HOMAGE

Mikaela Eshe, a Bermuda native based in London, brings a distinct cultural perspective to her work as a black, menswear designer. Creator of the Middle of Nowhere brand, where she seamlessly integrates her Bermudian heritage into her designs, which are a fusion of tailored, workwear influences, and draping techniques. This collection is a homage to my Bermudian heritage. Infused with the spirited movement of dance, capturing the essence of both traditional and contemporary style. Inspired by my father and great-grandfather, who are both engineers, it integrates elements of workwear, tailoring, and knitwear, while also incorporating draping techniques taken from the movement of the Bermudian Gombey dancers. Each garment tells a story of resilience, creativity, and the rhythmic pulse of Gombey culture, offering a fusion of Bermuda’s cultural heritage and modern fashion. Colour is a huge component to this collection as it is a key factor in Bermudian culture from architecture to cultural garments. Colour can be mostly seen in the warped knit throughout the collection, a technique I developed to simulate rhythm and movement. The juxtaposition between the tailoring fabrics and colourful knit symbolise what is uniquely Bermudian culture, which is a innately combination of British and Caribbean cultures.