‘RED WEATHER’ A PHOTOSTORY AND SHORT FILM BY AYOMIDE OKANLAWON

“Red Weather” is a protest in silence. A memory in motion. A visual poem made of colour, stillness, and obsession. It’s about balancing chaos and calm through styling, direction, and raw presence. I created this as both a personal offering and a universal reflection, shot entirely on a compact camera.

1.   Tell us about “Red Weather”, and what inspired it? 

Red Weather is a very personal visual project, both a fashion story and an emotional timestamp. It was born during a difficult period in my life, where I was navigating emotional weight, uncertainty, and stillness. I found myself creating not from ease, but from something raw. I shot it during an actual rainstorm— no big setups, just me, my compact camera, and a heavy sky. And ended up inspiring the project The red fabric and styling symbolized protest, resistance, softness, identity. It became a conversation between the weather outside and the storm within.

2.   How did you get started? Also What is your creative process like ? 

I started from instinct, not with formal training, but from a deep urge to express through visuals. Over time, I leaned into creative direction, styling, and storytelling. I don’t always have big equipment or full teams, but I always have a vision.

3.   Do you have any favorite projects and what makes it special to you? 

Red Weather is definitely one. Not because it’s perfect but because it’s real. I made it during a storm, literally and metaphorically, and it made me trust myself more.

Another one is Ode to Ibadan— a fashion film and photo project I made to honor where I’m from. It’s a love letter to Ibadan, to tradition, and to evolving identity. I’m very proud of it because it felt like a promise to tell stories that matter to me.

4.   Do you have any upcoming projects you would want to share with us ?

Yes, I’m currently working on a new visual story that explores the connection between hair and identity— how hair carries memory, power, and presence. It’s more than just aesthetics for me; it’s about the emotional relationship we have with our hair, especially within African culture— the rituals, the rebellion, and the quiet beauty in it all.I’m approaching it in a raw, visual way that allows hair to speak for itself almost like a language between the body and the world. More than anything, I’m focused on building a world— one that reflects my perspective as a Nigerian creative who believes deeply in storytelling, even with limited tools.

Styled by: @eso.by.isha  

Hair Stylist: @irun_by_z  

Accessories: @arynluxe  

Talents: @jhenetheodore, @nOrthann