After a much-anticipated five-year hiatus, the Victoria’s Secret fashion show has made its triumphant return and is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime as of September 26th.
This year’s revival promises to be a celebration of creativity, with 20 talented artists hailing from diverse backgrounds in fashion, film, design, music, and visual arts. These individuals, representing vibrant cities like Bogota, Lagos, London, and Tokyo, are set to redefine the fashion landscape.
Among these visionary designers is Bubu Ogisi, the creative force behind IAMSIGO, known for her unwavering commitment to promoting African fashion crafted by Africans within the continent. Ogisi’s collection for the show serves as a testament to her dedication to honoring African philosophies, fabrics, and techniques while challenging conventional perceptions of African brands.
The spotlight will shine brightly on model Mayowa Nicholas, who transformed her life trajectory from an accounting student to gracing runways worldwide. She will take center stage to showcase Bubu’s extraordinary designs.
Ebony had the privilege of engaging in a conversation with both Bubu and Mayowa, delving into their unique journeys and experiences collaborating with Victoria’s Secret.
Mayowa, originally hailing from Nigeria, never envisioned modeling as a potential career path. Like many young Black individuals in her country, she was encouraged to prioritize education and pursue conventional employment.
Raised by a single mother, Mayowa initially saw accounting as a practical route towards financial stability. However, her life took an unexpected turn when she was approached on the streets to participate in a modeling competition with Elite Models.
Despite initial reservations and feeling out of her depth among professional models, Mayowa decided to compete, and to her astonishment, emerged victorious. This surprising triumph catapulted her to China for a modeling contract, where she faced both culture shock and discrimination.
Nevertheless, Mayowa’s determination persevered, and she secured modeling contracts alongside 14 other aspiring talents. Making the difficult decision to leave her education and family behind, she embarked on a transformative journey to Paris, where she made her runway debut during Couture Fashion Week for Schiaparelli.
A few years later, while in New York, Mayowa’s agent presented her with an opportunity to audition for Victoria’s Secret. Though initially hesitant, she seized the chance the following year. Unfortunately, visa issues posed a challenge when trying to travel to China for the show.
However, the subsequent year proved to be a turning point as Mayowa not only graced the Victoria’s Secret runway but also had the joy of her mother’s presence in New York to witness her soaring success.
Image: Sofia Malamute for Victoria’s Secret
It’s a common narrative that parents of those pursuing creative fields often truly grasp the significance of their work when they witness it firsthand. Mayowa’s mother proudly shared her daughter’s achievements with family and friends through group chats and social media, beaming with pride.
Designer Bubu Ogisi embarked on her career driven by a passion for fiber research, materiality exploration, and ancestral techniques. Growing up across various countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and England, and attending school in Paris, she was exposed to the rich cultural tapestry and abundance of fabrics and materials in Africa, particularly during Nigerian weddings and events.
This exposure ignited her curiosity in fiber techniques, weaving methods, and the tactile essence of textiles. Studying in Ghana further unveiled the commonalities in these techniques across different regions, whether Anglophone, Francophone, or Portuguese-speaking, each with its unique names.
Ogisi found it fascinating to observe the intricate variations in weaving techniques, such as Asha key in Nigeria, kente in Ghana, and Heat kita. Understanding these similarities and differences became the foundation of her work, allowing her to showcase the intricate wonders of fiber research and the creative magic achievable with one’s hands, even in places often overlooked.
Bubu’s wellspring of inspiration draws from ancient, historical, and mythological narratives. She firmly believes in the power of retelling these tales as a means to decolonize minds and introduce fresh perspectives.
Image: Sofia Malamute for Victoria’s Secret
Throughout history, certain narratives have been favored while others have been neglected. Bubu aims to shine a light on these overlooked stories and employ language as a medium to breathe life into these concepts through her creations.
When initially contacted by Victoria’s Secret, Bubu was reticent, but later decided to engage in a conversation with the entire team. The energy during their discussion was cohesive and aligned with everyone involved, a synergy that Bubu values greatly when collaborating with others.
This project provided an exciting opportunity for Bubu to continue telling a story she had been deeply passionate about for a long time.
In this collaboration, Bubu saw an opportunity to share her narrative with Victoria’s Secret, particularly concerning the concept of Victoria and its connection to mythological deities.
Drawing from her own tradition, country, and continent, she aims to convey the rich tapestry of mythological stories from Africa. Extensive research was conducted on cosmological and mythological tales from Nigeria and other regions of Africa.
The collection finds inspiration in Roman and Greek mythological stories, with a particular focus on the goddess Nike. Bubu’s vision encompasses the portrayal of 10 to 11 unisex deities, including the God of War, the God of Space and Time, and the God of Water. The European Edo mythology, originating from Nigeria, played a pivotal role in shaping the concept.
The overarching theme centers around the celebration of the feminine divine, symbolized by the secret stone of jewelry. Each deity is associated with specific materials, colors, and unique superpowers, requiring sourcing and crafting that spanned across the continent.
Mayowa and Bubu share a history of collaboration, with Mayowa having previously modeled for Bubu at the age of 16. Reconnecting at the age of 25 was a profound and meaningful moment for both of them, symbolizing a full circle in their professional relationship.
Throughout the creative process, there were moments of embrace, reflecting the strong bond between them. Bubu’s visionary concept also extended to hairstyles that paid homage to their ancestors, resulting in intricate styles that were truly distinctive and a departure from Victoria’s Secret’s previous aesthetics.
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SOURCE: ebony.com