Words by Laila Rose
Chapter 4 of Yaku Stapleton’s ‘The ImPossible Family Reunion in RPG Space’ series is a narrative of hope and belonging, rooted strongly in Afrofuturism. Through this lens, Stapleton reimagines his family as characters in boundless fantasy realms, inspired by the immersive worlds he explored as a youth, ready for his London Fashion Week SS25 debut.
In the 18 months since the series was unveiled, the St. Albans-born designer sought to merge the divide between the hopeful narrative and the darker realities that often fuel the need for hope. By incorporating more of his personal experiences and family history, he and his team strived to offer a more authentic reflection of reality. The collection delves into the reasons behind the themes of fantasy and futurism - exploring the underlying pain, escape, scars, and hope for healing. An otherwordly blend of past and future, reality and fantasy, pain and hope, creating a vision that is both reflective and aspirational.
The 26-year-old Brit studied Fashion Design at Leeds Beckett, not long after graduating from Central Saint Martins’ MA Fashion in 2023, where he joined the prestigious L’Oreal Pro winner’s circle for his adventurous master’s collection. Launching his label that same year, he was definitely one to watch. Now supported by the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN initiative and in Cohort One of The Fashion Residency at Studio Smithfield, delivered in partnership between the Mayor of London, Projekt and Paul Smith’s Foundation, supported by British GQ, Stapleton’s work is amongst the loudest in fashion.
For the Challenge the Fabric Award in May 2024, Stapleton introduced Elliot, a character based on his older brother, who had returned from a time-travel journey, battered yet reconciled with his past self. This shifted the collection’s focus to the rest of the family, now poised to confront their histories and embark on personal journeys of self-discovery.
The season’s visual references have expanded beyond Stapleton’s usual to include both prehistoric and contemporary natural elements, reflected in the more fluid fabric choices. While still primarily using white deadstock fabrics manipulated and dyed in-house, the garments now exhibit a blend of darkness with strange and humorous constructions. This chapter also introduces womenswear, emphasizing freedom of movement and expression, complementing the already established menswear sector of the label.
Stapleton curated his LFW presentation as a full experience, aiming to evoke the depth of his beloved childhood favourite ‘RuneScape’, a video game which offers a rich, immersive world beyond its surface. The presentation space is crafted from textiles developed in-house, using deadstock fabrics hand-dyed, sewn, and distressed by Stapleton and his team. The four sets, including ‘The Forest’, ‘Combat’, ‘Reflection’, and ‘The Library’, feature unique details and accessories, all designed to bring the fantasy world into the fourth dimension. A collaboration with talented actors and a theatre director adds a special layer, truly bringing the characters to life and capturing their childlike exploration of the world Stapleton has brought to fruition.
What distinguishes this collection is the passion, dedication, and overall support of the team behind it. The story evolves with every brilliant contribution and idea, the collection, shaped by diverse minds and techniques, represents a refined evolution in Stapleton’s work. It marks the beginning of a promising journey, and if it inspires even one person to create and express themselves freely, Stapleton will consider it a success.
Photo by Oscar Finnie