Redefining Influence | CASSIUS x The Creative Collective NYC

Creative Specialist, Alexander-Julian, on how coming to terms with his own multi-dimensionality was the key to owning his voice and defining his niche.

— check out the full series on iONE Digital’s A Space For Creators >>

Patoranking "Lenge Lenge" Music Video

Patoranking wearing Tolu Coker, models wearing FordamRowe, Studio 189, Eki Orleans, and Taylor Goldenberg

Patoranking wearing Jeweled by Lisa Folawiyo

Kalakuta Queens

Since Patoranking’s “Lenge Lenge" was heavily inspired by Fela Kuti, we decided to bring to life the aesthetic of the Kalakuta Queens—the 27 women who served as Fela’s muses and inspiration. We executed this by pulling 27 women from all over the continent to portray the contemporary African woman while still holding heavy ties to traditional hair and makeup styles. 

>> watch the full “Lenge Lenge” video here.

Okada Men for Highsnobiety

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: GUCCI FRAMES, ADAM SELMAN x LE SPECS 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

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

“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

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

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.