Orange Culture Spring 2027: Makoko Inspires Water Will Carry Us at Berlin's ICC

Nigerian designer Adebayo Oke-Lawal presented Orange Culture's spring 2027 collection, Water Will Carry Us, at Berlin's International Congress Centrum (ICC), a 1979 silver megastructure once built for 20,000. The 24-look collection drew inspiration from Makoko, a historic fishing community on the Lagos Lagoon founded by Egun fishermen in the 19th century, known for stilt houses, wooden walkways, and canoes. Oke-Lawal described Makoko as a place of contradiction, beauty, and hardship. The collection featured saturated colors—yellow, red, blue, violet—and sheer layers, with abstract prints of a lone figure crossing water, ruched tops evoking aerial views of waterways, and voluminous crochet tops with tonal pom-poms. Asymmetrical layering referenced Makoko's irregular architecture, while sheer fabrics played with protection and exposure. Handwoven Aso Oke appeared in contemporary polo shirts, and guinea cloth, traditionally ceremonial, was reimagined as lightweight outerwear. Locally sourced cotton, lace, organza, and meticulous hand-finishing were used. Collaborations included Eki Ogunbor of Kisara designing Orange Culture's debut handbag inspired by Makoko's canoes; Crochet Goodie developing crochet; Paolo Sisiano creating the Makoko Fisherman print; and Berlin-based Stella Owusu of In Jewels designing jewelry.