YOU NEE(D)
FORM
I grew up commuting to school in Nigeria dressed in a tie and blazer. Through my car window, I first noticed African wax prints on garments worn by those I passed—often in contexts marked by hardship. Seeing these fabrics amid struggle led me to associate them with negative circumstances. Later, I realized how these impressions limited my perspective. This project reframes wax prints as symbols of cultural richness rather than hardship, inviting a nuanced appreciation of their history.
At its core, this work explores identity. The garments act as a communicative medium, prompting questions about culture and belonging—especially among diasporic communities with experiences. The “Foundation,” the base fabric, echoes contemporary African attire and service workers’ uniforms through its tailored cut. The “Expression,” the surface pattern, features ambiguous motifs designed to spark inquiries into wax printing’s history, its ties to imperialism, and overlooked aspects of Black history.
These designs suit everyday wear and gallery or pop-up environments. I envision them from a rural marketplace to shopping at Fortnum & Mason, empowering the wearer to navigate any space—formal or informal—with confidence, running errands or attending a fashion showcase.
Exploring formality versus informality, this project is officially titled “YOU NEE(D) FORM” (uniform, youneeform).