Nigerian fashion designer, Kenneth Ize has officially presented his Spring Summer 2021 ready-to-wear collection in collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld. The collection, launched on 7th July, 2021 is a vibrant fusion of fashion and culture. This collaboration paired eye-catching prints with highly polished silhouettes. Aesthetically, it was a sartorial dialogue between cultures and styles, crafted with all genders in mind, it featured tailored separates, coordinated sets, knitted tops and pants, and sharp, casual pieces that can easily be worn with more sophisticated looks.
In June last year, Maison Karl Lagerfeld announced Kenneth Ize as it’s first black designer collaborator. The overall result was a sublime celebration of cultures fused with elevated design. In fact, the capsule collection was a blend of Nigerian and European styles featuring ready-to-wear, gender-neutral styles and accessories. It also featured Karl Lagerfeld’s signature black and white colour palette combined with bright pop colour patterns inspired by traditional aso-ake cloth.
-“Every single outfit was based on African imagery.” The 30-year old, Austrian-Nigerian, Kenneth recalled. Inspired by African design, the fabrics used for the range of bright accessories were sourced from Nigeria. This leather complies with the stringent environmental and ethical sourcing standards set by the Leather Working Group (LWG). The project was proposed and curated by Carine Roitfeld (a Style Advisor of Karl Lagerfeld) , who stated; -“The collaboration had Kenneth working closely with Design Director, Hun Kim, to co-create a stunning collection of ready-to-wear, gender-neutral looks and accessories.”
Kenneth Ize focuses on reinterpreting examples of Nigerian craft to create an original perspective of luxury production within textile and fashion. The eponymous label supports a small community of weavers, and works directly with a variety of artisan and design groups across Nigeria. The brand is devoted to the long-established tradition of Nigerian craft and local artisanship, merging a new design of aesthetic with specifically local handcrafted practice. There is the strong belief that in exploring and nurturing existing cultures, one opens up an exciting territory for creating and inspiring future traditions.
REFERENCES
KarlLagerfeld.com
Vogue.com
KennethIze.com
IMAGES
Courtesy: Karl Lagerfeld
Ben Boateng
Fashion Journalist
