FLOATING LAGOS (MAKOKO)

Category: Apparel

Makoko is a historic waterfront community in Lagos, Nigeria, famously known for its unique stilt houses built over the Lagos Lagoon, which stand as a poignant reminder that the city is drowning in plastic. My project is here to do something about it, as I draw inspiration from these structures to trade landfill waste for high end design; by replacing toxic synthetics with fire scorched, salt cured cowhide, I’m creating a look that is as sustainable and edgy as it is provocative. Beyond the leather, I’m integrating discarded sea shells and periwinkles that I’ve personally picked, giving the garments a raw, organic armor. The pieces are burnt and soaked in saltwater to get that authentic "sun baked, water logged" texture of the Makoko stilts, proving that you don’t need toxic materials to make a statement. Honestly, my design process involves more fire, saltwater, and beachcombing than your average Sunday dinner, but the results are far more impressive than a burnt pot roast !!who knew that saving the world could look this fierce, fun, and high end? I’m essentially turning the shoreline’s trash into treasure, and let’s just say my studio smells significantly more like low tide than a designers studio haha!

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