A Creative Footprint: For Taofeek Abijako and Quil Lemons, Legacy is Built One Step at a Time
Legacy is an intriguing concept wherein a duality of thought seems to exist. For some, it’s a reward at the (subjective) “finish” that drives ambition forward, guiding decisions along the way that hopefully contribute to the final destination. To others, though, the idea takes on a different role. There is a popular mindshare that rebukes the notion that “legacy” is something to be reached or obtained. Instead, the valued sentiment should be thoughtfully cultivated and nurtured over time, leaving behind sets of indelible footprints.
As a brand that knows how to leave its mark in more ways than one, UGG understands the value of crafting a respected reputation that persists despite fleeting trend cycles. Founded in 1978, the Southern California-based brand evoked a refreshed vision through its original and identifiable designs, reimagining what “the boot” could be for a new generation. Now, almost half a century later, the once unconventional footwear label has evolved into one of the most influential names in modern fashion. How’s that for a legacy?
Hoping to cast a similar guiding imprint with their work, creative wunderkinds Taofeek Abijako and Quil Lemons serve as living testaments to this focused philosophy. Whether done consciously or unconsciously, each is currently in the process of building something much larger than both could have ever imagined, cementing a lasting legacy of their own in the process.
Like many artistic forces, Abijako, the founder of the design label Head of State, and Lemons, a celebrated contemporary photographer, parallel core ideologies regarding creativity, representation, and community. Yet their roots and actual expression of these shared thought patterns are where the differences lie, allowing each to impact culture in separate yet equally potent fashions.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, the burgeoning multi-disciplinary was influenced by the flourishing spectrum of opportunities art presented to him. As a youth, Abijako recalls spending time in his father’s atelier on the weekends, sketching nonstop, ranging from outfits dawned by his favorite comic book characters to customer interactions inside the store. “I was always very detailed,” he proudly remembers. “I wasn’t even necessarily interested in fashion at the time, but more so what it represented and what was going on in these spaces I was in.” This perceptive eye and manicured attention to detail serve as the attributes upon which he would later establish and refine his own creative language.
Separated by vast miles of ocean, Lemons was simultaneously engaging in foundational experiences that would help him become the renowned visual artist we see today. Since childhood, the Philly native has been enamored with preserving the integral memories and formative moments that make us who we are. From this budding intrigue, the kismet relationship between photographer and camera quickly blossomed, fueled by an unwavering desire to document the world, according to Quil.
“I always wanted to do this,” Lemons confidently notes. “I can’t tell you where it comes from or why I’ve always had such strong convictions. People look up to me now, so I just have to see it through.”
Now, with a defined creative prowess helping to lead the latest wave of movers, shakers, and innovators, the two visionaries understand the importance of continued evolution and ensuring their pervasive artistic messages are communicated on larger platforms. Immigrating from Nigeria in 2010, Abijako recalls how transitioning into a new culture came with its own struggles, leaving the young expat to grapple with his identity, heritage, and sense of belonging. In a similar vein, Lemons, an outspoken queer artist, recounts moments where he was forced to assert himself in ways that may not typically be asked of other demographics.
But what others might perceive as “obstacles,” these two view as referential milestones to pull from and adapt in their practices. Exploring the multiplicities of the human experience through black and queer lenses, the pair of gifted minds hope to dismantle the assumption that anything so nuanced could ever be considered a monolith.
Preceding these dynamic auteurs, UGG understands how to control the narrative, constantly reinventing itself to help break the mold of any outdated doctrines. Through its latest Men’s Weatherized Collection, which features additions like the Tasman Weather Hybrid and the Heritage Pull-Over Trailgazer, the famed footwear icon refuses to remain stagnant. Offering innovations like Spider Rubber® soles for enhanced traction, waterproof lining, and bold silhouettes, this is the exact same UGG we’ve always known––a brand that balks at the idea of stunted progress.
Through Abijako’s specialized Head of State collections and Lemons’ passionate portraiture, they, too, continue to move ahead with a desire for originality akin to that of UGG’s timeless ethos. “I admire the legacies of people who set a blueprint for everyone to replicate and build upon,” Abijako remarks. “I love the idea of contributing to a conversation that I don’t have ownership over. I’m just one piece to a bigger puzzle.” Reflecting on his journey thus far, Lemons adds: “I want to think of myself as the greatest in the sense that I gave my all to my craft, invested in it, and consistently got better over time. I want all of my work to tell a story that shows my progression.”
While both unapologetically embrace and honor their identities, neither chooses to flaunt them through words but rather their creative expressions. Manifesting in thoughtful and intimate mediums, Abijako and Lemons arrive as honest, unfeigned embodiments of the imaginative future ahead, joining UGG as purveyors primed to leave a celebrated trail behind to eventually be followed by the succeeding generation.
Learn more about UGG’s new Weatherized Collection here.
