Celebrating life is very much ingrained in the fabric of West African iconography.
In a unique project for KENZO, artists Ruth Ossai and Akinola Davies Jr showcase the Summer 2017 collection in the midst of various celebrations within the Igbo communities of Nigeria. The festivities center around a beauty pageant in which the young women of Nsukka support one another to develop a stage for shining a light on their own approach to beauty and glamour.
The images were published in the first edition of KENZO Folio, a quarterly publication devoted to highlighting recent KENZO looks.
Director – Akinola Davies Jr
Photographer – Ruth Ginika Ossai
Stylist – Ibrahim Kamara
MUA – Afrolion
Hair – Angela Ogdu & Oluchi Jacinta
DOP – Victor Ojevkwe
Producers – Julie Vergez & Wale Davies
Production Assistants – Ikenna Johnpaul Ossai, Kennechi Ossai, Kingsley Ossai, Ezugwu Chiemezie, Odo Tobechi
Music – Chino Amobi (NON Worldwide)
Colorist – Jason Wallis @ ETC
Main Cast – Chikwelu Ezegwu, Chiwetalu Ezegwu, EzuLovette Chimaza, Chioma Nnadi, EzeEbube Peace, Uroko Akunne, Eze Blessing Chinenye, Eberechukwu Ngozi
Masquerades – Godson Onyema, Kenith Onyema, Ogene Young Brothers
Extras – Ezugwu Rita Onyedikachi, Ikwueme Christian, Ojobo Chiamaka, Ogbonna Chidimma, Nnadi Chieso, Eze Perpetual, Ezugwu Chidiebere Ebube, Eze Chibuilse Dubai, Eze Joy Chidera, Nwachukwu Marvellous Ebube, Godson Onyema, Kenith Onyema, Ogene Young Brothers
Thank you to the community of Owerre-Eze Orba, G.S.S Girls Secondary School Owerre-Eze Orba, ST Peters Church, Owerre-Eze Orba, Principle Oguadinma Rita Ngozi, Grandma Ossai, Okolo Chibuzo Kevin, Mama Chidrea, Ginika's Salon Nsukka, Ude Ngozi Jivian and Agadanna Ifunanya Innocenthia