By Yemisi Suleiman

Fashion is one craft that connects people and gives room for self-expression. For Lola Threads, fashion is a way to lift women and celebrate where they come from. Since 2019, the Lagos-born brand has stayed true to this vision, crafting dresses that are classic and confident.

Now, with its 2024 collection, Lola Threads shows up with another beautiful piece of clothing that creates space for every woman to be seen.The moment you set your eyes on this dress, the colour immediately drags your attention.

The dress is made of a bright pink shade that is bold, eye-catching, and playful. The design speaks the language of confidence and elegance, and it’s definitely not for low-class profiles.

The choice of colours for this dress is beautiful, with excellent craftsmanship enhancing the overall look. The upper part is sleeveless and high-necked. It is clean and well-structured. Something interesting about how simple the top is, is that this allows the focus to be on the dramatic lower part of the dress.

From the waist down, the dress transforms into something much more dramatic and playful. The detail is the puffed extension that starts just above the knees. This gathered, or balloon-like feature, brings more creativity to what would have been a very simple column gown.

It brings contrast to the flat surface of the top. The finish here shows that good work has been done to bring this material to life. The length of the dress is just right, and it fits the wearer properly. It reaches the floor but doesn’t swallow the user. The width, especially in the flared part, gives room for easy movement and adds little drama to it without any exaggeration.

The dress fits the model well. It shows her slim frame, thanks to the fitted bodice and the flared bottom. The proportion between the top and the bottom half feels well calculated. The clean neck and sleeveless cut allow the wearer’s shoulders and arms to be shown off subtly, which brings some balance to the hem instead of leaving it heavy. Now, while the design catches attention, there’s still room for improvement. The balloon ruffle is dramatic, but it borders on being bulky. For a woman with a fuller body, that much effect around the legs could be uncomfortable.

The round puff might also limit easy movement for the wearer, especially for an event where walking or sitting is expected. It would have worked better if the gathers had been more structured or tied at one pace. Reducing just a bit and adding layered ruffles might help tone it down while still maintaining the drama.

The fabric choice, while likely selected for structure, could be a bit heavy for some climates or events. A lighter fabric like organza or taffeta in the lower part could still hold shape while giving more air and flexibility. The dress currently looks like it might be slightly stiff, and for extended wear, comfort is key.

Also, the design is heavily dependent on the wearer’s body type. It flatters tall, slim figures but may not offer the same grace for shorter or curvier body types. A possible suggestion would be to offer the design in slightly adjusted proportions for different silhouettes. Maybe the puff could start a bit lower for shorter women or the bodice could have shaping seams or darts for added flexibility in fit. Another thing to consider is that the dress is loud, but does it offer versatility? This is a dress meant strictly for occasions. It’s hard to imagine it being worn to more than one or two types of events.

Designers could consider creating a toned-down version of this, perhaps as a simple dress with the same puff detail at the hem but with less fabric.

That would make the dress more wearable for different occasions. The designer deserves credit for pushing boundaries and uniquely exploring volume. This is a clear work of art here—a fusion of simplicity and dramatic bottom. It’s not an easy balance to pull off. But there’s always room to make designs more inclusive, comfortable, and adaptable for different users. Because, after all, what’s fashion if it is not versatile? There’s no doubt that this second outfit is a stand-out one because it’s bold and strong.

The first thing you notice is the short beige top. It looks sharp and structured, with big, wide shoulders that make the wearer look powerful, like a superhero or someone from the future. The beige colour is calm and simple, which is a smart choice because it makes the bright pink trousers also shine on their own. The top looks like it’s made from a stiff material, maybe something thick, and that’s what helps keep its shape. It also has a high neck and buttons down the front, which makes the dress feel simple and well-tailoured.

Let’s talk about the pink trousers that bring the fun to the dress. The colour is bright and eye-catching, and they fit nicely around the waist and hips but get loose as they go down to the feet. The length is well designed—long enough to touch the shoes without dragging on the floor.

There are also pockets and little hanging straps on the sides, which give the trousers a street vibe. It feels young and modern, like something you’d wear to shine in a crowd. The dress looks great on the wearer’s body. Even though the top is wide, it doesn’t swallow her up.

The trousers make her legs look long and stylish, and there’s a good mix of strong shapes between the top and the trousers. Let’s look at some of the adjustments that are needed to improve the quality of this dress. The big shoulders on the top, for example, are fun and dramatic, but they fly too much for regular events.

They could even make someone with a small body feel like the outfit is wearing them instead of the other way around. Making the shoulders a bit smaller would still look cool. Also, the fabric of the top seems very stiff. That’s great for keeping its shape, but it might not be comfortable, especially if you’re wearing it for hours. It could feel tight or hot.

To make this better, the designer could mix soft and strong fabrics that would make it easier and wearable for a long duration. There’s also a bit of a clash between the beige top and the pink trousers.

On their own, they’re both nice, but together, the switch between colours was too sudden. Maybe adding something small that connects both colours, like a matching belt, would help the whole outfit feel more put together.Still, it’s clear the designer is talented, and they’re not afraid to try new shapes and mix different styles, which is commendable.

But fashion looks better when it is bold and wearable at the same time.Because you don’t have to give up comfort to look amazing. You can have both!The final outfit from this collection comes with a touch of modern look and femininity.

It’s graceful but not without its sense of drama. Unlike the previous designs, this is more wearable, and it still holds its ground. The ivory-white blouse is soft and romantic. The sleeves are billowed, and they look like balloons that add luxury to the dress.

The V-neck cut draws attention to the neckline, while the broad waistband holds the top beautifully at the torso. This design gives the wearer a defined silhouette. The dress is seductive in the way the blouse dips and curves without feeling too revealing. It strikes a good balance between boldness and modesty. The cropped cut stops above the high-waist skirt, creating a flattering line at the midsection.

The skirt is a beautiful piece on its own. The fuchsia satin is bold, vibrant, and glamorous in the eyes. What truly defines this skirt is the dramatic ruffle detail placed diagonally from the waist to the hem. The placement of the ruffles adds movement without overwhelming the shape.

It also draws the eyes vertically, which elongates the figure.Although this outfit is glamorous, there are a few points that could be improved.

Firstly, the balloon sleeves are beautiful and are significant to the upper body. For someone with broader shoulders or a full bust, this might create an unbalanced art. Perhaps slimming the sleeves a little could provide a more versatile fit for various body types.The top and the skirt are stunning on their own, but they feel slightly disconnected.

The blouse’s vintage softness clashes a bit with the ultra-modern satin skirt. There could be a better way to harmonise this if there was a shared element. Lastly, while the wearer carries the look effortlessly in heels, the length of the skirt might be tricky for others.

It sweeps just above the ankle, which is graceful but can be unforgiving if not tailored well. A petite woman, for instance, might find it too long and lose the ruffle’s drama in the excess length.Overall, the 2024 Lola collection comes with dresses filled with a strong, elegant look. It celebrates the beautiful nature of women without being predictable.

It has expressive, bold, and stylish dresses. The use of colour is spot on, the cutting is done well, and the overall feel is that of someone who knows exactly what she wants to say with her outfit.