Designer Bubu Ogisi explores themes of memory and African heritage through her latest collection presented in Copenhagen.
Key facts
- •The collection was inspired by Luba 'lukasa' memory boards and Asante royal heralds' headdresses.
- •Bubu Ogisi uses 3D snake motifs to symbolize the preservation of memory.
- •The brand began harvesting Ugandan bark cloth in November to experiment with clay dyes.
- •IAMISIGO focuses on integrating indigenous crafts and natural materials into modern fashion.
- •Ogisi previously won the Zalando Visionary Award at Copenhagen Fashion Week last summer.
IAMISIGO founder Bubu Ogisi debuted her Spring 2027 collection in a Copenhagen industrial space. The designs draw inspiration from 19th-century Luba memory boards and the ornate headdresses of Asante royal heralds in Ghana. The collection aims to bridge the concepts of objects that hold knowledge and the individuals who carry it.
Design Inspirations and Motifs
The collection features high hats and exaggerated silhouettes intended to evoke African royalty and spiritual connections. Embroidered trousers incorporate colors representing mountain ranges, dunes, and water, reflecting the environment as a vessel for memory. Elongated ties made from the brand's signature beaded textiles are adorned with 3D snake motifs, which Ogisi notes are revered in African mythology for their historical longevity.
Sustainability and Heritage Craft
Ogisi, who won the Zalando Visionary Award during her Copenhagen debut last summer, emphasizes sustainability through the preservation of indigenous African traditions. The brand utilizes innovative natural materials, including Ugandan bark cloth, which the team began harvesting in November. The design process involves experimenting with underground dyeing techniques and collaborating with artisans to incorporate banana and pineapple fibers into contemporary fashion.
Timeline
- 19th centuryThe Luba people developed 'lukasa' memory boards.
- Last summerBubu Ogisi first showed in Copenhagen and won the Zalando Visionary Award.
- Last NovemberThe brand began harvesting Ugandan bark cloth for experimentation.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Vogue.
