Orange Culture, one of Nigeria’s biggest names, made its return to the Lagos Fashion Week schedule after a two-year hiatus, and it was the talk of the town. The local fashion crowd was adrenalized to see the 2015 LVMH Prize-shortlisted designer, Adebayo Oke-Lawal, make his comeback.
“An Orange Culture show is a celebration of people,” Oke-Lawal said backstage, and in line with that sentiment, he gathered friends, influencers, and creatives in a large concrete studio showered in dim orange lights. The show was a spectacle: a delicious blend of music, fashion, and culture that kicked off with a performance by Afrofusion singer-songwriter artist David Tokuma Dekor, also known as ‘Pawzz’, and saw a clever cast walk the runway. “We like to give our runway shows a certain Lagos vibe. We make it big; we make it elaborate; we make it fun for Lagos and create a memorable experience,” the designer said.
He was keen to give attendees a taste of new and old Orange Culture pieces, a “double show” as he described it. Silhouettes ranged from a crocheted ocean blue dress to a tailored women’s suit that was first worn by musician Adekunle Gold and repurposed for this season’s showcase. Oke-Lawal’s pieces speak to the modern day Nigerian shopper as well as to those overseas, with shapes that are modern and glamorous, like a black sequined short-sleeve shirt paired with a silk maxi skirt.
Likening designing to waves, Oke-Lawal noted that this show marked the end of a decade-long stretch. “Fall is going to be an entirely different wave for Orange Culture and I don’t think people are ready.”