ONOMEN's 'unapologetically quirky' AfroPunk style exudes strength and boldness

Published: 29 September 2016 | by Pippa Mann
ONOMEN's 'unapologetically quirky' AfroPunk style exudes strength and boldness
ONOMEN at the AFWL 2016 - Photo by OneVybe
ONOMEN, established by Aiwan Obinyan in 2014, had a successful relaunch, showcasing the brand's second collection at the AFWL 2016.

Aiwan had taken a break from music at the end of 2011 and the clothing brand came about because the desire to be creative remained very strong.



"That's when I began to think about different ways I could play around with Ankara and the ways I might wear it in a style that works for me," Aiwan told OneVybe.
 
ONOMEN is targeted at people who like to wear African prints in an AfroPunk style and describing her collection as strong, bold and unapologetically quirky, Aiwan said that her ancestors and the streets of London are her inspiration.



"I really enjoy visualising the components and seeing in my mind how they will fit together. I also really enjoy solving issues with construction so that the clothes fit well, are rugged but also are aesthetically appealing.
 
"The ONOMEN reversible hoodies provide a prime example of a challenge I dealt with in designing this collection – the challenge was that to have two sets of kangaroo pockets on both sides would lead to a bulky looking bottom half – not good.
 
"So I removed the kangaroo pockets on the Ankara side and replaced it with a simple and flat left breast pocket, problem solved.

"Now you have two jackets with two very different aesthetics – one side is very much UK, inner-city with a hint of colour, the other side makes a strong and bold statement with a hint of sophistication."
 


Sourcing Ankara fabrics can be a hurdle as the prints tend to be of limited edition. It is best to buy in bulk, making sure there is enough for production.

Of this challenge, Aiwan said, "I've had to scour the internet and order fabrics in the global marketplace to fulfil orders. As a company we also manufacture for wholesale customers and for this we are looking to source fabrics at the source so that we can buy whole rolls and ensure consistency and efficiency.

"The way we have dealt with this challenge in the retail sector is to treat each item as limited edition making sure our customers know that once this run is gone, it's gone and not coming back – so buy now or forever hold your peace."



"Another challenge is the production chain – at the moment we source fabrics, trimmings and accessories from a variety of suppliers, which means every time we have an order or want to do a run, we have to liaise with a group of suppliers, all who have different timescales for delivery.

"This can be very intense – especially when the team of tailors are waiting on one seemingly small item to finish a run of clothes and the supplier is held up for whatever reason."



To accompany the brand's relauch, ONOMEN are working on a documentary, filmed in Ghana, investigating the history of West African fabrics. The feature-length documentary will trace how the versatile fabric's usage has changed over time, the current trends and its cultural, social, political and economic future.

Through the documentary and clothing line, Aiwan aims to raise awareness and positively reflect African inspired fashion. "Africans, both on the continent and in the diaspora, are in a state of change and increasing awareness of both our strengths and the mistakes that were made in the past," Aiwan said.



"This awareness is causing us, rightfully so, to question everything – religion, culture, the mainstream narrative and so much more. Since I can remember, through my music and films and now with ONOMEN, I've always been a proponent for African consciousness and positivity, re-writing the narrative with our own words, controlling our resources and leaving a powerful legacy for the next generation.

"It's very important that every one of us takes responsibility for doing what is right for the continent and for each other."



If you want to be a part of the documentary, as an artist, social commentator, academic, historian, mother, father, AfroPunk, Aiwan says "If you have something interesting you'd like to share, state, shout or perhaps a funny, sad, angry story to tell about Africa and / or African fabrics, in the documentary please drop us a line and lets shoot!"
 
Aiwan is also working on the final designs for the ONOMEN Spring/Summer 2017 collection and they are always on the lookout for strong looking, quirky, interesting models for their collections and photo shoots. There are no age restrictions.



For more info on modelling for ONOMEN and the documentary please get in touch:

Email: info@onomen.com
Web: www.onomen.com
FB: www.facebook.com/onomenuk
Twitter: @ONOMENuk
Instagram: @onomenuk

Upcoming events:

The Vessel on the 8th October 2016: ONOMEN will be exhibiting and selling at this charity, music and cultural event in association with KORI – youth and community development in Africa.

