On that fateful last Saturday in October, Polygon Space in Lagos became a working creative studio as adidas Originals brought its Originals Studio initiative back to the city for its second edition. The one-day workshop brought together emerging photographers, stylists and creative directors, to develop campaign imagery around two adidas silhouettes: the Adistar XLG and Adistar Control 5.

Interestingly, this year, adidas received 1,136 applications, with 50 participants selected following a vetting process. 

The day began with sessions across three creative disciplines, led by industry practitioners Bubu Ogisi, KK Obi and Thinkakanni. Each facilitator approached the workshop from a different point in the campaign-making process, introducing participants to the considerations involved in developing a visual concept, putting together a look and translating an idea through photography.

Bubu Ogisi led the creative direction session, introducing the Adistar XLG and Adistar Control 5, while encouraging participants to develop campaign narratives rooted in Nigerian identity. The emphasis was on approaching the products beyond their function, considering the visual stories and cultural references that could shape how they were presented.

For styling, KK Obi worked with participants on assembling editorial looks using adidas wardrobe selections. The session explored the relationship between clothing, models and the overall visual direction of a campaign, demonstrating how individual styling decisions contribute to a larger image.

Thinkakanni led the photography segment, taking participants through approaches to capturing and editing imagery, with particular attention to the use of light. His perspective extended beyond technical execution. In discussing his approach to photography, he emphasised the importance of understanding the what, how and why of a shoot, encouraging creatives to develop their own perspectives rather than reproduce someone else's visual language. As he put it, “I just do you.”

Following the sessions, participants were organised into three interdisciplinary groups comprising creative directors, stylists and photographers. Working from separate briefs, the teams were tasked with developing concepts and bringing them to life through a collaborative photoshoot. 

Two of the campaign concepts explored different visual approaches to the adidas silhouettes. The Adistar XLG brief, titled “The Alté Double Take”, called for surreal, social-first imagery, using scale, visual tricks and Alté-inspired styling to create an unconventional presentation of the shoe. “Caught in the Moment”, developed around the Adistar Control 5, took a different direction, drawing on documentary-style imagery, Lagos street culture and Y2K and vintage fashion references to create the impression of an everyday moment captured through the camera.

The briefs required participants to consider more than the products themselves. They had to think about the relationship between the shoe, the styling, the model, the setting and the image they were trying to create. Ideas were discussed and developed collectively before being translated into photographs, with participants working directly with models and experimenting with different pieces from adidas collections.

The workshop moved between indoor and outdoor settings at Polygon Space, giving the teams room to explore different environments and visual possibilities. 

The day concluded with The Originals Social, where selected images produced during the workshop were projected for participants and members of the wider creative community. It offered the teams an opportunity to see the results of their work presented beyond the production space, bringing the day's individual contributions together in a shared showcase.

The creative assets produced during the workshop are also expected to feature in Adidas' flagship stores across Nigeria, extending the participants' work beyond the event itself. 

The second Lagos edition builds on the initiative's 2025 debut, which brought together creatives including Momo Hassan-Odukale, Jomi Marcus-Bello, Korty EO, Daniel Obasi and Sweat It Out Lagos. Through its workshop format, Originals Studio creates a space for emerging talent to learn directly from established practitioners, experiment with products and develop work through collaboration.

Cover Credit: Seyi Banks

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