For his presentation in Paris, Kenneth Ize invited artist Maty Biayenda to live paint a mural as models milled around in his unisex clothes.
Six months ago, Kenneth Ize made his debut at Paris Fashion Week with a critically acclaimed show featuring Naomi Campbell. His life since then has been “a rollercoaster.”
Ignited by the Black Lives Matter movement and a surge in violence against transgender people, the LVMH Prize finalist saw clearly that he could make a statement as a queer Black man with a multicultural upbringing. He noted that Nigerian law still punishes same-sex relationships by up to 14 years in jail.“I’m like, OK, this is where I need to take chances, and I need to know what I’m doing exactly with my brand,” Ize recalled. “Africans are dramatic, elaborate, sophisticated.
There were new variations on his signature striped tailoring, rendered in traditional woven fabric, but also in summer-friendly chiffons and light knits. Standouts included a sleeveless top with a silky fringe skirt, and a brightly colored shirt, top and pants using the same stripe in several directions.
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