Footprints in Fashion: THE BLOCC and the Rise of Wearable Art
From a small studio in Lagos, Biodun Ariori is building one of the most compelling voices in contemporary footwear. His label, THE BLOCC (formerly theshoeblocc), crafts shoes that move beyond utility transforming them into sculptural, expressive statements of identity and presence. His work first caught our attention during Guzangs’ debut cover shoot, where he was […]
Amazon Prime Day 2025: Best Deals from African-Owned Beauty Brands
As Amazon’s Prime Day heats up this July, it’s not just big-box brands drawing attention. A new wave of African-owned beauty brands is tapping into the global shopping frenzy, offering high-performance skincare and makeup rooted in culture, innovation, and intentionality. From Lagos to London, these brands are using Amazon’s vast reach to scale their businesses, […]
Prints of a Place: Banke Kuku’s Lagos-Born Language of Luxury
The designer Banke Kuku. Photo credit: courtesy of Banke Kuku. Banke Kuku is shaping contemporary luxury through a signature fusion of Nigerian heritage and modern print innovation—an approach rooted in her culture and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. In her vision, luxury extends beyond mere fabric or form—it becomes a narrative: the way a print […]
Luxury Dreams, Local Struggles: The Price of African Fashion Today
African fashion has been experiencing a delightful renaissance. From Lagos to Abidjan, Dakar to Nairobi, designers are capturing global attention with their creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling. But beneath the glamour, many African consumers are voicing a growing concern: the escalating cost of homegrown fashion is driving them out of the market. As inflation and […]
Cover, Don’t Conceal: Marième Mboup and the New Shape of African Modesty
Once considered the domain of religious and conservative values, modest fashion has undergone a dramatic transformation — becoming one of the most expressive and innovative style movements among African youths today. It is evident across major cultural capitals like Lagos, Dakar, and Addis Ababa, young Africans are reimagining what it means to dress modestly. Though […]
Inside the Cannes Premiere of ‘My Father’s Shadow’—And What It Means for Nigerian Cinema
There are moments when history happens quietly. Not with fireworks, but with the hush of anticipation and the swell of a violin score in a darkened theater. When My Father’s Shadow premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, it felt like one of those moments. Months earlier, Guzangs ran […]
Threads of Influence IV: The Elegance of Defiance
The art of tailoring has long been a site of Black resistance, elegance, and reinvention. From the studied poise of precolonial kings to the audacious flamboyance of the Sapeurs, tailoring has shaped how the world sees Black style — and how Black people see themselves. The 2025 Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, affirms […]
Homecoming Festival 2025: Lagos Culture on Full Display
Over the past eight years, Homecoming has established itself as a cultural convergence point that redefines youth identity across the continent and its diaspora. Founded by cultural curator Grace Ladoja in 2017, the annual multi-day event returns each year to Lagos in grand style. It seamlessly blends music, fashion, sport, and art—creating a hybrid space […]
Earth’s Palette: African Designers Crafting Ultra-Sustainable Fashion with Natural Dyes
As Earth Day 2025 dawns under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” African fashion is blooming with colors drawn straight from the earth. Forget fast fashion’s toxic legacy—20% of global wastewater and 10% of CO2 emissions. An Adire dress steeped in Yoruba indigo, a Kente gown dyed with Ghanaian kola nut, or a recycled denim […]
My Father’s Shadow: Nigeria’s First Official Cannes Selection and the Team Behind It
African cinema is finally commanding the attention it has long deserved. The shift is visible, and it is accelerating. Last year, C.J. Obasi’s Mami Wata premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where cinematographer Lílis Soares received the Special Jury Prize for Cinematography in the World Dramatic Competition. Now, in 2025, My Father’s Shadow, a feature […]