Chaos and creation in Lagos pre-lockdown
Coat Orange Culture, shorts and shoes stylist’s own
Photographer Marc Asekhame and stylist Daniel Obasi are in fashion, on horseback, and reclaiming Nigeria's public space.
Style
Words: TJ Sidhu
Photography: Marc Asekhame
Styling: Daniel Obasi
Marc Asekhame has traveled to Lagos many times: to visit family, to shoot Berlin-based label Ottolinger’s SS20 campaign campaign, and to conduct research for an upcoming film – one which portrays the Nigerian capital as a place in which public space is under constant reclamation.
“I wanted to expand these ideas into a series of stills,” the Paris-based photographer behind Periodico magazine says. “I met [stylist] Daniel Obasi shortly after I arrived and asked if he was interested.”
Obasi is at the core of Nigeria’s burgeoning creative scene, having worked as a designer, stylist and filmmaker in Lagos for over five years.
Through his various creative endeavours – such as the styling seen in this story for The Face – the 25-year-old hopes to advance the scope of African narratives while paying homage to the city that grew him.
L: Waistcoat Alexander McQueen, hat, veil, gloves and jewellery Daniel Obasi Studios, R: Trousers Alexander McQueen, bone harness, tie, shoes and palm wine gourd Daniel Obasi Studios
Bodysuit Area, jewellery and cane design Daniel Obasi Studios
Trousers Orange Culture, umbrella and blue straps Daniel Obasi Studios
Coat, dress and shoes MSGM, custom raffia flower basket and gloves Daniel Obasi Studios
Trousers Alexander McQueen, bone harness, tie, shoes and palmwine gourd — Daniel Obasi Studios
Dress Imo Studios, trousers and shoes stylist’s own
Top Isabel Marant, leggings, gloves and shoes Daniel Obasi Studios
Cape Daniel Obasi Studios, shorts and shoes stylist’s own
Head piece Daniel Obasi Studios and dress Andrea Iyamah
Coat Orange Culture, shorts and shoes stylist’s own
Together, the duo decided on two locations – Oniru Beach and Tarkwa Bay (only accessible by boat) – and set out to capture the beauty of their surroundings with a bunch of homegrown labels in tow: Andrea Iyamah (owned by Nigerian fashion designer Dumebi Iyamah), Lagos-based label Studio Imo and Nigerian design house Orange Culture.
“The fashion scene [in Lagos] is really invigorating,” Obasi says. “The energy and resilience is what makes it exciting to be a part of. There is such a freshness with how designers approach clothes by including culture and exploring traditional techniques and stories.”
But it isn’t all about the clothes. When it comes to the photos, Asekhame is able to capture not just the models, but also moments of calm amid the chaotic skyline of the city.
“There are different layers to each image with the soft light, wave breakers, the buoys for the cargo ships and the first high rise towers of Eko Atlantic City,” Asekhame says.
We can almost hear the water now.
