Tomi Agapè builds music and fashion brand on bold self-expression

Tomi Agapè performed at major events including the Afropunk Festival and SXSW, showcasing her fusion of music and bold fashion.

Tomi Agapè has reshaped expectations for musicians in both the UK and Nigerian music scenes. Her journey from early singles to a full-length project in 2020 established her as a distinctive artist, merging Afro-fusion sounds with an uncompromising creative vision. While others adapt to industry norms, Agapè has forged her own path—partnering with producers such as Juls, Spax, Le Mav, and Genio and performing at major events like the Afropunk Festival and SXSW. Her influence extends beyond music into visual storytelling.

Agapè’s approach to fashion mirrors her songwriting: deliberate and purposeful. She treats clothing as a narrative tool, ensuring every outfit aligns with the mood of a song or the aesthetic of a music video. “It’s important for my outfits to match the aesthetic of the visuals we create,” she says. This principle applies to both performances and everyday style, where confidence and intentionality define her choices.

Fashion as Authentic Self-Expression

Modern music increasingly values individual style, and Agapè embodies this shift. She rejects overanalyzing fashion, believing that authenticity stems from natural self-expression. “Everyone has their own aesthetic,” she explains. “If you put too much thought into it, it becomes slightly unauthentic.” Her passion for fashion, clothing, shoes, and jewelry, extends to future ambitions, including launching a shoe line. Though she hasn’t revealed its name, the core message remains clear: ownership of personal style, unapologetic confidence, and creative freedom.

Her Nigerian heritage subtly shapes her fashion choices. Bright colors inspired by traditional Nigerian fabrics have gradually integrated into her wardrobe. “It’s still not a lot, but there has been a change,” she notes. Agapè also highlights the rising prominence of Nigerian designers, particularly Sharon Smithy’s SS bikini line. Collaborations with brands like STEELO STYLED, supported by stylist Jermaine Robinson, reinforce her commitment to staying ahead of trends.

Iconic artists like Rihanna and Solange serve as key influences, shaping Agapè’s blend of boldness and individuality. Yet her process remains flexible, sometimes starting with a bottom or shoes, other times letting the look emerge spontaneously. “I’m very temperamental when it comes to my fashion,” she admits. This fluidity allows her to balance minimalism with extravagance, often relying on a single statement piece to define an outfit.

Streetwear Roots Fueling High-Fashion Impact

Agapè sees Black creatives as natural trendsetters, observing how streetwear often precedes high fashion. “We start trends a lot of the time and then the mainstream catches on and it’s ‘high fashion’. Fashion starts in the streets.” For her, leaving a lasting mark in music and fashion means staying true to herself, regardless of industry recognition. “Even if I don’t become the biggest, I want people to know that I was one of the best. I put my all into it.”

Her editorial spreads across seven looks demonstrate this philosophy. Each outfit, from upcycled cathedral veils to reworked leather skirts, reflects her evolving identity. In one spread, Balinese brass earrings and a gold-plated pearl bracelet accompany a deadstock georgette dress. Another pairs a silk-embroidered leather jacket with reworked leather pants and Stallion heels, proving that intentionality trumps excess.

Her editorials showcase a careful mix of vintage, upcycled, and designer pieces. A Wet Script mesh dress by DI PETSA, paired with matching leather pants, creates a cohesive, futuristic look. The brand’s signature wet-script material adds texture without overpowering the design. Another spread features a reworked leather skirt from Savannah with a silk-embroidered jacket by Henna Malhan, illustrating how repurposed materials can create impactful statements. The Stallion heels from Marsini anchor the outfit in modern tailoring.

Accessories play a key role in these looks. In one spread, a pleated dress by WED is accessorized with flower gloves and Infinity ankle boots by Tabitha Ringwood, merging femininity with edge. The boots’ chunky silhouette contrasts the dress’s delicate folds, while the gloves add vintage romance. Another look combines a reworked vintage grey suit by Joy Craig Studio with Hearts stiletto sandals by Tabitha Ringwood, proving that structured pieces can feel dynamic when paired thoughtfully. Every accessory, whether a Pebble London ring or a DI PETSA bra, serves a purpose, reinforcing her belief that thoughtfulness matters more than quantity.