By Yemisi Suleiman

The much anticipated Fashions Finest (FFA) ‘23 Epic Show, finally arrived, with guests, fashion editors, buyers and other industry players taking their seats in excitement. The night was one of sparkles, colours and beauty under an eclectic atmosphere, as young and emerging designers showed their creative prowess with innovative designs on the runway. However, one of the designers that stood out for me, was the Lipstick by Seun brand. And this is my analysis about their runway collection.

Lipstick by Seun’s appearance on the Fashions Finest (FFA) ‘23 Epic runway show unveiling her “Tribal Waves” collection, was a vibrant ode to African heritage. As a fashion professional, I am excited to dive into the designer’s world of bold prints and statement pieces.
Theme: The collection’s theme was well-executed, with a clear interpretation of the concept to design. The lead designer explained that she was inspired by waves and there were structural elements and features on the pieces which resembled waves. However, at times, I felt some of them were a bit too literal and they could have been a bit more abstract. Not exactly a bad thing but it was my observation.

Fabrics and Colours:
The use of bold colours in trend, African prints and their incorporation of sustainable fabrics, is a highlight of the collection for me. This brand seems to be introducing a very important concept in fashion. The concepts of sustainability in fashion. Not quite there yet, but I always applaud any designer I discover puts some effort into incorporating sustainable methods. The feature that really caught my attention, was the use of recycled Aso-oke fabrics to create tassels on many of the pieces of the collection. That was a standout for me amongst the use of Adire, rich Mikado and lace fabrics. Also, the lace insets to reflect the movement of waves, gave the collection a unique and refreshing look.

I liked that, Colours in trend were used; Magenta, black, beige. The only confusion I had was with the choice of colour of the last piece. It was a remarkable dress but I felt the beige colour did not really fit into the visual flow of the collection on the runway. However, I understand that the grand finale has to be a standout piece.

Silhouettes: The silhouettes were generally flattering, with a mix of structured separates and wavy patterns. I was happy with the frames because most of the silhouettes would suit different types of women’s figures. There were Aline forms, full skirts, peplum-aided pants. It was a good selection of silhouettes in this collection. However, i think they were trying to play a little safe.

Details: The attention to detail is commendable, with intricate insertions of laces and tassels, adding a touch of originality and luxury to each piece.

Some standout pieces for me include:

• The 2pc outfit, with its stunning neckline and its flowing skirt silhouette.
• The pants, with bold lace insets and the ankara piece with flattering peplum silhouette.
  Areas for improvement:
• Editing down the collection to focus on the strongest cohesive pieces.
• Experimenting with more luxe and sustainable fabrics to elevate the overall feel of the collection.
• Explore a wider variation of silhouettes.

Verdict: “Tribal Waves” is a collection that showcases the brand’s ability to create original statement pieces. I love the use of sustainable and African fabrics for eg, where Asooke was used to accessorize the pieces. The collection is sure to resonate with customers looking to make a fashion statement. With some refinement, I see the Lipstick by Seun brand being a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world.