Yaku Stapleton SS25 Presentation during London Fashion Week

The latest chapter of The ImPossible Family Reunion in RPG Space series, “Looking Back to Look Forward to Look Back Again,” its a fusion of fashion and narrative. This Afrofuturist exploration, explains in the reimagining of both past and future, continues to challenge traditional storytelling, blending fantasy and reality to a deeper understanding of the collective family psyche.

In the words of Ytasha Womack, “Afrofuturism… engages alternative views of looking at time, with the future, past, and present being one.” This sentiment is at the heart of Chapter 4, where the narrative moves beyond just imaginative realms and into personal, historical terrain. Over the past 18 months since its debut, the series has evolved into something more introspective — a conscious effort to dissolve the distinction between the hopeful facade of futurism and the often painful histories that necessitate that hope.

The collection weaves these complex emotions through its garments, which continue to be sourced from deadstock fabrics, revitalized with hand-dyeing and manipulation techniques. The aesthetic evolution is detectable, with this chapter featuring garments more fluid and organic than its predecessors, likely due to the influence of prehistoric and natural references. The introduction of womenswear is also noteworthy, with pieces emphasizing movement and expression, aligning seamlessly with the menswear universe the creators have established.

However, The ImPossible Family Reunion in RPG Space is unique itself. This chapter marked a shift from the digital realm to a fully immersive physical experience. Drawing parallels to games like RuneScape, the creators sought to replicate the depth of a fantastical world, where each set, from the textile-clad walls to the hand-dyed fabric floors, became a living, breathing extension of the story. The sets, built entirely from studio waste and designed in-house, ranged from the whimsical (toucan fish in the Forest set) to the fierce (weapons made from repurposed materials in Combat), further underscoring the thematic duality of the collection — both hopeful and haunted.

The standout element of this chapter was the character portrayal. The designer’s family members, now reimagined as RPG-like characters, were brought to life by talented actors, with the help of a seasoned theater director. Watching the characters interact with each other, the set, and their surroundings offered a touching and humanizing glimpse into the creator’s world — one where real people inspire every fantasy. The result was a compelling blend of childlike joy and solemn reflection, echoing the interplay of hope and pain woven into the garments themselves.

At its core, The ImPossible Family Reunion is a deeply collaborative project, and Chapter 4 epitomizes this teamwork. The collection’s evolution has been a process of shared vision, where every member of the team has had a hand in shaping not just the garments but the world they inhabit. This chapter feels like a turning point, laying the foundation for future explorations and expressions of identity, legacy, and community.

From the wisdom-filled Library to the meditative Reflection set, the physically demanding Combat sequence, and the nurturing Forest, each scene reinforced the collection’s themes of growth, healing, and unity. These characters, modeled after the designer’s family, journeyed through symbolic landscapes, reconciling their pasts as they move toward an uncertain future.