BLAKE NEWBY
Met Monday with #blakenewby in a custom chocolate velvet number.
This year, the Met Gala celebrates fashion as an artistic medium, and craft as a form of praxis. To be invited to dress a guest at this year’s Gala is not just an honour, it is also an opportunity to honour the long tradition of design as an artistic medium, and the role that costume has played in our culture, our rituals and our history in Nigeria and the continent.
These are the very themes that define much of Ben Enwonwu’s early work. ‘Africa’s First Art Star’ as fondly described by curator Okwui Enwezor, was an artist commissioned to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence and its early nationhood between 1945 - 1965. His work documented the ideological and artistic tension between Nigeria’s pre-colonial past and its cosmopolitan future.
A specific decade of his work was of particular interest to me, starting with ‘Benin’ from his ‘Song of the City’ series, created in the 1940’s, and his now iconic 1955 sculpture, ‘Anyanwu’ which depicts a stylised interpretation of the Earth Goddess Ani, depicted in the ceremonial dress of the Edo people, a merging of culture through costume. Both works from this period are distinctive because they feature women as avatars of the Nigerian identity, and position femininity as worthy of elevation. They bear his now distinctive attention to detail, love for form and silhouette and tradition of challenging convention by distorting the familiar. I draw inspiration from his signature exaggerated silhouettes, his severe geometry, his use of costume as a symbol of dignity and status.
I consider it a privilege to use this auspicious event as an opportunity to celebrate Enwonwu’s influence as an artist, continue the long standing tradition of art begetting art, and contribute to the evolution of craft across generations and mediums.
Photographed by @hailey.landin
Beauty team @reneemadeulook@theashleyjhair
Drawing parallel lines between ‘The Glory of Ancient Benin’ from Ben Enwonwu’s Song of the City series, his infamous 1955 sculpture ‘Anyanwu’ and Rei Kawakubo’s lumps and bumps theory for CDG.
The Met Gala dress of my dreams all thanks to @vicnateng .
When I went to Victor, I told him that while I of course wanted to be on theme of “Fashion Is Art,” I still desired something classic that I’d wear time and time again.
He proposed drawing inspiration from the incomparable Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu. Particularly, Benin’ from his ‘Song of the City’ series, created in the 1940’s, and his now iconic 1955 sculpture, ‘Anyanwu’ - swipe to the end to see.
My third year at the Met Gala and this time, I had the pleasure of taking over the steps with @thecut . Until next time ✨
Dress: @vicnateng
Shoes: @theposhnet
Jewelry: @guzema_jewelry@alexisbittar
Hair: @theashleyjhair
Makeup: @reneemadeulook
Nails: @finesseyourclaws
📸: @hailey.landin
THE BEADED BRALETTE SINGS WITH EVERY STEP, BEADS CLINKING LIKE TINY BELLS. ALIVE WITH SENSUALITY
FEATURING PRECIOUS JOHN WEARING A BEADED BRALETTE WITH SILVER CHAIN LINK STRAPS, PAIRED WITH A FULL CIRCLE CHIFFON SKIRT AND A WHISPER OF RED COTTON TULLE UNDERLAY FROM N°9
PHOTOGRAPHED BY @ADEBAYOPHOTOGRAPHER
THE BEADED BRALETTE SINGS WITH EVERY STEP, BEADS CLINKING LIKE TINY BELLS. ALIVE WITH SENSUALITY
FEATURING PRECIOUS JOHN WEARING A BEADED BRALETTE WITH SILVER CHAIN LINK STRAPS, PAIRED WITH A FULL CIRCLE CHIFFON SKIRT AND A WHISPER OF RED COTTON TULLE UNDERLAY FROM N°9
PHOTOGRAPHED BY @ADEBAYOPHOTOGRAPHER
PRIVATE APPOINTMENT BY VICNATE
AN ODE TO THE WOMAN TREATING GETTING DRESSED AS A RITUAL OF PLEASURE. FEATURING PRECIOUS JOHN IN A FILM BY VICTOR ANATE
SHOT BY @WILLIAMDABOR
Old world glamour meets modern craftsmanship in this embellished chantilly lace and velvet three-piece ensemble worn by house muse Precious John.
Photographed by @Adebayophotographer
Beauty by @facesbymaraan
Old world glamour meets modern craftsmanship in this embellished chantilly lace and velvet three-piece ensemble worn by house muse Precious John.
Photographed by @Adebayophotographer
Beauty by @facesbymaraan
PRIVATE APPOINTMENT BY VICNATE
A PLAY ON THE INTIMACY OF A PRET-A-COUTURE WARDROBE.
FEATURING PRECIOUS JOHN WEARING A
AZURE OFF THE SHOULDER SATIN CORSET TOP FROM N°9.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY @ADEBAYOPHOTOGRAPHER
BEAUTY BY @FACESBYMARAAN
PRIVATE APPOINTMENT BY VICNATE
A PLAY ON THE INTIMACY OF A PRET-A-COUTURE WARDROBE.
FEATURING PRECIOUS JOHN WEARING A
AZURE OFF THE SHOULDER SATIN CORSET TOP FROM N°9.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY @ADEBAYOPHOTOGRAPHER
PRIVATE APPOINTMENT BY VICNATE
A PLAY ON THE INTIMACY OF A PRET-A-COUTURE WARDROBE.
FEATURING PRECIOUS JOHN WEARING A
AZURE OFF THE SHOULDER SATIN CORSET TOP FROM N°9.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY @ADEBAYOPHOTOGRAPHER
