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Lookbook

“WHAT IF LOVE NEVER COMES?” ORANGE CULTURE FW23/24

After an extremely publicized and taunting valentine festive season in February. the orange culture FW23 collection asks a very unconventional question. a question that even if most people won’t admit, is truly terrifying. “what if love never comes?” Adebayo oke lawal, the chief executive and creative director at orange culture. (who is also a member of the BOF 500 class 0f 2022). had this to say concerning the brand’s Fall/winter 2023/2024 collection that was presented in the tranoi showroom in Paris; “there is something redemptive about asking ourselves important questions. especially the ones that society never quite allows us to ask. with this collection I wanted to introduce a new curiosity on belonging. what we own, and to whom we belong.” Adebayo oke lawal Mr lawal, AKA the orange nerd. saw a gap in how we socially segregate ourselves. our need to “be complete”. that was what inspired this collection, a honest campaign for authentic self-love. why do we accept the illusion that we are incomplete by ourselves? or that we need a significant other to be made whole? so what if love never comes? what will we do then? The collection seeks to stimulate us to take-on the challenge of finding individual wholeness. we should look to other sources for purpose and identity. The pieces from this collection were on display at the tranoi show room from the 2nd to the 5th of march. the collection featured an extensive color pallet, with very intricate garments. something the brand has been know for over the years. hand-stitched waves, Yoruba embroidery and woven fabrics were some of the methods used in manufacturing. the photography and styling of the collection, placed it in a context where questions just have to be raised and answers supplied. with how distinct each outfit is, can these garments co-exist together? check out the full collection below Creative direction @olaoluebitiPhotography @ethanjhart_Hair @joydarlinginnitBeauty @dolli.glamLogistics @nworaemenikeAssistant photography @a.treesAssistant stylist @leoniedennett

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A VOICE OF HOPE; “E GO BETA” OSHOBOR SS23

Driven by sustainability, culture, and love for their beloved country Nigeria. the proudly indigenous brand oshobour Released their SS23 collection dubbed “e go beta” in late January. the collection featured colorful and vibrant motifs, most notably the lion head on the “EZE MMAKU T-shirt. strong cultural references were not in any way lacking in the gender fluid collection as a lot of the pieces featured recognizable cultural themes. sustainability is a driving force at the brand so the approach to manufacturing this collection was pre-dominantly upcycling. pieces made from 100% hand installed waste yarn, with dresses and two-piece outfits made from studio fabric off cuts were some of the means employed by the brand to ensure waste is eliminated. peter oshobor the creative director and founder of the eponymous brand had a strong message of hope attached to this collection. he addressed the demoralizing and mediocre reality of the average Nigerian right now. he used his platform to encourage Nigerians to vote in the just concluded Nigerian elections with a mindset that things can get better. a very apt message right now if we’re being honest. continue to view full lookbook; photography by @olajyde_shot_it and @waltercreatesphotographs Makeup by @paul_glam and @facesbymaraan Hairstylist @mj_beautyhub Styling and direction @peteroshobor assisted by @_ibeszn

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ATAFO COLLABORATES WITH THE MACALLAN ON IT’S COLLECTION ‘THE ATELIER’

