By Rita Okoye

‘Luxury in fashion is not a price tag; it is the rare elegance that touches the soul and transforms the mundane into the magical.’ ~ Gavin Rajah

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “luxury fashion”?
Don’t answer yet; we know.
First, your mind goes wild. Then, you start to imagine fancy clothes, designer bags, jewellery, or perhaps expensive fabrics. While your thoughts are not so farfetched from the truth, African fashion designers like Opara Cletus have more to say.

One often misconstrued concept in the clothing world is luxury fashion. For many, it is defined by high prices, while some people see it as an exclusive or global fashion brand. Inspired by the famous South African designer, Gavin Rajah’s philosophy of luxuriousness in fashion, Cletus Opara, a Nigerian-born fast-rising fashion stylist, true luxury extends beyond these superficial markers. Instead, it resides in the emotional resonance of a piece, and its ability to evoke feelings of confidence, beauty, and self-expression.

According to Cletus, when an individual wears a beautifully crafted garment, they are simply expressing a transformation that has already taken place from within. This transformation could be an elevated sense of self-worth, an enhanced mood, or empowerment. For instance, a tailor-made dress or customised jewellery can evoke a feeling of self-worth, where the wearer feels special and appreciated.

Based on this ideology is the fashion brand “Chic City”, a clothing company flourishing and gaining global recognition, under the watch of its founder, Cletus Opara.

For Chic City’s CEO, building a fashion brand goes far beyond creating a logo or a catchy slogan; it’s about embodying the essence, values, and beliefs. It’s the soul of your designs and the experience they deliver.

‘Creating Chic City is like translating its vision into wearable art that communicates the history of elegance, culture, and sophistication’, he says in an interview after the brand was first launched in 2019.

Driven by the desire to shape a high-luxury fashion brand that resonates not just in Nigeria but across Africa, Cletus’ approach to design is deeply personal, reflecting his identity and passion for creativity. Hence, his maiden collection, the “Oyanta Exclusive Collection 2020” became an echoing voice of his artistic vision and commitment to redefining luxury fashion.

Since fashion brands are more than just designs and more of the creator’s reflection, Cletus understands that consumers gravitate towards brands that resonate with authenticity and offer more than just products—they seek an experience that connects with their self-image. His journey into the fashion industry was not just about making clothes; it was about crafting pieces that inspire confidence and individuality, blending traditional influences with contemporary aesthetics.

As a pace-setter for Chic City, the Oyanta Exclusive Collection has successfully elevated the brand into the high-fashion landscape, bringing a refreshing mix of friendly appeal, timeless classics, and trendsetting styles. The collection is also a celebration of modern femininity, where every piece embodies splendour and each poise ― like a walk on a bed of roses.

Let us take a look at the first design.
It’s fashion fusion.
This notion has gained popularity. In African fashion, traditional fabrics and patterns are combined with contemporary designs, techniques, a2nd influences from other cultures. In simpler terms, fashion fusion is the artistic blending of different styles, textiles, and cultural influences to create unique and innovative designs. One striking example of fashion fusion is the merging of two or more Ankara fabrics to create a single garment, resulting in eye-boggling and mind-blowing couture like the all-size-fit gown.
Before we analyse Cletus’s ability to pay attention to detail and his innovative use of fabrics and colours, let’s talk about the fitting.
In fashion, there’s such a thing as loose-fit clothes, and one such is the all-size-fit flare gown with puffy sleeves. Now, speaking of colours, the mixed fabrics’ colours are natural, making it almost difficult to differentiate between them. The designer’s choice of colour is an extension of why he has chosen the fabrics. In addition, combining shades of blue, black, and white in a way that creates a harmonious blend, contrasts beautifully with the starkness of black and the purity of white. By the way, nothing goes wrong with white and black.
These natural colours seamlessly blend with the model’s looks. From her neatly packed hair and tine base to her makeup and jewellery, not much is said yet every word is heard.
The three-step flare skirt is a befitting match with the voluminous sleeves. With its slight flare and ruffled hem, the dress’s fluidity is enhanced. This design choice is aligned with current trends in fashion, where movement and shape are considered a crucial part of the design. The ruffled hem is also associated with many traditional African dance attire, sewn in layers that move rhythmically with the body, emphasising movement and grace.
Moreover, notable of this outfit is the allowance it creates for slim and bolder women.
Typical of Cletus’ design philosophy, luxury does not have to compromise authenticity. Another profound advantage of this creation is that the material is made from quality Dutch wax, making the dress a long-time wear for the modern woman, irrespective of her body size or metamorphosing stages like maternity.

