With the FW26 collection “Backyards of Memory,” the label Orange Culture marks a poignant return, not just to a place, but to a feeling. Showcased at Berlin Fashion Week’s official NEWEST format, designer Adebayo Okelawal presented his second show on Saturday evening, a subtle yet powerful narrative about memory, loss, and warmth. Against the backdrop of M60 at Hallesches Ufer, with expansive views over Kreuzberg, light and shadow delicately danced with silhouettes, creating an atmosphere that seemed to breathe in slow motion for a moment. Stunning backstage photography captured by Thilo Wilcke further immortalises this beautiful collection, making it a remarkable experience for all fashion enthusiasts.
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All photos by Thilo Wilcke @thibilosoph
Backyards of Memory: A Glimpse into Nostalgia at Berlin Fashion Week
The “Backyards of Memory” collection by Orange Culture serves as a continuation of its predecessor, which was dedicated to the late mother of designer Adebayo Okelawal. The new designs weave themes of nostalgia, childhood, and the places that shape us over the years.
In the wake of his mother’s passing, Okelawal focuses on the memories that feel safest, warmest, and most vivid. The backyard of his childhood, the space where life unfolded, speaking its own language in Nigeria, becomes a central motif: a realm where time flows more slowly, where children play freely, clothes hang on lines, and sunlight absorbs stories, coexisting with laughter, music, secrets, and silence. The collection is a tribute to these moments: a pause in nostalgia, not as sorrow, but as solace. It doesn’t reconstruct the past but honours it, encapsulating joy, colour, and intimacy after grief, revealing where love thrived, where secrets were kept, and where everything began.
In faithful adherence to Orange Culture’s characteristic design language, the collection merges gender-fluid silhouettes with sculptural tailoring. With a focus on craftsmanship and unique textures, we see tone-on-tone looks, dresses made of macramé and crochet, hand-dyed fabrics, vibrant prints, fringe sweaters, hand-pleated flared pants, and woven accessories. The fabrics move gently on the body, with each piece representing both tenderness and strength. A nuanced colour palette, inspired by sunlight, earth, and time, completes the collection.
At its core, “Backyards of Memory” serves as a tribute to collaboration, a collective work of deep connection that spans from Lagos across Africa to Berlin. For Orange Culture, collaboration is not optional; it’s a responsibility. Empowering others, honouring craftsmanship, and sharing stories is the essence of every creation.
This collection was crafted in close partnership with outstanding African and diasporic talents: Kisara developed sculptural handbags embodying rhythm and nostalgia; Paolo Sisiano translated childhood memories into layered, expressive prints; Moni Morgan designed men’s footwear with strength and understated elegance; Kkerele created women’s sandals that exude lightness and confidence; King Daviid crafted exclusive belts that add individuality to each look; and In Jewels produced jewelry that brings light, form, and movement into the collection.
Moreover, local artisans worked on hand-dyed fabrics, handcrafted fringe, and candle-wick details, imparting a vibrant, sensually poetic depth to the collection. Styled by Olaolu Ebiti, with casting by Hien Le for the runway show, “Backyards of Memory” stands out as one of my top three favourite collections seen at Berlin Fashion Week, leaving a lasting impression through its celebration of life, community, and the emotional resonance of memory.
