KANYE WEST APPOINTS NIGERIA-BORN FASHION DESIGNER MOWALOLA OGUNLESI AS THE DESIGN DIRECTOR FOR YEEZY

KANYE WEST APPOINTS NIGERIA-BORN FASHION DESIGNER MOWALOLA OGUNLESI AS THE DESIGN DIRECTOR FOR YEEZY

Mowalola Ogunlesi is a talented and creative fashion designer, and an alumna of Central Saint Martins, a world-renowned arts and design college. She debuted her graduate collection titled Psychedelic at the Central Saint Martins Press Show in May 2017. With Nigerian psychedelic rock as her main design influence, her pan-African approach to design is a celebration of the black African male: his culture, sexuality, and desires. 

Mowalola Ogunlesi was recently appointed as the Design Director of Kanye West’s Yeezy collaborative venture with clothing company, Gap. Mowalola shared the exciting news regarding her new role via an Instagram post 

“Design Director of Yeezy Gap,” she wrote alongside a photo of the logo for Yeezy Gap.

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Kanye West also shared the amazing news via his twitter account:

“Yeezy gap begins. Mowalola joins as YZY Gap Design Director”

The Yeezy Gap line’s anticipated 2021 launch will include men, women, and kids’ pieces. Ye’s deal is for 10 years, with a choice to renew after 5 years.

Mowalola was one of the six designers chosen by British Vogue to dress fashion doll, Barbie, in their signature style in honor of the doll’s 60th anniversary in September 2019 where her aesthetic design was illustrated by leather, cutout tops, and vibrant patterns. Mowalola’s designs have been worn by celebrities like Kim Kadarshian, Drake, Skepta and Solange Knowles.

Raised in England, she stays intricately connected to the Nigerian culture which continues to inspire most of her designs. Mowalola continues to challenge the discourse surrounding Africans, specifically Nigerians. She does note, however, that the perceived Africanness of her work is more of a default, rather than a conscious effect:

“I’m Nigerian, so whatever I create is automatically going to be Nigerian work”.

Kanye West appoints Nigeria-born fashion designer Mowalola Ogunlesi as the design director for Yeezy, which is a huge accomplishment for Mowalola Ogunlesi.