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A toast to Yinka Ilori’s Dream Issue


On the occasion of the publication of this week’s Dream Issue, edited by acclaimed artist and designer Yinka Ilori, HTSI hosted a party on Wednesday night. The importance of dreaming is a leitmotif in Ilori’s color-saturated and life-affirming work. “I’m a dreamer,” she told the issue’s guests and contributors, including beauty stylist Walé Adeyemi of streetwear brand B-side. Thomas “T Styles” Yeboahcurators Priya Khanchandani and Peju Oshinas well as designers Tolú Coker and Rukky Ladoja. “I have always believed that if you can dream, anything is possible. It was my parents who taught me this and they were right.”

From left to right: Music executive Grace Ladoja, HTSI guest editor Yinka Ilori and Dye Lab founder Rukky Ladoja.
From left to right: Music executive Grace Ladoja, HTSI guest editor Yinka Ilori and Dye Lab founder Rukky Ladoja. © Oliver Holms

The launch took place in the newly opened Emory Hotel in London’s Belgravia, with champagne, cocktails and snacks from Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Guests sipped Laurent-Perrier’s La Cuvée Brut, ginger margaritas, and The Emory’s signature negroni, and tucked into pea guacamole, Dorset crab toast, black truffle pizza, and beer-battered maitake mushrooms. Many thanks to Emory Hotel, LM Communications and the Yinka Ilori equipment.

HTSI editor Jo Ellison and Ilori
HTSI editor Jo Ellison and Ilori © Oliver Holms
Artist, broadcaster and creative consultant Zezi Ifore
Artist, broadcaster and creative consultant Zezi Ifore © Oliver Holms
From left to right: Style & Groom founder Thomas “T Styles” Yeboah, Ilori and Gagosian associate director Péjú Oshin
From left to right: Style & Groom founder Thomas “T Styles” Yeboah, Ilori and Gagosian associate director Péjú Oshin © Oliver Holms
Nathaniel Cole (left) and Peigh Asante, co-founders of Swim Dem Crew
Nathaniel Cole (left) and Peigh Asante, co-founders of Swim Dem Crew © Oliver Holms
From left to right: Ilori, photographer Kemka Ajoku, B-side founder Walé Adeyemi and Asante
From left to right: Ilori, photographer Kemka Ajoku, B-side founder Walé Adeyemi and Asante © Oliver Holms
The party starts at The Emory Hotel in Belgravia, London
The party starts at The Emory Hotel © Oliver Holms
Paula Fitzherbert and Ilori from Maybourne Hotel Group
Paula Fitzherbert and Ilori from Maybourne Hotel Group © Oliver Holms
Adeyemi and HTSI Deputy Editor Beatrice Hodgkin
Adeyemi and HTSI Deputy Editor Beatrice Hodgkin © Oliver Holms
From left to right: HTSI Deputy Photo Editor Amara Eno, makeup artist Francesca Daniella and photographer Adama Jalloh.
From left to right: HTSI Deputy Photo Editor Amara Eno, makeup artist Francesca Daniella and photographer Adama Jalloh. © Oliver Holms
Fashion designer Tolú Coker
Fashion designer Tolú Coker © Oliver Holms
Writer, curator and broadcaster Priya Khanchandani
Writer, curator and broadcaster Priya Khanchandani © Oliver Holms
HTSI editor Jo Ellison with Dream edition guest editor Yinka Ilori.
Ellison and Ilori © Oliver Holms
Yeboah and (right) Style & Groom stylist Dan O'Brien
Yeboah and (right) Style & Groom stylist Dan O’Brien © Oliver Holms
Péjú Oshin and Priya Khanchandani
Péjú Oshin and Priya Khanchandani © Oliver Holms
From left to right: HTSI Art Director Carlo Apostoli, Ellison, HTSI Director of Photography Katie Webb, Ilori, Hodgkin and HTSI Creative Director Rasha Kahil.
From left to right: HTSI Art Director Carlo Apostoli, Jo Ellison, HTSI Director of Photography Katie Webb, Ilori, Hodgkin and HTSI Creative Director Rasha Kahil. © Oliver Holms
From left to right: HTSI creative director Rasha Kahil, photographer Lewis Khan and Ifore
From left to right: Kahil, photographer Lewis Khan and Ifore © Oliver Holms
Asante from Swim Dem Crew with Ilori
Asante from Swim Dem Crew with Ilori © Oliver Holms
Ilori with Michelle Agyei
Ilori with Michelle Agyei © Oliver Holms