Designer Taofeek Abijako's new exhibit 'In Moonlight We Turn Blue,' is on view in New York City this weekend.
When New York Fashion Week rolled around in September, Head of State designer Taofeek Abijako wasn’t feeling ready to stage a whole new fashion show. “I needed time to breathe, and for audiences to process[Homecoming],” says Abijako, who launched his brand fresh out of high school in 2016. But that’s not to say the Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based designer wasn’t feeling inspired: Instead, he began work on a special new art exhibition, which will be on view this weekend in New York City.
In collaboration with Paul Hill—the founder of Strada, a Gen Z-centered art gallery and online marketplace—Head of State will present “In Moonlight We Turn Blue,” running from October 21st through the 23rd. The showcase explores Black vulnerability; Hill and Abijako were inspired by a quote from one of their favorite films,, “In moonlight, Black boys look blue.
In addition to his own pieces, the exhibit will also display works—ranging from textiles to sculptures—by artists such as Ambrose Rhapsody Murray, Armani Howard and Malaika Temba, and Joshua Adokuru. Hill wanted to showcase an assortment of Black artists from different regions—as far apart as Nigeria and the southern U.S.—all of whom explore themes of identity. “We were thinking about geographical identity and Blackness, and what that means as an artist,” says Paul.
Abijako even has future plans to disrupt the retail space soon, too: He says he’s working on launching NeuSette with cofounder Dugan Zier, a new retail platform dedicated to supporting up-and-coming brands. “We want to explore what a retail space could possibly look like in a new age,” says Abijako. “I want it to be a gallery. Yes, we'll be selling clothes, but it’ll also be a safe space for our favorite artists to show. We’re not trying to follow tradition—we’re trying to push boundaries.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Book Explores Perspectives of Black Voters Disillusioned With Democratic PartyBlack Americans have historically been the most reliable voting block for the Democratic Party for decades. But in her book, “Black Skinhead: Reflections on Blackness and Our Political Future,” Chicago native and Harvard research director Brandi Collins-Dexter says the picture is much more nuanced.
Read more »
The Top Bridal Trends for Fall 2023 Include Y2K References and Full Editorial LooksBridal designers are pushing themselves out of time-honored boundaries to introduce new and surprising elements.
Read more »
SELF November Book Club: How One Athlete’s Fury Went ViralRead an exclusive excerpt from AlisonMDesir's new book, “Running While Black.”
Read more »
Cybersecurity experts warn of cyberattacks on electric vehiclesCybersecurity experts are warning that the race toward electric vehicles is overlooking their vulnerability to cyberattacks.
Read more »