Meet the African Designer Behind Arsenal’s New 2024/25 Away Kit

Arsenal’s new 2024/25 away kit was designed by Foday Dumbuya, the founder of Labrum London, a fashion label that draws heavily from African heritage and storytelling. Born in Sierra Leone and based in the UK, Dumbuya has gained recognition for his ability to weave cultural narratives into his designs, which is evident in this collaboration with Arsenal.

The kit is inspired by traditional African patterns and symbols, featuring a black base with a striking white zig-zag graphic, which represents the movement and flow of people. It also includes pan-African colors—red, green, and black—each symbolizing different aspects of African identity and history. The design is a celebration of Arsenal’s connection to its African supporters and the broader African diaspora, highlighting the club’s cultural ties.

Notably, the kit incorporates Cowrie shells, historically significant in many African cultures, and Labrum’s signature Nomoli icon, a symbol of protection and prosperity in Sierra Leonean culture. Dumbuya expressed deep pride in this collaboration, especially as it reflects his personal journey and connection to both Arsenal and the African community

As a second-generation immigrant growing up in London, I watched some incredible Arsenal players with African heritage. These players were amazing role models to me, playing the game in a beautiful way, but also representing the wider community that I connect with. Arsenal as a club has such a strong connection to this community, so it is an incredibly proud moment for me to have collaborated on this design with them.

An adidas, Arsenal and Labrum London capsule collection is also unveiled alongside the new away kit – crafted for supporters, through the lens of the Labrum London brand. The five-piece collection takes the patterns and colours seen on the away kit and reimagines them across two jackets, a tee, a jumper and a track pant.