The brainchild of designer of Walé Oyéjidé, Ikiré Jones is a design studio rooted in the spirit of reinterpreting old world master portraiture with the intent to celebrate of people of color in textiles.
What started as a menswear brand in 2013 has morphed into an artistic endeavor for which Oyéjidé’s illustrations are the cornerstone. For fall 2017, Oyéjidé and tailor Samuel Hubler created a unisex collection marked by its striking and artful graphics. Titled “Awake and At Home in America,” the collection (photographed by Joshua Kissi) takes on the voice of the immigrant experience.
Commenting on the intent of the collection, press states, “But for those of us who came against our will, and those of us that later fought our way over we too wanted to dream. We are here to serve as a reminder that, although the promises of the past may not have been made with us in mind, we fully intend to hold them into account. Regardless of what tongues we speak, regardless of what names we choose to call in prayer, regardless of what offense it might cause to the delicate sensibilities of the old guard.We are the America that is here to stay. We are awake and we are very much at home.”
Ikiré Jones has been part of exhibitions at the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain, the Kunsthal in Rotterdam, and the Fowler museum in UCLA. Oyéjidé is a current Ted conference fellow and will be speaking at the global conference in August 2017.
Current Ikiré Jones pieces are available at Ikirejones.com.
