8 Emerging African Designers You Should Know

7. Allen Aderotoye

Nigerian-American designer Allen Aderotoye’s journey is a testament that when you take the risk, the impossible is very possible. From starting out as an intern under streetwear and sneaker connoisseur Ronnie Fieg, to entering a corporate position in NYC, Aderotoye has come a long way. After quitting his job in 2014, he started his own label titled òL New York, which stands for outside line. Only two collections in, Aderotoye has featured in countless street and fashion magazines and exhibited his work internationally in cities including Milan and Berlin.

His newest collection Underdog, which is inspired by the idea that “yesterday’s underdog is today’s champion,” is all about appealing to the needs of those not so thrilled with streetwear nor enthused by formal wear by bridging the two aesthetics together. The collection is inspired by the youth culture movement like the UK’s 70s punk movement to New Yorks’ 90s downtown scene. His clothing is all about functionality and innovation, and in a recent interview with highsnobiety he says:

“To become that champion you’ve got to love the process more than you love the title,” Aderotoye says. “You’ve got to love the strain, the sweat, the struggle. It’s the persistence against the resistance we meet that ultimately results in our strength. It’s the struggle of life, those hardest moments, that help shape who we are.”