By Josephine Agbonkhese
Have you ever felt that your wardrobe tells a story about who you are and where you come from? Let’s imagine a collection that celebrates your cultural heritage and gives us the wings to soar into the contemporary fashion world. The collection designed by the co-owners Ibiloye Samuel Tunde and Olayiwola Gamaliel Fasuyi of the fashion brand Modamuse Collective have brought this vision into reality with what they introduced as the “Roots and Wings” Collection. This collection is a heartfelt homage to the Nigerian cultural heritage for those who cherish their culture while embracing the future with open arms. Unlike usual, Tunde and Fasuyi has created pieces that are not only beautiful but deeply meaningful to suit the contemporary sensibilities of modern men and women
The duo merged their outstanding range of skills and creativity in fabric selection and garment construction. Their shared passion and vision for the collection allows harmonious blend of ideas and styles. Tunde’s contribution as a competent fabric manipulator and garment constructor played a pivotal role in the hands-on design and construction of each garment. His deep understanding of fabric and design were evident in his innovative use of traditional materials into creating striking fashion pieces.
Tunde’s skills were adequately compensated by his partner Fasuyi who is an innovative technical pattern draper. His expertise in pattern draping and sewing was central to transforming these fabrics into stunning garments. His extensive range of technical skills allowed him to create intricate patterns ensuring each piece was flawlessly crafted. The duos collectively ensured that the garments and accessories complemented each other ensuring the collection was not only fashionable but versatile and functional for every day wear.
Each garment in the collection tells a story, making it a must-have for anyone who values the fusion of history and modernity in their wardrobe. The Roots and Wings collection is made with Ankara, Adire, vintage, and plain cotton fabrics. The collection includes dresses like zip-up jackets, three-piece suits, senator wear, shirts, trousers, or pants that reflect current fashion trends while maintaining a connection to our cultural roots. The collection also has a stunning Ankara jacket that combined different colors like red, blue, yellow, and black with intricate designs. This jacket was paired with simple, plain black trousers, allowing the jacket to be the focal point. This makes it equally versatile for anyone who wishes to style their jacket with any other pants or trousers of their choice.
The collection has quite some zip-up jackets and shorts made from the traditional Yoruba textile, Adire fabric, sewn into street-style fashion. The jackets in the collection are sewn in a style that men and women can explore both in the dry (summer) and wet (winter) seasons of the year, highlighting the versatility and timeless appeal of Adire fabrics. Equally captivating was a three-piece suit that mixes bold animal prints in turquoise and red and is sewn with Ankara fabric, which can be worn to formal events. It was a daring look as the model strutted down the runway, captivating the attention of all attendees. This suit was not just a fashion statement; it was a declaration of Tunde’s creativity and technical skills.
Some of the Adire fabrics are also sewn into short-sleeved shirts paired with loose-fitting complementary pants. Other shirts in the collection are buttoned down with V-neck collars, usually worn as regular shirts for casual outings. One interesting thing about the accessories worn to complement these outfits was a bucket hat and modern footwear, which added a street-style twist, creating a versatile and stylish ensemble for our everyday wear. Some shirts and pants are also sewn with vintage fabrics, in which the shirts are fused with modern plain cotton materials at the neck and arm regions, usually fit to wear to the lounge, beach, or other casual occasions as may be desired by the wearer.
Tunde and Fasuyi have shown us their creative skills in pattern draping, sewing, and design as they uses this collection as a powerful reminder of the beauty that emerges when we honor our cultural roots while reaching for the skies. By this approach, we can say that together Tunde and Fasuyi have created pieces that aim to create a dialogue between tradition and modernity, showing that they can co-exist harmoniously. The collection was well received at the launch by the audience at the Fashions Finest Africa Epic Show held on May 31 and June 1, 2024. The audience’s enthusiastic applause and heartfelt appreciation were a testament to their profound vision and creativity, making the collection a standout success and a source of inspiration for other fashion enthusiasts and experts in the industry.