Nigeria, the land of plenty

of high-heels, beards and smartphones Saturday night, these are the last hours of the Lagos Fashion Week 2017. It takes place under a large air-conditioned marquee set-up in the middle of Eko Atlantic. The ambitious smart city is still work in progress. Just a few of the planned towers have been erected, but it is an adequate place for a large and chic gathering with an ounce of adventure in the middle of an empty space reclaimed on the sea. The city may not exist yet but a large paved boulevard is leading to the heart of the future city. It is perfect to go to a function where high-heels are de rigueur. And there is plenty of space to park. The theme of this year's Lagos Fashion Week modestly reads "Africa: Shaping Fashion's Future". As I come there at eight thirty in the evening, not much is happening outside the marquee, but judging by the amount of cars parked far away from the entrance, the hall must be packed. There is a relaxed atmosphere as ...

Masters, Landlords and Bosses Kelechi Odu, Boss or Master? Saturday evening, last minute announcement, Kelechi Odu is presenting his autumn/winter fashion collection under the title "Masters, Landlords and Bosses" in reference to the traditional clothing of british aristocracy of the past centuries. Iconic elements of traditional clothing were re-interpreted with new materials - a lot of transparency - like a veil of the past put on modern clothes. The rather stately theme seemed to me a natural choice for Kelechi who likes to upset conventions and mischieviously question the established order (his signature is the neckless shirt, looking as if someone had just torn its neck to breath better). He used transparent material to provide colours and texture to jackets, shirts, robes and waistcoats. The lightness of the fabric is well adapted to Lagos hot and humid weather. He also produced some ruffled pieces. A black transparent robe with a white ruffled collar includin...