Celebrated Nigerian designer Mai Atafo collaborated with renowned Scottish Whiskey ‘The Macallan’ to showcase 2023 Summer/Spring Collection themed ‘Atelier’. The event held on 20th November 2022 at the Podium, Lekki, Lagos state. The Exhibition was graced by the high-ups of the Nigerian entertainment scenery like Ebuka Obi-Chikwendu, Omawunmi, Basketmouth, Linda Ejiofor, Beverley Osu, Sharon Ooja, Uti Nwachukwu, Alex Ekubo, IK Ogbonna, and a host of others. Atafo is far-famed in Nigerian and African Fashion cycles. He is celebrated for his sartorial excellence, elegance and overall mastery of well-tailored bespoke dresses for men and women.  The Atelier’s exhibition marked the brand’s return from a three-year hiatus from runway exhibitions and the brand’s first official stand-alone exhibition. The landmark event also celebrated the brand’s Creative Director Ohimai Atafo’s 12 years as a tailor and fashion designer. Atelier brilliantly and meticulously showcases the “length and breadth of what Atafo offers and stands for”. The Macallan is a world-class single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Scotland renowned for exceptionally superb whisky. The Macallan brand represents excellence, class and rarity and exemplifies its stance with this Nigerian collaboration. The Atafo x Macallan collaboration recognizes the synergy between the respective niche areas and symbolizes and celebrates mastery in excellent craftsmanship. Abayomi Ajao, Edrington’s (Owners of the Macallan) Customer Marketing Manager, West & North Africa had this to say: “The Macallan is renowned as the world’s leading single malt whiskies and globally celebrated for its unique taste and style, methods and craftsmanship. For almost 200 years, The Macallan has maintained an outstanding quality and distinctive character. This legacy and reputation form the motivation for our collaboration with the highly respected Nigerian designer, Mai Atafo. The Macallan recognises Nigeria’s vibrant fashion industry that is characterised by colour and beautiful expressions and this partnership is another investment in the exceptional talents within the industry,” The Atelier is a conglomeration of bridal, traditional, men and women’s wear collections.  These lines collectively embody a showcase that displays Atafo’s elegance, magnificence and outright Grandeur. The Bridal Collection The bridal collection features a variety of elegantly styled dresses and silhouettes suited for differing tastes. The collection is an exhibition from its diffusion brand Atafo Bridal which launched sometime in 2011. The bridal diffusion brand caters for exquisite and dainty bridal couture tastes.   Menswear Collection The menswear collection showcased Atafo’s unparalleled knack and adeptness in bespoke suits and tuxedoes. An exhibition of elaborate cuttings and fittings for the ‘Perfect Gentleman’. Little wonder, the runway was graced with Ric Hassani. Traditional Collection The traditional collection stars a rich array of colour, class and style. We are left to savour the radiance and affluence from the colour pallet explored by the designer. An artist indeed! Womenswear Collection The Atelier Women’s collection leaves one utterly bedazzled and stunned. The collection successfully transforms and adds a modern flair to an otherwise formal look. The collection features a miscellany of suits, two pieces, and others made from the finest fabrics varying in texture and colour. What are your thoughts on the collection? Please share them below.

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CRUDE MATRIX: 2022 FALL/WINTER COLLECTION BY I.N OFFICIAL

With the overture of the cool winds of Fall, I.N Official has released its 2022 Fall/Winter collection themed ‘Crude Matrix’. I.N Official is a famed fashion brand owned by popular Nigerian fashion designer, music manager and connector, Ifeanyi Nwune. THE MAN Ifeanyi’s multifacetedness, versatility and consciousness of global culture has left his footprints in different spheres like Fashion, Music, arts, lifestyle and more recently, NFTs. As a luminary in casual and Streetwear, he is well versed in his craft and he has styled a deluge of celebrities at home and abroad. To mention a few, Davido, Flavour, Mayorkun, Naira Marley, Khalid, Big Sean, Stevie Wonder amongst a host of others. Yes! You guessed right. His designs are featured on the 2021 movie, Coming 2 America. THE COLLECTION The ‘Crude Matrix’ collection features black, sombre and coloured jackets, overcoats, hoodies, shirts and pants made from a variety of materials like silk, leather, neoprene, denim amongst others. The collection embodies a savvy expression on the need to reach deep into the core of our beings; to recognize and harness the underlying untapped beauty within our raw, aboriginal forms. At a time when so many people experience insecurities and identity crisis, the theme of the collection couldn’t be more timely and profound. “The beauty of the universe lies in its diversity and could not be more emphasized when we all express life to the fullest; in our rawest, purest forms.” Following up to our “New World Order” collection, this drop further encourages I.N Official’s gospel of self-discovery, embracing our individual universes while positively changing the world around us. The Black overcoats and dark sunglasses showcased in the collection appear to be a reference to the Sci-Fi action classic ‘The Matrix’. Perhaps, from which the name of the collection was coined from. The Polaroid sunglasses featured in a number of the looks are from his sunglasses diffusion brand ‘Seevion’. Ifeanyi has partnered with Slum2School Africa and WE ARE NEW AFRICA (WANA) and has donated a whopping 20 % from the sales of the collection to the training of children living in slums and remote communities across Africa. This partnership gives credence to his passion, commitment and dedication towards the empowerment of the African dream.   In an interview with Okay Africa, when asked about his efforts towards changing the norms and African narrative, he said: By showing up, constantly creating and applying new approaches to fashion with respect to lifestyle and philanthropy. As much as we are about style, we focus on giving back to the community as well. Ifeanyi is indeed one of those who continue to impact and influence the African narrative towards betterment. Photography : Chuchu Ojekwe Model: Dami Dave What are your thoughts on the collection or the Designer?

