By Yemisi Suleiman

The “Back to Basics” collection from ADUWA ran by creative director Ugochi Aduwa infuses prints into classic silhouettes offering a fresh, modern and cultural expression making it easy for customers to integrate African prints into their daily wardrobes in a distinctive yet subtle way.

The collection focuses on versatile, everyday wear—offering key basics like simple tops, skirts, pants, and dresses—each adorned with vibrant Akara print. A closer inspection of this collection highlights challenges and areas to brush up on.

While the prints are beautiful, the designs could be more varied. For example, the collection could benefit from varying the scale or placement of the prints to add more variety and avoid a sense of monotony. Although the collection embraces minimalist essentials, some of the styles feel a bit too basic. The addition of slightly more daring cuts, asymmetry, or fashion-forward details could enhance the overall appeal without straying too far from the “basic” concept.

When it comes to wearability and durability, some of the prints can feel a bit heavy or stiff, which may impact the overall comfort of the garments. A careful balance between aesthetic appeal and fabric softness would improve the overall wearability of the collection.

The garments from this collection are generally well-tailored, ranging from sizes XS to L with simple, clean flattering tailor cuts. However, expanding the sizing range to include XL, 1X, 2X, and possibly 3X would make the collection more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience for example, offering pieces with more stretch, elastic waistbands, or adjustable straps could make the garments more inclusive and comfortable for a variety of body types.

Concerning sustainability, providing more transparency about sourcing, fabric production, and ethical practices would resonate well with customers who are focused on sustainability.

Overall, ADUWA’s “Back to Basics” collection is a well-crafted, accessible fusion of African prints and modern stylish minimalist design. Going foward, Ugochi could benefit from addressing size inclusivity, design variety and sustainability efforts.