New acquisition: Samson Soboye, Black Majesty suit
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The Westminster Menswear Archive has acquired a printed four-piece ensemble by British-Nigerian designer Samson Soboye.
The suit forms part of Soboye’s Black Majesty collection, presented at Africa Fashion Week London in October 2024. Before the full collection was shown publicly, Soboye wore the outfit from Black Majesty to the King’s Commonwealth reception at St James’s Place. The reception was hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla ahead of their visit to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The acquired ensemble comprises a shirt, jacket, waistcoat, and trousers made from Vlisco wax print cotton in blues and greens with gold print detail. Produced by the Dutch textile company Vlisco, wax print cottons have played a significant role in West and Central African fashion and African diasporic dress. The jacket and waistcoat both feature gold jacquard shawl collars with a blue and green herringbone pattern, jacquard-covered buttons, and black linings. The trousers are cut with slashed hip pockets, a rear welt pocket and wide turned-up cuffs, while the shirt has a semi-spread collar, concealed button placket, curved hem, and wide cuffs.
Together, the four pieces use tailoring, print and colour within a formal menswear structure. The garment draws on the visual language of royalty, ceremony, and African diasporic self-presentation, using the tailored suit as a framework for presence, visibility, and public address.
Samson Soboye is the Founder and Creative Director of SOBOYE. His work spans fashion, styling, retail, interiors, teaching, and curation. He studied Fashion Communication and Promotion at Central Saint Martins and has worked for more than two decades across the promotion and presentation of African fashion in London.
The acquisition expands the Westminster Menswear Archive’s collection of contemporary British menswear. It documents the work of an independent London-based designer whose practice brings together printed textiles, Black British design, and tailoring.
