International fashion aggregator Models.com was at last Lagos Fashion and Design Week as part of the international press contingent invited to take in Nigeria’s vision for Spring 2016. The total cache of 70 designers who showed must have made quite the impression because Models.com came back in December 2016, armed with international models Ajak Deng and Maria Borges ready to shoot their first African inspired editorial.
The editorial themed Africa Rising seeks to celebrate the ideas of African models for Spring 2016. Styled by Solange Franklin who has done extensive styling work for Vogue Japan, Numero Magazine and Paper magazine, the editorial takes set inspiration from the work of post colonial photographers from the early 1950’s, who used brightly coloured fabric as backdrops and encouraged subjects to pose like James Brown, The Supremes and other music stars of the period.
Photographed by British photographer Ed Singleton who has done editorial work for Burberry, the exclusive shoot featured outfits from the following designers, Almasika, Bridget Awosika, Brother Vellies, Grey, Kenneth Ize, Loza Maleombho, Meena, Needle & Thread, Nkwo, Nomad Vintage NYC, Omer Asim, Omodi, Orange Culture, Osei Duro, Post Imperial, Re Bahia, Richard Braqo, Third Crown, Tree Fairfax, Tsemaye Binite, Sophie Zinga, & Washington Roberts.
Dress: GREY, Shoes: Shem Paronelli Studios for Kenneth IzeShirt worn as dress: Kenneth Ize, Shoes: Brother Vellies, Vintage Glasses: Linda Derector, Choker: Needle & Thræd, Necklace: Azubike Ononye for Orange CultureChoker: Needle and Thread, Necklace: Azubike Ononye for Orange Culture, Shirt: Kenneth IzeTop & Skirt: Re’, Shoes: Brother Vellies, Green Waist Bag: Tree Fairfax for Orange Culture, Fringed Bag: Nomad Vintage NYC, Necklace: Vintage Sunglasses: VintageOn Maria – Top: Washington Roberts, Pants: Tsemaye Binitie, Shoes: Brother Vellies, Earrings, Dog Tag Necklace, Choker, Bracelets on right hand: Third Crown, Silver Bracelet on left hand : Almasika | On Ajak – Jumpsuit: Tsemaye Binitie, Shoes: Brother Vellies, Choker: Needle & Thræd, Earrings and bracelets: Third Crown, Vintage Glasses: Linda DerectorJumpsuit: Tsemaye Binitie, Choker: Needle & Thræd, Earrings and bracelets: Third Crown, Vintage Glasses: Linda DerectorDress: Omer Asim, Shoes: Richard Braqo, Necklace:Osei Duro, Cuffs: AlmasikaJumpsuit: Meena, Shoes: Brother Vellies, Bags: Tree Fairfax, Vintage Glasses: Linda Derector, Choker: Needle & Thræd, Neckerchief: Post-ImperialOn Maria: Top: Bridget Awosika, Pants: Re’, Shoes: Loza Maleombho | On Ajak: Top: Bridget Awosika, Pants: Orange Culture, Shoes: Loza MaleombhoOn Maria: Coat: Omondi, Pants: Orange Culture, Shoes: Shem Paronelli Studios for Kenneth Ize, Vintage Sunglasses: Christian Dior, Earrings: Third Crown | On Ajak – Coat: Omondi, Pants: Washington Roberts, Shoes: Brother Vellies, Vintage Glasses: Linda DerectorDress: Washington Roberts, Shoes: Brother Vellies, Ribbon choker: MOKUBA, Necklace: Vintage, Bag: Nomad Vintage NYC
We hope to see more collaborations like this in the future.