Abigail Ajobi to Debut “I’M NOT ENGLISH, I’M BRITISH” – JAPA SYNDROME at Paris Fashion Week
Exploring Identity, Migration, and Cultural Fusion
British-Nigerian designer Abigail Ajobi is set to unveil her highly anticipated new capsule collection, “I’M NOT ENGLISH, I’M BRITISH” – JAPA SYNDROME, at Paris Fashion Week this season. This marks Ajobi’s seventh collection, and it offers an intimate exploration of the experience of being a first-generation British-born Nigerian, raised by migrant parents.
The collection speaks to the feeling of unbelonging—caught between the culture of the country you were born in and the one your parents came from. "I’m not English, I’m British," says Ajobi, highlighting the complex identity of growing up in the UK while being disconnected from one’s heritage.
Through her signature use of print and fabric manipulation, Ajobi fuses classic British textiles, such as tartan and dogtooth, with digital prints to represent the intertwining of two cultures. The distorted, wavy patterns symbolise the movement and fluidity of identity, reflecting the designer’s own experience of cultural fusion. Denim, traditionally associated with blue-collar immigrant workers, also plays a key role in the collection, serving as a metaphor for the resilience and labour of those who migrate in search of better opportunities.
The term “Japa”—a Yoruba word meaning "to break away"—has become a popular slang in Nigeria, describing the act of leaving the country to escape hardship. This concept resonates deeply with Ajobi’s personal and collective narrative, further explored through the punk rock aesthetic of 2000s London, Camden meets Yoruba royalty. The result is a bold collection that mixes heritage, rebellion, and strength in equal measure.
The collection will make its debut at the Paris Fashion Week showroom on Wednesday, 22nd January and Thursday, 23rd January 2025, at 2nd Arr. Paris, France. Additional pieces will also be presented during London Fashion Week in February 2025.
About Abigail Ajobi
Abigail Ajobi is a British-Nigerian designer known for her innovative fusion of African heritage with contemporary British fashion. Her work explores themes of identity and cultural storytelling, empowering individuals to embrace their multifaceted selves through fashion.
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