Outspok’n at TALES London is a celebration of twenty years of tailoring, purpose and style.
Some brands are built from vision boards and business plans.
Outspok’n was built from necessity.
Twenty years later, it has become one of the most compelling menswear brands coming to TALES London this summer.
Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Outspok’n bridges the gap between traditional African fabrics and contemporary design. The pieces are bold, clean, and created for people who understand that what you wear often speaks before you do.
As the brand puts it:
“Fashion is more than what you wear. It’s how you speak without words.”
Who Is Behind Outspok’n?
Outspok’n is led by Adesola Balogun, a Lagos-based fashion entrepreneur, business consultant, podcaster, and author.
But before any of those titles, he was a student trying to find a way to stay in school.
“Outspok’n was birthed in 2005,” Adesola explains. “At the time, it was necessary for me to start a business where I could earn an income and support myself through school because my parents were going through some financial difficulties.”
And that is the real origin story of Outspok’n.
Not a fashion week breakthrough. Not a carefully planned business launch.
Just a young man with a challenge to solve and a sharp eye for opportunity.
The Story Most People Don’t Know
Interestingly, the earliest version of Outspok’n started with shirts.
Adesola noticed that many of his friends admired premium British brands like Thomas Pink and Charles Tyrwhitt. They loved the style but couldn’t always afford the price.
So he created an alternative.
“I provided a more affordable option,” he says, “something that allowed people to look good while still enjoying the style of premium shirts.”
What started as a simple solution eventually became the foundation of something much bigger.
Over time, Outspok’n evolved from just a business that gave him a stipend into something he truly loves, a passionate business that gives him meaning, employs hundreds of Nigerians, and allows him to make a statement about passion.
Today, Outspok’n stands as a testament to what can happen when necessity meets consistency.
What Makes Outspok’n Different?
At the heart of Outspok’n is a commitment to thoughtful tailoring and distinctive fabric combinations.
One of the brand’s signatures is the way it blends contemporary fabrics with traditional African textiles.
The way we combine contemporary fabrics, especially linen with Aso-Oke, is something we truly enjoy, Adesola says. “It sets us apart effortlessly.”
Beyond that, this combination brings together the lightness and breathability of linen with the richness and cultural depth of Aso-Oke, creating garments that feel both contemporary and rooted in heritage.
As a result, the brand creates menswear that refuses to choose between tradition and modernity.
“We see our pieces as bold yet comfortable, striking a balance between standing out and feeling at ease,” Adesola explains. “I want people to feel joy and confidence. I want them to feel honoured and feel good.”
What Outspok’n Is Bringing to TALES London
At TALES London, visitors can expect both familiar favourites and something entirely new.
This is what makes Outspok’n one of the most anticipated brands at TALES this summer.
Outspok’n will be bringing back the Skyline Pants and the Omo Oluwabi Pants, while also introducing pieces from its latest release, the Out Rocking Collection.
A few pieces from the new collection will make their debut at TALES, making it the first place you’ll be able to see and shop them in person.
For Adesola, however, the event represents more than a collection launch.
“TALES means community. TALES means enterprise. TALES means my dreams coming through,” he says. “It’s about enjoying the camaraderie among fellow creatives and seeing what we can achieve together.”
This summer, Outspok’n arrives in London with two decades of building behind it.
A new collection.
One room in London.
If you’re planning to attend TALES 2026, this is your chance to experience it in person.
Come Experience Outspok’n at TALES London
Outspok’n will be showcasing at TALES House as part of Bellafricana’s celebration of African creative excellence this summer.
TALES House, 28 Cavendish Square, off Oxford Street, London W1G 0DB
July 31 – August 1, and August 9, 2026
11 AM to 8 PM daily
“People should come and experience Outspok’n because it represents freedom, boldness, and confidence,” Adesola says.
If you’re in London this summer, this is your opportunity to experience two decades of craftsmanship, purpose, and style up close.
Learn more about TALES London here: https://tales.bellafricana.uk
Follow @outspok’n for previews and stay connected with @bell_africana for updates on TALES.