It was a new generation takeover as the latest SS2019 KIKOROMEO collection on Thursday 25th Oct 2018 at Day 1 of Lagos Fashion Week, unveiling its new creative director of brand: Iona McCreath. The collection has been featured in Elle USA’s top 10 from Lagos Fashion Week .
Iona, who has apprenticed with Ann McCreath – Founder of KikoRomeo: her mother’s fashion business since birth, took the bow as she presented the brand’s latest collection. Now co-designing with her mother, she is taking the lead on the silhouettes, while her mother works on the textiles and cutting. To celebrate this new way of working they chose baptism by fire in presenting at Lagos Fashion Week, the most influential platform in Africa, pioneered by Omoyemi Akerele .
Speaking about her experience Iona said “Lagos is very influential around Africa and acts as a voice of Africa to the world. When people see Africa the first thing they see or hear is Nigerian. That means being able to integrate within the Nigerian market is strategic. It is also very exciting, because of the vibrant entertainment scene, which has helped contemporary arts and culture develop to be at the heart of the economy. Nigerians love fashion and the collection has been very well received.”
The KIKOROMEO SS2019 collection consisted of 28 looks, 5 women and 23 men. The colours and contrasting textures drew inspiration from the places where oceans meet sands all around the African continent. Filled with golden browns to slate greys, accented with dusty beiges and sunshine yellows, with shades of marine blue that trail through all pieces. The brand’s signature overalls aka jumpers were presented for men and women in a variety of tie dyed, batiked and drip painted variations. These are already a hot favourite of artist Blinky Bill , whose latest beats hit the air as the models paced the runway. Other key items were the hand painted tunics, beautifully cut pants and an adire kilt. The collection was accessorized with fishskin bags, which had been done by accessories brand Baobab for KikoRomeo. The whole look was young and fresh, styled by Moses Ebite .
KIKOROMEO, which means “Adams Apple” in Swahili, is based in Nairobi, Kenya. With over two decades of design heritage, the brand is known for its timeless slow fashion pieces, which transcend fashion trends and show perfection in a fit. Adopting a sustainable approach in everything it does, the brand works with urban and rural Kenyan and refugee artisans, constantly improving the quality of their products, and truly believes and adheres to a Made in Africa policy.
Iona McCreath, who has a degree in Sociology from London School of Economics and a foundation diploma in Art and Design from Central Saint Martin’s.
EDITOR’S NOTES:
Art, music and crafting are at the heart of the KIKOROMEO DNA. The brand is now immersed in reinventing its own textiles, as it did at inception, moving away from commercial prints into hand-dyed and hand painted textiles. These original patterned fabrics are done in collaboration with a young Kenyan textile designer Rachel Wanyutu, as well as the brand founder herself Ann McCreath. Ann has been exploring textile art, influenced by visual artist Onyis Martin amongst others, while Iona McCreath is taking over the creative direction of the clothing.
KIKOROMEO was founded in Kenya in 1996 by fashion designer Ann McCreath. The objective was always to create and sustain a brand, which could last for generations as a true fashion house. Now co-designed by her daughter Iona, it is situated in the Kobo Art Centre, at 523 Riara Rd in Nairobi, Kenya.
FOR MORE:
Website: http://kikoromeo.com/index.php/the-brand/our-story/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KikoRomeoAfrica
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kikoromeo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KikoRomeo-348383729244/
For more info contact in Kenya (English): Anyiko PR Tel +254 721 368 983 | Whatsapp +254 770 360 087 |press@anyiko-pr.com
Photo by: Kelechi Amadi-Obi (www.kelechiamadiobi.com)
Photo by: Kelechi Amadi-Obi (www.kelechiamadiobi.com)
Photo by: Kelechi Amadi-Obi (www.kelechiamadiobi.com)
