This article has been a long time coming as I have been following this brand for the best part of 3 years but being Amsterdam based it was difficult to get some one on one time with them. Fortunately for me I finally met Daily Paper at London Fashion Week Mens in June, and after a quick introduction, I poured my heart out about how much of a fan I was and vowed to see more of them. No sooner had that happened, did I find myself at Paris Fashion Week Mens at Daily Paper’s showroom in Le Marais.
Walking into the showroom, I met with the founders Jefferson Osei and Hussein Suleiman, as well as PR Manager Isaac Tremaine. Between the three of them I was given a comprehensive background into the brand and their collection. The theme of the showroom was ‘Mastering the Digital Age’, which explored the concept of shifting into a digital age, using topics such as crypto-currency and social dependency and incorporates African influence. As such a complex topic it was interesting to see how this was presented in both the collection and the space itself.
If you’ve been following Daily Paper you will have noticed their evolution from their blog days, to now holding fashion week shows and showrooms, but what has remained unchanged is their ethos and passion for the development of African Nations and this is reflected in their collection and their contribution to the community. Whilst remaining culturally based, they are able to intertwine the age of modernity into their pieces, to give us their take on the future of Africa when combined with European influence. From the boxy cuts to their ability to intertwine complex patterns, bold colours, while still replicating simplicity and practicality, the brand moves away from preconceived ideas of African inspired fashion, to deliver truly contemporary garments malleable to the runway and the streets!
The brand showcases the influence of western civilisation in Africa and its evolution, from their tongue-in-cheek ‘Western Union’ bags and hoodies to their detailed womenswear jackets, and their use of- semi transparent material in reference to society’s need to see/have access to everything at all times. I was drawn to the deeper meaning tailored into much of the collection, and spent a great deal of time decoding the message which left me feeling well informed and excited for the brand’s future. It appears that Daily Paper is not only contextualising societal changes and technological advancement; but also shaping Africa’s response to it, and in doing so they begin to lead the the change by being ambassadors for the continent. Whilst we can’t predict the future, it’s safe to say Daily Paper is here to stay!
Following a riveting showroom tour, I am pleased to know that Daily Paper will be launching a pop up store in London (Shoreditch) on the 14th of September 6pm. Yet another opportunity to see what the brand has in store for us!