By Yemisi Suleiman
Did you know that fashion trends change as fast as lightning moves?
Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. It doesn’t change that fast, but it shifts quickly.
However, the truth is, what is trending today in fashion may be out of season the following week.
Today, Louis Vuitton’s double-zip handbag may be the talk of the town, and even the lower-class admirers would chit-chat non-stop about the design. It would shock you at how quickly Gucci’s Marmont Chain shoulder bag can overshadow it.
Just like bag trends fluctuate often, in the same manner, clothing designs evolve quickly, especially women’s wear. Throughout history, we see how many designers, including African tailors endlessly invented styles that elevate the silhouette. They have successfully challenged the global fashion scheme by crafting designs that promote both culture and creativity.
In the past few years, Kayode Mathew Fasami has joined this set of designers who have dared to challenge fashion trends.
He founded his clothing brand, Fasami, in 2020. Fasami is now popularly known for its designs that blend both traditional and modern designs. Kayode’s garments are handmade, and sustainable practices are used in the production processes of each piece. In today’s blog post, we will be reviewing Fasami’s 2025 collection. Perhaps through these designs, we can unveil what clothing styles are in vogue.
Let’s analyse every detail of each piece.
Starting with the first outfit, we can see that this gown draws its inspiration from traditional designs. Kayode outdid himself with this dress. The fabric looks luxurious, the kind of material to be worn by sophisticated women who love minimalistic textiles. The textile designer was creative in using pink dots and flower patterns to create a unique design on an off-white background. The colour palette is a mix of two colours, pink and cream. Pink is known to be a feminine colour. Using this colour makes the dress appealing to a wider audience because almost every woman would be drawn to it. The colour also creates room for styling with bold accessories. Pearls or gold jewellery would be a perfect match.
The motif pattern flows freely, from the tiny circles to the bold floral pattern; this design is a natural display of the artistic minds working at Fasami’s studio. The fabric is soft on the skin, the perfect textile for all weather conditions. The motif pattern would help hide mild stains, keeping the wearer always looking elegant, or as is commonly said, ‘maintain steeze.’ The fabric on its own tells a story and reminds onlookers of the beauty of nature.
Though this dress is a strapless gown. However, the designer crafted its design to cover the wearer’s chest in a graceful style. A double stitch is done at the upper bust area, positioning the fabric tightly to the model’s bodice. This style helps the material flow upwards in a fan-like style with a few large pleats, acting as a shield and covering the shoulders. This unique design elongates the model’s neck and highlights the face. A choker necklace would best fit this design.
At the rear view, an off-white zip holds the fabric together. This makes the dress hug the wearer’s silhouette firmly. Also, the sleeveless cut flaunts the wearer’s skin. It makes this dress suitable for dinner occasions and can be styled with a shawl for modest dressers without ruining its shine.
The low cut at the back also creates room for the wearer to rock a long hairstyle without overpowering the dress. The fabric flows from the right side to the left and is joined asymmetrically to form large vertical pleats.
At the left side of the dress, the length stops a little below the knees. On the right, it ends exactly at the knees. This uneven length of the piece is another engaging feature of the dress. The tailoring is flawless, and it reflects the expertise of the artisans working at Fasami’s studio.
A simple waist belt with a hue within the colour palette would have elevated this design. Also, the use of a contrasting fabric for the pleat design would have created a dramatic design, serving as the engagement feature. Still, it is a unique piece that should be displayed in high-end boutiques or on a runway stage.
This second outfit is a classical piece inspired by historical women’s wear commonly worn for formal occasions. This design is common among English-speaking women who embrace modest dresses as their preferred style. The fabric is the first wow factor of this dress. It is a double-faced textile that is revealed at the sleeves. The outer side of the fabric is cream coloured. It is a very sensitive shade that can pick up stains easily and may not appeal to conservative dressers, but it is surely a lovely colour.
The top has a round neck that stiffens the flow. A lower cut would have been a better option for this design. The use of a keyhole neckline for extra detailing or a U-neck cut for free movement would complement the skirt more. The shoulders are straight, and the material flows freely, stopping at the hip region of the wearer. An invisible zip joins the fabric together at the back. A belt is crafted from the fabric and used to form a bow at the underbust region. This style highlights the wearer’s bust and waistline. The material was cut to form butterfly sleeves that serve as the engaging feature of the blouse. They reveal the other side of the fabric, showcasing a different shade of colour. This design also provides free movement of the hands and allows proper air circulation.
The skirt has two side pockets that can help keep the wearer’s items or can serve as a safe space for the hands. The fabric forms a free flared skirt that hides the wearer’s lower body shape. This design is the best choice for modest dressers or women who want to add volume to their hip size. It also provides warmth and covering for the legs during cold seasons. This piece is both fashionable and comfortable. It suits all body sizes and skin types. The shirt and skirt can be styled separately. The blouse can be worn alone with trousers or a skirt, and the skirt can be paired with any plain top.
Now, let’s review the last outfit.
Leaving the conventional designs, Kayode took a deep dive into modern-day designs. The captivating feature of this piece is the slit. Like the newer generation often says, it is giving everything it should be giving. Slits were used initially to provide ease of movement, but over the past few years, they have evolved into a design used to add drama. These cuts are positioned in places that flaunt the wearer’s skin. It is done to engage admirers and boost the wearer’s confidence. In this piece, the slit starts mid-thigh on the left anterior region.
From the rear view, onlookers would be stunned by the simple blue gown that is joined together by an invisible blue zip. The fabric hugs the wearer’s body, subtly revealing her body size. At the joining of the sleeves to the body of the gown, the mouth looks a bit exaggerated. A firmer cut would create a romantic appeal that is more presentable. A few pleats form from the waist downwards as the gown kisses the ground. The long sleeves create a balance to the style, complementing the length of the gown. At the left shoulder of the gown, bronze buttons are placed vertically, forming a unique design that highlights the sleeves. Similarly, bronze buttons adorn the left side of the gown, running from the waist to the start of the slit.
The round neck of the gown gives this piece a corporate look. The fabric flows freely to form a distinct cut on a separate layer from the gown itself. This design elevates the gown, adding a royal aesthetic to the upper bodice of the gown.
Overall, the dress is phenomenal and is best styled with strapped heels and bold accessories. It would be effectively marketed in a boutique if modelled by a mannequin.
Truly, this collection’s strengths explore creative experimentation with luxury fabrics and a clear attempt to reignite traditional styles with a hint of modern designs.
Each piece defines what quiet sophistication looks like. They reflect Kayode and the team’s innovative concept to push beyond the norms by revisiting historical designs.
However, the areas that need improvement have been highlighted above and should be taken note of. Also, these pieces don’t look like everyday wear. They are outfits that are worn for special events and don’t achieve the brand’s vision of creating functional pieces.
Nonetheless, this collection is a success. From the choice of materials used to the design of the outfits crafted, to the cutting and the sewing, every step of production was executed excellently. Kudos to the team and the man who leads the pack. We can’t wait for Fasami’s next collection.