Tolu Coker brought a taste of home to the Newgen space at the old Selfridges Hotel, where a mother-like figure dressed in Nigerian garments sweeped the floor while talking to the audience as if they were her children.
To the majority of those in the audience, this was a performance, but to the young British-Nigerian designer, this was just life at home.
“Singing to God; the screaming and shouting to come and get ready, it’s just such a beautiful testament to all the struggles of so many people who have migrated and have overcome [the challenges of life],” said Coker backstage.
Oxblood leather jackets; gray double breasted coat dresses; pleated minidresses worn with a colorful striped necktie, and indigo denim dresses with matching jackets were a nod to Sunday best, an occasion that’s taken seriously in African households to polish up for church.
This was the church of Coker — all the models put on leggy displays strutting and dancing to the sound of “Different Pattern” by Seyi Vibez, the Nigerian singer and songwriter.
