We’ve seen a lot of Nigerian menswear brands simultaneously reveal their new collections this past week. If this is a revolution or something else we aren’t quite sure, but we are more than glad to see that they are all alive and kicking, considering how much more prominent the women’s wear brands have been in the last few months. The menswear labels releasing their editorials simultaneously also comes with a pleasant side effect, it is far easier to single out the trends that will dominate menswear in the coming year.
And it seems it will be business as usual.
Bespoke menswear brand Josh Amor’s Spring 17 collection, under the helm of Ayo Majekodunmi takes on Yin Yang, the Chinese concept of balance.
“More importantly is the message of peace and unity this collection preaches. The fact that black and white race would be better off coming together as one people. How beautiful the world will be without racial segregation, discrimination, fights and crisis.”
Majekodunmi takes the concept very literally and takes elements of the Yin Yang symbol, its monochromatic colour palette and the idea that there is balance in simplicity and renders it in the most simplistic way possible. A good number of the pieces, especially the checker board co-ord ensembles and short suits come off looking a little like costumes from some children’s show. There is some experimentation, asymmetric sheer panels on formal dress shirts and pants, and occasional splashes of faux fur. There are a handful of really great pieces, like the lace up white blazer and the knit panelled tunic.
The entire collection is ultimately wearable, but not very distinctive. The designer could have done so much better.
Creative Credits
Brand: Josh Amor @thejoshamorbrand
Styling: TheJoshAmorStyleTeam @joshamor_
Photography: Jerrie Rotimi @jerrie_rotimi
Models: Tunji Hamzat @oga_tunji and Kimmie Adams @dopekingdavidadams
Makeup: Morolake Olomu @mss.yasmin