Cognizant of design’s ability to influence thought and disrupt prejudices, he uses it to create a future that celebrates the more liberal attitudes that were inherent in ancient African traditions. Handspun and ever-so-slightly subversive, Thompson’s approach can be mapped across navel-trailing collars, frayed wrap skirts, ceremonial scarves, textured lab coats, and harness-vest hybrids – looks that have placed the designer on the LVMH and International Woolmark Prize shortlist two consecutive years in a row. Looks that have found themselves in the Victoria & Albert museum’s Africa Fashion exhibition.
