KÓNYÉ – Born to Design

The fashion industry has always been rife with huge names and even more extraordinary personalities whose personal struggles have been nothing short of fascinating tales. It’s a general belief that great art can only be developed via the life of a great man—or woman, for that matter—and every prominent name in the Nigerian fashion industry shares this belief. From Zizi Cardow to Duro Olowu and Lisa Folawiyo, Frank Oshodi and Deola Sagoe all had remarkable personal lives and compelling stories about how they became fashion icons in Nigeria.

The same narrative begins in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, with the talented, original, and creative fashion twins Peter and Paul Okonye. Since their debut in the fashion industry, Peter and his brother Paul have made their mark in Nigeria. Peter attributed his interest in fashion to his passion for dressing at university. But his first inclination to design emerged at the age of 12. He remembers designing and sewing dresses for children’s dolls and describes his love for seeing the final product. It’s clear from a young age that skillfully fabricated designs and bold colours will play an influential role in his life.

Following his time at university, Peter gained experience as a designer through a fashion internship. It’s there where he acclaims his discipline and diligence. The importance of discipline and persistence in the fashion industry cannot be overemphasised. These two traits are essential for any designer looking to make a name for themselves in a highly competitive industry. And he soon learned that a lack of either can lead to a designer becoming easily discouraged and giving up on his dream.

The fashion label “KÓNYÉ” was later founded in Lagos in 2010. Peter further stated that he turned his passion for creating art into wearable art and the chance to convey his talent via garment. The twins have also developed a division of labour by splitting the fashion business responsibilities. Peter, the creative prodigy, takes care of the creative division, while Paul, on the other hand, oversees business development by gaining brand exposure and driving sales.

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We see how their differing priorities unite through their separate roles in leading the brand. Paul identifies the most critical aspects of the fashion industry as the production and distribution of quality garments; this is where he focuses most of his attention.

He’s labelled the most challenging aspects of fashion design in Nigeria as unstable electricity, plagiarism of art, and a shortage of human labour. But amidst all these difficulties, the Okonye twins maintain a high level of productivity.

On the other hand, Peter believes fashion’s most important part is designed. He prioritises creating high-quality, unique pieces that make those who wear them feel confident and stylish. For Peter, it’s the ability to form a collection starting with the idea that has the most impact. Undergoing the design process from the initial idea to illustration and, finally, the end garment where they can showcase their creations on the runway gives him a sense of achievement.

From viewing their pieces, you can gather the sources of inspiration for the duo—changing seasons. They reflect their inspiration in their collections’ name, colour, and material choices, as well as in the construction and silhouette of their garments. The ever-changing scenery around us is a universal experience that the twins adopt to connect with their audience in a way that words and actions cannot.

Peter also attributes his inspiration to Nigeria’s architecture and economic state, in addition to his mood. The pair tastefully combines Peter’s inspiration while fully utilising the shared experience of the seasons to address ongoing political conflicts in the Nigerian government.

Their collection, Winter Droplets in Summer, chronicles the instability and uncertainty of the governing bodies in Nigeria. The exhibition aims to create conversation about the injustices perpetuated by their commanding authorities, who exploit the vulnerable. Dangerously fueled by monetary gain, the Nigerian government impoverishes its citizens rather than serving and protecting them.

The Okonye twins are not shy about using their platform and art to address these issues—and they do so with the utmost grace and elegance. When asked to describe KÓNYÉ’s style, Peter explained it’s a balance between conservative and futuristic, foreshadowing their underlying goal. Paul and Peter wish to create a new story about Nigeria through their developing fashion. One that depicts the hope and resilience of its people in the face of difficulties—a story that will inspire the next generation to remember their roots and culture while looking toward the future through the fashion industry.

With the Okonye brothers’ continued advancement in the fashion industry comes even greater responsibility. As their influence and reach expand, so does their platform to enact change. And they are using it to shift the narrative of Nigeria, one fashion show at a time.

Last month, KÓNYÉ debuted their latest collection at the Glitz Africa Fashion Week in Ghana. Throughout the continuation of Paul and Peter’s partnership, they’ve onboarded an array of high-profile clients that they attribute to their conservative design choices.

Having now designed for six fashion exhibitions, the Okonye brothers claim the highlight of their career was the Accra, Ghana, exhibit in 2019. Vogue Italia featured two of the pair’s looks in their paper. The experience not only allowed them to see how far their garments could travel, but it also allowed them to spread the message of Nigerian beauty and culture globally.

The Okonye brothers are genuinely talented artists who not only possess the ability to design beautiful garments but also use their platform to spread messages of hope and resilience. In a time when the world seems bleak, their story is one of enduring optimism.