Post-Imperial makes it's mark at Pitti Uomo

Designer Niyi Okuboyejo didn’t have to look far to find inspiration for his accessories brand Post-Imperial as the answer laid waiting in his Nigerian roots. The Harlem, New York, based designer acknowledges his Nigerian heritage as well as his American influence regarding style and this has been part of the reason his products pair up so well with classical staples of men’s fashion.

At this year’s Pitti Uomo, Post-Imperial made a noticeable impression with his line of ties, scarves and pocket squares for the fashionable gent. Okuboyejo fuses these with his own cultural stamp of using fabrics treated with the ‘Adire’ dyeing technique of the Yoruba. The process of ‘Adire’ involves resist dyeing which means the dye is deliberately prevented from reaching all of the fabric, thus creating vibrant patterns. The accessories are also handcrafted, adding to their uniqueness.

The brand wisely chose accessories as it’s niche as the flashes of colour on their products will not be too daunting for even the most fashion conservative man. The patterns themselves also aren’t stereotypical, creating an accessible atmosphere around the product.

GQ Magazine has already pegged Post-Imperial’s presentation as one of the “Top 20 Picks From Pitti Uomo” and the tradeshow itself has highlighted it as part of “The Latest Fashion Buzz”. Their products have also been listed as part of Complex’s “Editor Picks For Fall 2015”.

For the unfamiliar who would like to familiarize themselves, Pitti Uomo is the largest menswear tradeshow in the world. In fashion terms it differs from a “fashion week” in that it is mainly meant for retailers, buyers, and editors to get a one on one with sellers about their products instead of the more presentational and theatrical aspects of runways. The show is sandwiched between London Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week and it’s recently wrapped up 87th edition ended on January 16 in Flrorence, Italy.