For Spring 2026, Ghanaian founder and creative director David Kosi Boydo returns to the Lagos Fashion Week schedule for the second time, and he’s taking his latest hit on upcycled streetwear in the Nigerian metropolis. As the saying goes, one man’s waste is another man’s treasure, and Boydo has quickly developed a reputation for turning textile scraps into desirable clothing. It’s a move that earned the five-year-old brand a spot on this year’s list of LVMH Prize semifinalists.
Titled “Paradise Regained”, the collection consisted entirely of high-end clothing and exuded a level of tailoring and craftsmanship that many would not expect from second-hand goods. “I want people to look at (the dress) and wonder how many days it took to create,” Boydo said. “This surprisingly excites me as a designer.” Indeed, some pieces took about three months to make, she said, including a multi-colored patchwork skirt constructed from tiny scraps of fabric. For Boy Do, the true marker of success is being able to create something unique in the market, while pushing the boundaries of our collective imagination, especially for sustainable fashion.
Sourcing most of his materials from Ghana’s Kontamanto Market, one of Africa’s largest second-hand clothing markets, Boy Do wanted to create a collection that “speaks to the soul,” adding that “there’s more, especially when it comes to upcycling.” Key silhouettes include colorful, patchwork crop tops and matching skirts, as well as a floor-length denim trench, paired with a two-tone denim vest and matching mini skirt.
As the collection’s title suggests, the inspiration was John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Regained.” Towards the end of the collection, Boy Do appeared to perform their own version of Paradise, which is bright and defiant.
