AFROCENTRISM
SS25
The Afrocentrism Collection was born out of a desire to challenge the dominant
narratives of luxury and heritage in fashion. The goal was to re-center West Africa;
not as a trend, but as a foundation and a creative powerhouse. The collection was
inspired by ancestral pride and cultural memory.
Growing up surrounded by stories, fabrics, and traditions passed down through
generations, I became deeply aware of the silent power woven into every stitch of the
traditional handwoven fabric from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. The
name “Aso Oke” in Yoruba means “top cloth” or “cloth of high status,” associated
with royalty and cultural identity.
Every piece in the collection is crafted to reflect resilience. The silhouettes challenge
Western conventions while remaining rooted in African form and function. The
inspiration behind the cowries in the collection is a representation of pre-colonial
wealth and sovereignty. Cowrie shells were once used as currency across much of
West Africa, long before colonial systems imposed Western economies. By
incorporating cowries into the pieces, I’m reconnecting with that legacy. They also
evoke a sense of regality and elegance; but in a distinctly African context.
The Spring/Summer collection celebrates African heritage with a modern twist,
reimagining the rich tradition of Aso-Oke in contemporary silhouettes. Inspired by the
resilience and elegance of African craftsmanship, the collection blends cultural
authenticity with bold, modern tailoring. Featuring Aso-Oke jackets, shorts, caps,
cargo pants, tunics, waistcoats, and structured blazers, each piece embodies the
essence of Afrocentric pride while embracing the breezy sophistication of warmweather fashion.
The collection fuses vibrant hues and sleek cuts, creating a statement of power,
identity, and timeless style. Designed for the modern, fashion-forward individual who
honours tradition while embracing the future, the collection is a bold declaration of
African excellence in global fashion.
Afrocentrism, as a collection, is not a costume, but a statement. It’s an ode to Black
excellence, to centuries of silent genius, and to a future in which African design leads
not as an alternative, but as the standard. It’s for the woman or man who doesn’t just
wear fashion, but wears their identity.
CREDITS
Creative Direction & Design: Olumide Oyewunmi
Collection Photography: Eniilala
Stage Production: Leicester Fashion Week
Runway Makeup: Victoria Louise
