Revival of Fashion: A review of how past decades are influencing modern trends

Fashion is always changing, but what’s truly exciting today about it is the revival of older styles. Designers and fashion enthusiasts are looking back to previous decades for inspiration, making styles from the past trendy once again.

From the bold patterns of the 70s to the sleek, minimalist looks of the 90s, these trendy styles are making a strong comeback in the fashion industry.

Beyond just bringing back old styles, today’s designers are reinterpreting them with a fresh perspective. They mix old school fashion with new ideas, such as combining vintage silhouettes with modern fabrics or adding bold, contemporary prints to classic designs.

This creates fashion that feels both timeless and current, appealing to a wide range of people.

Fashion’s ability to reinvent the past is what makes it so dynamic. Instead of merely replicating old looks, designers are finding ways to make them feel new and exciting, making the idea of “what’s old is new again” a key part of today’s fashion trends.

Moreover, the revival of past trends often promotes a sense of individuality, as people seek to express their unique identities through fashion. The mix-and-match approach allows individuals to curate personal styles that tell their stories, combining pieces from different eras.

In Nigeria, this trend is particularly vibrant, with designers not only reviving vintage Western styles but also celebrating traditional African fashion. Bold Ankara prints, jackets, and other traditional garments are being designed for the modern world, blending cultural heritage with contemporary fashion.

This gives Nigerian fashion its own unique voice, as it honours the past while embracing new innovations.

African designers are taking traditional styles and making them modern, showing how culture can be celebrated in a new way. Two people who are making a big difference in this space are Rilwan Rotinwa Olamide and Abdul-Mumeen Ayodeji Agbeniga.

They are the creative minds behind a growing Afrocentric fashion brand for men, their story began when they were still at university in Nigeria. As close friends with a shared love for both fashion and their African roots, they decided to start a fashion label that would speak to modern African men but still respect their cultural identity.

In 2017, while still busy with their studies, they launched their brand, starting from Lagos and now reaching as far as the UK, Rilwan and Ayodeji have stayed focused on creating top-quality clothing that highlights African traditions in a modern way.

Their clothes use African arts and styles but are designed to appeal to men today. They blend cultural elements with new designs, giving their fashion a fresh, exciting look that works for people all over the world.

While building their brand, Rilwan and Ayodeji faced the challenge of managing both their studies and their business. However, they learned a lot from working with other successful fashion brands in Nigeria.

These experiences helped them improve their design skills and also understand how to run a fashion business. Now, their brand is thriving, and it’s a clear result of their hard work and creative ideas. They are constantly exploring new ways to offer men something unique and personal.

In Nigeria, these two designers have made a big mark on the fashion scene, they are celebrating African culture and making it relevant to the present day. Their brand has become well known for its strong focus on African identity and its stylish, contemporary designs.

One remarkable feature of Rilwan and Ayodeji brands is their focus on craftsmanship. They prioritise handcrafting their pieces, ensuring uniqueness and attention to detail in every garment. This commitment to quality highlights the cultural significance of African textiles and also adds an element of exclusivity to their collections.

Through their work, they have contributed to the fashion revival, showing that tradition and modern fashion can work hand in hand. Rilwan and Ayodeji are changing what it means to be stylish and African.

One of their 2020 Ilashe Collection houses a bomber jacket. This entire outfit, featuring a black inner top, and matching black trousers, is a carefully curated look. Starting with the bomber jacket, the eye-catching yellow-orange brush stroke pattern against the black background adds an energetic and lively feel to the overall design.

The sweeping feather-like shapes evoke natural elements like fire or wind, giving the jacket a sense of movement and fluidity. The vibrant colours make a strong statement, while the ribbed cuffs and waistband give the jacket a structured and classic bomber style that adds to its casual yet polished feel.

Beneath the jacket, the plain black inner top serves as a simple yet essential layer. It acts as the perfect base, allowing the jacket’s bright colours and patterns to be the focus. The top’s sleek black design complements the trousers seamlessly, creating a unified matching outfit.

The black trousers, with the simple and clean cut style, give an appeal to the overall outfit, their simplicity allows the boldness of the jacket to truly shine, while also making it sleek.

The designer’s Afrocentric touch is evident in how the bold prints and patterns on the jacket reflect cultural influences. The entire outfit is a great representation of Afrocentric fashion blending effortlessly with modern streetwear. With simple, well-tailored basics like the black top and trousers, the designers create a look that is both trendy and timeless.

However, one suggestion for this outfit could be to add subtle details to the trousers. Perhaps, a slight texture or a patterned trim along the sides could create an additional layer of interest. This would maintain the balance while giving the outfit a slightly more elevated feel.

Also, for styling, a subtle accessory like a simple necklace could complement the outfit without taking attention away from the beautiful jacket and vibrant colours.

This small touch would enhance the look, adding an extra layer of style without making the design look overwhelming.

Aside from this, the simplicity in this outfit reflects the designer’s ability to bring together cultural heritage with contemporary fashion in a way that feels fresh.
The works of Rilwan and Ayodeji are perfect innovations.

They take the bold colours and patterns of Africa and skillfully weave them into modern styles, creating pieces that stand out on any runway or street. Their commitment to promoting African culture through fashion is both inspiring and impactful.

These designers push the boundaries of what fashion can be, combining heritage with global trends and making African styles accessible to everyone. Their creations contribute to the larger global conversation about the beauty, diversity, and versatility of African-inspired fashion existence.

A beautiful blend of art and fashion follows as their next piece in the collection. It features a scenic design that makes it truly unique. The casual fit, ribbed cuffs and waistband keep the classic bomber style intact, offering comfort and a relaxed vibe.

The striking landscape print that decorates the jacket is a commendation skill. It makes the design a piece of clothing and a visual statement.

The colours used in this design shades of green, orange, white, grey, and black come together to create a peaceful, picturesque scene. The jacket feels like a wearable painting, showcasing trees, buildings, and a bridge in what looks like a countryside or small town.

The mix of natural elements, such as trees, with manmade structures like buildings and bridges on the fabric design, reflects a sense of harmony between nature and urban life, the green tones give the piece an earthy, calming feel, while the splashes of orange and other colours bring warmth and vibrancy without overpowering the design.

Just like the first design, the white inner top complements the jacket perfectly, acting as a clean canvas that lets the jacket’s artwork stand out even more. The black trousers keep the look grounded and minimal, allowing the jacket to take the spotlight without distraction.

Rilwan and Ayodeji’s contribution is clear in how they bring together modern styles with cultural richness and a deep appreciation for art. This jacket not only reflects creativity but also evokes a sense of yearning, as the print hints at peaceful retreats and spaces that hold meaning.

To enhance the look even further, perhaps the addition of subtle texture or a slight variation in the fabric of the cuffs or collar could elevate the jacket’s overall aesthetic, making it feel even more special.

Nevertheless, this is a stunning example of how fashion can be both expressive and wearable, offering a blend of comfort, style, and artistic beauty.
It is a collection that will be etched in the memory for a long time.