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Kenneth Ize
A firm favourite of fashion royalty Naomi Campbell (who closed his recent show in a striped trench coat), Kenneth Ize is devoted to preserving the traditions of Nigerian craftsmanship. Working with western Nigerian aso oke (a traditional Nigerian fabric) weavers, he takes a local handicraft and merges it with modern design to create a new aesthetic. Workwear-style polychrome pieces demonstrate playful touches: silk trousers sport a fringed hem and boiler suits are quilted. Not limited to collaborating with African artisans, Ize's previous collections saw him call upon Viennese lace-makers in a nod to many West African women (including his mother) who once sourced high-quality Austrian lace for their Sunday best.