Tokyo James favourite of Julie Gilhart a catch-up on his past few collections of the British-Nigerian Menswear Designer

Tokyo James is a British-Nigerian Menswear Designer at the forefront of a new generation of fashion talent emerging from the content of Africa, founded in 2015 by Iniye Tokyo James. Traveling between London and Lagos, with a base in menswear his collections emphasise the use of traditional Saville Row tailoring whilst shattering traditions with unconventional Pantone and textile choices  –– gaining James a fast-growing cult following globally. SS/22 draws inspiration from the  Osu caste system used by the Igbo people of eastern Nigeria. Osu—or outcasts—are shunned by society and looked down on; James saw them as representative of outcasts around the world.

Speaking to the modern man, the eponymous brand emphasises the use of traditional techniques, bold fabrics, texture, and structured silhouettes to outfit the confident at heart.  At its core, Tokyo James creates irreverent fashion with cultural edge for the bold. The brand focuses on intersectionality, the coming together, and the commonality of worlds.

Whether it be merging the old with the new, Africa and Europe, simplicity and complexity, the good and the bad of societies, or the mixing of fabrics—the brand always finds the similarities that exist between them and celebrates that.

The Inspiration behind the Tokyo James brand has all been born out of struggle, change, a revolt for good, and the freedom to express individual thoughts and identity, as well as to shake up a stagnant industry – which has led to powerful creativity. Tokyo has received worldwide press in publications & new outlets such as Vogue, CNN African Voices, i-D, Harpers Bazaar UK, W magazine, Highsnobiety, and many others