BLOKE

Grey Sheep

bloke_ng

Location

Lagos / nigeria

University

self taught

Main Manufacturing Countries

nigeria

Contact

BLOKE is a genderless artisanal label introducing a distinct notion of luxury through a Quirky and Artsy design aesthetic, enveloped with an undertone of spiritual consciousness. Founded by Faith Oluwajimi in 2015, to create well thought out garments and objects for its performative function and collectible purpose.

At BLOKE, we continually explore the possibilities for the creation of ethically made garments with impeccable attention to textile fabrication, and craftsmanship.

As a label with a quirky and artsy design aesthetic, devoted to sustainability, preservation of long established local artisanal practices, using locally sourced materials, we engage a small community of knitters, diverse textile artists, local artisans and design groups in Nigeria working closely together in communicating our design language and brand ethos.

Latest Collection

FAMILY PORTRAIT

This collection is an inquisitive look into what family means to me and the seemingly unsuspected effects of the concept of family on individuals in the society in contemporary times using my family as a scope of reference. Also, drawing inspiration from photographs of sedjou keita in the 70’s, and recent paintings of joy labinjo which both focus on the theme of family through an african gaze.

My conclusive observations are family is a reconciliation of people with different personalities, bounded by same ideals and often times upbringing.

To us ” family is everything, therefore everything is sacred '' but is it ?

Don’t worry, thats for the cloths to tell, because i manage to transform my answers into the stitches travelling through the nooks and crannies of the garments in the collection.

Using the family tree diagram, and family anagram as a print on garments to depict the interwoven intricacies of the concept of family and an homage to the respect of ancestors in the African culture.

the colour palette utilised the complete spectrum of colours, to show the diversity and complexities in a family regardless of the unifying bond and similarities they might share as a family.

diffusing the idea through an artisanal approach; for fabrication, the use of fabrics with different textures such as cotton, linen, lace, satin, for the tailored garments with an interesting blend of yarns which includes rayon, metallic, cotton, and polyester for the knitted offerings.
As an artisanal label, we employed techniques such as knitting, hand dying, applique, hand stitching, silkscreening and patchwork for the creation of the garments in this collection which points in the direction of accentuating the differences and the unifying similarities which bond a family.

Now tell me what is Family ?