COCO OLAKUNLE SHOOTS MOSHIONS FOR VOGUE ITALIA

by Mona Penn-Jousset

MOCA co-founder and in-house photographer Coco Olakunle’s photos tell a story about fashion and light in Rwanda. MOCA co-founder Mona Penn-Jousset has the story behind the photos.

In November 2022, Coco Olakunle traveled to Kigali, Rwanda, to shoot Lagos Fashion Week. In January 2022, Coco's photos of Moshions SS22 collection by Moses Turahirwa appeared in Vogue Italia. I sat down with her to get a firsthand perspective on her experience shooting Lagos Fashion Week.

M: Who is the designer featured in these photos?

C: His name is Moses Turahirwa, a Rwandan designer. The clothes are from the spring-summer 2022 collection of his brand Moshions.

M: What were you doing in Rwanda?

C: The Moshions team thought I was based in Lagos and reached out to me. The Fashion Exhibition was a three-day affair with panel talks and events where I could mingle with high-profile fashion industry professionals.

M: Where did this project take place?

C: Kigali, Rwanda, and this was my first time in Rwanda. One day, my project partner Chedo, the guide/driver/fixer/writer George, and I drove to a place called Twin Lakes.

M: Is this where you shot the images we see in Vogue Italia?  

C: YES, I felt that the clothing matched the natural environment. For example, the fabric moves from off-white to blue, reflecting the water and the surrounding mountains - I liked these blends.

M: What else did you do while in Rwanda?

I shot [officially] for one day and then stayed a few extra days to capture more of the essence of Rwanda. Just me, the models, Gabriel & Jean de Dieu, and George went out to a bamboo forest and created a few images. We trekked through the mud to get to a clearing with a sunny opening in the forest canopy. The images we created together were about the use of light.

M: When asked to summarize her experience, Coco says that, first and foremost, she had a beautiful experience in Rwanda and desires to return in the future. Plus, she adds, there’s that Vogue Italia article :)

See more of the story here