By Josephine Agbonkhese
The private fashion event in Festac, Lagos, on March 8th, 2023, felt less like a runway unveiling and more like a gathering of memory and pride.
Chairs were arranged in soft rows, light spilled gently across the room, and there was a warmth that made it feel as though everyone had come to witness something personal. Into this setting, Sabdelice introduced the Heritage in Motion Collection, designed by Temitope Deborah Akintolure-Lawal, a collection that lived up to its name by showing how heritage moves through people, families, and generations.
The opening piece was striking. A boy walked into the space wearing a purple agbada that carried itself like royalty. The fabric had weight, but it moved gracefully as he stepped. Across the chest, a lion’s head appeared in golden embroidery, shining under the lights as though it had been carved into the garment.
Lions are more than animals in this context; they are guardians, symbols of courage and leadership. The borders of the agbada were detailed with repeating golden motifs, neat and precise, giving the garment rhythm. Seeing this attire on a young model made it powerful.
It suggested that strength and tradition are not only things of the past, but living gifts to be carried forward by the next generation.
The second look transformed the room with colour and joy. A woman appeared in Ankara, the fabric bursting with bright yellows and deep blues arranged in circular motifs that seemed almost alive. The dress stopped at the knees, cut in a way that emphasized her waist before flaring out with a peplum hem. It was playful yet strong.
Above it all sat a gele in shimmering gold, tall and sculptural, the kind that instantly commands attention. This was a look built for celebration. You could see it at a wedding, where the colours would match the music, the dancing, and the laughter. It was festive but never overwhelming, a perfect blend of tradition and modern energy.
The third design calmed the space again. A gown that reached the floor, patterned in purples, yellows, and navy, created an immediate sense of groundedness. The smocked bodice hugged the form gently, while the sleeves, tied with bows, softened the structure
. This dress was not about spectacle. It was about presence, the kind of quiet authority that needs no announcement. It felt maternal, the kind of garment that represents the women who anchor families, the women who carry strength in their steadiness rather than in show.
Finally, a men’s two piece in pale ivory yellow appeared. The tailoring was clean, relaxed, and elegant. The colour was subtle, but the fabric glowed faintly under the light, giving the outfit an understated richness. The detailing at the neckline and pocket offered a touch of character without stealing attention from the simplicity of the design. It was the most modern piece of the collection, proof that heritage can also find its voice in restraint and subtlety.
What made the Heritage in Motion Collection resonate was how human it felt. Each piece was more than clothing. The agbada spoke of lineage, the Ankara of celebration, the gown of resilience, the men’s set of quiet assurance. Together they formed a circle of life, a reminder that heritage is not a costume to be admired but a living rhythm we carry in our daily lives.
Temitope Deborah Akintolure-Lawal succeeded in showing that Sabdelice is not simply a fashion brand but a storyteller. In her work, culture does not sit on a pedestal. It breathes, it moves, and it continues to live.