Fila by AyaworanHO3D

The collection is aimed at achieving a dual purpose of showcasing the beauty of the Male headdress in Yoruba culture, Fila & also serve as a medium for mental health awareness in a traditional setting

The collection is aimed at achieving a dual purpose of showcasing the beauty of the Male headdress in Yoruba culture called Fila and also serve as a medium for mental health awareness in a traditional setting.

The Male headdress amongst the Yoruba is called 'Fila'. In most formal and ceremonial environments the dressing is incomplete without it. The Fila is sown, styled and embroidered in different ways which requires a great deal of mastery to make. Beyond its aesthetics, it's a symbolic representation of masculinity and maturity. It can be worn as an everyday apparel and also occasionally to compliment an elegant native outfit.

Amongst the Yoruba and most African cultures, there is a huge expectation for the male folk to be strong, bold and unbreakable. One not given to a public show of emotions and expected to feign an unflinching fearlessness and strength in the face of challenges. An outward show of love or a cry for help is considered weakness.

Times are changing and modern challenges have revealed that men can also be weak at times, a man can be outwardly romantic and a man can cry for help in trying times.

Mental health challenges are real. Post traumatic disorders from abuse experiences are real. Dysfunctionality resulting from a damaging upbringing is real and also so real amongst men. Many have suffered in silence and endangered themselves and loves ones as a result of bottling it up so as not to be seen as weak.

It's time to change the narrative. It's time to normalise Male susceptibility and the need for help. Mental health problems are real and men do suffer them to.

The deliberate infusion of flowers (symbolically soft and feminist) into a shoot on Fila, a symbolic representation of masculinity in this body of work is my way of reminding us that men can be sweet, men can also be soft, men can be vulnerable, and men can need help.

Be free to be a romantic, be free to lean on a shoulder, be free to cry when broken.