African fashion is deeply rooted in culture and stories. It prides itself in its diversity. Each piece, design, and fabric tells a different story for a different part of the continent. Fashion designers who are in tune with their roots take advantage of this rich cultural tapestry and weave these stories into their designs. The African design stands out in rooms and runways, whether chic, dapper, or Haute Couture. Creative directors and designers from Africa have evolved beyond fashion and tailoring to build communities around their wear. These designers intentionally create pieces that carry the mark of their deep cultural roots. One such designer is Ogharadukun Temisanren Micheal, the creative director of Dukun. Temisan marries his heritage with urban chic, creating a style and collection that is both dapper and avant-garde. He blends his style with what he’s learned as a designer, setting himself apart. Growing Up with Flamboyant African Aunties Born in Warri, Delta state of Nigeria, Temisan grew up in a large family and watched his grandmother and other extended family members dress up elegantly for any occasion. One of the most vivid memories that Temisan had of fashion craftsmanship was watching one of his aunties make a jacket as part of her final project from a tailoring institution. The technique she used in embroidering the lapel fascinated him. While getting a double honour (B.pharm, Pharm.D) in Pharmacy from the University of Benin, Temisan was drawn back to his first love, fashion. In his fourth year at the university, he spent his free time learning patterns and how to sew. Temisan downloaded books on tailoring and fashion design and spent hours on YouTube to better understand the rudiments of design and how to make a dress. While in school, Temisan taught himself enough to sew a full dress and began to make dresses for his female coursemate. He considered focusing on women’s fashion but decided against it. “I did not enjoy it as much as I loved doing menswear,” he says. For a long time, he thought about carving out his niche. “I wanted to be certain about the kind of work I wanted to do with Dukun before taking the plunge because when you change aesthetics too often, it changes the demography you want to cater to, and it feels
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