WHO DEY SHAKE

Nataal for the V&A’s Africa Fashion exhibition

Watch this short film by Lakin Ogunbanwo and Nataal for the V&A’s Africa Fashion exhibition

Who Dey Shake is a short film and photographic story by Lagos-based artist Lakin Ogunbanwo made in association with the V&A and Nataal. Included in the museum’s new exhibition, Africa Fashion, opening July 2, 2022, Who Dey Shake is part of a wider collaboration that sees Nataal dedicate a special section of our new print magazine to the show.

The project was initially sparked by Dr Christine Checinska, the V&A’s Senior Curator Africa and Diaspora: Textiles and Fashion. She was interested in the culture of movement and how clothing and adornment relates to identity through the performance of style. Ogunbanwo ran with this to come up with his own refined twist on the theme and then we invited songstress Falana to write a soundtrack for our cast of London-based creatives to dance to in the film.

“If you look closely, the clothes might just be dancing on their own”

“The concept made me think of ‘cultural day’ in Nigerian primary school and the energetic performance that always happens then. I also thought about the Bata dance stemming from Yoruba drumming traditions,” Ogunbanwo explains. “This story captures the joys of performing to the camera while showing off your finest African fashions. With sometimes ordinary, sometimes extravagant movements, the dancers communicate a feeling of confidence, satisfaction and elegance. And the magic of the moment is that, if you look closely, the clothes might just be dancing on their own.”

See the film screened at the Africa Fashion exhibition, on Nataal.com and V&A’s digital channels.

Africa Fashion is on view at the V&A, South Kensington, London, from 2 July 2022 to 16 April 2023. Discover it here

Fashion

Andrea Iyamah
Christie Brown
Fruché
IAMISIGO
Maison ARTC
Moshions
Mmuso Maxwell
Nkwo
Orange Culture
Quazi Designs
Rich Mnisi

Creative

Photographer and film director Lakin Ogunbanwo
Creative director Marie Gomis-Tresize at Nataal
Stylist Nathan Klein at CLM
Movement director Ayo Babatope (Taboo)
Set designer King Owusu
Hair artist Charlotte Mensah
Make-up artist Mata Marielle at CLM
Song Who Dey Shake produced by Davayo and written by Falana
Editorial director Helen Jennings

Song Who Dey Shake by Falana
Grey & Blue/Rubikon Entertainment, 2022

Styling assistants Naomi Kaji, Jahnvi Sharma, Colin Scanagatta
Tailor Eleanor Williams
Set design assistants Charlotte Cook, Sam Storey, Lorella Bianco
Hair assistant Kacey Amoo
Make-up assistants Marie Reitner, Tahiyah Ali
Manicurist Karen Louise


DOP Joel Honeywell at WPA
1st AD Amal Solomons
1st Assistant Frederick Stisted
Digital technician George Zenko
Gaffer Romaine Foster
First AC Emma Friend
Sparks Archie Carter, Harry Buck

Production Northwood International
Executive producer Tonia Arapovic
Production manager Anya Defries
Production assistant Toby Norman
Runner Ronita Awoonor-Gordon

Stills Retouching Justine Foord at Masque
Film editor Roy Brandys
Colourist Jamie Noble at Studio RM
Post Producer Tomas Katter at Studio RM

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