The AW19 collection is a combative exploration of the confrontations faced by outcasts. It’s a “mind your business letter” to people who antagonize how people choose to authentically present themselves to the world.
It’s an explosion of colors and jarring graffiti inspired prints displayed tastefully in heavy satins, wools, cottons and shielded in Aso-oke, Suede, Corduroys and Dupion. The prints provoke thought and push you to ask yourself “ why am I looking under anyone’s skirt?”
The collection is really about celebrating self – liberation and expression, which is a path “Adebayo“ says Orange Culture helped him to take. Orange Culture encourages stepping out, whether it’s in the way you dress, speak and live. It’s about being you and telling society to not invade your privacy or question your choices judgmentally.
The reason we chose the skirt is because a skirt is the most invasive thing to look under and is really a metaphor for how problematic it is when society tries to stigmatize differentiation.
The Orange Culture warriors are dreamers and they love to live in an alternate liberated Nigeria, where your differences are the highest tools for warfare. A world where individuality and knowledge of self is aspirational and beautifully alien-esque.
The Shapes are inspired by a lot of traditional women’s clothing embellished with cutouts and print details inspired by the secrets we keep to survive in a conservative society.
Adebayo Oke-Lawal has been designing since the age of 10. He started Orange Culture in 2011, after having worked with several Nigerian designers, to turn his unique vision of fashion into reality. Since starting the label and an official runway debut at Lagos Fashion & Design Week 2011, he’s been hard at work trying to showcase Orange Culture to the world.
The label is more than a clothing line, Adebayo insists. It is a “movement” that covers universal silhouettes with an African touch to a creative class of men, translating into a heady mixture of Nigerian inspired print fabrics, colour and contemporary urban street wear.
This does not however, mean that Orange Culture forgets women who have taken over the brand, giving an androgynous twist on Adebayo’s designs. The garments answer to just about anyone who’s interested in telling a story with the way they present themselves.
All pieces are manufactured in Lagos, from ethically-sourced fabrics from local Nigerian fabric makers. Orange Culture takes our staff through rigorous training processes and offer them the opportunity to attend skill acquisition initiatives. Adebayo Okelawal is also very concerned with the youth as he launched a CSR project called “Painting your Dreams”, where he inspires young people through the art to believe in themselves and this led to him being listed under Forbes 30 under 30 people in the creative industry in Africa.