By Yemisi Suleiman

Lola Threads.
Does the name ring a bell?
Well, if it doesn’t, we are honoured to introduce you to one of the emerging fashion brands in Lagos, Nigeria, Lola Threads.

In 2019, Ayobami Ololade Ogunbiyi established Lola Threads, and what started as a small business has evolved into a popular fashion brand known for its unique pieces crafted to complement women of different sizes and colours.
Each outfit designed by Lola Threads makes a bold artistic statement that leaves onlookers engaged for a long while. Recently, the brand released its 2024 series titled ‘The Wow Collection’, and it has been the talk of the town for a while now.

In this blog post, we shall review each piece in this fashion line to see if the brand truly deserves the accolades it has received lately or if it is simply overhyped. Let’s move right into it, shall we?

Kindly take a long look at the first piece.
This piece is very striking. It is a two-piece that appears to have been designed for a sci-fi movie. Its structure is the unique feature of the top. The blouse is made from a poly-cotton fabric that is strong and suitable for rugged use, while the pair of trousers is crafted from a silk material. Both fabrics are quality materials that are easy to wash and maintain by the wearer.

The top’s structure resembles a protective shield worn by soldiers. Its design draws inspiration from outfits worn by army officials. The top has a band collar that complements the padded shoulders and gives it a formal look. However, the blouse has no sleeves. This could be perceived as a possible design flaw for conservative dressers. The fabric is extended slightly at the shoulders, and it forms a cape-like design that falls forward and backwards. The top’s design also incorporates a touch of modern fashion with its short length. The cropped structure adds a youthful vibe to this outfit.

The top’s bronze buttons connect the fabric, giving extra details. The model left some buttons undone, giving the top an edgy twist that may not appeal to everyone. The use of a pink zipper, however, offers a more balanced contrast, a secure fit, and a clean aesthetic. The light beige material is an excellent choice of fabric. It gives the wearer multiple styling options. Nonetheless, the addition of pink embroidery on the blouse would make this piece more engaging.

The pair of trousers is made from a bright pink material. The design is commonly called ‘cargo pants’, and it is a trending design. People love the style because it provides optimal comfort and has a sporty feel. Its high waistline highlights the wearer’s waist. It also secures the trousers from dropping during rigorous activities. The loose legs of cargo pants make the style famous. They provide maximum comfort for the wearer.

Four pockets feature on this pair of trousers, serving as storage space for the wearer. Around the hip area, a pink pocket is seated on the left side. And a light beige pocket is detailed on the opposite side. After the knee, the pockets are interchanged and positioned at both ends to create a colourful contrast. On the right side of the lower pocket, the pink fabric extends slightly to form a long, flowing rope that reaches the ground. Though this style would excel on a runway show, it is not practical for everyday use. The pink fabric would pick up dirt and could also cause the wearer to trip. Keeping the extension up to the length of the trousers is a much safer design to stick to.

On to the next piece.
Check out this pink gown. What catches your fancy first? The structure? The fabric? The colour?
Whatever choice you made must have been a good one, but the truth is that when it comes to fashion, there is more than meets the eye. While the structure appears simple at the upper bodice, it flows into another style below the hip region. This contrast in design flow is a deliberate fashion concept executed by the designer to create a unique piece. From the construction of the gown, it is obvious that this piece was made to complement women with slender figures and increased height. This may, however, be a turn-off to plus-sized or petite customers. A more balanced design would have been a better option for this piece to appeal to a broader audience.

Another engaging feature of this piece is the bright pink colour of the fabric used. It is a hue that easily grabs attention and is often associated with energy and confidence. A cream colour is also used slightly for an underlayer lining.

The colour palette is a friendly one that gives the wearer multiple styling options. While pink is a colour that often attracts feminine women, it may not appeal to minimalistic dressers because of its brightness. The silk fabric used is nothing short of phenomenal. It is tender on the skin and suitable for all kinds of weather conditions. The material is also slightly elastic. When it stretches, it hugs the wearer’s body beautifully.

The high neckline of this piece looks restrictive. It also limits the opportunity to style with certain accessories. A lower cut would have been a better option. It would also make the wearer feel more comfortable. The absence of sleeves in this style gives room for proper aeration and easy movement of the hands.

This dress serves as the perfect option for a summer dinner occasion. It has a slim fit from the upper bodice to the hip area. A cream zipper is used at the back. The colour of the zip syncs with the lining used under the inflated pleated layers at the bottom of this piece. However, a pink invisible zipper would have given the back a seamless finish.
The designer was able to effectively experiment with the fabric in a creative way that adds drama to the design. The inflated layers at the tail of this dress add to the gown’s volume. The little pleats in the layers give a ‘wow’ effect. Overall, the inflated layers are the most engaging feature of this piece.
Now, let’s review the final outfit.

What do we have here?
At a single glance, it is evident that the fabrics used are of high quality. The blouse is made from a luxurious silk material, which is commonly used for corporate clothes. It has a collar neck that evokes a formal look. It has a deep cut that stops dangerously between the bust, revealing the wearer’s skin tone. This design can be styled modestly with a tube. However, it may be a turn-off for women who don’t feel comfortable with inner clothes. A deep V-cut would be a much better neckline for this blouse.

The cropped length of the blouse has a fitted cuff at the upper waist region. This design complements women with pear-shaped figures. The long sleeves are loose, but they flow freely from the shoulders and are interrupted just before the elbow. Small pleats are formed at the seam, and the fabric is arranged according to the shirt cuff positioned at the wrist.

Although the design at the elbow is a creative style that adds structure to this piece, it doesn’t suit the skirt design. A straight cut from the shoulders to the wrist cuff would have been a much better design for an elegant overall look.

The wrap-style design of the skirt is made from a pink silk material that flows freely to the ankle. Tiny pleats are formed to form a slant design at the anterior and rear sides. This is the engaging feature of the skirt. The designer must have put extra thought into the design to come up with this cool fashion concept.

An invisible zip is used at the back to join the fabric together and give the skirt a secure fit. At the tail of the skirt, large pleats were also implemented.

The skirt has a balanced structure, but a knee-length design would have been an alternative to match the long-sleeve blouse. This piece is the best outfit in the ‘wow collection’, and it would be best marketed in an atelier or on an online platform.

The Wow Collection is amazing! The use of pink for various designs is very interesting. The first piece explored a complex structure that reflected the creativity of the designers at work in Lola Thread’s studio. The tailoring was also executed perfectly. The second outfit offered a different twist to the series. The design complexity of the top was the wow factor. And, of course, for the icon piece, everything was on point.

Ayobami has definitely made a statement in the fashion industry with this collection, one that reminds fashion enthusiasts and fellow designers of the purpose of making clothes. Beyond the aesthetics, structure, and colour scheme, fashion creatives must always put the wearer’s comfort in mind. And Lola Thread did just that in this collection.

Of course, there is still room for improvement for the brand.
Nonetheless, if Lola Threads remains consistent in producing exceptional pieces, they just might become a part of the top five international fashion brands in the next few years.