COLLECTION: Orange Culture Presents Raindrops and Tears – The AW18 Collection Experience

Once again, Adebayo Oke-Lawal; Founder, Fashion Designer and Creative Director of the fashion brand, Orange Culture has done it again. This time with an exquisitely illustrated story of androgynous fashion on humanity’s relationship with rain. The AW18 Resort collection is another testament to the designer’s resounding success and the global acclaim the label, Orange Culture, continues to enjoy.

THE COLLECTION

Transitioning between sunshine and rain, the collection floats between dark tones and light hues. Fabric options scored for the collection are a kaleidoscope from silky-satins, earthy cottons, tactile velvets and wools to leather. According to Oke-Lawal, ‘the interaction of super soft and hard textiles shows the continual tug-of-war between caged emotionalism and vulnerability’. The collection’s story is further illustrated through the development of custom prints derived from the “chaos of Lagos” in the rain and nuanced with details including custom rain/sunlight buttons.

KEY COLLECTION LOOKS

The double-breasted suit with single-tear button.

Looking sharp continues to look effortless. This ensemble presents an opportunity to embrace masculine femininity without the obvious social sexism that comes with combining hard and soft elements into one look to execute a bigger fashion vision through your style. The mustard colour is a great pantone for the season, allowing it to transition into spring summer without the need of an update. This look is for both work and play but we suggest more play as it deserves a circle of observers who appreciate the finer things in life.

The leather polo shirt with leather backless apron and satin flair leg pants.

I’m the type to wear this look to the shop, on the weekend, to do my weekly grocery shopping. If not, then I’d definitely wear it to sundowners with the BFFs. Its attitude is sophisticated, edgy, a little bit of cheek and plenty of sartorial sarcasm. The detailing on the pants give it a fresh edge and the apron doubles as a great home-cooking fashion statement that can be worn out-to-play too. Both colour and fabric choices here allow for a transitional experience between seasons with this look and the beauty of being able to cross-dress the items individually with other items in your wardrobe for an extended closet.

The waist coat with sunlight button detail and belted slim fit pants with buckle detail.

Blue is a favourite colour of mine – not the favourite, but a favourite – it’s a colour that apart from never failing me, makes me happy and relays nuances of royalty, it also happens to be the theme colour for one of my favourite African luxury events – The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. This is perfect for such or something similar. Showing enough flesh without being underdressed, this look gives the yacht lover a great excuse to sunset cruise with friends. Its breathability adds to the comfort and its somewhat loose fit allows for an effortless fit.

The belted suit blazer with puffed pockets and slim fit pants.

Green is such an ethereal colour and when combined with a modern suit it definitely goes a long way. This suit provides luxury for everyday experiences between your agency life and work-related functions in the evening. Pair with a burgundy or burnt orange coat for added warm and drama when out and about on chilly evenings. The blazer alone is a statement, therefore equip yourself with alternative pieces in black, lemon or pomegranate to add depth and switch things up.

The diamond tear tee with double buckle easy pants.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with black and even more so nothing wrong with buying yourself leather pants! I mean look at these. Treated softly, a steady straight leg cut for fit, pleats for shaping and styling and a double waistband with easy fastening belts for support – they are perfect for any day and any situation. The diamond tear tee is easy on the skin, fits like a glove and boasts a one-of-a-kind print, adding to your street-cred extra points for individuality. The ensemble has an extremely masculine take on itself but offers such a soft approach it to all, allowing it to cross over between manning-up and leading from the side line.

THE ACCESSORIES

It’s always pleasure experiencing a collection with tailor-made accessories and jewellery to complement it. With the production of the AW18 Resort collection, “Raindrops and Tears”, Orange Culture collaborated with a variety of African luxury accessory brands to put together a selection of opulent accessories, including bags, shoes and jewellery. The collection’s green shoes are made by Mezzileroy, the jewellery in collaboration with PICHULIK Africa and additional shoes and the bags created in partnership with APAART Africa.

KEY ACCESSORY LOOKS

Gold melted button.

