me feel balanced. Also, just learning not to take things so personal. Practicing an element of detachment from things and outcomes.
T. What inspires you outside of the fashion industry? Any favorite books, movies, or artists?
A. I think there is so much art and creativity to draw inspiration from.
I love books, I’m endlessly inspired by James Baldwin and Toni Morrison.
Exploring exhibitions is one of my favourite things to do when I get a chance. A highlight for me so far this year was ‘colonialism and Rotterdam’ at the Wereldmusuem.
Highlighting the Netherlands colonial past and how its infrastructure was built off slavery. It’s a great exhibition to check out. I discovered so many brilliantly talented artists like Dawit L Petros and Sabelo Mlangeni.
Instagram: anuodugbesan
Website: www.atijostore.com
