Africa’s Artisanal luxury label by Faith Oluwajimi BLOKE, is a genderless artisanal label from Nigeria, is introducing a distinct notion of luxury through a Quirky and Artsy design aesthetic, enveloped with an undertone of spiritual consciousness.
Founded by Faith Oluwajimi in 2015, to create well thought out garments and objects for its performative function and collectible purpose, is now releasing its Spring/Summer 21 collection titled “IS IT EVER ENOUGH?”
According to a statement by the designer;
We believe “ Money is neither good or bad because it only assumes the will of the
owner. “This season we were interested in the story of an individual who found financial freedom at a very young age, against all odds . As result of this freedom, this individual is thrown into an abyss of haunting thoughts of how free this new life is . This is because even money can never take away uncertainty and fear.
Consequently, this individual too had recurring fear that they might never be satisfied with this freedom. Will they ?
Years ago , before this story existed , another infamous tale of a man named Mansa Musa was shared. However , Musa’s once wealthy empire is now one of the poorest countries presently.
With this tale came lessons and questions. Is financial success liberating ? How much money is too much money ? When is it ever enough? if not ? When is contentment acknowledged ?
the colour palette utilised were pastel colors and metallic inspired by the colors found on the Nigerian Naira and Mansa Musa use of Gold as legal tender respectively.
We collaborated with Lagos based Nigerian Artist and Illustrator Musa Ganiyy who made illustrations mimicking the figures on the Nigerian Note, Coins and a Portrait of Mansa Musa alongside .
A collaboration with New York Based Nigerian Artist Robert Matuluko who hand painted a rendition of an electronic payment teller receipt . Both works highlighting the physical and digital forms of legal tender in contemporary times were silkscreened on garments in the collection.
View the collections below;
Photo Credit;
Photographer: Jimi Agboola @jimiiagboola
Creative Director: Faith Oluwajimi @theblokemonk
Casting & Styling Consultant: Taylor Angino @tangino
Stylist Assistant: Hassan Abiodun @amavesstyle
Model Agency: Beth Model @bethmodelafrica
Models:
Akinyemi Aderonke @ade._ronke
Abdullahi ismaila @ismailaibnAbdullahi
Precious Omowunmi @official__wunmigold
Subomi Oloyede @Sv_grey
Cowries Costume: Made in Collaboration with Visage de Couleur @visage_de_couleur
