Lagos Space Programme Project 9 AW24/25 ‘Invitation to Ojude Oba’

Founded by Adeju Thompson in 2018, Lagos Space Programme is a gender-fluid Nigerian design label that explores the intersection of Yoruba heritage research and future culture creation. The label, guided by the cultural and spiritual philosophies of the Yoruba people through a queer lens, focuses on heritage craftsmanship, sharp tailoring, experimental design, fair pricing, and transparent sourcing.

In the latest collection, Project 9, titled 'Invitation to Ojude Oba,' Adeju showcases deconstructed and re-imagined Yoruba garments alongside nods to quintessential British menswear. The pieces, rendered in rich natural indigo with signature hand-painted post-adire motifs, bring the brand's perspective into sharper focus. This collection draws inspiration from the vibrant Ojude Oba festival in Southwestern Nigeria, celebrating the Yoruba people of Ijebu-Ode and marking 10 years of Adeju's work in fashion. The designs reflect a blend of romantic flourishes recalling the era of the two cultures' first encounters and the sober patrician tailoring of acceptable men's dress during the colonial period.

The collection features a beautiful full-length double breasted overcoat with viscose lining and split back vent in wool blend jacquard. This collection seamlessly melds British and Nigerian heritage, reflecting the designer's personal journey as a queer individual exploring and embracing both cultural landscapes.

This collection was created with the support of the newly founded Ministry of Economy and Creative Culture, specifically created to support young Nigerian Creatives in different fields such as Music, Film and Fashion.

Lagos Space Programme was shortlisted for the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers in 2021 and was crowned the winner of the International Woolmark Prize and the Fashion Trust Arabia Emerge Prize in 2023.