Bernard Precious: The future of fashion for men is bold African design

While many menswear collections stay within the safe territory of conventional designs, Nneka’s designs push toward something more expressive, where clothing becomes both fashion and statement.

During Lagos Fashion Weekend, one of the standout moments came from a male model walking down the runway wearing a textured mustard knit jacket left open at the front. The dress, revealing the torso, gives the outfit a relaxed and confident energy. The jacket was paired with a flowing gold draped lower garment that moved softly as the model walked.

There is an unusual confident tone throughout the room as the model walked, creating a sense of elegance rarely seen in traditional menswear presentations. The combination of texture and fluid fabric created a look that felt both creative and culturally grounded.

Another look introduced a softer but striking direction. A mustard-yellow outfit flowed easily down the runway, built around relaxed tailoring and a checkered chest panel that added visual structure.

The warm colour palette made the piece feel vibrant without overwhelming the silhouette. It reflected a thoughtful balance between comfort and craftsmanship, suggesting that menswear can be expressive without losing practicality.

There was also a moment of classic tailoring within the collection. A striped suit, cut cleanly and worn with confidence, showed the designer’s ability to work within traditional menswear structures while still introducing a modern perspective. The lines and careful proportions brought a sense of polish to the runway while maintaining the designer’s signature boldness.

What makes Bernard’s work interesting is the way the designs invite African men to step outside narrow expectations of what menswear should look like. The garments allow room for indigenous identity.

In this sense, Nneka’s work reflects a growing shift within African fashion where menswear is no longer defined only by restraint or formality. Instead, it is becoming a space for experimentation and cultural storytelling.