NIGERIAN DESIGN collective, Ile Moremi, returns to thisyears African Fashion Week London in August showcasing indigenous tie-dye textile, Adire, in their signature jumpsuits and basketweave jackets.

Ile Moremi Collection is inspired by the legendary queen Moremi Ajasoro who sacrificed to save her people from slavery.

These unique jumpsuit pieces are made in Nigeria using indigenous Adire from Ogun State.

Profits from the Ile Moremi Collection go towards campaigns and programs agains modern-day slavery and trafficking of young women. The campaigns create awareness for this new phase of slavery and integration programs help them back into society through education grants and start-up funds.

How Adire is made
The Adire fabric textile is made used by using four techniques in the designing and dying of fabrics. These are:  

1. PLEATING: This is a technique in Adire that involves folding of fabrics by doubling the fabric back upon itself on securing it n folds so as to have the fabrics lined up in layers. At this point, the fabric can then be gathered or arranged into narrower form. In doing this, there is always the desired pattern before folding.  After folding,  twine, rope or raffia is used to tie the fabric in ways to protect it from the dye.
2. MARBLING: Also known as Crack or Jacquard, this is a technique that crumples the fabric. This method helps in preventing the effect of dyes. No rope is needed to tie the fabrics.  The dye is applied in a sieve or a cup.
3. KNOTTING (ELESO/ONIKO): It is a process that involves using raffia or ropes to tie several parts of the fabrics to produce various sized circles.
4. PAINTING: This is another of creating splashes of colour after the Adire process to ensure the brightness of the pattern. 

Africa Fashion Week London will feature catwalk shows, give visitors a chance to shop ‘until’ they ‘drop’, sample African food and engage in inspiring forums.

This year will also see the launch of their graduate fashion and design day. Universities and higher education colleges will be invited to register their students of fashion, hair and beauty, architecture and habitat design, art, photography and journalism to take part in our student catwalk and exhibition day.

AFWL 2020:

Doors open: Noon Freemasons’ Hall
Address: 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ
August 6 – Graduate Fashion & Design Showcase

August 7 – AFWL2020 Friday Showcase, Exhibition & Business Fashion Talks Forum

August 8 – AFWL2020 Saturday Showcase, Exhibition & Business Fashion Talks Forum