Five years into building his eponymous brand, it feels like Oshobor’s Peter Oshobor is Nigeria’s next big designer. “Wow, he’s an artist,” one guest whispered as the closing model, wearing a black wool set, eerily danced on to the runway holding two gold lamps. The collection, titled “Night has Come,” explored the obscurity, tension, and vulnerability that comes with nightfall.
This was an emotional show for the young designer, who was tearful backstage. “I didn’t expect it to be [received] this well,” he said. The standout look was a gold sculpted dress, made entirely from upcycled styrofoam, which resembled a woman’s body. Other key silhouettes included a full-length red lace dress, with a fringed half cape, and a brown cropped vest and brown skirt with fringed wool detailing. The clothes were romantic and at times a little disturbing, with gentle fabrics such as Nigerian lace paired with deadstock wool.
Oshobor’s collection provided a modern—and commercial—spin on African fashion. It looked contemporary and innovative, and like it could compete on an international scale. In fact, he showed part of this offering in Paris last month. “We’ve evolved from the traditional collection we did last year, because the idea is not to remain in one place. [Oshobor] shouldn’t be put into a box; it can spread around the world,” he said.