Bunmi Koko inspired by the Efik tribe ~ Olamild Ent

London based Nigerian Designer Bunmi Olaye (Creative Director of the Bunmi Koko brand) showcased her work alongside the 2010 graduating class of the University of East London (UEL) at the Graduate Fashion Week. Strong and Structured designs were definitely the order of the day for Bunmi as she took inspiration from the Efik tribe of the Calabar Area in Nigeria.

‘The Matriarchy collection’ as Bunmi Koko referred to it, was aimed at reflecting Female Empowerment. According to her, the designs were inspired by the mysterious men-only Leopard Masquerade cult ( Ruling tribe) as well as the Victorian era. I particularly found amusing, the staffs the models were holding on to, Bunmi added a twist to it by attaching ‘pom-poms’ to the ends of the staffs.

Embellishments, beads, prints, bells, feathers, pompoms call the shots in this collection and Bunmi keeps proving that she has got IT in her. Currently making waves in the London scene, we definitely are looking forward to her collection being unveiled at the Africa Fashion Week in S.A.