February 23, 2022 |
A zestful return to the London Fashion Week calendar is not enough to describe the feeling set in the air at Ozwald Boateng’s AW22 showcase. After a 12-year hiatus from showing in the capital, the designer came full-circle with a show that honoured his roots and the ravishing culture that defines his legacy.
Set at London’s Savoy Theatre, the 1130-seated space was chockablock with giddy fashion fans and industry heavyweights, with the whole showcase being inspired by the influence of Black culture across Britain.
The night commenced with a soulful drum session honouring everything from Ghanaian tribes to Martin Luther King Jr., which served as a tribute to the tragic passing of 31-year-old music pioneer, Jamal Edwards, who died earlier this week.
Looking back to his time as the only Black man working on Savile Row, the show felt victorious. A 100 looks in total, the collection delved into the designer’s Ghanian heritage presented by the likes of Idris Elba and Pa Salieu, who walked in the show. Utilising a selection of Adinkra symbols representing hope, authenticity, integrity and patience, they were used to create illustrations that appeared on weave suit jackets, jumpsuits and supple velvet blazers – each taking 18 weeks to make.
Further on, wool trousers, shirts and jackets came fashioned from vibrant Ghanaian Kente prints introduced in the traditional tribal hues of blood red, sunshine yellow and leaf green, followed by silk capes and pearl necklaces.
To finish off the night, models, familiar faces and Boateng’s multicultural team swarmed the stage to sing and dance in celebration of the master tailor’s triumphant return. As the designer waved his name-branded flag in the air, a standing ovation was well-deserved, as we danced and cheered to being part of history in the making.
Photography courtesy of Ozwald Boateng.
