Across the horde of bohemian fashion designers repositioning Africa’s heritage through fashion, Nigerian bespoke creator Ayomikun Oluwadamilola Okundare stands out as a true student of form and function. Her work bridges the gap between indigenous aesthetics and structure, a feat well manifested in her recent collection, Made of Man SS25.

Tailored as a minimalist two piece menswear, Made of Man essentially approaches the design with an intricate silhouette that feels symmetrical — with its elongated rectilinear shape and vertical drop from top to bottom; moody — with its creamy hue and simplistic adornment, and balanced — with boxy, open sleeves and wide-legged trousers.

In an era that prioritizes luxury fashion with expensive ornamentation, Ay Stitch travels in her own lane following an artisanal approach that integrates print artwork panels with precise cutting and stitching into the design. Made of Man SS25 gives off an urban, cosmopolitan, heritage-inspired look that’s similar to Japanese minimalist fashion. The design’s three-dimensional shape, which allows the fabric to fit firmly on the wearer instead of clinging to the skin — thanks to its careful wide cuts, straight seams and extended three-quarter sleeve — is the soul of the design.

While Ay Stitch increases the design’s quality with her tailoring blueprint, Made of Man SS25 finds its deserved edge with its African print artwork that hangs on two vertical panels on the front of the shirt. Modelled after French poker cards, the artwork reveals a Nubian queen stylized with colourful African motifs, and it significantly elevates the fabric’s aesthetic, especially in today’s fashion world where luxury can somewhat be perceived through sentimental value like memory, heritage and identity.

The architectural logic of Made of Man SS25, however, still retains the crown of the design. It’s a very clever design that depends on concise cuts and shaping to achieve a controlled geometrical profile. The cloth does not sag or bob loosely on the wearer; instead, it hangs cleanly with a finesse that’s more regal than casual. It’s a very masculine design that’s effortlessly attractive, while its finer details rest in its tailoring which prioritizes form and function as the true DNA of a clothing design.

Overall, Ay Stitch proves her mettle in Made of Man, after having shown promise in earlier collections such as Colour Fusion SS24. Her design ultimately emphasizes balance and structure, with the wearer’s comfort and confidence in mind. Its Afrocentric finish and charismatic silhouette gives the wearer a heightened aura, and, beyond that, it opens conversations into the dynamics of contemporary African minimalist fashion and its myriad manifestations. Made of Man is a fusion of form, function, and identity, and it’s a reflection of Ay Stitch’s virtuosity in contemporary African fashion.