By Rita Okoye
The global fashion scene is brimming with the vibrant energy that’s been infused by African innovation and craftsmanship.
African designers are carving out a unique space, creating pieces that make them worthy of being counted as some of the major players in the wider fashion world.
Simiteds, a Nigerian fashion brand, is a trendsetter at the forefront of this movement. Their garments, brought to life by the collaboration of visionary minds — head designer, Alexander Adewale and creative designer Opeoluwa Ajimoti —are not just stylish; they are the new standard for elite craftsmanship in a fiercely competitive space that allows only the best to leave their mark on its surface.
Simiteds set up a runway and pop-up show to commemorate the release of their SS23 and SS24 collections. Their event, held at Transcorp Hilton. served as a perfect opportunity for fashion lovers to feast their eyes on the pieces as the models strutted their stuff all over the runway with elegance and finesse. Abuja is slowly growing into one of the main hubs for fashion within Nigeria and there was evident in the event’s wonderful turnout. The runway show was also strategically set up for brand awareness to welcome newcomers who were previously unfamiliar with the brilliance of Simiteds.
As the models made their way to the runway, there was a level of keen excitement that gripped the audience. The SS23 and SS24 collections housed a number of wonderful pieces, including the Egungun SS24 which made its debut earlier this year. Each piece was characterised by the use of indigenous fabrics in tandem with Western-style tailoring, as corporate-casual outfits were the main theme of the event at Transcorp Hilton. The infusion of Yoruba culture in the collections is essential to Simiteds’ positioning as one of the most innovative fashion brands out of the continent. In addition to the Egungun collection, other pieces came in the form of suits, dresses and denim wears which all included indigenous Nigerian fabric in its tailoring.
The reception of the runway show was amazing. Fashion lovers from all over the country were left awe-struck by the inventive pieces crafted by the visionary designers Alexander Adewale and Opeoluwa Ajimoti. These clothes changed the perspective of what fashion could be like for Africans, by Africans. Parts of the audience were particularly impressed by how the batik and adire fabrics were blended with denim to create fun, stylish outfits.
The success of the runway showcase owed to the collaborative efforts of the designers. The ingenuity on show is a testament to the visionary perspectives and execution of Alexander Adewale and Opeoluwa Ajimoti. As the head designer, Alexander orchestrates the collection’s narrative, defining the core themes and guiding principles that set the blueprint for the concepts of the capsules. His keen eye for detail ensures each piece embodies the brand’s signature tailoring standards and expertise. Alongside him, Ajimoti plays this crucial role. Their inventive collaboration throughout the production process breathes life into the initial concepts, translating them into the stunning end-product of the clothes and the show.
Ajimoti’s dedication to her craft leads her to be hands-on in the production process of her collections. Her process of bringing the collections to life involves sourcing the finest adire, batik and indigenous fabrics that match the global standard of tailoring and style. The brand’s design direction is greatly influenced and crafted by Ajimoti’s desire to appeal to an avant-garde sense of style, making her an important figure in the design process along with her team. The perception of the pieces in a runway show are in no small part influenced by the model choices. Models for Simiteds typically depict the boisterousness associated with the brand and the creative designer is involved in ensuring this.
From casting to fittings, the runway show turned out to be a massive success due to the meticulous planning of Opeoluwa Ajimoti and her team. The models selected did well to portray the true excellence associated with the Simiteds brand. Through the event, the guests were also treated to a world standard runway experience which will surely leave an impression on all who attended.
Transcorp Hilton, Abuja played host to one of the most significant runway shows of the year thus far. The creativity on show was a measure of the intentionality that Simiteds applied to their craft.