Under a constellation of dramatic runway lights in Victoria Island, 16 years of quiet mastery was displayed in a single, defining moment as Kimono Kollection staged its long-awaited debut runway show.
The Nigerian menswear label transformed the venue into a runway spectacle to unveil its 70-look Spring/Summer 2027 collection, titled Threads of Time. For a brand that has spent over a decade quietly shaping the contours of contemporary African menswear, the show was less of a simple fashion presentation and more of an emphatic, high-octane declaration of its enduring legacy and future direction.
The runway itself unfolded as a cinematic journey, carefully structured to balance sharp retrospective reverence with modern innovation.
The presentation swung through a
palette dominated by deep black, rich cream, earthy brown, forest green, moody burgundy, and subtle grey.
Each look displayed founder Hakeem Balogun’s signature approach of fusing structured British tailoring with traditional Nigerian attire. As models strode down the catwalk, the silhouettes demonstrated how far the brand has pushed the boundaries of traditional menswear, marrying crisp tailoring with fluid, culturally resonant forms.
The runway sequence was punctuated by moments of pure spectacle that captivated the audience.
During the all-black segment of the collection, singer Dipothevoice, Oladipupo Ogundele, emerged from the crowd to deliver a surprise performance that injected raw energy directly into the show.
The runway casting further elevated the experience, featuring a star-studded lineup that saw celebrated actors and personalities including Wale Ojo, Efe Iwara, Leo Da Silva, Cross Okonkwo, and Saskay taking to the catwalk alongside professional models, underscoring a commitment to diversity and broad cultural representation.
While the runway stayed at the center of the evening, the depth of the show was anchored by a broader reflection on the brand’s origin story.
A documentary screened at the event traced Hakeem Balogun’s trajectory from his early days absorbing the vibrant commercial energy of Lagos Island markets to expanding his skills through two years of intensive design training and styling experience in London before returning home in 2009.
His foundational philosophy, summarized by his statement that one only needs thread and needle to make history, served as the creative spine of the entire showcase.
The milestone event brought together an elite circle of the Nigerian creative and fashion establishment.
Hosted by actor Tobi Bakre, who added a personal touch to the night by gifting his very first custom Kimono suit to an audience member, the front row sparkled with industry heavyweights.
Renowned designers Mai Atafo, Vodi, and Lanre Da Silva joined lifestyle figures Dabota Lawson, Akin Faminu, Kiki Osibanjo, and Powede Awujo to celebrate the occasion. By translating sixteen years of craftsmanship into an immersive runway presentation, Kimono Kollection successfully opened its newest chapter, proving that true style only gains momentum with time.
Juliet Onyema is a transport journalist who reports on Nigeria’s transport and automobile industry. She covers emerging Electric Vehicles (EVs), ranging from adoption to usage, automobile firms and transport policies which affect them, and also recurring trends affecting commuters’ mobility interstate and intrastate.