Off-White™ Shakes Up New York Fashion Week with ‘DUTY FREE’

Off-White™ debuted its Spring/Summer 2025 collection at New York Fashion Week with a show staged on a basketball court at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2. 

The collection, titled “DUTY FREE,” was inspired by designer Ib Kamara’s trip to Ghana, the birthplace of Off-White™’s late founder, Virgil Abloh. Kamara, originally from Sierra Leone, reflected on the shared experiences of Africans and their perception of America as a land of dreams and opportunity.

Kamara’s vision merged American sportswear with African influences, creating a vibrant fusion of cultures. The menswear collection featured modular, metropolitan-inspired pieces with utilitarian elements such as zippers and asymmetrical layers. Standout items included sleeveless hoodies with zippered torsos, varsity jackets emblazoned with glistening graphics created in collaboration with Ghanaian artist Nan Danso, and athletic gear references with “00” numbers on the backs of many tops. A striking denim coat prominently displayed the collection’s title in bold text.

The women’s collection was architecturally inspired, with razor-sharp tailoring and bold silhouettes. Dresses plunged with deep V-cuts, fishnet skirts were adorned with creme-colored sequins and feathers, while jackets incorporated corsetry details. Playful star-shaped motifs appeared throughout the line, adding to its distinct aesthetic.

Kamara described the show as his “most autobiographical outing,” blending his African roots with the American dream. The collection reflected his personal journey and resonated with a larger narrative of first-generation immigrants in America. 

Off-White™’s signature style was evident in the bold designs, which paired distorted denim with plaid pants and iconic belts, creating a seamless blend of streetwear and high fashion. The show, set on a transformed basketball court, marked Off-White™’s New York Fashion Week debut, scoring a sartorial three-pointer.