Since 2014, founder, creative director and designer Foday Dumbuya has been focusing on something a bit different. Paving the way for his unique wave of tailored, workwear-inspired menswear, Foday’s vision is worth a bit of attention.
“Fusing together British tailoring alongside Foday’s own Sierra Leonean flare”
Labrum is Latin for ‘having an edge’, it’s something the brand take very seriously. Each design is centred around being wearable and utilitarian, with very fine construction and craftsmanship details. You can see this particularly well in the striped Chore Jacket: fusing together British tailoring alongside Foday’s own Sierra Leonean flare. After all, with “the edge is in the detail” tagline, you should expect next-level detailing. And that's exactly what you get.
For SS17, the guys at Labrum have done a stellar job. We’re talking seasonless, clean, sophisticated design. What makes it even better is how humble it’s all kept. Designing from his living room, Foday makes sure each garment is practical, innovative, and uncompromising in high quality.
“Practical, inovative, and uncompromising in high quality”
Coming from a working class family who loved to dress well, it’s no surprise that Labrum is all about traditional silhouettes, with just a little bit of alteration. For SS17 we’re seeing oversized tees, and longline kaftans: Labrum takes all the best parts of these traditional garments and lets them reach their full potential. Foday manages to craft pieces into versatile, unique, and most importantly, very honest clothes.
Interestingly enough, the likes of DKNY and Nike have also seen Foday’s design work. He's still inspired by his time there: from work ethic to fabric knowledge, to understanding construction. This season he's harnessing his knowledge of the power in performance fabrics (such as the Water Repellent Overcoat).
"Labrum encapsulates Foday's journey"
The whole Labrum brand encapsulates Foday’s journey throughout his life. Everything Labrum do, stand for, and produce is all deep-rooted in reason. Appreciating this concept is all part of the brand experience, it’s what you get from seeing, buying, and living in Labrum clothing. It’s something we respect here at Number Six: basing your work around your life to make something incredible.
This is only the tip of the Labrum iceberg, after all.
Foday grew up being told there were no limitations in life, that we’re born to explore the possibilities in life. Now that’s thinking we can get on board with, and it’s certainly not done him any harm.
Fods, we salute you. Keep on doing what you're doing man.
