By now we have all properly digested the Lagos Fashion Week A/W18 Presentations. As usual, our eyes were glued to the stage for the latest trends and looks we can expect to come. This season, they were a lot of head – turning pieces with a few designers stepping out of their usual aesthetics.
From boxy jackets to flirty skirts, the BellaNaija Style team weighs in on our must-have A/W18 pieces from Lagos Fashion Week.
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Onalaja is easily one of my favourite emerging designers – primarily because she means business – literally AND design-wise, fresh off her showing at TRANOÏ Paris, the talented Kanyinsola showed clean sculptural silhouettes with feathered and fringed flourishes in a pared back, all black palette. I particularly love how she played with different textures to show how multi-dimensional black can be. The gossamer- thin tulle, and chiffon directly juxtaposing aso-oke and patent leather made a pretty powerful statement. Fingers crossed, we’ll see this collection for sale internationally if the brand returns to Moda Operandi this season.
RÉ collections are often characterised by intricately crafted textiles, rendered unpretentiously. A formula that has worked successfully season after season. This collection was a bit different and I relished it. Whilst she kept the playful, almost psychedelic color palette which is a prime part of the youthful energy Re is known for- she experimented more with challenging colour combinations and kept the fabrication deceptively simple. Some of my personal highlights include lavender fringed culottes paired with a candy-hued boxy, cropped jacket, a romantic, cold-shoulder shirt dress with fringing and a silver grey and cobalt blue shift dress with wavy bias detailing. This collection was a dynamic combination of elements- versatile, extremely fashionable but infinitely wearable.
I have been all about Kenneth Ize (and every season really). Where to start? I mean, first off there’s the genius way he plays with prints and colours and then the way he crafts African fabrics to contemporary designs. But beyond all that external hype, Kenneth Ize knows great tailoring. This acutely sculpted blazer is one of those pieces that you throw on any outfit and it makes it magic. P.S: I already have some styling ideas.
Onalaja really rustled my feathers. I’m a huge fan of all young designers with eclectic creations but she blew me away with the jumpsuits, dresses, and skirt and blouse sets that had exquisitely tailored silhouettes with the evocative drama of combining various black textures. To be honest, there isn’t one piece I want, I’m coveting the whole AW/18 collection – a fashion girl can never have too many black outfits, right?
I get absolutely excited when a creative mind can take something that would otherwise be seen as boring or regular, and turn it into something different with a new angle and a fresh take on it. That is what Kanyinsola did for me with the colour black. She reminded us why fashion girls have a love affair with the dark hue and just why it will forever be in style. Similar to my colleagues, it’s hard to pick a fave but before I do, I’d just like you to note that I’m a fan of the extras – beading, fringe, texture, appliqué, all of it – and Onalaja came through for di gyal!
That being said, this jacket with feathers along the edges is something I’m excited about.
As for Ré, colours and stripes are right up my alley and I’d wear this rainbow doll dress in a heartbeat. Another look I loved which looks a little similar, is the rainbow pencil skirt and a bright yellow top. Want, want, want!
I like Emmy Kasbit‘s use of stripes and colour. I really love this red print as well.
This blush look by Sisiano was also quite delish. I can totally wear it altogether and as separates.
Last but certainly not least because I’m just too greedy, Style Temple. Excuse me, just give me the whole collection in my size (or just a crumb) and we’ll be BFFs. Lol. I really like the last four red and white looks, especially because of the lace.
