Fashion Review: The Storytelling side of fashion
In the world of fashion, trends move as fast as the wind – what’s in vogue this season might be outdated in the next. Yet, only a brand with a captivating story stands the test of time. For these brands, it is important to put in conscious efforts to tell stories that resonate with target customers. This goes beyond literally telling stories – it means creating an emotional connection with the audience through designs.
It’s no secret that the fashion industry has undergone a total revolution since the COVID-19 pandemic, and creative directors are beginning to re-strategise. The brands are beginning to offer symbolism to every colour, texture, design, and embellishment. Just like storytelling is a deep-rooted part of African culture, African designers are using this narrative to shape identities and tell stories of different personalities.
Stephen Opoku Boateng is one such designer who has used storytelling to explore the Ghanaian fashion space. It is the belief of this talented designer that every woman can be a style icon in the most affordable way. This birthed the idea to establish a ready-to-wear fashion brand. In 2016, Stephen established Polange Couture as a hub for iconic fashion pieces.
With each new collection, especially this 2020 collection titled ‘Extraordinaire,’ Stephen emphasises telling the story of fashion through locally sourced and sustainable materials. Stephen Opoku is inspired by the need to create pieces that can be seen on the runway, in boardrooms and at events. With the newly launched collection, Polange couture is ready to surpass expectations as it explores the themes of femininity, flirtatiousness and elegance.
This outfit is mesmerising – from the beautiful golden colour to the deep blue and white undertones, the total look is stunning. The colour combination adds some richness to the ensemble, and what would have been a boring look is eye-catching.
This outfit looks charming as it showcases the wearer’s figure. Likewise, the V-shape of the neckline draws attention to the collarbone with the aim of giving it a flattering effect. Also, the sleeve provides a good balance to the entire look with its short, slightly loose design.
On to the next area – the skirt! From its body-fitting structure to the slit, the natural curves of whoever wears this piece will be highlighted. There’s a little intent of flirtation in the choice of design, which is not entirely bad, but the look could have been more dynamic if there was an extra design added to the skirt.
The fabric is another smart choice for this kind of outfit. It is a lightweight African print, which is perfect for warm climates. While the texture makes the outfit look sharp, the bold prints make it hard for the dress to be overshadowed when worn to an event. On another note, the designer could have mixed another material (a stretchy or silky fabric) to allow a smoother look.
If a woman rocks this outfit to an occasion, there’s bound to be some show-stopping stares. The piece exudes confidence and style. As it stands, it tells the story of African fashion. The designer did not only bring the dress to near perfection but also highlighted the personality of the wearer.
This third piece celebrates nature. The combination of brown and peach with a subtle white and black background creates a visually appealing aesthetic. It is a nice change from the usual brightly coloured African prints. It states elegance and commands attention.
The designer did a good job of balancing the structured bodice and flowy sleeves. While the crop top has a v-neckline, which accentuates the neck and draws attention to the collarbones, the flowy sleeves ensure that the entire look doesn’t look boring. On the other hand, the mini skirt is a subtle contrast to the crop top. It enhances the wearer’s curves and still makes the entire look elegant.
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A notable feature is the pockets on the skirt. This is a huge win for functionality in clothes – who doesn’t love a chic outfit that still gives the boss lady vibe? Another outstanding feature is the fabric print; the use of abstract patterns makes it feel like an intentional choice by the designer. It gives a structured element to the two-piece and makes the whole look natural.
What strengthens this look is the designer’s ability to merge modern trends with timeless elements. The dramatic sleeves add a touch of contemporary style to the traditional African fabric. This artistic blend of old and new makes the outfit perfect for stylish evening events.
The fabric looks lightweight but is still strong enough to hold the design structure in place. Also, the finishing touches ensure that the print stays the focal point without unnecessary shine distracting its beauty.
However, the designer could have experimented with a better texture. As a second thought, a slightly stiffer material to sew the sleeves would have improved the whole look, and a bit of satin could have been added at the finishing edges.
Another tweak that could have made the design finer is the intentional fabric print placement. The designer has already done a great job at evenly distributing the pattern, but if the larger motifs had been placed on wider areas, the two-piece would have had a stronger impact. As minimal as these details may sound, it would make a huge difference when implemented.
Nonetheless, this outfit is a beautiful combination of African culture and elegance. The silhouette, fabric texture, print, style and design are on point. This is a true head-turner whether it is words to a brunch, a fashion shoot or a birthday party.
This third piece is as radiant as the sunshine. With the beautiful floral pattern and off-the-shoulder neckline, this is a perfect exhibition of classic feminism. It is an ideal choice of outfit for picnics.
The colour is the first attractive feature; it adds a fresh energy to the dress. Also, without being overwhelming, the blend of yellow, brown, green and beige colours creates an appealing contrast. At first look, one can see that the more dominating hues are the yellow and green colours. The colour elements provide a balance of fun and sophistication; it is the type of dress that may seem childlike, but it exudes feminine power.
The silhouette is timely – from the flirty but elegant neckline to the ruffled design across the bust area, which adds more of a touch of femininity as it transitions between the fitted bodice and the voluminous lower part. Also, the cinched waist gives an hourglass effect to the wearer’s beautiful body. One more thing – the hem! This is an excellent detail. It increases the beauty of the dress, so it doesn’t look flat.
Polange Couture exceeded expectations with this Extraordinaire Collection. It is a great brand which exceeds the hype. Stephen Opoku Boateng has extended the boundaries of fashion through artistic storytelling, and it is also important to highlight the African heritage in each piece. This is a beautiful showcase!
