Idris Balogun is the founder of WINNIE New York, a menswear brand that creates high-quality, long-wearing clothing. Balogun was born to Nigerian immigrants in New York and raised in London. His career has taken him to the heights of the sartorial world, from London’s Savile Road to the creative suites of Burberry and Tom Ford. With WINNIE New York, Balogun has brought his designs to runways in London, New York, and Paris.

The Library is pleased to welcome Balogun in conversation with internationally renowned stylist Julie Ragolia to discuss his Fall/Winter 2024 collection, inspired by the work of African American jazz poet Ted Joans. Over the course of this exclusive preview, Balogun and Ragolia will review Fall/Winter 2024-25 Fashion Week in Paris and assess the contemporary luxury landscape. In turn, they will meditate upon the meaning of clothing, the role of fashion in self-expression, and innovations at the horizons of modern design.

Learn more:

Balogun’s latest collection takes inspiration from African American poet Ted Joans. For an introduction to Joans’s work, check out this video excerpt, which features his poetry performed alongside live jazz.

Be sure to browse the website of WINNIE New York to get a sense of Balogun’s designs. 

About the speakers: 

At a young age, Idris Balogun earned an apprenticeship on the prestigious Savile Row. There he was able to hone and master his skills as a cutter and tailor before moving on to Burberry, where under the direction of Christopher Bailey, he helped to develop a singular view of the Burberry lines. Shortly after, he began his career with Tom Ford, where he worked as the Director of Menswear and Made to Measure before launching his label. In 2022 Idris won the Karl Lagerfeld award for design. He founded WINNIE, a label informed by luxury in its purest form, in 2019. 

Julie Ragolia is renowned internationally for her work as a fashion stylist and consultant. Her approach is strikingly modern, rooted in observation; creating a distinct effect across editorial stories, fashion shows and advertising campaigns. Born in Brooklyn, New York to complex means, art was a way forward. Her desire to understand her own life story compels her deep interest in subject, and the manner in which clothing can define, enhance or recreate one’s self.

About WINNIE New York:

WINNIE, a label informed by luxury in its purest form. It is our mission to merge a modern design identity with classic artisanal practices. A focus on exceptional fabric, tailoring and craftsmanship is at the forefront of the brand’s core values. After holding positions at Tom Ford and Burberry, Idris Balogun founded WINNIE in 2019, as an ode to his grandmother. From the outset, WINNIE has endeavored to deliver the utmost quality product made in Italy, and is stocked worldwide at retailers including SSENSE, Mytheresa, Tasoni, Très Bien and MATCHESFASHION.

Important information: The discussion will be available both online and in person. While the conversation will happen in person (Balogun and Ragolia will appear in the Reading Room), the Library will stream the conversation on Zoom for a live viewing experience. Both in-person and online attendees will be able to pose questions.

Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.