ARISE Fashion Week 2018 Day 2: What We Wear by Tinie Tempah

The runway shows of the highly anticipated ARISE Fashion Week kicked off on 31st March 2018 at Lagos Continental Hotel (formerly Intercontinental Hotel) with stunning collections from various designers across Africa.

What We Wear by Tinie Tempah showcased on Day 2 of ARISE. Rapper-turned-designer Tinie Tempah showcased a collection that aimed to infuse the streetwear vibe of What We Wear with the colours and spirit of Nigeria. According to Tinie, “I really dug deep into what Lagos meant to me – being British born but having Nigerian roots,” Tempah said of the collection. “The vibrancy of the city is something I know well. I’m familiar with the textures, the colours, the energy – so I wanted to put that in this collection.”

The result was a selection of items with more zing, more punch than we’ve ever seen from What We Wear before – a stark contrast to the label’s first two mainly-monochromatic seasons. This was a step change. His streetwear staples, such as joggers, utility vests, hoodies and cargo trousers, were elevated through, beautiful fabrics (hessian, canvas, printed velvet and mohair), bold bursts of yellow and brilliant patterns: multicoloured zig-zags, tropical teal leaves, silken yellow squares on rich green backgrounds. Of particular note, those hessian-linen tracksuits in gold, green and black – the kind of tracksuit that’s way too sleek to even count as sportswear.

Add to that performances on stage from young British and Nigerian artists, Not3s and Dice Ailes, as well as a performance from the rapper himself, and this felt like a celebration – and, we imagine, a well deserved one after the rush to get ready.