Orange Culture was one of those rare, tear jerking shows that leaves everyone speechless. Before it started, a minute’s silence was observed for the late mother of founder and creative director Adebio Okelele, who passed away last year. The collection, titled “Letters to Her”, was a personal collection, intended to honor the greatest influence in Oke-Lal’s life. “It’s hard to see your loved ones really vulnerable, and I wanted to celebrate that… and who he’s transcended to become,” he said.
With this collection, Olalo Abeti bids farewell to the old culture of styled, ok and orange. The Boozy brand, which launched in 2011, was known for colorful clothes in contemporary silhouettes. “It’s still orange culture at its core, but it’s taking a path that we’ve never taken before,” he said.
To begin with, each look was white, something her community would never have expected from a young designer. Creating an entire collection using just one color is definitely challenging, but OK Lil’ experimented with shapes, fabrics and silhouettes to create an eye-catching lineup. Standout looks include a white shirt with a pleated cream vest top, paired with flared balloon trousers, as well as an off-white one-shoulder top with feather detailing and an exaggerated rope hem. The only print included in the collection was of OK Lal’s brother and mother, designed by artist Yasser Claude N.
It is clear that OK Lal has put his all into this collection. Backstage, he was shaking with emotion. Guests rushed to congratulate, hug and console the designer. “Your mother would have been so proud,” said one guest tearfully. OK-Lal is now taking some time off before turning his attention to Berlin, where he’ll be back on the Berlin Fashion Week schedule in the New Year.
