London Fashion Week couldn’t have ended with a bigger bang than Mowalola’s spectacular show, Dirty Diop. Buckle up because nothing could’ve prepared us for the creative chaos, electrifying energy, and jaw-dropping fashion moments that took place on that runway.
Voir was right in the thick of it, and we’re bringing you the spark that had the audience on fire.
Welcome to MOWA WORLD
Nigerian designer Mowalola Ogunlesi turned up the heat with her bold, unapologetic collection that defied the limits of what fashion can be. Bigger and wilder than ever, this show felt less like a presentation and more like a fever dream of edgy, rebellious, and liberated expression.
As our editor Jyoti Matoo said,
“You know you’re invited to something big, but nothing prepares you for the madness and genius you’re about to witness. You walk into a hangar, and the energy slaps you in the face. Just what, just wow.”
A Show on Fire
The atmosphere? Unmatched. Mowalola took us to an underground rave, a private night of mayhem. The set, designed by Tor Studio, featured a customized neon-lit cage, an electric bed, and an all-encompassing vibe that screamed unapologetic fashion rebellion.
Models strutted, danced, and checked themselves out in bathroom mirrors, while electro-rock guitar riffs flooded the space, thanks to Foushee and her electric guitar performance.
The star-studded lineup? Unforgettable. With icons like Irina Shayk, Yves Tumor (aka Sean Lee Bowie), and Crystalmess, gracing the runway, each brought their own edge to Mowalola’s unhinged universe.
Irina Shayk, who opened the previous show, this time closed the curtain with an aura that left us in awe.
The Performance of Fashion
It wasn’t just a fashion show—it was a performance. Mowalola herself took to the runway alongside Detoblack and Chi, turning the show into a real-time, multimedia art piece.
Belen Mar Leroux also gave us a fierce performance, crawling on all fours with an iconic head toss, adding to the wild energy of the event.
Beauty That Commanded Attention
The makeup was a work of art in itself, led by the legendary Isamaya Ffrench. Think: doe eyes with exaggerated lashes, sharp contours, and accentuated dark circles that gave each model an almost alien-like ethereal glow. It was raw, unapologetic, and totally in sync with the collection’s boldness. It wasn’t just makeup—it was a statement.
Details that Set the Stage on Fire
What truly made this collection iconic was the attention to detail. From the metal thongs that felt both avant-garde and daring to red ensembles and tights that dominated the collection, each piece brought something fresh to the table, giving to the show, a raw, sensual aesthetic.
Innovative fashion moments were abundant: animal prints, latex nearly everywhere, mini skirts paired with custom masks emblazoned with “Mowalola,” oversized bags that read “Ebony,” and bold, structured vests. The 3D makeup work by TildaX further enhanced the futuristic, boundary-pushing look.
A priceless fashion mood board universe, Mowalola dives us deep into her world, where fashion is performance, art, and rebellion.
Words By Noa Balou
