FASHION REVIEW; URBAN KULTURE, REIMAGINED
Tosin Clegg
There’s a kind of confidence that threads through this collection, one that doesn’t beg to be seen but is impossible to ignore. In a market saturated with graphic noise and gimmick-driven branding, Blvck Kulture chooses a different route: pared-down silhouettes, thoughtful construction, and an unwavering commitment to cultural narrative. The brand doesn’t scream luxury; it moves like it’s always belonged in that space.
Founded by Razaq Ayomide Rahman, with a clear-eyed mission to merge African heritage with modern streetwear, BlvckKulture has built its language around simplicity that carries weight. And not the performative kind. Theirs is a luxury shaped by intention, where clean lines and blacked-out palettes become vessels for identity, history, and presence. Every drop is rooted in something, whether it’s the energy of Lagos, the craft of African artisanship, or the voice of a generation redefining what it means to look like “home.”
Since its inception, the brand has been collecting milestonesfrom awards in urban fashion to collaborations with cultural giants without losing grip on the local pulse. Over the years, the brand has partnered with everyone from local institutions to global platforms, Legend Extra Stout, Intel, YouTube, Tecno, and the Nigerian Police Force, yet it still feels fiercely independent. The focus has never been on mass appeal. It’s always been about authenticity, storytelling, and control. That’s what makes the “Made in Lagos” tag feel earned.
This isn’t fashion made for export; it’s a style that brings Lagos with it wherever it lands. The new unisex collection is a continuation of that ethos: pieces that feel like uniform and expression all at once. There’s no excess, no fluff. Just garments that say exactly what they mean.
There are 2 major outfits in their 2024 collection. Let us take a closer look, shall we?
This first look strikes with a raw, deliberate force: a black T-shirtscreen-capped with Black Pride, paired with the same relaxed-fit shorts that read Made in Lagos under a pared-down skyline. Simple, yet not sparse, a substratum of cultural commentary informs the outfit. This is not just fashion for fashion’s sake kind of clothing; this is identity loud and proud.
The T-shirt works on many levels. The dark-on-dark typography is a clever play, bold, but not loud. It’s a layered colour that registers differently depending on light, skin tone, or distance. On a male body, the relaxed fit has enough structure to be street-ready rather than sloppy. On a female wearer, the same fit would either be a clean, boxy shape or slightly overwhelm the frame, depending on the styling. A cropped adaptation or understated tailoring options might give it broader unisex appeal without compromising the message.
The shorts are pure comfort, relaxed cut, longline shape, and all attitudes. They wear well on a male body, completing the comfort statement balance. On a female form, however, they might feel a tad too in-your-face without strategic styling. The loose fit could benefit from a slightly more streamlined leg opening or a lighter drape of fabric to enhance movement and silhouette, particularly for smaller frames. The inclusion of a single back pocket elevates utility and helps break the plainness of the rear view, a thoughtful, streetwear-informed addition. Still, it’s the Lagos skyline and “Made in Lagos” messaging that truly save the look from anonymity, they anchor it in place and purpose, giving it soul beyond silhouette.
And finally, some flavour black/white sneakers and white socks do the trick, but bring little to the visual game. They are neutral, which is good, but a colour-contrasting high-top, burnt orange, off-white, or even forest green would add tension and raise the overall style bar. If styling a woman, platform sneakers or chunky sandals would add more edge and balance out the volume of the shorts.
Overall, this outfit gets its messaging and its comfort right, which is a great starting point. It could do even more with a little more cut and finish intention, particularly to span the masculine-feminine in-between more elegantly. What it’s saying is compelling. Now it just needs to wear that with greater elegance.
This second outfit pretty much echoes the aesthetic of the first one, reaffirming Blvck Kulture’scommitment to streetwear minimalism with a sociocultural edge. The matching black T-shirt and shorts are once again grounded in simplicity, with bold yet sleek typography of the brand’s name on the top and a sharp white cityscape motif labelled “Made in Lagos” on the shorts. The unisex styling modelled on both male and female figures supports the brand’s ethos of inclusivity and versatility, lending the outfit an easy-going, gender-neutral appeal.
While its visual identity is consistent and its execution clean, the set benefits from a minor yet notable material upgrade: the brand logo appears to be embroidered rather than printed. This shift enhances texture and sophistication, adding depth to an otherwise minimalist aesthetic. Still, the overall silhouette and layout remain nearly identical to the first look. To further differentiate this piece, a variation in fit, such as a cropped cut, sleeve modification, or tonal play, could reinforce the distinctiveness of each ensemble within the collection’s cohesive language.
The third look builds upon the first two with the subtle shift in mood. The hoodie, rather than the T-shirt, adds gravity to the figure, with the message still the same. Black on black, still carrying the mark of Black Culture, but now the hooded weight both literally and metaphorically. Where the last look had tilted toward casual and expressive, this one is brooding. Less open. More closed off. There’s a shift from expression to declaration.
