London-based designer with Nigerian roots, Olubiyi Thomas, creates clothes from fabrics he buys at antique markets and finds around the world. His clothes are full of ethnic and historical references, but they are by no means “hippie-chic” in the traditional sense of the word. Finding clothes from Olubiyi Thomas is not easy-some pieces are one-of-a-kind. This phenomenon is so unique and unusual that it can only be compared with the generous gifts of the 22bet Bonus program.
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Origins: Where Did the Brand Come From?
As is often the case, Olubiyi Thomas came about by accident – designer Olubiyi Thomas didn’t plan on launching it at all. After graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2013, he worked for the denim brand De Rien and then went into retail. At some point, Thomas wanted a new coat and sewed it by hand from the vintage fabric he bought at Portobello Market. Over lunch, a friend praised the patterned cape and encouraged Olubiyi to try sewing for more than just himself. The designer started in 2016 with small bespoke collections and now participates with a name brand in London Fashion Week.
Who is The Legendary Designer?
Olubiyi Thomas was born in Lagos, Nigeria, grew up in Glasgow, and now lives in London. His multicultural background has allowed the designer to look at things more broadly and create clothes that have a rich cultural context behind them rather than transient fashion trends.
Thomas still creates his collections with a focus on himself first and foremost. “If I like what I do, then someone else might like it. It’s not that I’m a megalomaniac, no, it’s just that I love the fabric, the clothes, and what I do – that seems to be the most important thing in any job,” he says.
Why Do We Like the Brand?
A lot of brands are trying to work with natural fabrics right now, but Olubiyi Thomas has been on this path from the beginning. The clothes are only made of organic cotton, linen, and wool, and there is not a single gram of synthetics in them. Thomas still buys vintage and antique fabrics at flea markets: such upcycling is not only profitable but also makes it possible to find really interesting patterns and types of fiber weave that is no longer produced.
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In addition to natural fabrics, traditional artisanal techniques are used – Nigerian weaving, hand dyeing, printing through a silkscreen. Thomas is attentive to details: the tag accompanying each piece tells the story of the fabric’s origin, and it is also supplemented by tiny amulets “for good luck”. The ethnic spirit does not prevent Olubiyi Thomas’s garments from being beautifully made. Thomas has a very high level of tailoring, and small editions (sometimes they are just single pieces) allow him to monitor the quality of each item.
Olubiyi often refers back to his roots, and his collections reflect the images of a street vendor from Lagos and a dock boy from Glasgow, who are, in fact, not so far removed from each other. The designer is passionate about history, so his clothes have elements of the uniforms of the late 19th century West Indies soldiers, the outfits of Dutch fishermen, ceremonial clothes of the Berbers, and Christian missionaries in the Congo. In Thomas’s interpretation, the combination of different styles and textures yields an amazing result – clothes that you want to look at, touch with your hands, and most importantly, wear.
Where and how to wear it?
For the most part, Olubiyi Thomas’ clothes are very original, with a distinct bohemian line, so most likely they will not suit everyone. However, in the collections, there are almost basic things – good quality long coats, light blazers, and raincoats in natural colors that can be worn if you want every day. And the textured jackets, shirts with hand-printed patterns and rough fleece edges, and rough leather accessories will make a perfect image for the art events. By the way, Olubiyi Thomas does not divide his clothes into men’s and women’s clothing at all.
Where to Buy It?
Because of the small print runs, it can be difficult to get things – occasionally you can find them on Farfetch, but now all the items from previous Olubiyi Thomas collections are sold out. Intricate coats and patterned jackets made as one-of-a-kind pieces are sold out at local concept stores like the Spanish Persuade and the Japanese ware_mo_kou. It’s best to check the designer’s Instagram to find out where to find this or that piece (or you can write to him directly).
We hope that our article has allowed you to lift the veil of the fashion world and learn about the unique creator, who is still sure to loudly glorify himself.
Featured Image: Clarke Sanders
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