Review: Cool, calm, Collected; Orekelewa clothing goes professional

Last year, Oreoluwa Adeola Mubarakat released a batch of flowery dresses, with inspiration from the famous Japanese Kimono. Each piece reminded us of a beautiful garden with scented flowers in different colours.

For each style, the designer gave a handful of originality and ingenuity by transforming the gorgeous fabrics into unconventional yet modest styles. It understood the need for multi-functional clothing that every woman can wear regardless of age or race.

In recent times, we have seen skilled fashion designers limit their creativity and identity to revealing outfits.

Fashion has been centred on a specific societal standard, redefining how every woman should look.

We understand how the human mind works and the extent one’s imagination can take them. No one is saying designers who create clothes that reveal extra skin are defaulting on fashion law.

After all, we are not fashion police to hold anyone hostage. What is wrong is constraining fashion to a certain mode of dressing.

There should be room for modest dressers who love to cover up and still look good. Over the years, we have been privileged to see brilliant styles from Modest Fashion Week.

Famous designers like Maryam Khan and Amna Hameed, with their timeless, sustainable, and high-quality dresses, have shown that modesty can be powerful.

However, this is more profound in the Middle East.

The truth is that fashion can be simple, moderate, and still breathtaking. Modest dressing isn’t just for Muslims or traditionally conserved people.

When fashion designers stretch their creativity, they can sculpt thrilling designs that captivate their target market.

Oreoluwa has crafted a niche for herself and her brand in the Nigerian fashion industry as one whose style appeals to modern, fashionable women who want to express their style through sophisticated outfits in a modest way. But this branding didn’t start today.

Those in the fashion scene familiar with Oreoluwa know the intriguing tale behind her brand. Growing up as a child in Nigeria, her fascination for beautiful dresses stems from her mother’s tailor who made awe-inspiring garments for her.

This was when her dream of fashion designing was birthed.

After years of learning the craft, attending industry events, and networking with professionals, she launched her brand, Orekelewa Clothing, in 2019.

This luxurious modest brand is devoted to empowering women with elegance, comfort, and confidence. Fashion to Oreoluwa is beyond weaving clothing but promoting modesty without compromising on innovation.

With her 2023 collection, she offered timeless silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, and impeccable craftsmanship in those dresses.

This time, the direction is different.

Standing firmly by the company’s mission to provide women with clothing that makes them feel poised and self-assured, Oreoluwa unveiled her 2024 Timeless Collection blending contemporary trends with modest elegance.

This seasonal line is targeted at corporate women who want to slay in their distinct outfits.

The designer, Oreoluwa, created two unique styles using the same type of fabric but in different colours. Take a look at the pictures above and tell us if they captured your interest.

We are sure they left an impression but is it enough to enter this collection in the Hall of Fame? Maybe? Or why not find out if they meet our standard benchmark of engagement factor, styling, craftsmanship, retail readiness, and presentation?

There is a psychological effect wearing good clothes has on the mind of the user. It gives one confidence to strut in a room and attract the eyes of others. On the left is a knee-length navy blue dress with long flowing sleeves. It has an unconventional cape-like neckline that gives off the chorister vibe.

This beautiful addition is one of the attractions of this dress. Adding another unique touch to it, the designer adds another piece of the same fabric but this time weaving it into rows of prints and running a different fabric through it.

This is a brilliant decision as the beautiful motif in the fabric is glaring and inviting.

In this 21st century, this outfit will likely cause a stir as it has an engagement factor, one of which is the neckline. It is perfect for church, social gatherings, and even official meetings.

The seamless stitching of the fabric, most especially at the hem of the sleeves and the dress gave the designer’s expertise away as sewing this style requires one with a good understanding of fabric and weaving.

However, the designer dropped the ball in styling. For a beautiful piece, accessorising should be simple, such as a gold earring to create a sharp contrast with the navy blue dress.

While the black block heel aligns with the fabric, without the earring, something feels missing. Still, this doesn’t take away the beauty of the dress and stellar craftsmanship displayed.

There is also retail readiness as the outfit is poised to dominate the market because of its inclusivity and modest outlook.
Our rating for this look is 7.5 out of 10.
On the left is a top and blouse made with crepe material.

This time around, Oreoluwa decided to switch things up a bit by going extra with the style.

This mustard yellow two-piece outfit features a square neckline which accentuates her collarbone, giving off a flattering look.

Square necklines are iconic as they can be used for both formal and casual wear. Since the days of Ancient Greece, they have been a game-changer to this day.

Fashion designers have embraced square necklines as they make the neck appear slender and come in various variations.

What makes them appealing is that they fit all body sizes and shapes, which is one of the areas the designer got right. For the sleeves, opt for two-step bell sleeves held by an elastic band at the centre, which adds a different dimension to the look.

It creates an impression of an elegant longer arm that makes the eyes look downward. The use of the sleeves works perfectly with the straight-cut gown. To spice up the blouse, the designer placed huge buttons from the top to the bottom.

One thing to note is that crepe fabric isn’t an easy fabric to work with. It is a fragile and slippery material that requires a skilled individual to pull through.

Using a plain crepe fabric is as hard because you have to design an -attention-grabbing style that keeps people focused. If the designer had left the dress without the buttons, it would still be nice to wear but placing the buttons elevated the look.

From afar, this outfit looks like a dress but a closer look gives you a full view. The shirt is tucked into the skirt which has a high waistband, enhancing the aesthetics. The back view reveals a zip holding the delicate body of the model while amplifying her features.

The skirt has a small opening, giving a level of comfortability.

This outfit will serve women who want unique, head-turner styles. Its availability in different colours also offers them the chance to rock their favourite wear. Accessorising it with a black block heel balancing the outfit’s bright colour.

Overall, the outfit is a display of excellent craftsmanship. The threads were neatly sewn without any external strands hanging on the outfit. Each cut was sharply done and precise. It is obvious that Oreoluwa understands her craft. In terms of retail readiness, it has the potential to saturate the market.

Our rating for this look is 8.5 out of 10.
The 2024 Timeless Collection is a welcome innovation in incorporating modesty into a modern lifestyle. It appeals to a larger market that can style each outfit with different accessorised without reducing its steeze.

The cons of this collection would be opting for more creative professional outfits, giving room for glamorous styles.

Several fashion designers have kicked off the year with exciting garments and Oreluwa picked up and took fashion to the next level. At the heart of these styles is a commitment to quality and refinement.

Each piece celebrates femininity with attention to detail and powerful tool for every woman who wants to look their best.