Reflections from the designer

ODA DYSTOPIA was conceived as both a continuation and an evolution of the ODA universe - a way of retelling the story of Apocalypse Now through different mediums. When we first captured the content at that show, I never imagined it would grow into this - but in seeing the magic created through collaboration, I felt compelled to take it further. I wanted to craft something immersive and lasting: a book, a film, and ODA garments that could open the world of ODA to others and give them something to hold onto.

The film, Apocalypse Now, became the vessel to translate the energy of the runway into a cinematic experience - merging fashion, performance, and activism into one visceral narrative. The book, ODA DYSTOPIA, followed as a way to archive and mythologise that world, using the lens of Tasneem Grace and Oli Erskine to document both the raw immediacy of the runway and the more constructed language of editorial work. The Lost Heir was a short narrative I wrote to Tasneem’s editorial, which challenged how I perceived the brand and how to articulate it, but this helped hugely in building my narrative for the ODA universe as a whole. Together, they captured a moment that was fleeting yet deeply resonant.

From there, the ODA x EPOCA capsule collection became the bridge between fantasy and reality. Working with reclaimed garments from Epoca’s archive, we transformed discarded designer pieces into one-off ready-to-wear designs - wearable acts of resistance against fast fashion, and a continuation of ODA’s commitment to sustainability. But for this collection, I wanted to do something different. DYSTOPIA channels the carefree flamboyance of a society partying through collapse - playful but delusional, a satirical nod to how past generations danced through disaster. For me, this was about stepping outside my usual design practice and giving myself permission to have fun at every stage - from initial design ideas to construction, through to shaping the runway narrative. It naturally became a prequel to Apocalypse Now, reflecting the excess and ignorance that preceded the collapse.

Collaborating with Epoca was a massive honour on a personal level. As a student, Epoca was one of the shops I frequented constantly over years - a place I always looked up to, where I dreamt one day my work might belong. To have created a collaborative capsule collection with them, reimagining their archive into something both sustainable and narrative-driven, felt like a full-circle moment that was both humbling and affirming.

At its core, ODA DYSTOPIA was an act of collective creation - rooted in sustainability, inclusivity, and queer resilience. The showcase not only centred those who embody and inspire the brand’s ethos but also doubled as a fundraiser in support of trans survival funds within the ODA community. For me, this reinforced that fashion can and must move beyond spectacle - it should be a platform for solidarity, for resource-sharing, and for building alternative worlds.