adebola / RODNEY SAWYERR / ROD RECLUSIVE

Setting the stage for the next generation

                                        Adebola aka Rodney Sawyerr
                           

  Creative Director | Designer | Artist Management

          Rodney is an African American fashion designer & visual artist, originally from Sierra Leone & Nigeria. As a child he developed his own unique sense of style and mindset due to the influence of his family, heritage and environment. He was always intrigued with the construction and textiles of garments due to the heavy exposure of fashion at a young age. He enjoyed curating everyday outfits and posted them on social media at his leisure, until one day one of his friends introduced him to Tumblr. He had no knowledge of what that was or entailed but decided to allow his friend to publish the photos. Within a week Rodney was Tumblr famous. He was shocked and surprised by the reaction from people from all walks of life all over the world. The consistent support and attention gave him the assurance to take things a step forward.

He started to curate photoshoots all over his college campus and quickly started a movement with very little effort, After successfully executing shoots and continuing to elevate on social media he started to design his own garments. Rodney believes the most beautiful and unique design language is high end streetwear. Fusing those 2 worlds became his goal while creating a movement that went against the grain. “The Outsiders” was the first label he created and it represented those that stood outside the social norms of society. The ones that were not afraid to unapologetically be themselves. The brand was an anomaly because the DC/PG area only consisted of Urban streetwear and lifestyle brands. The success of the brand was not only due to the support of the DMV area but also New York City.

The first 2 collections entitled “Reclusive” & “Cultural” Collection, both sold out quickly and from there the momentum did not stop. The brand was also placed into multiple store fronts, After years of successfully sold out shows and collections, Rodney started an independent brand entitled “Reclusive” (Rod Reclusive). This was a more dark and avant- guard approach.

Shortly after the independent label was born one of Rodney’s best friend’s Justus
Samaiye had reached out to him to be the CMO and Co-Founder of his brand “Molowo”.

Molowo is a Nigerian term that essentially means to have wealth. The brand mantra was “Earned not given”. This was also a high end street wear brand based within the DC/PG area and quickly spread over into New York City. Molowo went into its first collaboration ever with Rod Reclusive and “Reclusively Exclusive” was born. From Agenda (one of the biggest trade shows in the world) to being placed in multiple stores within DC, Maryland, VA, & New York, Molowo proved to be a successful brand.

After years of success with both labels the Molowo brand began to have internalized issues within the team and decided to put these on hold for some time. Rodney continued to design and relocated to Los Angeles where a new imprint was born. “Mazza”

Mazza is an afro UK term that essentially means madness. Mazza was created and co-founded by Mayowa Arogundade and Rodney Sawyerr. The brand was created to be the bridge and express the madness of the identity crisis of being an African living in America. Mazza curated high level events that incorporated a live band and Afrobeats, as well as Amapiano and the fusion of American hip hop music. The brand had a multitude of high end collaborations including Def Jam Records, and Eagle LLC.

Mazza showcased their first clothing collection in November at Complexcon and a popup shop at the infamous T-gallery shortly after.