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?