04 / 10Velarde Atelier

Sankofa

A man in a dark tracksuit lounging on a red sofa, shown twice as a mirror image.

The relationship between body, garment, and machine is often defined by functional boundaries, despite their shared response to movement and environment. Inspired by motorcyclists navigating the bustling streets of Accra, this capsule collection uses wind-responsive fabrics and undulating silhouettes to explore their convergence. The result is a kinetic expression of the urban landscape in which rider, garment, and machine become an interconnected system.

Blueprint sketches of two looks with full, ballooning trousers.

Black and white: an arm in a black sleeve with a white-lined cuff, the hand resting on top of a white wall beneath a street lamp.

Black and white: a man seen from behind in a loose black jacket and ballooning trousers, one hand on a gatepost, palm trees and power lines overhead.

Black and white: a man from behind in a pale sleeveless vest tied at the waist, the bare back of his shoulders in sunlight.

Black and white, from the ground: long black ties trailing from the trouser hem down to heavy black boots.

Black and white: a man in the pale vest, a beaded necklace and full black trousers, posing on a paved walk under a curved white canopy.

Black and white: a man in an open black jacket and beaded belt, one hand on his head, against a bright sky.

Technical flat: sleeveless split-front vest with a beaded necklace and bracelet, over pleated trousers gathered at the ankle.

Back view of the vest with a long tie at the waist, over the pleated trousers.

Technical flat: black jacket with a curved hem and white-lined cuffs with hanging ties, over the pleated trousers.

Reference collage: a peeling yellow room with a shuttered window, a split nutmeg in an open hand, bundled printed sacks, a long yellow hallway, fishing boats on the shore, hanging lengths of worn cloth, and an overloaded truck with its cab tipped forward.