There’s something charming about organic, non-confirming gold jewellery. Pieces that, like this gold melted button by Pichulik Africa(?), remind us of the natural resources of Africa, the man-power behind welding the rock into beauty and its power in just its existence. The earring’s unfinished aesthetic adds a modern touch to an element with longevity as long as time’s.

The round python fanny-pack – By APAART Africa.

I’m not one for snakes, but is it’s not alive and I’m wearing it instead of it eating me – well then, I’m presented and accounted for! And such an exact moment is this beautiful round fanny-pack in python skin by APAART Africa for Orange Culture. With these small and lightweight hands-free bags being all the rage at the moment, it’s self-assuring of one’s taste when you find a designer version of it, as opposed to the tacky tourist-type versions that tend to float around most flea markets. The colour is great for chilly seasons, against grey skies, and it works for the warmer days paired with something light and lemon, for instance. A great design aspect is the thin strap, allowing you to use the bag’s strap as a belt.

The pair of Mezzileroy slip-ons in green.

Slip-ons for the indulgent man. Yes, indulgent. Made from genuine leather with a soft and supportive inner sole, these slip-ons were made for the ultimate luxury day excursion experience. Whether you’re drifting from room to room in your home, or perhaps doing a spot of errands, these slip-ons will look and feel amazing in the daytime as they will when worn out to dinner with a loved one. Pair with a black ensemble or play on their bright colour with additional pieces in a variety of citrus colours, and you’re bound to be as excitable as the shoes are exciting.

THE DETAILS

There’s a sensually savvy scent of vanity in this Orange Culture collection, particularly displayed through its details. Elements as small as a raindrop sit idyllically next to frivolous frilled necklines, marbled tears adorn belt loops on coats, outerwear and day blouses parade about town open back or showing backbone through optional slits, shoulders bare their vulnerability through cut-outs with buttoning-up options and even tassels shake off their pent-up emotions. The beauty of it all, is that these finer details add legends to the story of Adebayo’s inspiration for this collection.

KEY COLLECTION DETAILS

The open back – anything!

I’m notoriously bias about this detail as it’s probably one of, if not the most, favourite detail any designer can add to an item. There’s something to be said about the ability to be dressed yet create mystery with a bit of flesh in a particular area. In this specific example, the open back detail is further entertained with the rouged sleeve detail giving it another dynamic all-together.

The peeking shoulder.

Dropped-shoulder sleeves are always cute, and done right, they can be incredibly gorgeous and create a dynamic style effect on the item and ensemble. With this silk shirt, the shoulder detail is given buttons, as an option, so should you wish to hide your shoulders, you simply have to close off the buttons and off you go. Sounds rather redundant? Consider how when worn either way, people will consider it a different shirt from the last. It’s fashion’s new 2-in-1 style item.

The waistband – double or nothing.

The waistband is the thing to watch out for right now. Always left as an extra in the movie that no one gets to see, this season and probably in the next two to three to come, the waistband gets a starring role – and its co-star is its very own belt. Designed to finish off your trousers properly, the waistband also acts as the final piece in shaping the pants and ensuring they fit and sit appropriately. Giving them a style update is only befitting. In this instance, Adebayo, opted for a double height and added two strap-buckles for detailing purposes.

In the end, what you take out of this collection is entirely up to you. It, regardless, stands an example of how great menswear from an African designer can own an authentic identity from a local perspective, yet be able to gain international placement because of its relevance within fashion and the times it is made in.

“As a child I’d sit by the window and stare at the raindrops falling from the sky. It always felt so surreal to me. It always made me feel like it was here to wash things away and by standing under it, I’d feel a sense of freedom, newness or liberty.”

Quote by Adebayo Oke-Lawal

CREDITS

Creative Direction – Team Orange Culture

Photographer – Daniel Obasi

Make-Up Artist - Uche

Lights & Logistics - Ofure

Props – Aga Concept

Models - Davou + Michael from Fowler Models // Eze from MyBooker Models // Modupe from Few Model Management // Dave, Samiko and Sukanmi from Fuse Management.

#OrangeCultureAW18 #menswear #Africanluxury