Founder. Executive Producer. Creative Director. Costume Designer
CHILDREN OF GOD
Building REKANA’s first sustainable collection and debut fashion film from concept to collection to short film, to cultural and, global release.
The Opportunity
REKANA was transitioning from traditional production into a sustainability-first fashion brand. I wanted to create out this first ethical collection using hand-dyed fabrics while telling a larger story about inclusion, community, spirituality, and identity.
The collection eventually became Children of God accompanied by a short fashion film.
DELIVERABLES
MAR '22
– A sustainable fashion collection
– Textile Development
– Fashion Film
– Production Design
– Campaign Strategy
– Press Distribution
– Runway Presentation
#CoGod FILM
When I came up with the name Children of God, I knew a collection alone wouldn’t be enough. The story demanded characters, narrative, music, costume design, casting, production design, storyboards, moodboards, and, of course, the perfect location. That was the moment I became the Executive Producer, and the Costume Designer – ‘Children of God’ represents my self-named fashion brand – Rekana’s Rainy Resort 2022 collection, and each piece in the collection tells its own story.
Shot in the heart of Lagos, the 12-minute piece follows the spiritual transformation of Mr. T.F. Bushman, a wounded man fleeing a troubled past in search of redemption. Drawn into an unconventional church led by
the charismatic Moda Koi, he encounters a vibrant congregation of diverse, stylish, and unapologetically unique individuals who challenge traditional ideas of faith, identity, and belonging.
As music, prayer, and ritual unfold, Bushman is welcomed into their community and symbolically reborn through baptism. Blending fashion, spirituality, culture, and self-expression, the film celebrates the idea that faith can be found in unexpected places and that everyone deserves a place to belong.
The story culminates in a powerful collective tableau accompanied by the message: “Walk into that room like God sent you there.”
Directed by Uche Odoh.
BRAND STORY
REKANATION
REKANA is an ethical and sustainable fashion brand creating timeless, functional designs for the Afro-Modernist.
Our community is made up of bold, versatile individuals who believe that what we wear should not come at the expense of the future. We are committed to protecting local ecosystems and supporting artisan communities through the use of handwoven and hand-dyed textiles, low-impact production methods, and circular design practices. From repurposing fabric remnants into patchwork accessories to reimagining discarded materials, sustainability is embedded throughout our creative process.
Sustainable Textile Development
Drawing inspiration from Nigerian culture, historical references, personal narratives, and contemporary African fashion, REKANA bridges heritage and modernity. We explore traditional patterns, indigenous craftsmanship, and timeless African silhouettes, reinterpreting them through a modern lens to create pieces that feel both culturally rooted and globally relevant.
We began the journey with nothing but a title — CHILDREN OF GOD — and a blank page.
Six months later, that blank page led us to the great city of Abeokuta, home of ancient hills and Adire craftsmanship. There, we dug into dye with our hands, stamped our symbol onto chiffon, wrote our names on silk, and prayed beneath our cross of fabric. What started as a fashion collection had become something far greater: a story of faith, identity, heritage, and creation.
LOOKBOOK
Film Development
CHARACTER DESIGN THROUGH FASHION
These were regular people mixed with celebrities and rising stars, they were friends or fans of the brand, they were our clients, our muse, our design inspiration and character builders.
“Forgive me mother, for I have sinned…” – We all come to redemption at some point right? I wanted lines that were familiar and relatable.
When was the last time you caught a glimpse of your true self?
When was the last time you felt comfortable in your own skin?
We weren’t born to be worriers. We were born to be warriors. So you better walk into that room like GOD SENT YOU. We are children of God.
CREW STRUCTURE + ART DIRECTION + PRODUCTION DESIGN
Working with Director Uche Odoh was a dream come true. Her work is impeccable and she was the first to hear of this project from the imagination stage, so it had to be her behind the monitor. The rest of the crew was easy, people I had worked with in the past, who could also work within our budget.
SCRIPT + MUSIC DEVELOPMENT
Launch Strategy
I didn’t stop after production. I built a release campaign alongside teasers, interviews, cast reveals, screenings and festival submissions.
The film was selected for two film festivals – First time Filmakers Session by Pinewood Studios, United Kingdom and Vancouver Black Independent Film Festival, Canada
Reflection
Children of God taught me that creative vision alone is not enough. Building a fashion brand requires storytelling, operations, partnerships, production management, distribution, and long-term business systems. Although the collection did not achieve the commercial success I hoped for, it successfully established REKANA’s sustainable direction, launched our first fashion film, earned festival selections, secured media coverage, and eventually led to our runway debut in the United States.
IMPACT
19
Cast members featured in the film.
1
Fashion film
1
Sustainable collection
Multiple
Editorial features
3
Film festival selections
1
NYFW runway debut
1
Jersey City Day of Fashion runway presentation
Months
Of production and post-production.
BRAND VISIBILITY & MEDIA COVERAGE
