Reviewing the Afro-Chic collection by Titan Luxe: The New Fashion on the Runway

How can you disclose your identity to a stranger without saying a word? If we throw this ambiguous question at you, there is the possibility you will spend more than five minutes thinking of the appropriate answer or better still, your response will come out unassertive. And the reason is not hard to grasp.

There are a thousand ways to reveal one’s identity, but one stands out: fashion. American fashion designer Marc Jacob captures the essence of fashion in his words, ‘To me, clothing is a form of self-expression -there are hints about who you are in what you wear.’

Fashion has always been a gateway to self-discovery and exploration. Through fabrics, stitches, and cuts, we replicate those never-seen ideas in our heads, reshaping what modern and futuristic fashion should be.

Today, the Afrocentric movement has heralded a new dimension in the fashion industry. This movement was birthed as a counterattack to the prevailing Eurocentric views and attitudes about African people.

Afrocentrism revolves around projecting African culture, tradition, and heritage through our works, correcting the existing notions about the African people and their history.

In fashion, Afrocentric fashion incorporates clothing and styles that represent the African people without external influence or dominance. It is characterised by authenticity, self-expression, and inclusivity.

In the past, African fashion didn’t stand in chance when it came to the battle for dominance and visibility. Western influence dominated the fashion space, creating stereotypes and defining beauty standards.

In recent times, African designers have devoted time to creating Afrocentric clothing depicting not just their aesthetic craftsmanship but also their originality in being African.

Since the beginning of the year, we have witnessed the launching of new collections by African fashion designers drawn from the continent’s vast history.

There seems to be an outpour of new collections.

Entering into the scene for the fourth time, Farouk Adepoju Adekunle, an astounding Nigerian fashion designer, leaves a banging statement with his 2024 fashion collection. Farouk is not a new name in the industry.

The founder and CEO of Titan Luxe, he has created a unique niche for his brand through his expressive art and fusion of African cultural elements.

Farouk’s passion for fashion stems from a deep-seated childhood connection that resulted in a life-long relationship. From an early age, he has had a unique fashion sense in styling his clothes, which he amplified as an adult by enrolling in fashion training to upskill.

Through Titan Luxe, Farouk has infused Afrocentrism into his fashion mix, showcasing vibrant prints and colours with cultural significance.

Farouk Adekunle unveils the Afro-chic couture collection, a visual representation of innovative styles, dazzling accessories and intricate patterns designed for the everyday woman.

The Afro-chic couture collection comprises six distinct designs embodying the fashion tastes and demands of the modern-day woman. Each piece is meticulously tailored to the millennials and Gen Z. These categories of people are more expressive with their choices and opt for trendy fashion wear that announces their presence in the room.

Following trends while retaining its core vision of African infusion, the designer’s exquisite craftmanship is pronounced in each style and accessory choice. For a brand big on promoting the continent, we can boldly acknowledge the intentionality behind each piece.

The Afro-chic collection is more than just fabrics and fanciful styles; it is a testament to the untapped creativity the human brain has to offer. For this review, we will be analysing three distinct designs that captivated our interest.

Our first pick is this Ankara crop top and trousers paired with a black flared heel. Aside from their versatility, crop tops have a way of highlighting a woman’s waistline while offering comfort and breathability. These flattering itsy-bitsy tops are becoming a fashion staple among the younger generations, embracing individuality, eye-popping statement pieces, and bold accessories.

Integrating modern trends with traditional fabric, Farouk Adekunle comes up with a sleek and stunning crop top crafted with Ankara. The most striking detail about this top is the sleeve. The designer’s choice of short puffed sleeves heightened the style’s beauty. Without it, it would have come out as a regular outfit that won’t make our cut.

Challenging himself a little further, this gorgeous top is matched with trousers but not your regular ones. The designer replicated the laddering ripped side jeans using the Ankara fabric, adding little dramatics to the outfit. And the truth is that we love some extra! For women who love it hot and spicy, this outfit does justice to representing their taste.

The attention to detail in the structuring of the dress is worthy of mention. Each shredding in the trousers is properly placed as the designer skilfully delivered with precision. This outfit is serving what it should dish out, from the elegant crop top to the over-the-top trousers.

Though the outfit is remarkable, there are a few elements that could be added to enhance its beauty, one of which is the back of the crop top. Rather than a black zip, the designer could play around with diverse styles that don’t require the usual zip.

When it comes to styling, there is a need to touch up her look with a simple silver necklace and bangles. It would be a great disservice to sum up this look without mentioning the choice of Ankara fabric.

Ankara fabrics aren’t just material; they are gongs that deliver messages of tribes and cultures. This menacing blue fabric tells details of ancient war history with geometric shapes to visible images of deep blue whales. We see the potential popularity appeal this attire will have on women. It not only enhanced the model’s facial structure but accentuated her figures.

Are you looking for a cloth that attracts stares when you step into a crowd? This is it!
This piece is a show-stopper.

The second outfit in the Afro-chic collection is the Big Aunty Ankara jumpsuit exuding class, luxury, and confidence.

The jumpsuit is styled with a plunging neckline, making her neck longer and leaner. On her arm is a design made with the same fabric but styled differently.

This design extends from her back to the bottom part of the half-length top. One intriguing thing about this design is the designer’s ability to create a jumpsuit that looks like a separate top and trousers.

From the front view, it resembles a top, but the back view gives you a clearer picture of the ingenuity displayed in this piece. Using a few inches of fabric at the waistline, the designer connects these two parts. But this is not where the surprise ends.

The styling of the bottom part of this outfit is so Gen Z-ish. It has a different extension of fabric, which is fused with the upper part with a few fabric strands around the ankle. This is not just brilliant but outstanding.

If there is one distinguishing factor Titan Luxe has over other fashion brands, it is his experiments with trousers. The first was great and the second was exceptional.

The use of long sleeves blended with the style, leaving no out-of-place element. We also love the choice of gold drop earrings without any additional jewellery as they complement the attire.

However, the trouser length touching the floor can be substituted for a short length -just slightly below the shin. This way, the footwear will be visible.

In terms of market demand, this outfit stands a chance of being a favourite among women, most especially those flexible with their styles.

To crown the Afro-chic collection is this fiery, fashion statement two-piece apparel.

Juxtaposing the first two looks with this one, you will spot a pattern: Farouk’s commitment to elevating the Ankara fabric through breathtaking designs and his love for novelty.

This outfit features a crop top and trousers with a little difference from the first. For this top, the designer went for a bell sleeve with a round neckline. Bell sleeves are perfect for any occasion and look good regardless of the style, whether on a dress or a shirt.

Using this sleeve worked the magic because you can’t look at it without wanting to feed your eyes more.

A transparent net is attached to the neckline and upper length of the top establishing a distinction with the top. This brings another layer of originality, a factor missing from multiple collections.

The second part of the outfit is high-waist trousers with a visible band and a tailored cut. It flows seamlessly to her feet, bringing out the model’s delicate curves and offering comfort around the bottom hem.

For the accessories, we have a black flared heel with a gold design crested at the top and gold drop earrings to match.

This is a 21st-century style that captures the fashion needs of the modern-day woman. The Afro-chic collection is a perfect representation of Afrocentrism with its styles that incorporate African culture and heritage.

The use of the Ankara fabric to create contemporary styles while maintaining the rich tradition of the African people is commendable.

Farouk Adekunle has once again proven himself to be a titan standing tall among giants in the fashion industry.