Fashion Review/ Fashion and some reasons to love it
Are you ready to unlock the secrets to effortless style? Well, buckle up, because we are about to take your wardrobe from bland to grand. It is time we let the cat out of the bag, revealing to you the latest outfits you need to know, which were captured in Opeyemi Salami Adeola’s collection.
Indeed, we can’t deny the fact that fashion has become a part of our everyday life. The media has constantly supported the desire to look glamorous and confident. There are a bunch of reasons enthusiasts have embraced fashion, regardless of the uncertainties and diverse opinions about what it is and what it is not.
Anna Wintour rightly said, ‘You either know fashion, or you don’t.’ People who really love fashion allow themselves to be creative, weaving fabrics in the most beautiful ways that could remain in wardrobes for years without wearing out. Depending on the kinds of ideas rattling in your mind, remember that you’re free to create and tailor wear that can be tagged as too good to be true kind of wear. So, we can say that one reason many individuals love fashion is simply because fashion and the industry as a whole have become a major outlet for creativity.
Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them. When you hear the word visuals, we think of creative designers in the world of communication through graphics and branding. This shows you that fashion is taking the world by storm, dominating the creative industry, and giving the impression that creativity lies in its genes too.
Most people who love style and art get hooked on the concept that fashion brings out a high level of creativity, becoming addicted to the designs surrounding them. In other words, a lot of fashion designers are obsessed with fashionable sceneries, hence having eyes for glamorous outfits is a form of appreciating chic attires.
Another reason people are embracing fashion today is because of how confident it makes them look.
You must have heard people say that, if you look good, you feel good. According to research, there’s a phenomenon called ‘enclothed’ cognition — the ability to improve working skills upon wearing the right clothes. Upon wearing clothes that fit your personal style, you feel more confident doing things freely without restrictions or reservations. Using the right materials to sew breathtaking outfits can make an individual feel more powerful and attractive. Hence, whatever you feel comfortable in, stylishly wear them. Besides, fashion doesn’t cage you, it sets you free to appear in your own gorgeous way.
One reason to love fashion is to view it as an engineering problem. How do you feel to be called a fashion engineer? How does that sound? Well, you have a human body presented to you and the next thing that pops into your mind is how to create something extraordinary from a piece of fabric. How do you manipulate the material to fit the body effectively, considering the occasion or event? What fabric would you use, and why would one fabric be better than the other?
Several designer engineers solve apparel problems using methods specific to their brands, but an exceptional fashion pioneer is Issey Miyake, who has designed several unique methods of designs to drive his collections. For example, his collection of dresses can be folded flat and expanded into a garment, utilising its flat folds as part of the design.
Beauty is objective. This means that you can craft flattering dresses that fit the wearer in your variations, which involve certain features, forms, or qualities that are inherently beautiful regardless of individual perspectives.
You can look at Herve leger dresses, which are mostly tight, with the focus attention on the physical body. Compare this with Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garcons, a Japanese creative designer, who describes his beautiful collection as ‘anti-fashion’ because he ignores the form of body or physical beauty to create attractive styles.
Nevertheless, it can be a fun experience trying to find what beauty means to you. Discovering the perfect colour combination, the silhouettes and shapes that flatter you, and all that makes you more comfortable and unique.
So, how could someone not find fashion, most especially African fashion more fascinating and intriguing? There’s something about the right pair of pants on a fabulous pair of shoes that can bring out the confidence in you that you never knew existed. Indeed, no one stops loving all that fashion embodies, you rather grow in your love for it, enjoying the experience that it gives you.
Have you ever sat in a room with a lot of people attending an event, and you just have that feeling of being the most unique dresser? That is the experience Opeyemi Salami gives young women in her 2021 Ìdàgbàsókè Ọ̀dọ́ – Youth Evolution collection.
The designer specialises in Indigenous African prints, Beth & Beth crafts design that resonates with both tradition and modern style. They are passionate about body positivity and inclusivity, ensuring that women of every size and shape are celebrated and catered for. Each piece in the collection reflects the commitment to quality, uniqueness, and the spirit of African heritage.
The designer has always loved fashion right from childhood. In her uniqueness as a child, she started crafting tiny dresses for dolls, and as time went by, Opeyemi made a bold decision to dominate the fashion world with her ideas, hence, launching the designer into the fashion industry.
The brand is committed to sustainability, striving to reduce carbon footprint and minimise waste in every aspect of the production process. Therefore, by recycling scrap and waste fabrics, they ensure every piece of material is valued and transformed into something beautiful, reducing environmental impact without compromising on style or quality.
As we explore the collection, you will notice how the designer expresses her love for fashion, transforming an ordinary fabric into an extraordinary design.
This Ankara design is one of the most stylish outfits in the Beth & Beth collection. It is a blend of blues and greens with vibrant floral patterns that reflect the youthful spirit. The style isn’t only visually beautiful but it screams elegance and is perfect for social gatherings. If this cloth will make you comfortable and confident, then try it out.
What sets this apparel apart is the use of African fabric to create a modern design, like a jacket. Oftentimes, we think Ankara fabric is solely meant for cultural and traditional styles. But Opeyemi has made her brand exceptional by infusing modernity into her 2021 collection.
The fabric has a print that is evenly distributed. The colour of the material is vibrant and will not fade away. The texture of the material drapes elegantly on the body, capturing many hearts with how it perfectly fits.
Now let’s talk about style. The bomber jacket has a unique style that has its charm, featuring a simple V-neckline, giving it a sleek, modern look. One of the standout features of the jacket is the extra design added as a layer to make the cloth bold and colourful.
The designer’s extra effort to make the style shine is commendable, as every stitch and seam was carefully crafted. To complement the jacket is a short specifically made for those who want to add a touch of Africanness to their streetwear look. Pairing the jacket with shorts adds a modern twist.
One good thing about this outfit is that it can be swapped, depending on the occasion. You could swap the bomber for a denim jacket or blazer, and add sneakers for a more casual look. There are endless options on how you could best style this wear. You could add accessories like a bold necklace, and hats to elevate your look.
Recommendation: Perfect for fashion lovers, streetwear enthusiasts, and anyone looking to add African flair to their wardrobe.
This is a flouncy dress that represents the nature of young adulthood. The fabric features rich purples and blues with intricate traditional motifs, showcasing depth and maturity. The gown is made from high-quality Ankara fabric, known for its soft texture and durability.
The round neck adds a touch of decency yet sophisticated. The flowing design creates a captivating silhouette thereby skimming. This style suits many body types, giving room for versatility. The gown’s length makes it to be suitable for both casual and semi-formal occasions. It is long enough to be elegant but short enough to show off statement shoes or accessories.
For a more glamorous look, pair it with statement jewellery and heels when attending formal occasions. Add sneakers and a denim jacket for a casual and streetwear-inspired look.
Recommendation: Ideal for African Fashion Enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates traditional prints with modern twists.
From statement-making Ankara prints to sleek modern wear, each design represents excellent craftsmanship and keen attention to detail. In other words, as the fashion industry expands, it is exciting to see African fashion brands evolve, pushing boundaries and redefining traditional styles. With this new perspective, they are inspiring promising and emerging fashion enthusiasts.
