Tolu Coker Unveils 'Olapeju': A Vibrant Tribute to Nigerian Heritage at London Fashion Week SS25
"Olapeju," a celebration of her Nigerian heritage and an homage to her mother Olapeju Coker, Tolu Coker created a strong impression at London Fashion Week SS25. Olapeju, which means "wealth gathers" in the collection's name, symbolizes more than simply financial prosperity; it is a monument to the abundance of culture, family, and community that have molded Coker's identity.
By Asteroid Media
The design, which draws inspiration from her mother’s 1970s style, combines vintage elements with eco-friendly, repurposed materials like recovered denim and deadstock leather. The backdrop, which mirrored her late father’s living room and included family photos and sentimental items, turned the runway into a personal story. This celebration of family history gave the program a very poignant underbelly.
The color scheme was dominated by earth tones, with vivid greens honoring the Nigerian flag. The designs incorporated modern materials and methods with traditional Nigerian clothing elements, like as sculptured head wraps and puff sleeves, to give the collection a new, contemporary edge. Black models were used extensively in the program, underscoring Coker’s dedication to showcasing Black culture and beauty.
In her own words Tolu expressed a sense of love and appreciation towards her mother and Nigerian heritage saying;
In Yoruba, My Mother’s Name means ‘Where Wealth Gathers’ and there couldn’t be a more fitting name to represent the journey this has been.
I come from a powerful lineage of women – matriarchs, who were and are the pillars of their communities. The nucleus; humble yet courageous, unwavering in their dedication and constant sacrifice to their families, they have birthed many nations. They have opened up their homes as communal gathering spaces, protecting, preserving and uplifting many of the communities we belong to today, even in the midst of times when history failed to write and document their stories.
So ‘Olapeju’ is my ode, and a love letter, firstly to my Mother, and to all the women who have shaped who we are today.
It takes a village and it feels surreal to be able to witness my Mother and our village experience this moment together. Where we come from, our social projects and estates, monetary wealth was never our main currency, but we have never lacked. Our wealth is abundant and rooted in our cultural capital, our stories, the preservation of our values, integrity, languages, customs and love of community. Who we are and what we have created is so special. Money can’t buy that.
Eternal gratitude to every person, model, band member, friend and family member and guest that came presently and unapologetically as their whole selves to both recreate and experience ‘home’ with us. This story could not be told without you.
Coker’s SS25 collection was a potent tale of ancestry, migration, and the resilience of women in the African diaspora in addition to being a show of artistic brilliance. With meticulous attention to detail, each item showcases the blend of British-Nigerian inspirations and Tolu Coker’s trademark emphasis on sustainability.