LAGOS, Nigeria – Frank Aghuno, founder of Nigerian fashion label Fruché, is defying traditional boundaries in fashion with designs that challenge societal expectations and celebrate individuality.
Since its founding in 2018, Fruché has carved a niche for itself with its fluid silhouettes and intricate knotwork, appealing to those who seek freedom in self-expression.
Aghuno’s designs, informed by personal stories and cultural heritage, are both contemporary and rebellious, often drawing inspiration from Nigerian roots and African aesthetics.
Aghuno’s path to fashion began early. Growing up in his father’s living room, he spent hours sketching designs inspired by his mother, a former fashion designer, and his cousin, who made doll dresses by hand.
Aghuno’s passion for design solidified during his finance studies at the University of Lagos, where he began working on his first collection amid Nigeria’s university strikes, using his mother’s old sewing machine.
His efforts culminated in a debut at Lagos Fashion Week, where he showcased hand-sewn pieces in 2014. By 2018, Fruché had officially launched, positioning itself as a brand unbound by societal norms.
Breaking Boundaries with the Power of the Knot
A hallmark of Fruché’s design aesthetic is its signature knot detailing, a concept Aghuno developed by merging different styles into a single garment.
“I think [of] rebellion because people don’t see knots on clothes every day,” he said. His knotwork, often accompanied by tulle or draped elements, is a metaphor for self-expression without restraint, blending ruggedness with sophistication.
Each collection Aghuno creates reflects a particular emotion or narrative.
His debut, Free Spirits, was inspired by the free-spirited lives of his grandparents in Benin City and the photographic work of Solomon Osagie Alonge, who documented Nigeria’s early elite in the 1970s.
Other collections include Ibeji, inspired by Yoruba mythology’s twin deity, and See Finish, which showcases denim patchwork.
His latest, Do You Know Who I Am, presents vibrant takes on his knot designs, while the upcoming Shameless collection explores the value of shamelessness in both personal and creative pursuits.
Aghuno sees this as a critique of African cultural norms that can breed restrictive expressiveness, emphasizing the power of self-liberation.
A Commitment to Cultural and Sustainable Practices
Aghuno’s commitment to African heritage is reflected in his use of locally sourced textiles like Aso Oke and Adire, emphasizing the versatility of African materials.
This commitment goes hand in hand with his goal of sustainability, as he seeks to create environmentally conscious collections and deeply rooted in African traditions.
Despite resistance from international platforms where his designs were deemed “too revealing,”
Aghuno remains unshaken in his commitment to creative authenticity. “As Africans, we like to sexualize bodies, forgetting that before the West invaded us, we were dressing however we wanted,” Aghuno said.
His vision for Fruché continues to be unapologetically daring, challenging both African and global norms to embrace fashion as a medium for personal freedom and cultural pride.
Through Fruché, Frank Aghuno is not only pushing the boundaries of Nigerian fashion but also creating a global dialogue on self-expression, identity, and tradition in modern design.
