Legacy, Adesuwa Thongpond Pariyasapat Aighewi’s fashion brand has launched their latest collection: the face caps “Sex & Palliatives” and the durags “Together We Will Live Forever” which are tributes to the End SARS movement. The collections were brought to life through a collaboration with the legendary visual artist Thompson Sam Ekong.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Legacy (@legacy.world)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Legacy (@legacy.world)

Adesuwa’s journey from the runways of the fashion capitals to the creation of her impactful brand, Legacy, is a story of resilience, passion, and a relentless pursuit of change. Her entry into the world of modeling began out of necessity. While interning at NASA, she needed to support herself financiallyIn 2010, a test shoot marked the beginning of her career, which quickly soared as she dominated global runways and graced the covers of esteemed magazines such as Vogue, I-D, and New York Times Style.

However, this ambition extended beyond modeling. Her determination to make a difference can be traced back to a tragic incident when she was 13. “In Nigeria, because of infrastructure issues, my brother was killed in the hospital,” she recalls. “It’s actually the reason why I started modeling. If you ask any of my close friends, they’ll tell you that I always said I wanted to model because I needed to be popular, I needed notoriety. It was always like, when I get older, I’m going to do something.”

The pandemic provided Adesuwa with a moment to pause and refocus her energy. During this period, she conceived Legacy, a “space of creation” dedicated to promoting community and artisanship. Inspired by her Nigerian, Thai, and Chinese heritage, Legacy aims to connect consumers with artisans and designers, ensuring that profits go directly to the creators.

Adesuwa’s travels to Ghana and Nigeria in 2019, and Benin City in early 2020, were instrumental in shaping Legacy. She witnessed firsthand the incredible craftsmanship of local artisans, using unconventional tools to create stunning bronze statues. Shocked by how undervalued their work was, she used her social media platform to sell these pieces at their true value, ensuring fair compensation for the artists.

On October 20, Adesuwa formally launched Legacy with a new made-to-order jewelry line. This date is particularly significant as it marks the anniversary of the Lekki shooting in 2020, where Nigerian military forces opened fire on unarmed protestors at the Lekki toll gate. This tragic event during the End SARS protests deeply impacted her, further fueling her resolve to use her influence for change.

“This is what I want to use fashion for,” she explains. “Millions have seen my face but I’m like, do you even know who I am or what I’m saying?” The unveiling of Legacy on this date represents her commitment to social justice and ethical fashion.

The pieces in the latest collection are emblems of a movement that seeks to honor the memories of those lost and inspire continuous efforts towards change — to ensure that the sacrifices made during the End SARS protests are not forgotten. They symbolize resilience and hope, encapsulating the spirit of the protests and the ongoing fight for justice and reform in Nigeria.