Orange Culture

More Than Just A Brand

Adebayo Oke-Lawal

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Nigerian brand Orange Culture was launched in 2010/2011. The brand is known to explore unusual fabrications and experiment with them on every and any gender. The Orange Culture created a new niche for menswear in Nigeria and has undeniably opened doors for brave and more creative menswear brands. Founder Adebayo Oke-Lawal grew up with a passion for confronting societal norms and has used fashion as his chosen platform to combat hyper masculinity, injustice and suppressed expressions of Africanism. Adebayo teaches, mentors and creates spaces and practices manufacturing that gives back to the community on a regular basis. Orange Culture was one of the first Nigerian brands to begin collaboration within the industry and has inspired many to follow.

The history of the label's collaboration is just impressive, what are the most exciting collaborations you remember?

Thank you so much for that comment! We do believe in the power of collaboration! Some of our most exciting collaborations include; our collection with Davido exclusively shown at Selfridges in London, Budweiser and Remy Martin on capsule collections, Huawei on a custom phone case that totally sold out. We have also collaborated with major influencers Temi Otedola and Denola Grey on capsule collections and artists Elo Osunde, Dennis Osadebe and Sophie Vermeulen.

In the latest SS22 collection, mostly which fabric combinations are used?

I do not limit our designs to fabrics or assign gender to fabric. I decide on fabrics based on the story and how best the fabric communicates it. For SS22 we worked with a lot of organza, crepes, upcycled denims, cottons, raw silk, chiffon, wools, even soft leathers and more. I always allow myself full exploration when it comes to fabrics as long as they are ethically sourced.

The Nigerian prints - what are special about them?

I create my prints around various Nigerian stories! Which makes it even more special, as it captures very personal Nigerian experiences for me and are prints you won't see anywhere else unless they copied us, haha.

Reducing waste in manufacturing procedures - how does this actually work ?

We re-utilize leftover fabrics and patches for masks, linings, furnishings and so much more. We upcycle, sometimes dye and print over just to avoid chucking them out as waste.

We know that you recently visited Saudi Arabia for participation in the Fashion FUTURES SUMMIT. Do you see the opportunity for expanding The Orange Culture in the Arabian fashion industry?

I definitely see it and I am so thankful to AFRICAN FASHION FOUNDATION for giving us the opportunity to explore this relationship. Saudi is ready for the edge, the color and the stories orange culture brings, I saw it in the amazing people I met, the conversations I had and the numerous followers we received.

Please tell us about the current brand stockists

We currently sell at BROWNS, FARFETCH, TEMPLE MUSE, FOLKLORE, DE ESSENTIA, ABY CONCEPT, ZINKATA and more