Arivee’s 2023 COLLECTION

It is amazing to see how, from generation to generation, fashion has been transformed to cater for both men and women. Many say that there have been dramatic changes, particularly in women’s outfits, as time passes.

In ancient times, women wore long dresses, usually dyed with different colours and styled with shoulder straps. Light clothing was only worn during hot weather. The fabric of clothes then was a standard for comfort above style. Clothes were locally made by individuals and designed based on the needs at the time.

As time passed, clothes became more elaborate and colourful during the Middle Ages with the addition of jewellery as accessories. Women wore long linen garments with long tunics over them. In cold weather, women wore cloaks or shawls held in place by brooches. The fabric used varied in quality. The poor used cheap materials, while the rich wore elaborate hats as a sign of luxury.

Arivee’s 2023 COLLECTION

Over the years, there have been consistent changes in the style of women’s clothes.

Today, fashion brands strive hard to keep up with current trends in women’s fashion. A woman’s closet is said to be one of the most complex parts of a home. Though packed with various garments, a woman can look at it and still desire more clothes. Not because she doesn’t have enough but most likely because the dresses in her possession no longer represent her style of expression.

Fashion designers struggle to satisfy the insatiable hunger of female clients who constantly seek fresh styles and unique pieces. This yearning is fueled by evolving trends and cultural interests that modern fashion provides. To stay up the competitive ladder of the fashion business, designers and artisans must push themselves to craft innovative designs that help women embrace their femininity while still expressing their taste and class.

One such renowned fashion designer who has distinguished herself among other contemporaries by consistently making outfits specifically for modern women is Chimdalu Victoria Arinze. She founded Arivee, a luxury fashion brand which was established to provide elegant clothes at affordable prices.

Arivee’s 2023 COLLECTION

The brand has gained significant recognition in the industry over the years. Some of Arivee’s designs were featured in fashion magazines and were showcased at a few fashion events. These achievements exposed the brand to a wider audience. Arivee has built partnerships with certain boutiques and has successfully put its collections in many retail outlets in Nigeria, offering women quality yet sophisticated pieces. With creative fashion techniques, the brand aims to redefine what it means to be stylish in today’s world.

Now, why are we here? We will be reviewing Arivee’s latest collection. The fashion brand released its 2023 collection, and we are excited to analyse the features of each unique design to discover if Arizee has once again delivered exceptional designs.

The first piece is a one-shoulder piece, and it has already left a lasting impression. At first glance, the one-shoulder neckline strikes as the engaging feature of this outfit. It leaves one shoulder exposed, flaunting the wearer’s shoulders artistically. It also elongates the wearer’s neck and adds structure to the blouse. This addition makes a bold statement of the wearer’s confidence. This style will appeal to women with broader shoulders. However, it will be a turn-off for minimalistic dressers. Those who don’t need too much skin exposure still shine. To fix this, the designer could consider making the neckline more covered by making it a round neckpiece.

Plus, the top looks a bit oversized on the wearer’s body and could do with more fitting. If the designer could make the piece more cinched on the waist, it would elevate the look even more and bring out the curves of the wearer.

To the sleeves. The puff sleeve is a creative and modest style that elongates the wearer’s hands, drawing moderate attention to the wrist. The sleeves are inspired by classical designs, and the long length provides warmth for the cold seasons. Their elastic hem gives the blouse a firm fit, creating a flattering look at the waist. It defines the silhouette, giving an alluring look to viewers.

The choice of colour is also a good one. The colour palette on the top is a blend of soft and earthy colours: blue, brown, and white. The pattern reflects nature– waves of the ocean and plant motifs. It fits perfectly because it complements a wide range of skin tones and gives a relaxed look for admirers.

Also, the colours of the top complement the blue trousers. The trousers are loose, showing they were made for a variety of sizes. Additionally, it provides comfort to the wearer and is a perfect choice for semi-formal events. The elastic hem ensures a snug yet soft hold at the waist. However, a loose cut and elastic waist can sometimes lack structure, diminishing the overall visual look. This is something the designer may want to adjust on the dress to give it a more enhanced appeal.

Looking at the trousers, their excessive length makes them look overboard and will cause them to drag when walking. This automatically means that it will collect dirt and stains easily. If styled with heels, the length could also restrict free movement and make the wearer trip if care isn’t taken. While the designer intends to be bold, comfort and safety are also key criteria to consider when designing a dress. Shortening the length would be a more appropriate style for this piece.

Notwithstanding, the addition of pockets is very practical and will help store items. Plus, it adds detail to the trousers. The choice of material is also a good tick to the box because it looks luxurious and soft–the perfect choice for classy women. Also, the sewing shows the professionalism of Arivee’s artisans. However, stitching the waist of the trousers could have been done in a more stylish approach. The use of a different fabric at the waist would create a more engaging contrast.

The second outfit is a two-piece set. The top has a choker neckline that is intended to give a formal look. However, it creates little room for air and can be a bit uncomfortable if it is too tight or worn in hot weather. A V neckline would have been a better style for this design, giving a softer look.

This doesn’t mean that the designer didn’t get some things right. She did. For instance, the long balloon sleeves of the blouse add shape and structure to the top. The sleeves flow to the wrist to form an elastic hem. This is an engaging feature of this piece, which offers ease of movement. Whilst this style may not appeal to women who prefer to wear sleeveless tops, it doesn’t take any from the beauty of the dress, even for a tiny bit.

The blouse has a blue zipper that matches that of the trousers. The two zips align at the back and give a monotonous look. But using the same colour only makes the outfit look dull. The use of a gold or silver zip would have been a better option. The blue fabric looks premium and thick, made for long-lasting wear. But it is too plain and may not cater to women who prefer more elaborate styles.

For styling, heels would elevate this design, and it can be styled for formal and semi-casual occasions. Overall, this piece has great market potential and would successfully make sales in a boutique or an online store. The design is very innovative and elegant.

The third piece is a maxi coat with an inner crop top and trousers. The jacket is long and loose, giving comfort to the wearer. The fabric choice looks luxurious and of great quality. And the pattern is an artistic play of colours. The fall of the jacket’s collar flows broadly to the lower bust. The use of black fabric for the collar creates a contrast with the material of the jacket. The large hem of the sleeve is also of black material, and it draws attention to the hands.

The umbrella sleeve allows for free movement and complements the shape of the maxi coat. The excess fabric provides warmth for the wearer during cold seasons, thus making this cloth not a good choice for hot weather. It is a classical style that can be worn to parties and semi-formal occasions.

The black crop top is made from delicate net fabric. Though this is a modern touch to the design, the top might get lost inside the maxi jacket. A brighter colour, such as white or blue, could have been used instead to help stand out more.

The black trousers give a slim and straight fit. It accentuates the wearer’s body shape, giving the overall look a smart finish. It balances the loose fit of the jacket and the inner top. The smooth material of the trousers looks durable and luxurious. However, embroidery could have been a more creative concept, adding depth and artistic flair.

For styling, stilettos and boots will elegantly elevate this outfit, and bold accessories are needed to match the style and design of this outfit.

Conclusively, Arivee’s 2023 collection is indeed made for women of luxury. Each design has its unique style of expression and appeals to a wide range of body types and skin colours. These outfits have a place in most women’s closets and subtly challenge the current fashion trend. If Chimdalu and her team keep up this energy consistently for years to come, Arivee just might become one of the top five fashion brands in Africa.