Ghanaian menswear label Eketino had a lot of work to do after the Spring 16 collection ‘T.I.N.T,’ inspired by the ‘pencil’ print popularized by former Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah. The collection leaned too heavily on the print being an homage to the late president as it’s major design aesthetic that the people behind the label didn’t bother to do anything else.
It seems Eketino hasn’t learned any lessons from that mishap. The new collection ‘Hy3 Me’ which loosely translates to ‘Wear Me’ in Akan, a major language in the label’s home country goes the way of the two previous collections, relying too heavily on brightly coloured, easily recognizable African inspired wax prints in place of actual design. The collection this season also heavily features pleather, used to create cowl necklines and hem jackets. There is also more women’s wear this season.
From the choice of silhouettes the label chooses to replicate each season, it is obvious Eketino would thrive as an athleisure brand. It has already dabbled in athleisure in it’s AW15 collection ‘Weather’ which features bomber jackets made in ankara. But to be really taken seriously, the brand needs to move away from its crutch of easily recognizable and frankly overused ankara prints that are rife across many African boutique brands and actually create athleisure clothing that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Maybe then, they can start to command some attention.
Designer- Eketino @eketino
+233 243816714\ +233 542823606
Photography – Bebe gallery, @bebegallery
Footwear – IFOK- @ifok, 0542540330
Models- @hurricane_gh, @davecompound, @kezia_jay, @bigglesdave, @tabansio, @vin_paulwall