While this dress is undeniably a masterpiece of cultural fusion, there are areas where little improvement would have raised the overall look. For example, aside from the playful feeling that this piece evokes, we would have proposed a bold black or white belt, secured firmly around the model’s upper belly somewhere directly under her bursts would give her a more stylish look.

Like the Ankara textile, the one-shoulder sleeve dress has a rich history that combines culture with modern day elegance. Its origins can be traced back to ancient civilisations, in Greece and Rome, where draped fabrics were commonly used in clothing. During this era, Greek women wore garments called chitons, featuring a one-shoulder sleeve gown. But in the 20th century, the one-shoulder dress gained more popularity; all thanks to Western designers like Christian Dior and Balenciaga. These designers introduced new trends, spotlighting grandiosity for the womenfolk. In no time, the dress became a favourite for evening wear, especially because it embodies simplicity and sophistication.
Today, the one-shoulder dress continues to evolve, appearing in various fabrics, lengths, and styles. It remains a popular choice for formal events, weddings and cocktail parties, even fashion creatives like Gianni Versace embraced this style, making it a staple on runways and red carpets.
Drawing inspiration from far south Europe and Africa, this design reflects an understanding of Cletus’ artistic prowess in recreating cultural elements to fit a broader audience. This experience captures what modern-day fashion experts call Afro-futurism. It is a process where designers reimagine African traditions through the lens of modernity and innovation, crafting garments that are not only rooted in history but also forward-looking.
Amongst other things, we love the designer’s fabric choice. Everything is just so central to this dress’s appeal ― from the colours to the prints, no detail is missed. It cannot be overstated that the Ankara fabric is a powerful agreement to African heritage, where each pattern holds a specific meaning.
Let us consider the colours. The rich green hues serenely dominate the design, accented by yellow patterns that add depth and vibrancy to the background colour. Green, often associated with growth, harmony, and nature, serves as a base that highlights the dress’s connection to African landscapes and natural beauty. On the other hand, the sunflower-like shade adds a touch of optimism and energy, creating a dynamic visual effect that draws the eye and holds attention. This colour palette goes beyond aesthetics as yellow and green are often seen in traditional African attire to represent fertility, prosperity, and joy.
It is stylish and classic. The gown’s bodice is chic with a modern flair. Featuring a one-shoulder design that gives it a contemporary edge, the slanted neckline of this piece adds a layer of softness and reminiscence of Grecian fashion. The single sleeve, with its poofy gathers, adds drama and balance to the dress, making it a piece that stands out without overwhelming the model’s natural shape.
For the modern-day woman, flattering silhouettes are a cannot-do-without. Cletus understood this message when he was putting this ensemble together. But because he is a futuristic thinker when it comes to design creations, he’s meticulously attached a flared skirt with detailed pleating to the bodice of the gown, to ease comfort and movement for the wearer.
Frankly, we are satisfied with this look ― from head to bottom. However, we’d prefer a pair of white or yellow heels as an alternative to the designer’s nude heels. But aside from this, we heartily rate this look a 97 out of 100.
As Cletus Opara continues to explore, inspire, and influence the fashion world, Chic City stands poised to lead a new era of high-luxury fashion that celebrates individuality, creativity, and the rich heritage of cultures.