21st Century Love Story: The Gentle Fisherman - An Editorial by MIA London

  • Aji Ayorinde
  • Uzoma Orji

"The 21st Century Love Story is a short picture series set on Lagos Lagoon, off the coast of Ikoyi. It captures two young African millennials collectively overcoming their discomfort and inhibitions arising from travelling by water, together. The Lagos commute is more taxing than most places in the world, yet residents will go out of their way to get to work to fund their dreams whilst they pursue their side hustles, by any means necessary. Both of these individuals are creative by nature and have aspirations of making their side hustles their primary focus. They represent a large proportion of the global millennial population. The individuals are dressed in tailored MIA London clothing, handmade in Africa. MIA, standing for 'Made in Africa’, is a brand that epitomises the Millennial condition, drawing on contemporary trends to redefine and deconstruct Western perceptions of African fashion and empowering skilled African based tailors and creatives in the process. It is a brand that, through its ability to blend formalwear and streetwear within its collections, through the shared lens of tailoring, caters to and represents the full spectrum of the immediate and wider diaspora. The juxtaposition of tailored clothing and the functional 'kay-noo' reinforces the Millennial condition and is visually striking to the viewer. There is a final layer to the story; one that alludes to Venetian influences by recognising the unique historic amorosity of meetings on water. From a chance encounter on the Lagoon, a door is opened to a plethora of creative and romantic collaboration opportunities, both within Lagos and further afield. ~ @ajiayorinde, Creative Director" Featured in Viper Magazine. Creative Direction / Styling: Aji Ayorinde [@ajiayorinde] Clothing: MIA London [@miaxldn] Tailoring: Gvllvnt [@gallant_tshepo] Eyewear: Taylor Morris [@taylormorrisofficial] Models: Blessing Okpa [@sweetie_womi] // Izu Emmanuel [@mrmakeit_ike] Photography: Uzoma Orji [@uzzzoma] Assisted by: Marian Ikpotor [@poshmarbie_] Location: Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria