‘The Weight of Return: Homecoming’
An editorial by OSENGWA in collaboration with Ruby Okoro for the Nike Air Max Plus x HOMECOMING campaign.
The photography series and short film explore diasporic memory, movement, brotherhood, connection, and collective imagination through the allegory of brothers journeying homeward.
CREATIVE CREDIT
Director - Ruby Okoro @rubyokoro
Producer - Seju Alero Mike @samthesunchild for OSENGWA
Production Assistant - Ugo Ude @ugothegood for OSENGWA
Cinematographer and editor - Femi Elias @femi_elias
Colorist - Onari Oruye @onari_
Style Direction - WhytAce @whytace
Models - Taiwo and Kehind Awe @the_awe_twins_ & @the_awe_twins
Music Composition - Blaze Javu @blazejavu_
Wardrobe
Nike x HOMECOMING @nike@ourhomecoming
WhytAce @whytace_new_culture
Creative Direction
Ruby Okoro @rubyokoro
Seju Alero Mike @samthesunchild
WhytAce @whytace
‘A HAPPY HOME’
a diaspora project by art director and stylist @jordynasa . Jordy shares deeper insight into their beautiful vision — “ first part of my final project inspired by the aesthetics of the diaspora my goal was to reimagine fashion editorial space within the black identity through the lenses of community and not colonialism.”
Creative Credits:
Art Director/stylist: @jordynasa
Photographer: @kaineharrys
Creative Producer: @melissaawongs
Movement Director: @leejayhoy
Make Up Artist: @ashleighcarby
Hair Stylist: @faiththedesigner
Casting Director: @mekdes.zk
Photography Assistant: @jake_leong
Styling Assistant: @daliughetto
Talent:
Models: @ifinitechi@romafio_@richyebo@anu_abell
‘Sunflower’
A radiant study of bloom and light. Photographer @ayomideokanlawon_ presents a visual narrative where human form and botanical beauty merge in a warm, solar embrace.
The series features talent @kosijohn2005 , guided by the creative vision of @phinnygram in a palette that mimics the life cycle of the flora: from vibrant, sun-soaked yellows to grounded earth tones. Through a lens of soft focus and high-contrast shadows, the work explores the concept of “turning toward the light,” positioning the subject as a living extension of the sunflower itself. It is a poetic celebration of growth, vitality, and the natural synergy between the body and the earth.
Creative Credits:
@phinnygram
Photography by @ayomideokanlawon_
Talent @kosijohn2005
‘Self’
An intimate, low-key exploration of the internal landscape. Photographer @unamntantala captures model @john.baloy in a series that prioritizes raw atmosphere over artifice, delving into the quietude of personal identity.
The imagery is defined by its masterful use of chiaroscuro, where deep shadows and soft, directional light carve out the contours of the subject. These portraits feel like a silent dialogue, a moment of profound self-reflection caught in the stillness of a dimly lit room. By stripping away external distractions, the work focuses on the subtle language of the body and the gaze, presenting “Self” not as a finished product, but as an ongoing, contemplative process of being.
Creative Credits:
Model @john.baloy
Photography by @unamntantala
‘Girma Berta’ (1990, Ethiopia)
A breathtaking materialization of the African continent’s kinetic soul. In his latest series, artist Girma Berta (@gboxcreative ) transcends traditional street photography to capture the pure, electrifying vitality of urban life.
From the bustling streets of Addis Ababa and Bamako to the historic rhythms of Marrakech, Jinja, and Turmi, Berta’s lens documents more than just figures in transit, it documents an atmosphere. By utilizing a signature spun effect, he strips away the static to unveil the intangible: the pulsating, bubbling energy that defines these metropolises. Each subject is rendered with a sense of dynamism that feels both hyper-modern and deeply ancestral, turning the daily movement of the city into a captivating study of African effervescence.
Creative Credits:
Artist @gboxcreative
‘JOLI’
A stylish homecoming set against the modernist pulse of the Plateau. This series highlights the intricate work of @loadjro through his latest BA collection, “BABI,” a visual love letter to the spirit of Abidjan.
Captured in the iconic neighborhood of the Plateau in Côte d’Ivoire, the imagery juxtaposes the sharp, avant-garde silhouettes of the collection against the city’s storied urban backdrop. Under the fashion direction of @loadjro and styled by @fedouk , the series features model @ouedasadiatou as she navigates the concrete lines of the city with a regal, contemporary grace.
Photographed by @perfect__blvck , the work captures the “BABI” aesthetic, a sophisticated blend of heritage and high-fashion rebellion that reflects the bubbling energy of Ivorian identity.
Creative Credits:
Fashion Director @loadjro
Photography by @perfect__blvck
Styled by @fedouk
Modeled by @ouedasadiatou
‘Found Objects’
A masterful assembly of the eclectic and the refined. “Found Objects” is a tactile exploration of texture, form, and the beauty inherent in the unconventional.
Photographed by @jessbrohier , the series navigates the intersection of the human form and its curated environment. Under the creative direction and styling of @slimsavvy , the “found” becomes the “essential,” with @farimakkito serving as a muse who embodies a sense of quiet, curated strength.
From the architectural precision of the hair and makeup to the meticulously crafted set design by @devante.nyc , every element feels like a discovered treasure, carefully placed to challenge our perception of what is ordinary and what is art. It is a stunning visual study on the alchemy of curation.
Creative Credits:
Photo by @jessbrohier
Creative Direction + Style by @slimsavvy
Hair by @christinarendall
Makeup by @elikahilata_makeup
Set @devante.nyc
Nails by @maraschino.beautyparlor
Support + Tech Design Assist @mirarosier@jackdeckers
Lighting Tech @spookyjones_
Assistants @yemipr@jacksonismuddy
Muse @farimakkito@kollektiv_mgmt@alt_house
‘L’Echange’
A sophisticated portrait of creative synergy and generational style. Featured in Harper’s Bazaar France, this series captures the magnetic presence of fashion icons @emmanuellealt and @ajussamuel .
The imagery celebrates a refined, effortless Parisian aesthetic, defined by sharp tailoring and an intimate, conversational atmosphere. Through a lens of timeless elegance, the editorial explores the dialogue between mentorship and the new guard, focusing on the quiet confidence of its subjects. Against a backdrop of minimalist luxury, the series serves as a testament to the enduring power of personal style and the shared language of the fashion industry’s most discerning eyes.
Creative Credits:
Models @emmanuellealt@ajussamuel
for @bazaarfrance
‘Sonho de verão’
A radiant exploration of light, warmth, and conscious reinvention. “Sonho de Verão” (Summer Dream) invites the viewer into a golden, hazy narrative where nostalgia meets the avant-garde.
Photographed by @eliasgama , the series captures model @nobrecamile in a state of sun-drenched grace. The visual story is anchored by the creative direction and styling of @jose.gonv , whose curation emphasizes a dialogue between the body and the environment. With support from @criaupcycling , the editorial weaves a layer of tangible depth into the dreamscape, suggesting that true beauty often lies in transformation and the reimagining of materials. It is a vibrant ode to the heat of the season and the fluidity of form.
Creative Credits:
Photography by @eliasgama
Modelo @nobrecamile
Creative Direction & Styling by @jose.gonv
Assist Styling by @soyyjoe
Beleza @miltonluz
Apoio @criaupcycling
