Okada Men for Highsnobiety

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left to right: FRAMES BY Cutler + GROSS, Gucci

left to right: FRAMES BY Cutler + GROSS, Gucci

photos by Stephen Tayo / frames styled by Alexander-Julian

“nigeria's okada bikers could be the freshest people on earth”

— Highsnobiety

It might seem surprising, but some of Nigeria’s sharpest sartorial efforts can be found on the backs of the motorbikes zipping through the streets of Lagos. The bikes are known locally as keke or okada, a play on now-defunct Nigerian airline Okada Air due to their riders’ ability, albeit terrifyingly, to get you from point A to B. Riding the streets of Lagos all day can leave your eyes vulnerable to all kinds of dust and debris in a city of 21 million, and the bikers protect their peepers with pure steez.

As many Nigerians will testify: no matter the situation, style is never worth sacrificing. You’ll frequently find okada riders decked out in the most extravagant eyewear, from large embellished hot pink frames to gold-trimmed cat-eye lenses. If you’re going to hit the Lagos streets, it’s got to be done in style.

I teamed up with local photographer Stephen Tayo to capture the infamous okada bikers of Lagos in the most lavish eyewear of the season.

read the full story on Highsnobiety.com >>

LEFT TO RIGHT: SUNGLASSES BY OFF-WHITE x WARBY PARKER, CUTLER + GROSS

LEFT TO RIGHT: SUNGLASSES BY OFF-WHITE x WARBY PARKER, CUTLER + GROSS

LEFT TO RIGHT: GUCCI FRAMES, ADAM SELMAN x LE SPECS SUNGLASSES

LEFT TO RIGHT: GUCCI FRAMES, ADAM SELMAN x LE SPECS SUNGLASSES

DOLCE & GABBANA EMBELLISHED SUNGLASSES

DOLCE & GABBANA EMBELLISHED SUNGLASSES

With their lack of appropriate headgear and outrageous, sometimes comically overloaded cargo, the okada riders aren’t always popular with government and locals. They are usually depicted as rough and rowdy biker boys, but for okada riders, ferrying people and goods to and fro is a no-fuss way to make a living.
SUNGLASSES BY GUCCI

SUNGLASSES BY GUCCI

Left to Right: Vintage Dior Frames, Driver’s Own.

Left to Right: Vintage Dior Frames, Driver’s Own.

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Despite numerous attempts to remove okada from Nigeria’s roads, they have survived time and again, and their drivers are all the more fly for it.
SUNGLASSES BY LE SPECS

SUNGLASSES BY LE SPECS

HIGHSNOBIETY // The Lagos Fashion Week Menswear Edit

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LFW:

The Highsnobiety Edit

After diligently deliberating on countless hours of amazing African fashion c/o Lagos Fashion Week, I’ve put together the Highsnobiety edit of the designers you need to know and the pieces you’ll want to get.

read the full article and review at Highsnobiety.com >>

OkayAfrica // The 10 Best Moments from Lagos Fashion Week 2018

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Photo by Kola Oshalusi.

 

The 10 Best Moments from Lagos Fashion Week 2018

A recap of the memorable designs and raw talent showcased at this year's Lagos Fashion Week.

What is Lagos without the energy? 

In Africa's most populated city, vigor and vibrancy are what cultivate the energy that keeps the city bustling and thriving, despite the efforts of NEPA. That very same energy was definitely present throughout this season's fashion week shows. Afromodernism, theatrical showmanship, and celebrity appearances were some of the themes in many of the presentations, but never in lieu of genuine and raw design talent.

This curated collection of Africa's finest designers managed to keep the audience attention on a rollercoaster ride of discerning moments throughout the ongoing parade of models and garments. To help digest these moments, I've put together my top 10 from the fashion rollercoaster that was Lagos Fashion Week 2018.

 

SCHICK Magazine | Alexander-Julian hosts Exclusive Fashion Dinner at THE HOUSE in Lagos

ALEXANDER-JULIAN HOSTS EXCLUSIVE FASHION WEEK DINNER AT THE HOUSE IN LAGOS

“Creative content specialist and all-round fashionisto Alexander-Julian Gibbson took some time out to celebrate the start of Lagos Fashion Week 2018 with an exclusive dinner on Thursday night at ‘The House’ in Victoria Island, Lagos. Guests included designers, creatives and press. From menswear fashion influencer Denola Grey, to Nigerian designers Emmy Kasbit and Adebayo Oke-Lawal. Other hand-picked guests included Baingor Joiner, Stephen Tayo, Nigerian musician Falana and documentary photographer Yagazi Emezi. With great food and an amazing ambience, it was a great start to the fashionable week ahead!”

 

Everybody Eats, b.

[THE MIXTAPE]

“A late-night dinner in Lagos.”

by DJ Atracta

download on Apple Music.