The Heart of the Collection
Fashion is often seen as a surface-level pursuit, but for my May 2025 Graduate Runway show at Teesside University, I wanted to go deeper. I wanted to weave a story that started long before the needle touched the cloth. The result was the Kolascape—a signature fabric innovation rooted in the rich traditions of West Africa.
Innovation Through Heritage
The kolanut is more than a fruit; in Nigerian culture, it is a symbol of hospitality, respect, and connection. “He who brings kola brings life.” By translating the organic textures and symbolic weight of the kolanut into textile manipulation, I developed a capsule collection that stands at the intersection of Nigerian cultural heritage and modern bespoke fabric design.
The Creative Process
The journey involved rigorous creative research:
- Textile Manipulation: Experimenting with weight and shadow to mimic the nut’s natural segments.
- Modular Sustainability: Ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at the cost of the planet.
- Storytelling: Every garment in the 2025 showcase was designed to be a conversation starter—a piece of “wearable identity.”