Aso Odun by Segun Yusuf Adesokan: A Renaissance of Lace and Legacy

By Dimeji Alara

In a fashion industry that is increasingly globalised and often divoid of cultural roots, Nigerian designer Segun Yusuf Adesokan offers a bold counter-narrative. His latest collection, Aso Odun, released under his Patrickslim brand, is a memorial reflection on heritage, identity, and timeless style. Rooted in cherished Yoruba traditions and framed by the designer’s personal childhood memories, this collection is not just about clothing; it is a visual and artistic tribute to legacy.
Lace, a hallmark of Yoruba elegance, is the soul of this collection. For decades, lace has adorned celebrants at weddings, festivals, and naming ceremonies across Yoruba communities and it symbolises class, pride, and occasion.

Segun draws inspiration from his formative years, those festive mornings where family elders would adorn exquisitely tailored lace garments, complete with matching buba and sokoto. These memories form the emotional fabric of the collection, reawakening the joy and reverence of that era.

The featured yellow design from the collection exemplifies this intergenerational dialogue. At first glance, it appears classic with an intricate play of lace ovefacings in black floral pattern and mustard tone lace paired with baggy trousers. But closer inspection reveals the quiet genius of Segun’s modern tailoring. The traditional silhouette is retained, yet softened and refined for today’s fashion sensibility. The lace arrangement is neither overpowering nor diminished, striking a fine balance between luxury and restraint.

A layered hem detail hints at the design’s royalty, yet the design remains minimalist and accessible. The use of coordinated tones and subtle textural contrast between lace and satin suggests an intentional harmony – one that speaks both to aesthetic discipline and emotional coherence.

By embracing simplicity in styling, Segun allows the clothes to speak in Aso Odun Collection which is a representation of memory, identity, and a fashion culture that values meaning over novelty.

More than just a collection, Aso Odun positions Segun as a cultural steward. In a landscape where African designers are often pressured to conform to global expectations, he chooses instead to double down on authenticity. This collection does not pander but it preserves, elevates, and proudly showcases Yoruba tradition in its truest form.

In doing so, Segun Yusuf Adesokan through his brand, Patrickslim challenges a global fashion industry to engage more deeply with heritage beyond costume or aesthetic, but as a living, breathing narrative.

With Aso Odun, Segun Yusuf Adesokan delivers a compelling vision of what African fashion can be – personal, profound, and powerfully rooted in heritage. He invites us not only to admire the garments but to remember the stories behind them.

In every thread of lace, there is a memory. In every silhouette, a celebration. And in every piece is a reminder that our past is not behind us, it is woven into everything we wear.