By Josephine Agbonkhese

When Wear Zoya first unveiled The Fave Dress in November 26, 2024, it was designed with a graduating student in mind, a young woman seeking a look that felt both unique and powerful, bridging style with the respectability of the professional world she was stepping into.

What began as a custom design quickly became something much bigger, a signature piece that has since traveled across six countries and established itself as Wear Zoya’s bestselling design to date.

 
At the heart of its story is not just CEO Maryam Haruna, but also the creative assistant and brand operations lead, Favour Akpan. Aptly named after her, The Fave Dress was Favour’s brainchild, a design that embodied her belief that women deserve to feel comfortable, confident, and bold in what they wear. “Favour brought a fresh perspective,” Maryam explains. “She envisioned a dress that stood out while still carrying the authority and elegance of corporate wear and that’s exactly what we achieved.”
 
The dress itself is a study in contrasts: bold but refined, dramatic yet wearable. The exaggerated hip detail, once a design risk, has become its most celebrated feature, accentuating the body’s form without overwhelming it. Balanced by a long-sleeved silhouette with carefully placed slits and buttons, the piece channels both power and subtlety. Customers consistently praise its ability to flatter every body type, proving that inclusivity can be just as stylish as it is empowering.

 
Fabric choice played a critical role in its success. Crafted in matte crepe for structure and lined with breathable cotton for comfort, The Fave Dress is made to last. Layers of interfacing ensure that its shape never falters, even after repeated wear. “Quality has always been our priority,” says Maryam. “I personally handle fabric sourcing because the right material determines not only how a piece looks but how it lives in a woman’s wardrobe.”

 
Another factor behind the dress’s popularity is its adaptability. Wear Zoya allows customers to select their preferred colors, giving women the freedom to personalize the piece. While bold jewel tones have found their place, black remains the favorite, offering timeless appeal and versatility. This flexibility has made The Fave Dress equally at home in boardrooms, at dinners, graduations, and milestone celebrations. It can be styled with statement accessories for maximum drama, or pared down to let the sculptural silhouette speak for itself.
 
What sets The Fave Dress apart, however, is the emotional response it evokes. For many women, slipping into the dress transforms posture and presence: shoulders back, chin lifted, confidence heightened. Reviews from customers worldwide often describe not just satisfaction with its design, but a sense of empowerment that lingers long after the event is over. As Maryam reflects, “That’s the greatest reward for me  knowing that something we created here resonates so deeply across borders.”
 
The dress’s success has also had an internal impact on Wear Zoya. For Favour, seeing her vision embraced so widely has been both affirming and inspiring, a reminder that fashion thrives when fresh voices are empowered to create. For Maryam, it underscores her brand’s mission, to redefine African contemporary fashion with pieces that merge craftsmanship, functionality, and identity.

 
With The Fave Dress, Wear Zoya has proven that a single piece can transcend trends and capture a global audience. It isn’t just a bestseller; it is a symbol of what the brand stands for: bold design, exceptional quality, and an unwavering belief that every woman deserves to feel powerful in her clothes.
 
As its popularity continues to grow, one thing is clear, The Fave Dress is more than a fashion item. It is a statement, a movement, and a promise that Wear Zoya will keep pushing the boundaries of what modern African fashion can be.