Instagram’s @design Announces The Recipients Of Their Inaugural #BlackDesignVisionaries Grant Program

Fashion designer and multidisciplinary artist, Taofeek Abijako, founder of fashion house Head of State.
ELIAS WILLIAMS

By Cassell Ferere originally published on Forbes.com

Instagram’s official account and digital institution @design, is announcing the recipient for its inaugural #BlackDesignVisionaries grant program today. In partnership with Brooklyn Museum, the $100,000 Visionary Small Business Grant is awarded to fashion designer and multidisciplinary artist, Taofeek Abijako.

Founder of fashion house Head of State, Abijako has been experimenting with fabric, tailoring, body contouring shapes, proportions, and color palette, something he started at the age of 17 years old. Abijako became the youngest designer to show his designs at Men’s New York Fashion Week, and he would debut his first womenswear collection titled ‘Homecoming’ in September of 2021.

#BlackDesignVisionaries committee member, fashion designer, and creative director Heron Preston.
COURTESY OF #BLACKDESIGNVISIONARIES

Since 2016, Head of State has painted a vision through Abijako’s sartorial language - a homage to his cultural heritage and perseverance. Representing the culture of the post-colonial youth in Africa, of his Nigerian roots, and Black communities around the globe, Head of State critiques Westernization of the world and questions its marginal effects in diverse spaces.

The #BlackDesignVisionaries grant committee took notice of Abijako’s expression and use of fashion to address socio-political issues through sartorial commentary. Head of State engages with its audience, encouraging younger generations to support their communities through sustainable efforts. Abijako’s design elements are enthralled with surprising shapes created by a combination tailored cuts and fabric, combined with viral engagements and a vernacular seeded in the representation of his community.

#BlackDesignVisionaries award recipient of The Aspiring Design Grant of $10,000, spatial designer Dominique Petit-Frère.
CARLOS IDUN-TAWIAH

Abijako’s perspective creates the environment and space to empower and celebrate Black creatives, “but also a culture around Black stories,” he says. “This culture results in the creation of an equitable space where diverse ideas are welcome, while also serving as the gateway for us to reimagine the collective vision of what’s possible.”

Abijako has made efforts to empower communities and help build sustainable futures through education, innovation, and by donating proceeds from his sales to various charitable efforts. The Head of State brand has hosted curbside pop-up shop “Meeting by the River” to amplify businesses and creatives while engaging with members of the local community in South End, Albany, New York…