The other night in Lagos, an exclusive, invite-only event unfolded. With a wealth of Afro-A-listers and industry innovators flocking to the Nigerian city to view a vivacious exhibition, the night was hosted by none other than Dunsin Wright – stylist, creative director, consultant and PR queen. Wright is a prominent Nigerian stylist with a taste for tomboyish touches and glamorous girls with a tremendous celebrity client roster counting – most notably – popular Alté musician and audio visual artist, Tems. She also happens to be the head of PR for luxury African label Lisa Folawiyo, which fuses traditional West African fabrics with modern tailoring and expressive evening wear, so trust us when we say she’s a force to be reckoned with. Among the 200 VIP attendees on the opening night of Wright’s presentation, were Tems, of course, alongside Alté artist Boj. National Geographic explorer, artist and photojournalist Yagazie Emezi showed up too.
Photography by Manny Jefferson. Dunsin Wright wearing a dress designed by CSM student Eulalee and Nigerian brand Kadiju
Entitled 2121: ‘Speculative Everything’, the ephemeral spectacle was Wright’s first edition of what’s to become an annual fashion exhibition. Looking at fashion and the dispositions of sci-fi, the showcase examines alternative realities and potential futures through an intersectional lens. The inaugural theme implores brands and attendees to imagine what fashion might look like a hundred years from now, inspired by the sci-fi genre and its historical exclusion of people of colour. “Black people have historically been excluded from sci-fi and depictions of the future, or are faced with linear narratives about ‘Afrofuturism,’” Wright wrote on Instagram. “How do we envision a better future when it’s hard to imagine yourself in one?”
Featuring the work of five talented emerging African fashion designers and multimedia artists – including CSM student Zainab Mansary, Nigerian atelier Kadiju, model Adesuwa Aighewi’s Legacy, a “space of creation” that spotlights community and artisans, and London Fashion Week frequenter, Feben – a unique vision of what’s to come was created. Using the innovative ideas of each to do so, materials, design process, sustainability and craft were central concentrations.
“I was drawn to Afrofuturism as a concept in recognition of the fact that we need to reclaim current narratives of our art, our history and our collective experience. Through 2121 we highlight a new generation of designers who present the future of African art today,” Wright told 10 Magazine. “I also wanted to create a space where the attendees could be inspired to be audacious with their dreams. This is important especially in Lagos, where a lot of developmental issues can make even achieving small goals feel hopeless. 2121 creates a space where we can feel more optimistic about the future with our creativity leading the way.”
Photography by Michael Agharese.
Accompanying the exhibition, a textural little zine was created in a collaboration between Gida Journal – the print-based publication featuring works by West African visual artists and storytellers – and Dunsin’s 2121. Each palpable page considers alternate realities, Afrofuturism and Blackness through the work of eleven different designers and artists.
Photography courtesy of 2121.
