There is a universal appreciation for the golden hour. That perfect moment when the sun hangs low enough in the sky to cast a hazy, warm glow over everything. Those lucky enough to have experienced summer in Grand-Bassam, a popular beach resort in Ivory Coast, are likely to have vivid memories of the glittering sun reflecting off the ocean at sunset. That feeling of ‘tropical sensuality’ was what designer Artistide Loua hoped to capture with his final showcase in spring 2025 during Lagos Fashion Week. “This collection is about exploring the romance between the water and the sun at a certain hour,” he said. “It all takes you back to the beach: the colors, the textures, the lights.”
Despite Loua’s love for Kente, a traditional fabric from Ghana and parts of West Africa, this collection marked a turning point for the brand. For the first time, he didn’t build it around the traditional fabric; only a third of the looks contained Kente fabric. “We are able to make unisex and feminine pieces, even though we have men’s at the end [the brand’s name]” he said. In Kente’s place, he introduced new fabrics such as linen-denim and lace, and created more commercial, lightweight pleated looks.
Loua showed us that he also has an eye for the details. Cleverly tailored by artisans in Abidjan, the Kente suits featured cast bronze buttons in the shape of shells – a nod to the treasures found on the beach. Standout pieces included the cropped striped blazer paired with matching Bermuda shorts and a white linen denim jacket paired with a white lace midi skirt. More experiments to come, he hinted: “Kente Gentlemen is a call for people to remember that the essence of our brand is the use of locally made and produced textiles… It’s not just about Kente, it’s a whole story we are trying to tell. together.”