By Rita Okoye

The annual Ibadan Ankara fiesta has always been the centre of attention. It was formed as the core of the city’s means of preserving the heritage of the Yoruba people and promoting the culture to influence the ingenuity of the new generation.

This years outing was an improvement on the previous ones, with a bigger venue, an increased number of fashion designers to exhibit their wears, and a stream of other artistic vendors to sell products that amplify the essence of the fiesta.

The talk of the day, one that inspired this article, was the impressive outing made by Yemzy Apparel. It is like making ginger the major ingredient in a meal and having it showcased on a plate in a different creative and original manner.
The theme of the event was Ankara, and one of the fashion designers who delivered by elevating the fabric in all her designs was Yemzy Apparel. The entire team of the brand, led by Opeyemi Owoseni, delivered a good showcase with distinct designs.

The term Igbalode which interprets in English as modern or new age was adequately represented in the collection with the varying designs that accommodated the Western fashion culture and fully represented the elegance of African textile and fabric, namely Ankara in this occasion.
The collection featured sportswear and formal wears made with Ankara fabric. The hoodies and joggers, a fusion of the Ankara fabric and cotton, were the most sought after. The beauty and authenticity were further highlighted with customized scribbles that reflected in the logo or description of each set.

For the skirts, shirts and pants, the brand created a fusion of Ankara with Poplin and Corduroy fabrics. The pants for women were finely lined on the waist with Ankara fabric and in some others, on one side of the pants. The shirts were made with Ankara with the collars and front pockets made from other fabrics.
The most captivating factor was the way Yemzy Apparel branded and packaged each product. The pieces were handed out to customers in reusable Ankara-made tote bags that promote eco-friendly environment.
It was indeed a display of exclusivity, creativity and innovation. Other brands did justice to their use of Ankara, but Yemzy Apparel ranked as one of the most sought-after brands to feature in the fiesta. The term ‘Igbalode’ was manifested as well as the use of fabric explored.
With brands like Yemzy Apparel, the purpose for which the Ibadan Ankara Fiesta was created has been greatly accomplished, which was to promote Nigerian culture through fashion and make Ankara an export to all countries outside Africa.