IN CASA BY PABOY

Paboy Bojang launched his brand during the lockdown of spring 2020 after becoming creatively frustrated without a job

I grew up in The Gambia in a small village with my granny. I left the country to seek asylum, travelling to Libya and then crossing to Italy, finally arriving two years after starting my journey. Before the pandemic, I was working as an artisan in prestigious ceramics and majolica workshop Antica Manifattura di Stingo, but I lost my job due to the slow immigration system.

I found a sewing machine and some vintage fabrics where I was living with my friend and I was immediately inspired. I used to be a tailor back home and everyone always needs cushions, so it felt like a good place to start.

My surroundings always inspire my work. From the long dresses that women in my village wore to the mosque on special occasions to the colour of the old buildings in Naples where I live now.

In Italy it is not easy for migrants, it is very hard to get the right documents to do anything entrepreneurial. But I am so grateful for all the support of my customers who have helped me make my dreams happen. On my Instagram there is such an amazing community. People from all over the world support each other, we all share each other’s posts and really want each other to be successful.

Right now, I am working on building a solid foundation for my business and then I really hope to employ more migrants in Naples to work with me. I want to create more products – like duvet covers, tablecloths and napkins… I always have so many ideas and I love being creative, so let’s hope I can keep going! incasabypaboy.com