See How Three Creatives Are Styling Burna Boy and On’s New Collab
In a community-led lookbook produced by Hypebeast.
The latest chapter of Burna Boy and On’s partnership is taking a closer look at the people behind the artist’s global success. Titled “No Giant Stands Alone,” it brings his family and band members front and center through portraits and an intimate video to mark the launch of his new limited-edition On silhouettes.
In celebration of the chapter, Hypebeast now connects with three multi-faceted tastemakers from our own creative network. Spotlighting Melissa Bon, Kodjo Kuakumensah, and Koffi Wanji, they each wear the Cloudmonster BB “Sienna” from the new drop. We shoot their looks from the ground up, drawing inspiration from Burna Boy’s Twice as Tall album cover to capture their unique street style.
Keep reading the round-up below to see how the collective brings out their inner giant with the bold sneakers.
Melissa Bon
Standing tall has never been a problem for Melissa Bon. After spending years touring as a jazz vocalist, she turned to modelling and then fashion design to craft trousers that suit her tall body proportions. “I’ve enjoyed fashion since I was a kid,” she tells Hypebeast. “Now I’ve got this whole ecosystem of styling, designing trousers, and sometimes I go back to music to stay inspired.”
On a typical day making inclusive garments, Bon sports baggy trousers from her own label, paired with a red sweater to match the deep jewel tone of Cloudmonster BB. “I’ll always have a large pant or an exaggerated shoulder-pad jacket because I like a strong silhouette, especially if it looks like the figure of eight.”
Kodjo Kuakumensah
Kodjo Kuakumensah’s connection with Burna Boy goes back years. As the only artist he’s paid to see with his own money, wearing his new collab on foot proves to be a big deal. Kuakumensah curates a classic outfit that “balances casual and refined, but layers colors and textures.”
“I constantly align my styling with the aesthetic of my work,” the set designer and concept artist explains. “My guiding principle is always to inject a deliberate touch of color.” From his studio to nights out, he’ll bring color to the dancefloor with the On sneakers as he enjoys his favorite hit “Kilometre.”
Koffi Wanji
“I come from an artistic background. I love music, and I’m first and foremost a dancer,” says Koffi Wanji. Like Kuakumensah, the stylist and dancer never misses an opportunity to take in the energy of a live Burna Boy performance. “If someone plays some Burna Boy, you can count on the fact I’ll definitely be dancing to his songs.”
When creating an outfit with the Cloudmonster BB, Wanji shares how he looked for “pieces that bring out confidence.” This includes a pony hair vest, a striped hoodie, and baggy pants. “It’s very comfortable, a second-skin type of outfit,” he says.
Explore the array of curated looks in the galleries above.
Shop the new Burna Boy and On drop on the brand’s website and at Foot Locker’s global stores.
