Ikiré Jones is a Menswear company that marries African aesthetics with Neapolitan tailoring. Conceived in Nigeria, made in Brooklyn & Philadelphia, USA by Wale Oyejide one of Esquire Magazine‘s “Best Dressed Real Men in America”.
The Designer
Born and raised in Nigeria, and like many West Africans, traveled back and forth to the United States and other parts of the world while growing up. Also an Afrobeat musician, an attorney and a menswear designer. No formal fashion training. Inspired by images of people who look at ease and comfortable with who they are. He says in an OkayAfrica 2013 interview
“I am personally not aware of any brand that has combined high-end Italian construction and African elements, and presented them with the sort of inspired-narratives that I have”
He collaborates with bespoke tailor Samuel Hubler.
In an era where caricatures parade the streets like Emperors in New Clothes, we pride ourselves on offering a new perspective through an old lens; a new dialect for an old tongue; an irreverent approach that twists the portrait askew while paying homage to the most classic of canvases—the suit.Our suiting is fully canvassed, and made to order upon request. Our accessories are thoroughly labored-over, both in their design conception and hand-rolled creation. Flying in the face of a prevailing custom where accessories are a meaningless after-thought, each of our squares/scarves tells a story which carries the wearer, and all who bear witness, to another place and time. – Ikire Jones
Here are a few of the latest Ikiré Jones SS 14 collection tagged ‘The Untold Renaissance‘
Photography by David Evan McDowell
“I hesitate to speak as an authority on “African fashion.” I don’t consider what I do exclusively African, or made exclusively for an African audience. Though my work is inspired by my African heritage, there is no doubt that my garments are of Western origins. For me, the label is much less important than the content and quality of the art being made” – Wale Oyejide of Ikiré Jones
For more info about Ikire Jones:
http://www.facebook.com/IkireJones
Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..
xoxo
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