Returning to Eden: The Latest Collection from Bandit Studioz [@jachukuomotayo]

Bandit Studioz founder Jachuku Howard started designing ten years ago, just after he left high school. Bandit Studioz was founded in 2019, and was initially best known for their colourful crochet hats, which were definitely ahead of the trend as crochet and knitwear, especially in bright colours, is now everywhere. 

GUAP visited Jachuku on set in downtown LA as he shot the lookbook for his latest collection Returning to Eden, powered by the Converse All Star project, to find out a bit more about the brand and the story behind it.

GUAP: How would you describe this collection?

Jachuku Howard (JH): Returning to Eden encapsulates the idea of moving forward whilst still remembering the past. As we move into the next phase of this digital era its important to ask if we really need all of the things we consume. Are these things so necessary for our happiness? This drove me to take inspiration from nature. I wanted to incorporate futuristic ideas whilst still including the natural elements that made it possible in the first place. 

GUAP: What were your key inspirations?

JH: I was inspired by the futurist movements going on right now – Afrofuturism is a big thing at the moment. However, a friend of mine raised an important point; if everyone is focused on the future then who is left to take care of the present, the planet that we are living on right now? So then the present became equally important to me with this collection. 

GUAP: Who is the perfect Bandit Studioz wearer?

JH: Someone who isnt afraid to express themselves. People often say things like “I’m not cool enough to wear this” or “I dont know if I can pull it off”, so creating something that gives someone the confidence to try and take that risk is my main aim. 

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