Unique Runway Show on the19th November 2016: ONOMEN will be showcasing the winter collection and also an exclusive piece on the runway. They will also have a stall at the event. Please visit to get your Christmas presents.
Time:7-11pm
Location: TNG Centre, 111 Wells Park Road, SE26 6AD

The African Market, Spitalfields on the 26th Nov 2016 (TBC): ONOMEN will have a regular stall at this popular market in the heart of London.
- OneVybe
Tags: ONOMEN, Ankara, fashion,

You Might Also Like...

Leave a Comment

Most Recent Posts

Retro-Mega-Mas' Immersive Christmas Experience
A Christmas show filled with nostalgia containing 80's memorabilia. ...
Fun, Fashionable, Sustainable: Clothes Swapping Event
A new sustainabilty clothing event in Caerphilly coming up.On the 23rd...
Anthem: Platform Making a Career in Music Accessible for Youngsters
Young aspiring Welsh Musicians, here is the platform you need to kick...
Study Shows that Vaping Can Help You Quit Smoking
Cigarette smoking or tobacco smoking involves burning of tobacco...
Rat Boy perform in Cardiff as part of UK Tour
Rat Boy thrilled the Cardiff crowd at the TramShed on the 5th of...
Highlights from the Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2018
The UK's only dedicated event for the garment decoration in...
Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2018 returns to NEC, Birmingham
Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2018 returns a month earlier than ...
London Fashion Week Festival 22-25 February 2018
Staged in London Fashion Week venue: The Store Studios, 180 Str...
Fashions Finest AW/18 back on 17-18 February 2018
Fashions Finest, a platform for UK and international emerging d...
Pure London, 11-13 February 2017, Olympia London
Pure London, set for 11-13 February 2017, offers the best place to ...
Swahili Fashion Week 2017 highlights
Swahili Fashion Week is the biggest and largest annual fashion event...
Call for Story Friday submission for 'Home' theme, deadline 26th Febru
We had a great time at a very scary Story Friday Haunting recently, ...
Another Third World Hussle releases video for 'Get Money'
Another Third World Hussle (ATWH) is pleased to announce the release ...
Ragnar Kjartansson returns to Wales with a new performance
Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson will return to Wales to present a...
Throwback Thursdays: Hellavagirl at Fashions Finest 2016
Re-live past events during our Throwback Thursdays series where we sho...
Fashioned from Nature Exhibition to open at the Victoria and Albert Mu
The first UK exhibition to explore the complex relationship between ...
Throwback Thursdays: Gia Viviana Dimicova at Fashions Finest 2016
Re-live past events during our Throwback Thursdays series where ...
Kalibe, with its unique sound, breaks the mould in world music
Globalisation has meant that the world is getting smaller and we a...
Throwback Thursdays: Biblos Glasgow
Re-live past events during our Throwback Thursdays series where we sho...
Spend an evening with Ruth-Ellen and Friends
October's edition of #REAF will feature live performances and an inte...
Throwback Thursdays: Pure London January 2017
Re-live past events during our Throwback Thursdays series where we sho...
Dru Hill featuring Sisqo, 112 and Ginuwine embark on UK Tour
Dru Hill, the American R&B quartet led by Sisqo, are heading to...
Akon announces 2017 UK tour dates
Rapper will be joined by the Konvict Kartel for seven shows acr...
Founder of The fashion Webb gives tips on creating engaging online con
Mitchell Webb is the founder of The Fashion Webb fashion & life...
Pure London kicks off with 'oriental futures' themed catwalk
Pure London kicked off with a catwalk show featuring the 'oriental f...
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin: The untold story coming soon
Valerie Brandes and Laure Deprez of Jacaranda Books have acquired O...
Watch exclusive behind the scenes on Wax Print Film
Fashion designer Aiwan Obinyan has released some exclusive behind th...
The British Style Collective kicked off its 3 day event in Liverpool o
After more than 30 years based at the National Exhibition Centre in B...
eNaledge releases new single featuring Mercy
The Northern Hussle (TNH) and Another Third World Hussle (ATWH) fou...
Colour Clash set to return to Newport, July 15 2017
Colour Clash is set to return to Rodney Parade in Newport, Wales on ...