What does “Simplicity in Style’ really mean?
The popular quote from the French designer, Coco Chanel, answers it beautifully: “Simplicity is the keynote of all elegance.” For so long, simplicity has been mistaken for ordinary because society equates luxury clothing with going overboard.

But one truth remains clear: sometimes, pieces that command attention from the top to the bottom might not have to do too much. Simplicity is reflected in how a piece is thoughtfully designed and what it makes the wearer feel afterwards. It should elevate one’s confidence. Stevioni captures this in its 2023 collection.

Oyenike Lois Ogunlade, the lady behind the brand, wears many hats as both the founder and the creative director. Fashion, for her, is more than just putting garments together; Stevioni is a platform to express one simple idea: beautiful dresses should feel good as they look good.

The STV/23 collection is a celebration of modern femininity wrapped in rich simplicity. From the first to the last piece, Lois shows the world that less can be more.
Oyenike opens up the collection with a full-length dress. It is simple yet stylish in many ways.

Starting with the soft ivory hue. The choice makes the dress not appear too busy to the eye. This exactly gives it an edge over other pieces because it allows versatility for different occasions.

However, while the one-colour theme makes it easier to style to personal taste, adding a slightly bolder colour would add extra spice. Additionally, it would appeal to a wider audience.

Perhaps the greatest strength of the piece is its design structure. From the front view, the upper cut has a semi-structured fit on the model. Then, moving downward, it falls fully to the floor. The overflowing tail at the side gives the gown a regal look, balancing the tailored design of the top.

The piece has a high-end collar that looks like a half-turtleneck. From there, it extends to the straight, long sleeves. They wrap the arm nicely, adding to the structured look of the top.
The waistline carries a belt-like adornment that is cinched to one side. It holds the piece to the model’s shape. Then, on it is another embellishment, which is shaped like a flower fringe.The

The same design is placed on the right shoulder of the dress. These together give the gown a touch of soft glamour.

However, having the flowery decoration at both the shoulder and the waist might be a little busy for the eye. For a piece that is supposed to be simple, the designer might want to avoid that. Replacing one of them should be the goal to make the clean lines and silhouette stand out more.

At the back, the dress has a zipper closure. From afar, it is not visible. But this clearly shows the craftsmanship of the brand.
This is another full-length maxi dress just like the first one. But what makes it different is the choice of fabric.From

From the view, the material appears to be linen because it looks light and transparent. Then the fabric has a floral pattern with roses all over it. Conceptually, it is feminine, but it suggests a soft, resilient, confident look.

The piece features a high-collar neckline that frames the neck. Usually, a piece with a turtleneck collar leaves the wearer with a no-go-area policy, especially in hotter weather conditions, but it is not the case here. The dress is not selective, partly because of the choice of fabric and how it loosely frames the neck. It also offers comfort to the wearer.
But on the other hand, the choice of material might limit its wearability for colder seasons. It would not be the first choice.

The piece has long ‘bishop sleeves’, which are popularly known for their large design. It also has a button closure placed in front that is both functional and stylish.

The dress is an A-line form, making it flattering on the model. The waistline adds to this with the belt made of the same fabric. It is defined.
At the lower part, the skirt is in two tiers. The first tier ends with a zigzag trim around the edges before moving into the second tier.
However, while the piece does well in almost all its features, there are a few refinements that could still be made.The

The shades in the piece might feel slightly loud and might even be wrongly styled if one is not careful. So, to improve its versatility, having the piece come in different shades could cater to all kinds of needs.

With this puff-sleeve piece, there is no doubt that Oyenike and her team had one thing in mind: creating a dress that celebrates effortless femininity.

The piece’s beige hue reminds one of the earthly tones. It is warm, and the colour makes it easier to style for different occasions, especially in formal settings. But obviously, it draws inspiration from the theme of the collection.

The sleeves are three-quarter sleeves that create a puffy design and add a unique edge to what could have been an ‘it-is-okay’ feeling from onlookers.

The neckline is V-shaped. It dips down into a button-up front opening. But while it forms a V-slit, the cut is modest, making it acceptable in a formal setting. Then the bodice is designed with lace trim at the front.

At the waist, another captivating detail: the belt is placed. It is adjustable and allows the wearer to fit it to their desired comfort. But the position of the belt into two parts is not practical; putting it at the back or removing it entirely would be more appealing.

The skirt is in layers. But first, the design structure creates beautiful movement as the wearer walks. It also has a high-low hemline, which adds a creative and modern twist to the piece. And just like the bodice, lace trim details are scattered all over.

However, the tiered skirt is already a strong element; combining it with a belt might not be necessary. To improve this piece, there has to be a limit to the use of different elements. Also, there can still be a balance between these lace details placed at the front of the top and the skirt, even without reducing the impact.

Overall, the design structure of this piece is very expressive. It shows that Stevioni is not afraid to push boundaries. The craftsmanship is there, the vision is there, and the confidence is there.
The STV/23 collection contributes to the growing global conversation for more quiet and timeless pieces.

From a wider perspective, each outfit has the potential to compete on the international stage with top brands like Uniqlo and Zara, because the brand displayed balance in the use of embellishment and intricate cuts in creating timeless pieces.

Conclusively, the collection maintains its identity of simplicity for each piece. From the ivory dress, the floral-patterned gown, to the beige puff-sleeved gown, Oyenike Lois Ogunlade has consistently shown that “simplicity is the new language” for every woman.

The Stevioni fashion house is proving to be a bold brand that’s ready to break the creative norm in fashion. And indeed, they are on the right track.

By Dimeji Alara