Profile: Olucci Oko – Real Leather Design Competitions

Olucci Oko

University of Westminster

I am a British Nigerian designer whose practice explores the intersection of print, colour, textiles, and cultural identity. Through a multidisciplinary approach, my work reflects and celebrates my Nigerian heritage while engaging with contemporary fashion and textile design. I use colour, pattern, and material experimentation as tools for storytelling, creating designs that communicate personal and collective cultural narratives. My specialism lies in leather and garment design, where I combine traditional influences with innovative design processes. Central to my creative practice is primary research, drawing inspiration from dance movements, cultural rituals, and visual references rooted in African and diasporic experiences. By observing the rhythm, expression, and symbolism found within movement and cultural traditions, I translate these elements into tactile and visually engaging outcomes. I am particularly interested in how textiles and leather can be used to preserve, reinterpret, and communicate cultural heritage within a modern context. My work often investigates the relationship between identity, craftsmanship, and materiality, resulting in designs that are both conceptually driven and aesthetically distinctive.

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Rthyms beneath the cloth

Category: Apparel

Competitions: International

This collection explores my identity through a reconnection with my Nigerian culture, drawing on the expressive movement of dance, ceremonial traditions, and the visual language of family portraits and garments. These influences are reinterpreted into contemporary forms that reflect both heritage and personal evolution. Sustainability underpins the work through zero-waste draping, the use of deadstock leather, and repurposed fabrics transformed into accessories. I wanted this project to reflect the vibrant energy that surrounds Africa through the use of bold colours, prints, and a strong sense of movement. I aimed to capture its warmth, creativity, and diversity in every element of the design. The dynamic patterns and vivid colour palette celebrate African heritage while expressing a feeling of joy, rhythm, and connection. Movement plays an important role, symbolising growth, resilience, and the ever-evolving spirit of Africa. Overall, this project is a celebration of identity, culture, and the beauty found across the continent.