This is my own means of protesting, what is yours?
On this day, exactly a year ago – 20/10/2020 – for a great deal of Nigerians is one we can’t forget in a hurry. A day that started in high spirits ended with the social media streets filled with images of the Nigerian flag soiled in the blood of its people. Facing a harsh reality – The Government can turn the resources made to protect its citizens against them. The sad part? A year later, and we’re still asking, “Who ordered the shooting?”
The end sars youth-led series of peaceful demonstrations against our country’s brutal police squad resulted in the deaths of at least 12 unarmed protestors at the hands of the Nigerian military at Lekki Toll Gate. Maxixive – An androgynous Menswear label in Lagos, Nigeria – is making sure that the lives we lost to the #ENDSARS protests are never forgotten.
The visual interpretation of the Creative Director’s direct approach to the 20/10/20 event is incredibly fascinating. Using the copy of the blood-stained flag, digitalizing it, and then making it into the anchoring fabric of the “Soiled Flag” collection to honour the end sars heroes. We spoke to Papa Oyeyemi – The Creative Director – about the “Soiled Flag” drop.
It’s been a year since the tragic killing of youths during the EndSARS protests. Why now? What made you feel this was the right moment?
Every year, I create a capsule collection to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence. Maxivive is known for its innovation, activism and craftmanship, for this year’s capsule, I decided to pay a deserved tribute to the 20/10/20 event and its victims as direct and raw as
possible.
Can you walk us through the journey of making this collection? From fabric choice to design choice.
I knew exactly what I wanted so it was easier. I had a thorough look into my 14 years worth archive and selected designs I think would capture the spirit of the capsule. Then, I tapped Apreel to digitalize the soiled flag. The rest is as you’ve seen the designs.
You tasked Apreel Geek to bring your imagination to life. Can you tell us more about that?
He is my friend. I just asked Apreel to make a digital rendition of the soiled flag that we got on research. We then got it reproduced for the collection.
How would you want people to feel when they wear this collection?
I want people to be provoked on seeing the print hence making it raw.
We should all be angry, we should demand better, we should all protest in whatever ways we can. This is my own means of protesting, what is yours?
Would you say there’s some sort of intersection between fashion and politics? If yes, what is it?
Everything has fashion in them. Fashion is diplomacy. You can use fashion for so many things depending on who, where and how it’s been used. Politics and Fashion are best of friends really – as appearance is all that sells either in the physical or psychic realms. Maxivive is a brand rooted in fashion, art and activism. I believe these three realms are very important and have a huge influence on humanity.
What’s next from Maxivive?
You can never know what’s next Temphas, that’s why it’s Maxivive.