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‘DREAMLAND’ ORANGE CULTURE’S SPRING-SUMMER COLLECTION 2023

Nigerian based Contemporary Androgynous brand Orange Culture has released its 2023 Spring-Summer Collection themed ‘Dreamland’. Orange Culture is renowned for its non-conformist and expressive style. Orange Culture has been described to be more than a fashion brand, a movement that maintains its unique vision of fashion and continues to champion eccentric and daring campaigns in traditional and contemporary African fashion circles. With the prevalent sway on the gender and gender-inclusivity discourse, Orange Culture conveniently harmonizes this divide, curating haute couture that derail along gender lines nonetheless ladened with novel and unparalleled allure. As far as we can tell, Orange Culture continues to make waves within and beyond the shores of Nigeria and Africa at large, garnering several international recognitions and nominations like the LVMH prize and Woolmark prize along the way. The brand has become a huge influence to many (designers alike) and is easily credited to be a pacesetter in Contemporary Urban Street wear in Nigeria. Orange Culture’s 2023 Spring-summer collection ‘Dreamland’ is a stunning collection that utilizes and conflates a laudatory blend of colours and a rich array of fabric. While showcasing a range of custom African-print fabric, the collection exhibit a seemingly simple but Aesthetically astounding masterpiece. Worthy of note is the exquisite detailing and finishing in the collection. We see subtle splashes of colour on some of the pieces; elaborate handcrafting with garment stones, sequins, ostrich feathers, crotchet outfits and eccentric handmade bead bags. Orange Culture makes a connection to its Nigerian roots with the collection retaining a predominantly Nigerian backdrop and a number of the outfit names tracing its nomenclature to the South Eastern and South western Regions of Nigeria. Overall, Orange Culture makes bold with its 2023 Spring-Summer collection. In its usual tenacity, it upsets the boundaries of what some within the Nigerian clime would consider regular. Audacious and venturous indeed! What do you think about this Collection? Share your thoughts.

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FIRST LOOK AT THE BCSZN “SURVIVAL” LOOK BOOK

BCSZN taps into creative activism for its second collection titled SURVIVAL, referencing events like #EndSARS, having shot many parts of the look book at the infamous lekki toll gate where the massacre happened in solidarity to the people of Nigeria and the fallen hero’s, which features pieces like holsters, bracelets, Jedi suits and others, that make you feel like a warrior and super hero.  Photography – AbdulRahman Binitie (@rvhmon)Talents – Ikenna Nwosu ( @ikennaSnwosu)                Olanike Omokanye ( @Chugarkanye)                Joseph Usiagwu ( @josephusiagwu)Styling – @poophmoore , @josephusiagwuCreative Direction– @poophmoore 

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DAVID BLACKMORE X VIBESWITH-T CAPSULE COLLECTION

Nigerian urban brand: David Blackmore recently collaborated with visual brand Vibeswith-T to release a limited edition capsule collection just in time for the summer holiday. The capsule collection which has been dubbed “SUMMER VIBRATIONS 2018” draws inspiration from the feeling and human connections during the period of the summer.

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