diaspora
noun [ C or U, usually singular] formal UK /da æs.pər.ə/ US /da æs.p.ə/

A group of people who spread from one original country to other countries, or the act of spreading in this way (Cambridge dictionary, 2022)

The Spring/Summer 2024 collection explores heritage and journey. I am tracing my journey from birth to the present. I’ve had the immense blessing of living in multiple countries and experiencing various cultures. The Spring Summer 2024 collection explores the duality of my identity, proposing a distinct view of luxury that infuses between my North American and Nigerian heritage while exploring the history of the African diaspora. Looks have taken inspiration from traditional Nigerian fabrics such as Aso Oke, a traditional handwoven textile made by the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria, for rulers to wear to festivities. Prints inspired by Dutch wax fabrics are trendy in Central and West Africa. Contrasting these, is the use of western materials such as seersucker. The silhouettes are inspired by traditional garments worn in Nigeria and the kind of clothing I grew up wearing in America. Traditional Nigerian garb is explored and interpreted for modernity, items such as the agbada, is a wide-sleeved robe worn by the West African and North African men; under this, they wear Sokoto’s, which are trousers that are loose-fitting with a drawstring used to hold them up. The Buba, is a loose-fitting blouse with long sleeves, reminiscent of a t-shirt. And Iros, long wrap-around skirts; the rectangular skirt is worn by wrapping it around the waist and tucking it in at the end.