Head of State SS26 Envisions The Archetypes of Tomorrow
Designer Taofeek Abijako’s “IF HEAVEN COULD TALK” collection combines avant-garde tailoring, streetwear, and diasporic influences.
Summary
- Head of State’s new collection draws from Abijako’s Nigerian heritage in contemporary tailoring, paired with vibrant colors and innovative forms.
- The line, titled “IF HEAVEN COULD TALK,” celebrates the African diaspora and references the repatriation of artifacts.
On September 14, the Head of State, the NYC label helmed by Taofeek Abijako, presented a collection that peers equally into the future as it does into the distant past. In a touching ode to the African Diaspora, the Nigerian-American designer unveiled a spectrum of chromatic looks that reflect his heritage while innovating with architectural forms and clean, contemporary lines.
In the days leading up to the debut of “IF HEAVEN COULD TALK,” Abijako shared a spoken word poem on Instagram that acknowledged the “artifacts stolen” and “imaginations interrupted,” echoing the movement for repatriation—the returning of African artifacts to their rightful homelands. Yoruba deities like Sàngó and Òsun are referenced not as distant forces of antiquity but as arbiters of the future who live on in the emergent generations.
The empowering tone was equally present in the collection, where Western tailoring and streetwear are combined with the draped, wrapped, and loose-fitting garments of his Nigerian heritage. However, the colors of the line departed from traditional tailoring, trading navy, black, and gray for saturated turquoise, periwinkle, lavender, and primary red—evoking the exuberant hues of Yoruba dress.
An oversized short-sleeve shirt and a long-sleeve check shirt were cast in an electric mint, while details like cuffs and collars were exaggerated in double size. Some of the most impressive women’s dress shapes were shown in red: a long gown with an asymmetrical ruched waist and a cocktail dress with a fan-like bodice, both in lustrous red fabric.
In a standout look, a brown suit combines military-inspired button closures and an oversized collar with a curved placket revealing a draped blue sash. This hybrid blazer appears in various shades, worn with baggy yet short shorts in unisex looks. Elsewhere, other blazers boast a shawl-like collar and wide necklines, enhancing the diversity of shapes and “archetypes of tomorrow.”
See the gallery above for a closer look at Head of State’s SS26 runway show and stay tuned to Hypebeast for the latest NYFW coverage.
