By Rita Okoye
Creating a collection that does not only showcase the ingenuity of the designers but highlights in creativity their technical skill sets as become rare in the Nigeria fashion space.
This is not for the lack of ability, but because of the holistic attempt of certain designers to attempt to showcase skills beyond their competence.
The Bold Renaissance Collection is not just a masterpiece, but it is a creation that showcases the essence of technical specialization in the execution of ideas, skills, and product-phase development.
The collection which was unveiled by the duo of Aseniyi Oluwagbenga and Aseniyi Oluwafemi of D-Phemmys Couture bare evidence to the individual skills, with the former being a competent garment constructor and fabric manipulator, and the latter being a technologically advanced fashion illustrator and practical pattern drafter.
Oluwagbenga’s ability to tailor attires to showcase the identity of a people, fit a brief, and better an idea was evident.
His extra effort at choosing fabrics that rightly interprets the idea of his partner, Oluwafemi, who functioned as the fashion illustrator on the project is extra-ordinary.
This did not only create an avenue for cultural aesthetics and flair to come to the fore, but greatly improve Oluwafemi’s efforts at designing bold styles that change the narrative of fashion and dare fashion enthusiasts to tap into roots for style inspirations.
Oluwafemi’s illustrations were vivid, futuristic, and of clear-cut approach to how Oluwagbenga should navigate the garment construction process. Without a doubt, the duo’s showcase at the Goge Africa Fashion Festival is a testament to their diversified skills and team spirit.
The collection represents a groundbreaking fusion of tradition and innovation and showcases the transformative power of Adire fabrics in contemporary fashion for both men and women.
The collection offers various garments like shirts, trousers, blazers, kaftans, and jumpsuits. Notable pieces include a dress that pairs Adire fabric with plain modern materials, creating a visual interplay between tradition and innovation.
This piece and others in the collection demonstrate the creative vision and technical skill that the designers of this collection, Oluwagbenga and Oluwafemi, tapped into to redefine traditional textiles for an assorted audience.
The brothers explained that the rich heritage of the African textile industry inspired the collection. They wanted to be able to share a piece of those stories with the world, hence the collection’s name.
The jumpsuits were much loved by many participants and attendees at the Goge Fashion Africa Festival, with many fashion lovers asking to be on the waitlist for the brand to release a few more of the Jumpsuits.
The jumpsuits were made with such fine details, making the design a uniquely styled yet striking portrayal of the merger of traditional fabric and modern fashion.
The other clothing items can be paired with one another or even with pieces from different collections.
The trousers and blazers, for example, can be paired with a regular jean shirt or shorts while the wearer can still pull off whatever look they may have in mind.
Some of the Kaftans have a few embroidery designs, with the trousers having drawstrings and a cuffed (or uncuffed) option for the men to choose from.
The clothes in this collection are not bespoke, but the brand offers adjustments for a few interested buyers of their collection. The Bold Renaissance Collection is available in various colors: Brown, Gold, Powder Blue, Green, Pink, Burnt Orange, and Peach.
Overall, the “Bold Renaissance” collection is more than just a fashion collection; it celebrates heritage creativity and collaboration. We look forward to seeing more of the creatively innovative works of D-Phemmy’s Couture.