Zeeral couture “AfroWest Urban” collection unveiled at Uyo fashion week 2024
Uyo Fashion Week 2024 witnessed the bold and dynamic unveiling of Zeeral Couture’s latest collection, the AfroWest Urban, designed by the creative directors Arala Amina Yetunde and Azeez Tolani Habeeb of the brand Zeeral Couture.
With a vision to seamlessly blend African heritage with Western aesthetics, this collection offered a fresh perspective on what modern fashion can be. It was an ode to cross-cultural creativity that not only pushed the boundaries of design but also celebrated individuality in a globalized world.
The collection highlights a harmonious mix of traditional African Ankara fabric infused with sleek, Western silhouettes of cashmere and cotton, creating a fusion that was unmistakably modern yet deeply rooted in culture, hence the collection’s name, AfroWest Urban Collection.
The collection featured tailored suits, flowing dresses, kaftans, and avant-garde pieces, each uniquely styled to highlight Zeeral Couture’s mastery of blending contrasting elements.
Amina and Azeez successfully brought out the richness of African prints, juxtaposed against the minimalist elegance of Western tailoring—truly bringing their Afro-West Urban vision to life.
The talented duo merged their outstanding range of skills and creativity in fabric selection and garment construction with Amina known to be well-versed in fabric manipulation and garment construction and Azeez, an innovative technical pattern draper.
Amina was responsible for the overall creative vision of the AfroWest Urban collection with a keen eye for detail, brought her expertise in sewing, fabric selection, and overall aesthetics to the forefront.
Her profound knowledge of traditional African textiles, particularly Ankara fabric, allowed her to seamlessly blend cultural elements with Western materials, crafting pieces that spoke to both heritage and innovation.
Amina’s skill in transforming fabrics into contemporary designs ensured that the collection stayed true to its Afrocentric roots while embodying a modern aesthetic.
Azeez, on the other hand, contributed his artistic vision and technical skills to create standout garments that added an urban flair to the collection. His proficiency in pattern draping and tailoring was evident in the clean lines and sophisticated silhouettes that characterized the collection.
Azeez’s attention to detail combined with his understanding of Western fashion trends, provided a polished and versatile touch to Amina’s creative vision, ultimately making the AfroWest Urban collection an effortless blend of tradition and modernity.
Together, Amina and Azeez combined efforts in fabric selection, design, construction, and final styling brought the AfroWest Urban Collection to life ensuring a flawless presentation at the Uyo Fashion Week.
The runway presentation of the AfroWest Urban collection at Uyo Fashion Week held on 20th and 21st September 2024 was an exhilarating experience, a reflection of the creative synergy between Amina and Azeez.
The show was a visual and auditory representation of cultural fusion. Amina and Azeez took the audience on a journey where African pride met urban elegance, effortlessly combining rich textures and vibrant hues with sleek silhouettes and polished tailoring.
As each model strutted down the runway with soft beats of Afro-jazz playing in the background, there were audible gasps of admiration, cheers, and resounding applause—an indication that Amina and Azeez had struck the right chord with fashion enthusiasts.
The AfroWest Urban collection not only resonated with fashion-conscious individuals but also evoked a sense of cultural pride. Attendees could be seen nodding in appreciation of the rich cultural motifs and the seamless blending of heritage with urban style.
Many were inspired by how Zeeral Couture showcased African fashion in a way that felt relevant and modern while remaining deeply rooted in tradition.
One of the standout pieces from the collection was a flowing black garment adorned with vibrant patches that symbolized traditional African motifs.
The bold design stood as a statement of Afrocentricpride—unapologetically celebrating African culture while fitting perfectly into a contemporary streetwear wardrobe.
For this piece and others in the collection, one can imagine these pieces being worn to a stylish city night out, a casual day out, and at a cultural event, encapsulating the true essence of global fashion.
The AfroWest Urban collection owes its uniqueness to the distinct but complementary contributions of its designers.
Amina brought her extensive knowledge of traditional African textiles and her passion for cultural storytelling to the collection. Her expertise in working with rich, vibrant fabrics like Ankara and her intricate eye for embroidery allowed the collection to retain a sense of authenticity, deeply rooted in African heritage.
Azeez, on the other hand, focuses on structure and form, creating silhouettes that celebrate boldness while being wearable for modern-day urbanites.
Their complementary skills and perspectives defined the collection, underscoring their commitment to a sustainable approach emphasizing the use of ethically sourced materials and the importance of mindful fashion in a rapidly changing industry.
With the unveiling of the AfroWest Urban collection, Zeeral Couture has cemented itself as a brand that celebrates the rich tapestry of African culture while looking ahead to the future of fashion. Amina and Azeez’s collaborative efforts have resulted in a collection that is as much about storytelling as it is about style.
The duo’s creativity, technical skill, sustainability practices, and respect for cultural heritage have not only created beautiful fashion pieces but have also opened a dialogue about the place of African aesthetics in global fashion.
The AfroWest Urban collection is more than just clothing—it’s a celebration of identity, pride, and the power of fashion to bring people together across cultures and generations.
