Every season, London Fashion Week introduces fresh talent, but few debuts have been as immersive and personal as Yaku's. This year, the designer label, led by Yaku, made its mark with an evocative presentation titled “The ImPossible Family Reunion in RPG Space: Looking Back to Look Forward to Look Back Again.” Fresh off a 2023 graduate collection from Central Saint Martins that secured the L'Oréal Professionnel Creative Award, Yaku’s Spring/Summer 2025 showcase was not just a fashion presentation but a narrative experience.
Set in the heart of 180 Strand, Yaku transformed the space into a fantasy realm where Afrofuturism met personal history. Four tableaus—The Library, Reflection, Combat, and The Forest—told a story inspired by the designer’s family, imagined as characters within a video game. The result was an interactive performance, with actors embodying these avatars in scenes that brought Yaku’s vision to life. It was an approach that broke the mold of traditional runways, inviting the audience to engage with fashion as a living, breathing story.
Photography by Oscar Finnnie
Sustainability was also at the heart of Yaku’s SS25 collection. Using deadstock fabrics re-dyed and manipulated in-house, Yaku brought a thoughtful, eco-conscious edge to the fantasy. For the first time, the brand introduced womenswear, fluid and graceful alongside the structured menswear pieces, all tied together by natural and prehistoric motifs. Yaku’s creations felt at once otherworldly and grounded, wearable yet conceptual.
Beyond the visual impact, what truly set Yaku’s debut apart was the emotional narrative woven throughout the collection. Family, identity, and time itself were layered into every design and tableau. The bold color palette and sculptural silhouettes were striking, but it was the underlying themes of connection, history, and legacy that made the presentation linger long after it ended. With The ImPossible Family Reunion, Yaku didn’t just present a collection—he shared a story, showing that his work is about pushing the boundaries of both fashion and storytelling.
The Library:
Photography by Oscar Finnnie
In The Library, three characters—Grandad, Stephanie, and Karis—gather in preparation for an intellectual battle. They study ancient texts, drawing lessons from the past to guide their future path. The space symbolizes not just knowledge, but responsibility; they are not simply learning for themselves, but preserving wisdom for generations to come. In Yaku’s world, learning becomes a sacred duty, a way to ensure the survival and success of those who follow.
Reflection:
Photography by Oscar Finnnie
Reflection offered a moment of inward exploration. Dad is seen levitating, suspended in a state of meditation. His present self and past self are mirrored, as if both are reliving moments and decisions that shaped him. This space encapsulates the importance of self-awareness, of looking back to understand the journey ahead. In Yaku’s vision, reflection is not just a pause but a powerful tool for navigating the future, where past and present converge in moments of clarity.
Combat:
Photography by Oscar Finnnie
The energy heightens in Combat, where Amir and Nathaniel engage in a dynamic, physical struggle. Their movements are swift, their bond growing stronger with each bout. Here, Yaku uses the concept of combat to symbolize resilience and unity. The fight is not only external but internal, with both characters supporting each other after every skirmish. This tableau captures the essence of camaraderie, where challenges are met with both physical and emotional strength, and the drive to lift each other up becomes paramount.
The Forest:
Photography by Oscar Finnnie
Finally, The Forest provided a moment of quiet strength. Mum, Ricky, and Lorrelle are seen seated among ancient trees, their presence as steady as the roots they sit upon. In this space, sustenance is key; the trio prepares fish together, nourishing both their bodies and spirits for the trials ahead. Yaku uses this tableau to reflect on the cycles of life—survival, continuity, and the need to nurture the collective. The scene is a reminder that growth and endurance are tied to community and care, a sentiment that resonates throughout the entire collection.
Yaku’s SS25 debut was nothing short of a revelation, redefining the boundaries of fashion presentations. His ability to merge conceptual design with rich storytelling has cemented him as a significant new voice in the industry, and it’s clear that The ImPossible Family Reunion is just the beginning of what’s to come from this visionary designer.
