By Christy Anyanwu in London
Creativity and excellent craftsmanship define and set the designs of Sekinah Olatunji apart, the brilliant brain behind the FW24 Collection with the theme, Apples Don’t Fall Far From The Tree, which is her playful yet thoughtful approach to seasonal dressing.
Her eponymous brand takes fashionistas and other aficionados through the journey of crafting her first fall/winter collection, a milestone that marked her evolution as a designer.
The challenge inherent in creating the exquisite designs that make up the collection for a new climate while staying true to her roots was an opportunity to evolve and raise her game, thereby celebrating her growth, adaptability, and creativity.
Giving insight to the collection, Sekinah said: “Coming from a warm-weather background, designing for colder months wasn’t initially on my radar.
“But after spending over a year in the UK, it started to make sense. I remember thinking at the start of fall that it would be nice to create pieces for the season, but it took a while for the idea to really settle.”
Once the concept clicked, Sekinah wasted no time. “By the time I committed, fall was nearly over, so I gave myself just two weeks to design and produce the collection,” she explains.
Working out of her Leicester studio, Sekinah designed, made, and styled every piece herself, culminating in a whirlwind creative process that ended with a photoshoot at the close of the second week.
“It was the most hectic two weeks ever,” she admits, “but also the most fun. It was beautiful and marked yet another first for me as a designer.”
The collection draws inspiration from what Sekinah considers “cool and fun” for the season, with a whimsical nod to apples—a motif that evokes the crispness and nostalgia of fall. Each piece reflects her knack for balancing practicality with her signature flair, making the collection both wearable and full of personality.
Photos: Sekinah Olatunji