The hoodie itself is done well. No nonsense, no extraneous seams or flap. The tonal lettering remains discreetly assertive, so the wearer can talk in terms of presence rather than print. On a man, the boxy silhouette reads deliberately, city-grown, and tailor-cut without being baggy. On a woman, it’s on the brink, it can fall into oversized hip, or go too far into bulk, depending on fit. A side zip detail or a cinched waistband might create more visual shape without compromising comfort ethos.
Back in the same black shorts from Look 1, this look emphasisesthe collection’s modularity, looks that trade and mix without losing their integrity. But there’s that repetition also showing us a little bit of limitation. The shorts are great, no doubt, but they don’t give us enough contrast between looks. A trimmer version or even a slightly altered length could do some actual good to differentiate the outfit’s sensibility when worn with thicker tops like this hoodie.
From a fashion perspective, the look is almost too straight-laced. Under the same black-on-black and low-contrast shoe matchupfor the male model, there’s a risk of going incognito, especially with streetlights. On the female model, the white sneakers give a bit of contrast, but some colour, a neck chain, graphic socks, or even a colourful sneaker sole could shake up the look enough to avoid visual stagnation.
As a unisex ensemble, the hoodie is a home run. It offers versatility, it drapes beautifully and carries a message. Yet it would radiate even more with subtle adjustments that mind body diversity. As a standalone piece, this fit hits all the conceptual notes but leaves space for a bit more pizzazz in execution. It speaks loudly, but we wouldn’t mind if it screamed a little louder.
The last outfit ventures into a more playful sphere, while still very much within the brand’s minimalist, street-born sensibility. The short-sleeved hoodie is the wild card of this situation. Less formal, less expected, and more expressive than the remainder of the collection, it invites the wearer into uncharted styling ground, athletic, light, and boldly casual.
On the female model, the fit is perfect. The proportions are loose but not swamping; roomy but not shapeless. There is a hint of cinch at the waistjust sufficient to imply form without compromising comfort. The hood, when cuffed, gives an edge without feeling heavy, especially with sleeves cut. Visually, this shape evens out the energy, taking from both hoodie and T-shirt, but avoiding either’s bulk. It’s an under-acknowledged design move.
All of that aside, the short sleeves are a trifle in need of refinement. On wider shoulders (male or female), the drop-sleeve shape can be too extreme and swing out to the sides, spreading the upper body into a boxy shape. A bit of taper to the sleeve or a soft cuff could add shaping and prevent that sagging appearance. For men, especially those with stocky builds, this would define rather than submerge the shape.
We have the familiar black shorts again here. They’re quickly becoming the stalwart anchor of this mini-collection. And while wonderful as their versatility is, repetition without variation starts to feel both safe and predictable. Pairing this top with an opposing piece, maybe cargo shorts or joggers of a complementary colour could elevate the outfit. Even tonal layering, like deep grey or washed brown, might be an option while staying in the same urban trajectory.
Because it’s a unisex outfit, this look passes muster on both sides of the gender equation. It’s easy to wear, easy to layer, and doesn’t take effort to make it look styled. But where it wins on comfort and ease, it loses by a fraction of an inch on style-holding power. A pocket detail, a drawstring element, or a texture reference, mesh, piping, or matte rubber could have bumped it from “clean” to “compelling.”
Overall, this fit winds up the trio with ease and harmony, butmakes us wish the following drop was more adventurous in form, layering, and finish. The groundwork is laid, now it’s time to build.
This collection doesn’t shout. It speaks quietly, anchored to meaning, wrapped in simplicity. From the graphic but subtle prints to the unmistakable “Made in Lagos” skyline sewn like a monogram, every item is one of a house venturing into identity rather than pursuing trends. There’s an intention behind the cohesion, a subtle declaration that streetwear can be culturally pertinent.
But that very cohesion is both its utmost strength and its greatest flaw. While the standalone pieces are effective and even more so as a body, visual rhythm also depends too heavily on repetition. All black all the time is an effective point, but it risks blurring, especially when silhouettes don’t move. There’s room here for subtlety: not in abandoning the brand DNA, but in distorting it, testing with cuts, textures, layering, or judicious colourinjections that still retain the story cohesiveness.
From a unisex perspective, the clothes are real. Nothing feels forced or done for show. The look reads across gender lines without overt posing. That’s a rare balance, and one that must be kept. But fit calibration especially in the shoulders and short hem, is something it could use more of. A little tailoring tweaking would enable each body to not just be tolerated, but elevated.
Basically, this collection is for the true movers and shakers in the fashion ecosystem. And although it doesn’t rewrite the rules, it refigures them on purpose. What comes next? We expect more risk, more creativity and more variation. That being said, welook forward to more creativity for the brand.
