GBADEBO Making Old Feel New at Manchester Fashion Week
Sustainable Fashion
GBADEBO, founded by British designer Kemi Gbadebo, brought a new perspective to Manchester Fashion Week through the reinvention of streetwear through sustainable fashion.
The brand’s story began during the 2020 lockdown, when Gbadebo started deconstructing clothes from her own wardrobe because she couldn’t access fabric shops.
90s Streetwear
The brand showcased its collection, working 90s streetwear influences through a more defined, feminine lens, proving sustainability and bold designs can exist together.
Oversized Silhouettes
The collection explored how discarded clothing can be reworked into distinctive fashion through its oversized silhouettes combined with considered tailoring.
Classic Patterns
Rather than using sustainability as a limitation, GBADEBO uses it as a foundation for their creative identity. Rooted in street culture, the effect makes the collection feel youthful whilst still honouring classic patterns and styles from the 90s.
Reused Fashion
The brand used damaged or unwanted materials to create a ready-to-wear collection. This follows the brand’s philosophy of giving discarded garments a second life.
Closely associated with the 90s hip-hop culture, oversized clothing focused on providing comfort. GBADEBO builds on this history, whilst introducing a more considered, feminine approach.
The oversized fits are balanced by more deliberate shaping, preventing the outfits from feeling like ordinary streetwear.
The Nostalgic Feeling
Shaped by the designer’s Spanish-Nigerian heritage, her family history informs her design identity. Textures inspired by her grandfather’s artwork are often included.
The combination of her background and the 90s hip-hop inspiration means the clothes retain the nostalgic feel of classic streetwear whilst pairing this with a more sculptured, fashion-focused feel.
The collection from GBADEBO felt unbelievably well-fitted with Manchester’s sustainability focus for Fashion Week 2026. We can’t wait to see what they do next!
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