Does The Hat Make The Man? Vogue.com Features Photographer

Wearing a hat/cap has become an essential part of a Nigerian man’s dressing. Though it’s mainly for traditional attire, modern men such as DJ Spinall (who’s also known as ‘the cap’), have put their own spin on it and now wear it with jeans and a T-shirt.

Creative photographer Lakin Ogunbanwo has made Nigerian men and their different hats the theme of his new project which was featured on Vogue.com.

According to Lakin, a “Hat”  adds to the sense of confidence of a Nigerian man, It’s like a personal crown; he says.

Lakin also said that the idea that you can tell a man by his shoes might hold sway in New York or Los Angeles. However, when you take a stroll along the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, you’ll find that hats and not shoes are the mark of a well-dressed gent. “It’s only until you leave West Africa that you realize that people elsewhere aren’t dressing their head with the same importance that we do here,”.

Meanwhile, a hat does really add to our dressing sense. It’s like an accessory that tells you a lot about the Nigerian man. It tells a little something about the man behind the cap, like; what tribe he’s from, what he represents at a particular occasion and the respect he commands in the community generally. 

Good work to Lakin Ogunbanwo! This whole phenomenon merges Nigerian culture and fashion in an interesting view, mirroring something that makes us unique in our own way to the larger world. We are proud of your work and the Nigerian Culture at large!

Check out Lakin Ogunbanwo’s new photo series below:

According to Vogue.com, this new photo series is currently displayed at Nataal’s New African Photography exhibit in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Source: Vogue.com