Isi Atagamen doesn’t just see fabrics and patterns; she envisions worlds. Her eyes decode colours, shapes, and textures into designs that feel as if they have always existed—hidden in the fabric of imagination, waiting to be brought to life. It’s not rocket science, but an equation even Pythagoras might find perplexing. Yet, for Isi, this complex formula is second nature; to know what imaginary style is fascinating and to believe all these designs come from imagination. A spatial realm not conformed to reality! This is the jurisdiction of creatives, to command things out of thin air and bring them to reality!
Isi lives two worlds; starting her career as a model, she has spent her time ebbing the fabrics and style on her skin that if she closes her eyes, the colours will never stop popping so she didn’t close her eyes. She kept them open, with scissors in hand, a pencil and a sketchbook in the other, Isi started drawing out designs, layer after layer forgetting her initial call as a model, and she transitioned from walking runways to designing for them.
Worried by the quality of designs she sees, Isi decided that beyond just creating designs-she wanted to create a legacy. On December 7, 2024, ISI opened her doors to Lagosians at the Lagos Jet Ski Club, unveiling her work-themed “Elysian Reverie” to a carefully curated audience.
The guests sat by the water, a beautiful sight of personal watercraft with elite engines humming like a promise of adventure, onboarded hatch, the upscale view of the marina, and the gentle whisper of the ocean melded seamlessly with the classic tunes of a live band and the refined taste of world-renowned Scottish whisky brand The Macallan. The venue was vision meticulously crafted to rival the most opulent garden weddings in the Maldives, with ribbons and lights draping like celestial whispers, the walkway adorned with flowers, and a subtle sparkle of glitter hanging in the air. The guests could swirl a 360 and swear that this is the kind of moment you dream about but rarely experience.
Isi was creating a show, after crafting her most indelible pieces, she had curated a set of 50 people to see her creation and it was going to be a show! A spectacular one at that.
One, two, three and action! Then it began.
A pair of legs emerged from behind the screen, long and deserving, stepping gracefully onto the runway in heels, hands held high above the waist, these figures, mermaids perhaps wear the peculiar craftsmanship of Isi, dazzling through the walkway. The models seemed almost otherworldly, their movements were fluid and purposeful. These weren’t just outfits—they were stories, woven into fabric and brought to life under the dazzling lights.
It was a row of grace mixed with tik tik, tak sounds of experienced models. The models strode with the confidence of thoroughbreds fresh from victory, the rhythmic clack of their heels like music of its own. The guests were spellbound. Even Isi herself seemed momentarily lost in the magic of her creations as if she were seeing them anew through the eyes of her guests.
The room held its breath. The delicate tension was broken only by the steady beat of the band, their instruments harmonising with the samba and the crisp notes of a trumpet. It was more than a runway—it was a performance, an orchestration of art and music and movement.
This must be a concert I told the woman close to me. Shhh! Her slow gentle rhythm eases me back to the sight before me, showered by the glitters above, the designs shine splattering across the venue. “Isi has done it again” she whispered, slowly picking up her glass of The Macallan. I could hear her throat gulp the liquid. “This is beautiful” she continued, “these pieces, the details, My God!” I could only imagine the cuss word that would come after but none did, she looked closely at her empty glass and her eyes fell, as if in search of words when an overflowing sound pushed her eyeballs to shine. Someone was refiling her glass from a jigger. She looked back at me and laughed “The Macallan knows what you are thinking!”. I mean that could only explain this magic with Isi. I sank back in my chair and let her words echo resoundingly, hanging in the air like a benediction.
When Isi finally spoke. Her words were as evocative as her designs. “The name ‘Elysian Reverie’ was born out of my dreams of heaven,” she explained. “The sea is endless, the sound—a heaven where you can go to relax.”
In that moment, it all made sense. The collection wasn’t just inspired by a vision; it was a portal to it. Every detail—the venue, the designs, the atmosphere—was carefully chosen to evoke that sense of boundless serenity.
And yet, it wasn’t just Isi’s artistry that lingered in the minds of her guests. The partnership with The Macallan added another layer of luxury to the evening. Over the past year, The Macallan has become synonymous with sophistication, from hosting the most exquisite events to collaborating with fashion icons like Mai Atafo and Isi herself.
“The Macallan knows what you’re thinking,” I looked back at the woman beside me, the liquid amber in her glass reflecting the glimmering lights above. For a moment, I wondered if she was right. Perhaps The Macallan does know how to bottle magic.