Retro Man Collection by The Fleks Apparel: A Streetwear Statement
By Funke Babs-Kufeji
Drawing inspiration from fashion model and blogger Gonzalo Costa, this collection offers a striking yet sophisticated perspective on urban masculinity. The Fleks Apparel’s Retro Man design is effortlessly cool and promotes personality-driven style. It honours fashion’s cyclical nature, restoring retro characteristics while remaining true to the modern man’s everyday rhythm. This collection is set to become a streetwear mainstay for seasons to come, making it ideal for the style-conscious individual who wants to stand out without making noise.
Retro Man is crafted to a light brown thermal base layer, a body-hugging turtleneck sweater that serves as both a fashion statement and a functional layering piece. The stretchware quality of the yarn ensures that it complements the body without losing comfort, giving the line a particular athleisure-meets-urban-dandy vibe. A buttercup yellow jacket is layered over it, adding a pop of colour to the outfit. The sunny hue gives warmth and nostalgic freshness, mixing refinement with humour. It reflects the colour-blocking elements frequently seen in Gonzalo Costa’s visual storytelling and adds an edge of old charm that feels deliberate, not costume-like.
The straight-cut black jeans, ripped subtly at the knees, provide a gritty, effortless, and cool modern street style vibe. They bring a needed contrast to the warmth of the upper body, anchoring the appearance in an urban, worn-in aesthetic. A pair of brown leather Chelsea boots with massive heels completes the look, paying homage to old rock-star flair while also embodying current masculinity. It elevates the overall image, both literally and visually, by blending formality with the casual core of streetwear.
What distinguishes this collection is not just its precise styling or colour coordination, but also the mix of nostalgia and forward-thinking fashion. Retro Man experiments with textures, tones, and eras to produce a style that is both modern and anchored in the past. The pieces are wearable, adaptable, and expressive. It’s a tribute to uniqueness, ready for the boulevard and made for the spotlight.
It’s also in the attitude. The collection doesn’t impose itself; it simply shows up, sharply dressed, confident in the details. It’s streetwear, but tailored. Casual, but not careless. That balance, the blend of contrast and cohesion is what makes Retro Man feel fresh. It doesn’t ask permission to belong in a gallery, a shoot, or a street corner. It just fits in wherever you place it.
There’s also a subtle narrative at play. These looks tell stories without the noise: stories of memory, of motion, of masculine ease. The relaxed poses, the grounded colour choices, and the flirtation with vintage references all work together to say something quietly bold. Style is best when it feels lived-in, not laboured. It’s about creating an impression without trying too hard, letting the clothes speak in their own language.
With crisp tailoring, eye-catching colours, and influencer-inspired elegance, designer Shogo Olalekan Uthman cements his status as one of Africa’s emerging street-style couture innovators. Retro Man isn’t just a collection. It’s a confident nod to yesterday with both feet firmly planted in today, which is also a reminder that true style moves through time with intention, not imitation.
