A Review of 2020 Oyanta Collection- The two piece wonder

Fashion as a body of art is filled with all sorts of eccentric designs that are as creative as they are brilliant. However, from a general view, all of these creations have been categorised into two forms—a one-piece or two-piece attire.

Then you ask, what is the difference between these two?

A one-piece is a stand-alone kind of design that doesn’t come with any attaching or significant other half while on the other hand, a two-piece is the exact opposite. Just like the name implies, it is a ‘two equals one’ kind of fit.

The captivating fact that lies between these two is that the two-piece wear has actually been in existence since the early 300 BCE and this is contrary to recent times beliefs that this category of clothing is a new trend or a modern trend.

Indeed, it is quite trendy now but it is also true that it is a recreation of ancient styles of clothing that have existed longer than imagined, sprouting out from the ancient Egyptian women’s Kalastris and fitted top to the vintage European women’s kirtle with a blouse to their bustle skirts paired with coset, etc. all of these are various types of two-piece that has evolved into what it is today.

Two-piece or dual-featured clothes is known to represent empowerment, self-expression and creativity in the world of fashion and over time many brands have thrown in their quarter in revolutionising this clothing category. Some notable designers/ brands who have created fame for themselves by doing this are Virgil Abloh, Rihanna (Fenty collection), Jaquemus Simon Porte, etc. Likewise, many other admirable fashion designers are imbibing such methods to get to the top, one of which is Cletus Opara.

Cletus Opara is the chief designer and founder of Chic City, a Brand that eludes grace, elegance and simplicity. The brand is a mix of commercial looks, classics, and Fashionable and trendy items which means they are classic easy-to-sell items. It is also a brand devoted to creating exotic contemporary wear from African prints. This commitment can be said to be inspired by his African roots.

The commitment of Cletus to sustainability and to the African culture shines through his deliberate choice of eco-friendly African materials and relatable designs. This thoughtful approach not only resonates with the conscious consumer but also sets a model for the industry.

With a keen eye for emerging fashion trends, Opara has been able to deliver fashion-forward pieces that seamlessly blend luxury, quality, and exclusivity.

Designer Cletus Opara also puts his passion into crafting outfits similar to works of art evoking the spirit of Nigerian Fashion culture in a contemporary and alluring manner, by infusing luxury and rich exclusive textiles with unique vibrant colours.

There is just a different sort of ease and lightness that accompanies the styles and collections he has created.

One of his brand creations is the 2020 Oyanta Exclusive Collection. In curating the Oyanta Exclusive Collection the designer explained that the collection is his young maiden Luxury Female collection.

The collection also happens to be the first-ever clothing line from the Chic City. The Oyanta Exclusive Collection beautifully showcases Opara Cletus’s deep-rooted knowledge of fashion creation. Each piece in the collection exudes a sense of luxury, elegance, and authenticity.

The Oyanta Exclusive Collection emerged to defy accepted wisdom and redefine the fashion business. The collection’s inventiveness is impressive, catering to diverse tastes and preferences in fashionable wear while maintaining an unmistakable unique signature.

From statement sets to wearable art, each design incorporates the designer’s passion for empowering individuals to express themselves authentically. The entire collection reflects the designer’s passion for elegance and a good eye for detail and storytelling through his designs.

The first set in the Oyanta collection consists of a blouse and wide-leg pants. Both pieces of attire are crafted out of an African print popularly known as Ankara.

The type of Ankara fabric used here is Kampala and the material entails a floral design comprising slightly bright colours such as red, black, and navy blue, among others.

The blouse opened up with an asymmetrical neckline, and partial off-shoulder puffed sleeves with elastic bindings. The beauty of this blouse lies in the creative neckline cut done on the upper chest area which turned the outfit into an off-shoulder blouse and the subtle flowery print. However, the designer could touch it up a little bit by turning it into a cropped top, this will help satisfy the trendy need of young adults.

The lower part of this outfit is a wide-leg trouser often referred to as loose pants or palazzo. It is of floor-sweeping length with a waistband drawn to the mid-waist area, and two in-seam pockets by the sides. The loose fitting of the trousers was created to give ease while in the fit and the zipper placed at the back seals the look and gives firmness to the piece.

The palazzo pant is a beautiful finish to the outfit, but rather than making the trousers completely straight, the designer could flare it out a bit more from the knee down to the full length of the pants for a fuller look.

Suggestions for styling can vary because one of the key attributes of this attire is that it is separable. Dressing as seen in the image is a good one; however, you are free to interchange either the top or bottom of the outfit with a complimenting external piece. When dressing, you can also accompany the look with accessories like block heels, plumps, ballet flats, flat mules, sandals, pendants, bracelets, dangling earrings, wigs, and braids among several others.

The second wear for Chic City’s 2020 Oyanta collection is also a two-piece attire crafted into a cropped blouse at the top part of the apparel and the lower part is a loose straight trouser. The set is also made with an Ankara fabric of varying colours like blue, white, black, etc.

The top has a round neckline going down to the three-step short bell sleeve and ending with a zipper at the back the highlights of this part of the dress are the sleeves and the cropped feature which makes it look trendy. The sleeve pattern was achieved with a 180-degree circular cut and this gives it that drapey and bell look at the same time.

The bottom part of the wear is an ankle-length simple loose trouser with side seam pockets and a zipper. The looseness and zipper of the pants allow for ease in movement and wearing the dress. The style of the piece is very simple but sophisticated.

The stunning part of this attire, just like the first of the collection, is its dual feature which gives you the freedom of styling in more ways than you can imagine. When separated, each piece could be coupled with different fashion items like shorts, suspenders, jeans and many others.

For instance, the Palazzo pants can be paired with a black high-collared top and the blouse with a plain midi high waist flared blue or white skirt, depending on the look you are going for or the occasion you are attending.

Some accessories options that would make a good addition while styling the outfit are a wristwatch, knuckle rings, a pendant, bracelets, dangling earrings, wigs, braids, contact lenses, and footwear (like wedge heels, stilettos, block heels, plumps, ballet flats, flat mules, sneakers, etc)

Cletus’s 2020 Oyanta exclusive collection is a testament to his creative spirit, zeal, and dedication to crafting excellence. This stunning combo of pieces showcases his ability to merge artistry with functionality, resulting in a truly breathtaking exhibition.

With each carefully crafted design, Cletus Opara pushes the boundaries of fashion, challenging conventional norms and setting fresh standards for style and class. His apt attention to detail, expertise in texture and colour, and profound understanding of the female gender have led up to a collection that is both awe-worthy and thought-inspiring.

The 2020 collection’s central theme, which was refining traditional style using modern initiatives is strategically woven throughout, creating an adhering narrative that goes beyond mere aesthetics. Cletus’s use of Ankara fabrics adds an extra layer of depth to the whole concept and this goes on to invite the viewer to explore each item in the collection.

In conclusion, Cletus’s 2020 collection is an impressive win even as his first inception, it solidifies his position as a high-flying force in the fashion world. His unwavering passion, creative mastermind, and dedication to creating masterpieces have brought about a truly excellent work of art that will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the industry.

Bravo, Mr Cletus Opara, on this magnificent achievement.