Fashion Review: Introducing Lukabi 2023 collection
True fashion, for the everyday woman, speaks without words. Lukabi, through diverse collections, understands this very well. Lukabi is a ready-to-wear brand dedicated to celebrating women through classic, functional, and stylish designs. Each piece from the Lukabi collection goes beyond trend, focusing on simple yet ageless designs for the everyday woman.
Leading the brand to achieve its vision is the visionary founder, Lukman Abioye Ayorinde, a purpose-driven and creative designer dedicated to creating timeless yet modern pieces. Lukabi was launched in 2019 after completing his professional training at JemiRiana African Fashion in 2017. He has a solid mission to reshape the industry by not only crafting designs but also making women feel powerful and beautiful.
At the time, the fashion industry was filled with brands creating clothes that were worn just to stay trendy without making a real impact. Lukman saw the need to create ready-to-wear pieces that cater to the African market as well as fashion enthusiasts abroad. The vision is to cater to the modern woman, and every piece Lukman creates reflects a deep understanding of the modern woman’s needs– chic, adaptable and effortlessly stylish wears that transcend trends and seasons.
The Lukabi brand has consistently improved its creative craftsmanship through its journey, maintaining its excellent production of stylish and durable clothes. The attention to detail, the use of high-quality materials, and the neat cut are what make Lukabi exceptional in ensuring that every piece comes out beautiful, meaningful, and sustainable. All without leaving out an important part: versatility.
Each piece in Lukabi’s collection can seamlessly transition from day to night wear, offering women the opportunity to express themselves without fear. These components are what put Lukabi there on the fashion industry map as a go-to brand for the stylish, ready-to-wear powerhouse. Since its inception, Lukman has inspired some thrilling designs through his creative and trendy styles.
But can Lukabi maintain its remarkable achievement streak this year?
As we know, fashion evolves, and so is styling. Fashion lovers crave bold styles that express their unique tastes, and critics have raised their expectations high. To stay relevant, brands have to surpass their previous record by unlocking a new layer of artistic ingenuity.
Lukman’s excitement in unveiling this novel collection amidst curious eyes gave away the nights of planning involved in each piece. Each one promises to be ideal for every woman regardless of body size.
Our first outfit for the day is a black and grey top and trousers, exuding sophistication with a contemporary vibe. This piece offers a striking fusion of bold design and refined elegance. This is far from the general opinion that a black and grey combination is boring. Lukman brought spice to an odd combination with the pairing of the wide-leg velvet trousers and grey-patterned top, reimaging what confidence should look like.
The top is designed with a unique sleeve that is different from the conventional one. It looks like an open box, but this time, it is a half-one. At the waistline, there is a similar style to the sleeves but with longer fabrics. The trousers flow gracefully down, offering comfort while still bringing out the art behind the design. The bottom part of the trousers gives a lively yet elegant vibe. This piece is a balance between structure and flow, speaking to Lukabi’s artistry and unconventional style.
The back view of this attire is modest yet eye-catching. It is tailored to show the designer’s intricate attention to detail. The top sleeps comfortably on the model, revealing a structured silhouette. The view gives another look to the sleeve of the top -free and structured.
Our favourite part of this look is the outfit combination. Every fashion stylist knows how difficult pairing a wide-leg trouser is. Similar to a palazzo, it can either be a hit or miss. Interestingly, Lukman didn’t achieve just a hit but exceeded the benchmark.
When it comes to fashion, over-creativity could sometimes be a trap. A designer might have a great idea in mind, but when it comes to life, you realise that it doesn’t fit the mental picture. While Lukman did a great job with the top, there are a few misses. The first is the double-layer sleeve. The padded shoulder sleeve, though beautifully crafted, doesn’t suit the top, and this can be largely attributed to the type of trousers.
Wide-leg trousers are usually worn for comfort as they allow the wearer to enjoy frictionless motion. They are typically paired with simple tops to enhance the beauty. The extras on this grey top—sleeves and fabric attached at the waistline—douse this effect. However, we can’t ignore the perfect use of the square neckline, which matches the trousers seamlessly.
The choice of accessories is vital as it elevates the look. For this piece, we have only a gold hoop earring. We understand the simplicity behind the look, but a more subtle use of jewellery, like a bold statement earring and light bracelet, would have uplifted this beautiful piece. Accessories add colours and personality to your style, so they must be used judiciously for every piece.
One amazing thing about Lukman: He would always pull a surprise!
Take a good look at this outfit and soak in the artistic flair of the designer. Lukman sure knows how to command attention, and this look is one of his ways.
The piece features a matching dress with a crystallised design. The upper part of the outfit is a black, sleeveless top designed with fringes and a bulb-like pattern fabric in the middle. Complimenting, it is a structured red skirt merged with a black laced fabric to achieve a coordinated look.
First, the red and black combo has never gone out of style. It is a timeless pairing that exudes warmth, sophistication, and elegance, just as both colours command. In place of the red material, the decision to use a black-net material adds to the overall elegance of the gown. The choice of colours contrasts, highlighting the magic created when you wear a contrasting yet lively combination.
The versatility of the piece is something worth mentioning. The piece forms a chic and versatile ensemble that transitions effortlessly between casual outings and semi-formal occasions.
A little tweak to this gorgeous piece would be taking out the fringes entirely, as the colour contrast doesn’t align with the red colour. A more stylish use would be placing the fringe by the side to form a half-moon shape by the edge of the top. This way, the top is easy on the eye without being too much to the viewer.
The 2023 collection from Lukabi is not just about creating clothes for individuals; it’s telling a story of identity and the beauty that being unconventional brings to modern fashion. The balance between style, versatility, and comfort is striking. There is this sense of creativity in the craftsmanship, as if each garment is designed to withstand the test of time and make a powerful impact on everyone who sees it.
Lukabi has managed to achieve greatness in its 2023 collection. The brand’s attention to detail, clean cuts and how each piece redefines the use of bright and neutral is refreshing and timeless. The way it integrates a unique combination is a refreshing approach.
Lukman has shown over time that Lukabi collections are more than clothes- they are a movement about wearing pieces that project who you are. Lukman promised to blow our minds with the 2023 collection, and he sure wasn’t mincing words.