AFRICA’S DAUGHTERS

A photo series blending my hair-itage with the fashion editorial style I'm drawn to today.

Photographer, producer & Creative Director: Temi Lawson

Producer, Lighting & Video Director: Arnold Lawson

Videographer: Charlie

Fashion Stylist: Tor · Hair & Makeup: Devin & Victor

Models: Laura Aniakor & Kayra Theodore

Equipment partner: KEH Camera, which provided both film and digital camera bodies and lenses for the production, including a Mamiya RB67 and a Fujifilm GFX100S kit.

As a kid growing up in Nigeria, I hated the traditional braided hairstyles my mother put me in. I didn't think they made me look pretty. Looking back now, I see something different, a hairstyle that was beautiful, stylish, and true to a heritage I've spent years learning to carry alongside the life I've built in America. Africa's Daughters is where those two things finally sit in the same frame, traditional Nigerian braiding patterns, drawn from photographer J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere's own archive of the styles, built into a fully modern fashion editorial, bold color, structured silhouettes, and the kind of styling I'm drawn to today. I conceived the project, built the creative team, and directed the shoot from casting through final image.

The full process, shoot day, gear breakdown, and results, is documented in a behind the scenes video on my YouTube channel.