Fruché founder and creative director Frank Aghuno brought his Spring 2027 collection to a Nigerian audience in Lagos after presenting internationally in Berlin, where he won Fashion Week’s contemporary prize. The collection reflects the designer’s interest in embracing natural quirks and imperfections rather than concealing them.
That idea appeared in the collection’s handwork, including irregularities in dyed fabrics and naturally occurring holes in carved wooden beads. Aghuno described the contrast between precisely styled outfits and others featuring twisted or knotted details as part of the collection’s character.
Nigerian boarding-school uniforms provided a key point of reference, with gingham appearing in multiple forms. The fabric was reinterpreted in cotton, aso oke, beadwork and adire, the traditional Nigerian resist-dyeing technique. Although the silhouettes were contemporary, traditional craft remained central to the designs.
Aghuno worked with artisans based in Nigeria and said that all the materials were sourced locally, while every look was made around the country. The collection used cotton from Katsina that was milled in Nigeria, alongside locally carved wood. The designer also sought collaborators through unconventional routes, including discovering craftsmen on TikTok.
Among the standout pieces were a satin dress and shirt decorated with hand-painted artwork by Aghuno’s twin brother, Dricky, an artist based between Lagos and London. The closing look was made from wood-carved shells. As the music faded, the audience heard the beads brushing together, creating a quiet final moment for the presentation.
Sources: Vogue.