London-based Mowalola as led by Nigerian-born designer Mowalola Ogunlesi presented a spring 2025 collection during London Fashion Week. As has become the norm for the label, there was some pushback on the designs themselves in particular multiple garments emblazoned with the word “n–ga,” as well as a one detailed with the word “ebony,” a reference to musician Dean Blunt’s 2012 Black is Beautiful album cover that makes use of the same font used by the U.S. publication of the same name.
While the label’s collection caused controversy, some were just as upset to see images of Ogunlesi and fashion creative Ian Connor sitting side by side in an intimate manner backstage following the show. Connor is a U.S. based designer and stylists who’s worked with an array of high-profile music creatives including Ye, Wiz Khalifa and A$AP Rocky over the years. Ogunlesi herself has worked with and been mentored by Ye, who covered the cost of her spring 2024 fashion presentation.
With rumors flying that the couple is engaged and possibly married we reach out to Ongunlesi for clarifications. Without specifically addressing their relationship, she wrote, “It’s unfortunate. I am a black woman breaking boundaries and u wanna report on gossip. I do not, DO NOT respect that.” She then added, “People lie on my everyday. Let’s stop giving liars a platform.”
When we responded that all humans gossip, Ongulesi added, “Gossip is useless. U don’t even ask about the collection. It’s sad to see people act like this. Y’all dono how to be human.”
Though Connor has maintained a large following Instagram and X, he remains a highly-controversial figure because of rape and sexual assault accusations that have followed him throughout his career.
Ogunlesi seemingly reflected on the accusations against Connor in mid-September on X where she wrote, “In 2022 a girl I was friends & then cut off went online to call me a devil worshipper and a sexual abuser. While having a manic episode. All because she did not get out what she thought she would from our friendship. (Clout chaser) Just cuz people say something doesn’t make it true. But people only want to believe bad things about you.”
