BLOKE DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM THE CONCEPT OF FAMILY FOR ITS NEW COLLECTION ” FAMILY PORTRAIT”

(Lagos, Nigeria) – BLOKE is an androgynous artisanal label introducing a distinct notion of luxury through a Quirky and Artsy design aesthetic, enveloped with an undertone of spiritual consciousness today announces its Spring- Summer 20 Collection visuals – FAMILY PORTRAIT

COLLECTION STORY:

“Let me tell you about family ?

Should we look at the family portraits, or should I recant folktales once chanted by my ancestors ?

I think its best to wear my heart on my sleeves, even if it might draw your attention to just the seams.

This collection is an inquisitive look into what family means to me and the seemingly unsuspected effects of the concept of family on individuals in the society in contemporary times using my family as a scope of reference. Also, drawing inspiration from photographs of sedjou keita in the 70’s, and recent paintings of joy labinjo which both focus on the theme of family through an african gaze.

My conclusive observations are family is a reconciliation of people with different personalities, bounded by same ideals and often times upbringing.

To us ” family is everything, therefore everything is sacred ” but is it ?

Don’t worry, thats for the cloths to tell, because i manage to transform my answers into the stitches travelling through the nooks and crannies of the garments in the collection.

Using the family tree diagram, and family anagram as a print on garments to depict the interwoven intricacies of the concept of family and an homage to the respect of ancestors in the African culture.

the colour palette utilised the complete spectrum of colours, to show the diversity and complexities in a family regardless of the unifying bond and similarities they might share as a family.

diffusing the idea through an artisanal approach; for fabrication, the use of fabrics with different textures such as cotton, linen, lace, satin, for the tailored garments with an interesting blend of yarns which includes rayon, metallic, cotton, and polyester for the knitted offerings.
As an artisanal label, we employed techniques such as knitting, hand dying, applique, hand stitching, silkscreening and patchwork for the creation of the garments in this collection which points in the direction of accentuating the differences and the unifying similarities which bond a family.

Now tell me what is Family ?”

BLOKE @bloke_ng
Photography : Lakin Ogunbanwo @lakinogunbanwo
Styling : Adebayo Oke-Lawal @theorangenerd
Creative direction: Faith Oluwajimi @faitholuwajimi
Photographer’s Assistant: Oluwapelumi Ogunde @lumiogunde
Model: Akintunde Opemipo @akintunde_gram of @bethmodelafrica , Adamu Bulus @adam_bulus of @mybookermodel ,
and Adewara Christopher @ade__chris of @independent_mgmt

Shot on Location in Yaba, Lagos at Ada’s Family House.