By Yemisi Suleiman

Fuelled by the rebellious spirit of youths, Urban Fashion came into place in the late 1980s, particularly in cities like New York. However, in the early 1900s, it came into the limelight in African cities.

Yet, one characteristic that defined street wear in Africa was its evolution from formality into casual statement wear. With a different sense of individuality being portrayed by baggy jeans, graphic t-shirts, and oversized hoodies.

This “dress yourself” aspect of fashion revealed the essence of personal identity and the need to embody one’s cultural heritage. In the 21st century, this movement went from being a subculture thing to being a high-end fashion collection revealed by various brands.

Brands like Blvck Kulture, founded by Razaq Ayomide Rahman, have emerged in the fashion space to showcase a new wave of streetwear-inspired pieces, which have become a symbol of authenticity in the local fashion industry.

The rise of this brand’s collection is one of the major fashion influences in the year 2023.
This time, the influence is evident in the designer’s preferences for graphic tees. This ability of the designer has propelled streetwear from being an urban fashion to a casual subculture. No doubt, this Blvck Kulture 2023 collection is a dominant subculture of street style.

This unisex fashion piece exudes the energy of modern streetwear. It reveals a bold sense of Afro-urban self-expression in the wearer. The outstanding feature is the beautiful orange colour, which immediately draws the eyes to the outfit. The colour is a warm and vibrant shade, the perfect shade for a shirt that is made to reveal Black individuality.

From the boldly printed motifs of African masks on the front, this shirt pays homage to the African heritage. Moreover, the shirt’s silhouette has a wide sleeve with reveals the usual streetwear aesthetic of comfort and swag. While the texture looks thick, it suggests the use of a cotton fabric.

What stands out even more is the shirt’s finishing details. Looking at the neat hemline, the thick neckline, and the quality motif prints, it is evident that authenticity is the designer’s message with this shirt. Overall, this shirt is beyond an ordinary piece of clothing; it is a visual statement of African individuality. This is the kind of shirt that turns heads not just for its colour, but also for what it has to say.

While the short embodies the usual streetwear, some areas require adjustment. Firstly, the spacing between the lower texts and the masks could be more defined. This will result in a better design hierarchy. Although the texture of the fabric is perfect for Afrocentric wear, in this case, the shirt appears stiff rather than relaxed.

Also, the sleeve has a kind of rawness to it that makes it look too casual. A more laid-back approach will improve the designer’s craftsmanship. In addition, adjusting the silhouette to look a bit more fitted would take it from a fashion piece to a streetwear statement.

This shirt is a deep reflection of the ongoing conversations on African identity in 2023. It embraces every aesthetic of streetwear while revealing a contemporary style. The designer deserves some accolades for choosing this earthy brown colour, as this shade allows the designs on the front to stand out gracefully.
This is the type of colour that can be easily paired with any shade of bottoms, without losing its visual qualities. Also, as the graphics appear sharper, it allows the message it tells to be clear. Thus, making this piece carry an impactful message. Additionally, the silhouette of an oversized look fits very well into the characteristics of urban streetwear.
Another aspect that catches one’s interest is the fabric choice, while it appears to be a slightly distressed cotton material, it pushes the piece towards a fashion authenticity. Lastly, the neckline and sleeves deserve some credit for being a thoughtful part of the designer’s creativity.

Although this shirt fits into the 2023 trends, it lacks some functional design elements. For example, there are no side slits, and the weight of the fabric can limit movement or restrict breathability. A softer texture would have improved the design while maintaining the rawness of the style.
In addition, the visible neckline seams give the collar a rugged performance. Although it can be adjusted with a top stitch, it will not mar the streetwear essence that the designer had in mind.

This is a confident representation of what streetwear is meant to look like. This shirt embodies a minimalist expression of African identity. The beige colour offers an eye-catching element to the overall fit.
Also, while this is an alternative look to the usual street wear fashion, the colour looks cool enough to create an outstanding fashion in every season. This quality enhances the timeless wearability of the shirt.
In terms of the design, the motif placement gives the wearer a complete sense of pride in African heritage. Also, it allows the shirt to convey a clear message without making the shirt too busy. This is a brilliant performance by the designer’s graphic team.
In addition, the fitted silhouette offers comfort to the wearer’s body without feeling too tight. This makes it an ideal outfit for people who love streamers with a dapper fit. Looking at the fabric, the material is smooth and fits the modern street wear aesthetic. This outfit is a beautiful integration of fashion and style.

However, certain improvements require attention. For example, the material looks too lightweight; it may tend to cling to some body types based on size.
Also, the neckline needs better detailing to include a sort of visual interest to the fit. Even though the front graphic is also clean, the textured ink can make the fit look too overwhelming. Lastly, a slightly longer shift sleeve can further enhance the outfit’s versatility, making it a beautiful African-urban fit.

This deep blue coloured outfit exudes a different form of sophistication. Unlike other louder colours, this one is rooted in a more timeless quality. This outfit is perfect for casual events and street wear occasions that require one to be slightly dressed up.
Moreover, the silhouette is created with slightly dropped shoulders and a straight hemline. This ensures that the clothing is loose enough to ensure comfort. The kind of street wear must be determined, whether it’s elevated casual wear or the usual street wear.
The fabric looks like jerseys, breathable, comfortable and thick enough to maintain the shape of the outside. Given that the shirt has a clean finish, it contributes to a polished presentation.
In addition, the “MADE IN LAGOS” symbol gives a new design to the collection. This is an impressive balance between making a subtle design and making a statement piece. Kudos to the designer for executing this without restraint.

Though this fit is entirely flattering, it may not accommodate a bigger range of body types. Therefore, limiting its wearability. Also, a more African-inclusive design would have created room for more versatility, especially if African prints were added to certain parts of the look. For example, the shirt sleeves.
Overall, this is an excellent collection that reveals fine graphics, simple style and comfortable silhouette. The designer completely executed a street wear style that has a place in global and local fashion spaces.