Mai Atafo's ME Collection inspired by Yaba, secondhand clothes was EPIC

Mai Atafo presents 'ME' Collection at SAMW AW'17

 (Simon Deiner / SDR Photo

Mai Atafo goes edgy urban for Yaba inspired collection; ME at SAMW AW'17. It was an EPIC presentation!

Mai Atafo easily threw down an impressive collection at the at the South Africa Menswear Week (SAMW) AW 17.

The Nigeria based brand known for exquisitely tailored tuxedos presented a collection of mixed edgy urban styles tagged 'ME' inspired by Yaba, secondhand clothes, railways and more. The creative director of the eponymous brand; Mai Atafo took inspiration for the edgy collection from his childhood.

Mai Atafo presents 'ME' Collection at SAMW AW'17

 (Simon Deiner / SDR Photo)

 Taking a wild detour off the prim and well tailored suits he's known for, Atafo dares to explore the urban trend raising the ante with hand painting and mind blowing graphic motifs on pieces edgy youthful pieces.

On the collection titled ME he offered; "A collection that’s describes my journey from when I was 19 years to this present day. In my early years hand downs from my brothers and shopping second-hands because one couldn’t afford new cool clothes made up my wardrobe. Added to this was my need to standout by re-inventing these pieces through reconstructing or sometimes deconstructing them. The hand printing helps tell a literal story.

The base for all this was my love for denim, velvet, corduroy (ridged velvet) suede, leopard print and camouflage.  Houndstooth I consider to be the most technical check pattern,. It could be fun and serious at the same time and the obvious knitwear just because its Autumn/Winte

Mai Atafo presents 'ME' Collection at SAMW AW'17

 (Simon Deiner / SDR Photo)

In the last few years my love for tuxedos led to a path where I respect the dress-code and also give it twist, this is subtly visible by the velvet taping on the trousers matching the jacket fabric (velvet) rather than the conventional trouser tapping matching the lapel of the tuxedo jacket. Not to forget the smoking jacket with our trademark shawl peck lapel (like all the tuxedos in the collection) with houndstooth trousers rather than the traditional tartan checks.

For once a collection that wasn’t about predicting consumer trend but one that’s truly Mai Atafo and what I loved, love and will be loving. I know there is one piece for everybody in this collection" Mai Atafo dished.

The totally unpredictable collection was impressive!