Ghanaian musician Teddy Osei founded the genre-smashing band Osibisa in London in 1969. Channelling the energy of this important Independence era, the highlife sensation went on to tour worldwide and release hits such as Sunshine Day. Now, as Osibisa celebrate their 50th anniversary, menswear label Labrum dedicates its AW19 collection and film, Highlife Electric, to the band’s cultural and musical legacy.

Continuing Labrum’s mission to tell tales of West Africa, Freetown-born, London-based designer Foday Dumbuya chose relaxed tailoring and bespoke prints expressed in a 1970s colour palette of rich reds, yolky yellows and vintage camel shades. Labrum then hosted an intimate event to honour Osei in person with this very special project, and now the film debuts on Nataal.

The collection was very much at home in the retro house in Epping where the film was shot. “We knew that the location was integral to the authenticity of the final film,” says Dumbuya. “A vacant house with original 1970s wallpaper, it immediately stood out to us and what made it even more perfect was a dinosaur inspired room - which we felt tied in really well with Osibisa’s album artwork.”

The film was shot by director Harry Deadman. “I immediately fell in love with the clothing and their design tendencies,” recalls Deadman of his first encounter with Labrum’s designs last year. “Fast forward a few months and we were developing video ideas. Foday had a clear idea and I loved the concept behind both the video and collection. Labrum & Osibisa - a collaboration across generations and art forms.”

Design and styling Foday Dumbuya
Creative direction JulianKnxx
Art direction Oliver Cassels
Film direction Harry Deadman
Photography Ricardo Raspa
Styling Bevan Agyemang
Grooming Riona O’Sullivan
Cast
Daniel De-Souza, Karim Bekai, Klay Forever Always,
Louie Akinwale, Ola Adeyemi, Shaden Philips

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Published on 07/11/2019