The future is African, and it's wearing Maki Oh.

September 20, 2017 6:22 PM

Alexis Okeowo in the New Yorker on West Africa's most daring designer:

Osakwe’s collection earlier this year was inspired by what she described as a “middle-class Nigerian girl going on a booty call.” In Lagos, that girl usually travels by the yellow danfo buses that career through the streets, and has practical problems to consider...“What is seduction to her? It’s not a pretty journey,” Osakwe said. “How does that middle-class girl get it on? Because sex is so taboo, but we know we’re all fucking like rabbits.” The answer, Osakwe reasoned, is clothing that is erotic but protective—not a short skirt and heels but a long, strapless red dress, evoking the traditional wrapper, that can easily be dropped in the act of seduction. Though she hesitates to tell Nigerian buyers that she draws inspiration from sex workers, clients see her clothes as an illicit escape: a chance to feel more exciting, less restrained.

The designer's site, where you can see the Fall Collection. Maki Oh in Vogue.

posted by Diablevert (5 comments total)

Thank you for sharing.
posted by samthemander at 8:41 PM on September 20, 2017

Neat stuff, but she sure do love her some shiny fabrics!
posted by Samizdata at 10:57 PM on September 20, 2017

An interesting narrative behind her creations. Great post!
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:16 AM on September 21, 2017

The Vogue slideshow is really stunning (and not very shiny!), and I say this as a female-bodied person who mostly wears men's jeans.

I mean, I wouldn't *wear* these clothes (even if I could afford them), but they are lovely and inspiring.
posted by allthinky at 7:11 AM on September 21, 2017

That Vogue slideshow is great.
posted by kenko at 3:32 PM on September 21, 2017