The 2014 edition of the Lagos Fashion and Design week is well and truly over.. We are left in an almost fugue like state….A result of the successive intense fashion visuals and scenery . For some collections, it would be the case of a slow begrudging acceptance ..and for others, an immediate recognition of something new..
To be quite honest, we are relieved to finally get a chance to catch up on all the pending work and deadlines, yet we miss the electric expectant feeling and buzz the shows and its surrounding spectacles brought fore”..
As promised..here is a recap of fashion through our eyes from the recently concluded Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW)..Buckle up !!!
Whites: It would be quite safe to say White is having a really “major moment”.. White dominated the runways in various pristine wonders.. From the spectacular sparkling Finale White dress by Iconic invanity to the stark asymmetric cut-out dress by Sisiano…All white looks are certainly quite the cool..
The New Peplum: Peplums have been around for a mighty long time.They are a smart way of creating really nice silhouettes for all body types. At the shows,there was a new spin to the peplum shapes.. They were slimmer, sleeker and not as structured… a bit sporty sometimes.. Lisa Folawiyo and Tsemaye Binitie had quite a strong grip on the new shapes..
Selfies: In every little pocket square and corner during the shows.. there was a camera flash going off…and did you just guess selfless? Correct.. Selfies are certainly not passé .. not for a really longtime.. Further proof of this was Mai Atafo’s show on Day 4,.. Mai put on quite a rocking show.. the girls were dressed in Androgynous Niger/ Delta traditional attires.. and they all came together at the end for selfles.
Cropped Presentations:Like a national parade, high waisted silhouettes and cropped tops were in dominance.. with some designers like Bridget Awosika and Rebahia going the wispy route and edgy routes respectively … Lanre Da Silva Ajayi took a hip approach.. She fused her signature Victorian sleeves on a floral damask cropped top and matched them with high waist light orange pants..
Menswear: Sharp and Precise.. Would be how to describe the men’s collection.. It was bold, strong yet very stark.. Ranging from Orange Culture’s really well thought out collection to the Okunoren Twins melancholic monastic line-up.. The men strode tall, swift and minimal.. Like Demi-Gods..
Garland Sleeves: The drama lay in the sleeves…
Ladylike Silhouttes: Fashion was a lady and she came out to play in simpering lengths and coquettish cuts.. Gone were the risqué mini’s.. Most collections had a chic lady like finish with longer lengths and defined waists.. Meena’s collection had quite a strong sway in this direction..with tapered hemlines and nipped in waistlines..
Cheeky Side Slits: …and in many cases a healthy dose of leg on show.. Slits are still quite trendy, but the split was more to the side than centred. Maki Oh had quite a fresh take on it.. with a deep side slit on a black metallic skirt, which meshed quite nicely with the diagonal precise shapes of the top.
Kaftans: Kaftans or tops styled as Kaftans seem to be making a really big majestic comeback .. Ranging from the chic classic styles to the androgynous byblows of the male traditional Agbada. Amede’s lineup had quite a large nice printed representation of the Kaftans in different lengths.
The theatrical Rearview.. Spearheading this trend in our minds was Iconic invanity’s collection, Capes/long trains added a rich extravagance to her already really luxurious collection. Washigton Roberts recreated a really cool and preppy edge to the same theme.. We saw this in various styles through the shows.Titi Bello gave hers a really sexy spin.
Boho Themed: Lines were fluid and free, with strog boho echoes…
Volume.. A big full on flouncy dramatic dress would always find its way to the runway…. In some cases they were less classic, not as traditional but still full on dramatic!
Well done to LFDW!!!, for putting up a SPECTACULAR show..
xxxxx
Zinkata
Photography: Kola Oshalusi
4.5