By Yemisi Suleiman
In Gen Z slang, “slay” means to do something exceptionally well or impressively, often with confidence and style. And Fabslay took this definition to a whole new level.
The release of their recent 2022 collection showcases their creativity and ability to design stylish pieces that exude class without doing too much. Located in the UK, Fabslay is dedicated to empowering women through timeless but modern pieces. Their dresses are designed to make women feel confident, beautiful, and effortlessly chic.
Founded by Gladys Ebiawurubo, the Fabslay brand isn’t exclusively about clothing but about creating a movement. Built on the belief that fashion transcends clothing, the brand strives to be recognised for its commitment to quality, affordable luxury, and freedom for self-expression.
Through their latest 2022 release, we get to see the brand’s commitment to quality in full view and decide if indeed they are up to par.
Let’s dive in.
Ever heard of ‘butter yellow’? Well, if you haven’t, this dress is the typical representation of it. It’s smooth like butter, and the shade is neither too bright nor too dull; it’s just perfect. The colour is purely ethereal, and it’s the number one feature that draws your attention to the dress.
Looking beyond the colour, what can we see? Simplicity. Yes, the dress is as simple as can be. And the model carries it effortlessly.
One standout detail here is the sleeves… which are nonexistent. The fabric wraps around the chest area in a pattern known as “sweetheart neckline”, and follows a slim trail down to the waistline before flaring out in mini pleats. It is safe to say that this is an A-line dress style, due to its structure.
From the front, there’s not much to see besides the neckline style and the flared pleat cut. But looking at the back of the dress, there’s one unique detail there, which was included for functionality. Attached to the back is a rope that can be adjusted to fit the wearer’s body. Since the dress appears to be small, this feature is particularly useful for those who may not fit into such dresses at once.
Now, while this dress may seem all simple and almost perfect, there are a couple of adjustments that could be made or suggestions for improvements.
First, the sweetheart neckline is quite restricting, particularly for ladies with bigger busts. While the neckline design may be appealing and allow for a perfect showcase of the collarbone, which may even serve as an appealing accessory, it is not ideal or functional for big-busted ladies in terms of a perfect cup size.
So, for this, we would suggest designing the neckline in different cup sizes and also extending the rope behind to hold firm for adjustment. Or even better, including a tulle fabric of a similar colour around the chest area to go over the neckline like a cover-up. At least, with this inclusion, even if a D-cup wearer tries it on, it would sit perfectly.
With all this said, we would rate this dress a 7.5 in terms of design and aesthetics, and a 5 in terms of functionality.
At this point, one must wonder: Is this a collection of miniskirts and sweetheart necks? This outfit is stunning. It’s stunning in colour, in fit, and in the design details. But first, let’s start with colour.
The colour white hints at elegance and also coordination. And on this fabric, the colour is even more enhanced. White exudes confidence and class. And even though this may not look like the ‘classy’ or ‘elegant’ outfit style that we have been conditioned to recognise, it is.
At first glance, it may seem like a dress, a one-fabric outfit. But when you take a closer look, you will see that it is a two-piece design, made up of a top and a mini skirt.
The top features a sweetheart neckline, as usual. However, in this design, there’s a distinct detail. Unlike the first dress, which follows the normal sweetheart pattern, this top carries a deep neck. With this deep neck design, the burst cups sit independently. Now, the designer may have noticed this, thereby introducing the single strap holding both cups together.
The top follows a slim fit down to the waist, letting the skirt pick up from there.
The skirt is relatively simple, with the length falling high above the knee. This may not be a problem for most wearers who intentionally go for it. However, some others may love the design and aesthetics, but feel sceptical about the skirt length. For ladies with thick thighs or quads, the brand can provide tulle leggings to pair with the outfit.
While the outfit hints at minimalism and high class, we believe something is missing, something that could take it from its current rating of a 7 to a 10. Can you guess what this accessory is? A blazer!
This single accessory is enough to bring the entire look together. A black oversized blazer against this white outfit is a total chef’s kiss. Because not only would it provide coverage and offer comfort, it would also heighten the visual aesthetic of the overall fit.
One more suggestion comes to mind when you take a look at this two-piece design. How about a varying skirt length? Originally, it comes in a mini length, which is fantastic. But then, a midi skirt length wouldn’t be a bad idea, and a maxi pencil skirt would take elegance to a whole new level.
Well, well, well… What do we have here?
First observation, this dress looks similar to the first two. However, it still carries its distinct features. Unlike other sleeveless styles, this one includes a hanging detail. You could call it a petal sleeve, as it covers only the shoulders, leaving the rest of the arm bare.
Taking in the full view of the dress, the colour immediately catches the eye. There is no doubt that deep wine flatters every skin tone, making it a suitable option for women of all colours.
The neckline appears to be just like the others, sweetheart neckline but this one falls flat in a way. That heart-shaped curve is subtle, so someone who isn’t into fashion might not notice it. The detail on the bodice can be considered the standout aspect of the dress. It features three small keyholes arranged in a straight vertical trail down to the waistline. The dress snatches a little at the waist and then spreads into a ball structure, with its length stopping a bit above the knee, like the first two dresses.
Looking at this dress, you can’t help but notice its simple but classy styling, which is an intentional brand attribute that is mirrored throughout the collection in its A-line flare.
Though not in view, the dress features a side zip just above the skirt. This zip helps with adjustment and ensures an easy wear.
Having explored all features, we must say that this dress is indeed gorgeous. Now, this would’ve been an instant 10, but the tiny sleeves interrupt that rating. A proper slim sleeve, like a bracelet or a poet, would do absolute justice to the dress, making it appear more boujee.
At this point, it seems as if the designer just included the petal at the last minute, perhaps, to make it different from the rest, but honestly, it would’ve even looked better without sleeves at all. So, because of this sleeve detail, the dress rating drops by 2, making it a solid 8. But it’s a stunning dress regardless.
To crown it all, Fabslay brought in the ‘slay’ with this collection. From the yellow buttery dress to the white classy two-piece, and this wine stunner, it is safe to say Fabslay outdid itself. Every piece was carefully designed with minimal detailing and the perfect A-line structure. With all outfits looking this stunning, it would be a tough choice for the ladies. Well done, Fabslay; we can’t wait to see more of this.