By Rita Okoye

Contemporary fashion is taking over the world and this not-so-new movement is gaining audiences that are interested in high-fashion designer clothing. People are discovering their style and seeking new tastes in fashion by getting acquainted with contemporary fashion designs.

Contemporary fashion is a clothing style that is beyond basic. Although it is less expensive than custom designs, it is characterised by a combination of modern aesthetics and innovative cuts. Only accessible and timeless, quality materials are used in creating this fashion.

The ideology behind contemporary fashion is the sustainable factors that emerge from the trend. A good number of contemporary designers typically target Millennial and Gen Z customers. This is because contemporary fashion is a modern approach to high-quality fashion.

Alexander Wang is one of the renowned fashion designers who introduced and heavily influenced the contemporary fashion movement. He has taken the style of fashion to several places where visibility is needed and has forged impactful collaborations with high-quality brands and ready-to-wear fashion retailers.

Some other prominent designers have dominated the fashion industry with contemporary styles. Designers like Phillip Lim, Ganni, and Staud. Contemporary pieces have been made accessible to all parts of the world and as expected, African fashion designers are making waves in the industry by infusing their skills and talents into the production of this fast fashion.

In Nigeria, Oluwabamishe Iretioluwa Ola is one of the talented fashion designers who have implemented contemporary fashion into the African fashion sector. Oluwabamishe is driven by her passion to make a difference with her skills.

Hence the establishment of her fashion brand, Bstyle. Beyond being self-taught on the intricacies of design skills and business, she has gained wide recognition for being committed to upcycling and the commendable practice of sustainable methods of design.
Bstyle is a contemporary fashion brand that creates limited pieces of women’s wear.

This decision is based on the need to minimise waste and dead stock without causing hindrance to the upliftment of local craftsmanship.
Each piece created and exhibited by the brand is an expression of the African cultural heritage and the future of fashion. Popularly known in several countries, Bstyle has created nothing short of unique contemporary masterpieces that allow women to celebrate their personal style with beautiful patterns and elegant designs.

BSTYLE 2020 COLLECTION

This piece is an extraordinary piece of fashion that deserves a space in an art gallery. It is the type of outfit that demands attention and definitely turns heads in a gathering.
Dissecting this piece bit by bit to reveal all the beautiful decisions that went into its production should be fun. The blouse screams ‘beauty!’ with the geometric patterns of orange, white, and green.

For it to be less voluminous and well structured, the designer chose a collar that matches the button-down design of the shirt. This gives a formal look to this chic outfit. It is the perfect dress for a woman who loves to enjoy the social and corporate worlds.

The green skirt, which is the same colour as the collar and button line of the shirt gives a striking balance to the bright colours of the blouse. Designed with carefully made pleats, Bstyle added a preppy and timeless vibe to the overall look of the outfit. The high waist of the skirt seamlessly creates a beautiful silhouette of the two-piece wear, by merging the two pieces.

Green and orange are opposite colours and the designer has managed to harmonise them here to create a visually appealing design. The green parts of the blouse anchor the entire look and do not make it overwhelming. The artistic splashes of orange on the blouse resemble fires against the cool white background. A confident masterpiece that expresses the wearer’s personality through this elegant combination.

This combination is a perfect balance between silhouette structure and colour flow. Perfect for events like an art gallery opening, a lunch date, or even a high-profile event. This outfit is full of personality. It is not just pieces of clothing stringed together but a vision of untold stories to experience something memorable and captivating.

This piece is a harmonious mix of colours that exude elegance and sophistication. Layered with intriguing pieces of cotton and lace materials, this fitted black dress is a statement look.
The bodice is sleek and commands admiration for the wearer. The neckline which is cut in a V shape strikes the perfect balance between making the dress conservative and also alluring.
The designer’s decision to make the sleeves long and made with lace material is a delicate attempt to add romanticism to the overall look. The wearer’s body is definitely going to be in solidarity with exuding a formal and yet sexy look.
A more delicate look at the outfit reveals the slight flare cuffs at the sleeves. This is a testament to how much this brand is passionate about contemporary fashion. Making a piece versatile and yet chic is a daring attempt in this era of fashion. The thick texture of lace used for the sleeves creates an extra depth to the overall look of the outfit.

The lower part of the dress is where things take a very interesting turn. Giving off vibrant energy, the layered ruffles of materials that resemble the colour of fireworks, make the black upper part of the dress come alive. This mixture of white, brown and orange patterns is fiery, and if anything, it reveals the wearer’s ’boss chic’ energy.

Every step taken in this dress will result in a playful twirl of the lower part. It is eye-catching, fun and bold.

However, the boldness of the ruffles may feel overwhelming to some, but it still directs appropriate attention to the sleeves and upper bodice. This proves that the designer’s attempt to use contrasting colours without one overshadowing the other is successful.

Using a deep black colour for the bodice and sleeves is a clever choice to combine a neutral colour with the fiery tones of the ruffles. The hues evoke the sense of the autumn season, the blazing sunset and the warm colours of leaves. As outstanding as this outfit looks, it may not be entirely versatile and the colours may feel out of place in seasons like spring and summer.

The entire look is proportioned boldly and hugs the body of the wearer in a seamless way down to the lower volume of the ruffles. The hip area looks accentuated as the fitted bodice and ruffle layers create a classic A-line silhouette.
This type of dress may not suit every body type. But it is perfect for hourglass and pear-shaped ladies. This is because there is too much volume in the lower part.

This piece in the Bstyle 2020 collection is a staple of creativity and conservation. While this may not be entirely for shy people, it definitely is for someone who enjoys standing out and showcasing their personal style.
Bstyle has successfully curated a collection of bold pieces for personalities that are fun love and look to make their fashion sense nothing short of iconic. Looking forward to the next collection, these are nothing short of amazing masterpieces.