Gist hub – The Good , the Bad and The Oh My …..at Lagos Fashion Week 2021 (Day 2 )

THE RISE AND FALL OF #LFDW2021 RUNWAY

After a one-year hiatus, Nigeria’s fashion pilgrimage, returned for its 10th edition. That’s a decade of fashion excellence!!! Attendees were treated to a potpourri of delightful African fashion by brilliant designers from different parts of the continent who showcased their Spring/Summer 2022 offerings at Lagos Fashion Week 2021. However, it didn’t go without some hiccups along the way *clears throat. *

I couldn’t help asking myself what the intention of the stylist(s) who had some of the models wear oversized and ill-fitting heels was. Was it to intentionally set tongues wagging by way of publicity stunt? Because I don’t want to believe the mission could have been to deliberately cause the poor girls needless embarrassment. More than one model tripped during their catwalk. They wobbled like they were walking on some damn stilts! A particular model fell face down…but the audience was the gracious kind: Some offered empathy, like Adebayo Oke-Lawal of Orange Culture who instinctively made to help a model up after she stumbled, while others cheered the embarrassed models as they fell and rose again.

Well, it wasn’t all about the falls, there were a good number of moments to treasure, some of which are highlighted below. Let’s begin, shall we?

THE HIGHLIGHTS:

The covid-19 pandemic ravaged the world last year and shrouded those who lost loved ones to the dreaded virus in gloom. Contemporary, size-inclusize menswear brand, ÀSSIÀN, paid a thoughtful homage to its former co-founder/accessory designer, Matiu Gordon, who sadly passed on a year ago after he lost the battle to Covid. The showcase opened with one of the videos from late Matiu’s inspirational series on Instagram titled, “UNPACKING THE BOX”, and also featured exotic, handcrafted leather bags from the deceased’s accessory label- NodRog Street Lagos.

ÀSSIÀN wasn’t the only designer who paid an emotional tribute to departed souls; another menswear brand, MAXIVIVE, honored the compatriots who were mindlessly killed during the peaceful #ENDSARS protest at Lekki toll gate on the 20th of October, 2020. A Maxivive model walked the runway in a jumpsuit made from a blood-stained Nigerian flag, cradling a small tote bag containing two plastic bottles of table water in his hand (an allusion to the regular fixture at the protest grounds where protesters camped and chanted solidarity choruses under the scorching sun everyday, come thirst or hunger). A saxophonist closed the presentation miming to the tune of our National anthem. Quite thought-provoking!

FASHION FOR CHANGE

Adara Foundation, an NGO with a mission to catalyze transformation in Women, Art and Education in Africa, presented a romantic collective in collaboration with three leading design houses, namely Odio Mimonet, Lady Maker and Bunmí. The collective was an extravagant celebration of femininity and the inimitable power of the woman. Each designer put their best foot forward: Odio Mimonet with their eclectic mix of exquisite frocks, Bunmí’s effortlessly elegant dresses, and Ladymaker’s decidedly African, but très chic garments. All in all, it was an ultra feminine display in each designer’s capsule collection which had at least one piece designed with custom “Adire” (African print), hand-painted by beneficiaries of Adara Foundation’s Women Empowerment initiative.

There was also a fourth brand in the line-up, The Nay way. The Nay Way dished out four vibrant summer looks with a tribal spin, using colorful “Adire” prints as their pallete.

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Day 2 officially opened with newcomers to Lagos Fashion Week’s runway showing their collections. One of the newcomers that stood out for me was Nïuku, a Mauritanian Fashion brand. The design duo gave a nod to gender-neutral fashion with their collection of tomboyish, yet ladylike pieces. Being a unisex collection, it also featured summery loungewear for men. This brand distinguished themselves with their innovativr use of hand-dyed “Adire” prints, the fusion of earthy and citrus tones and how they recreated original shapes from basic retro pieces. Their “Going Back To The Origins” collection really did take us back in time.

Next was AUSTRIAN LACE who took no prisoners. Boy! This brand made us nostalgic with the way they whipped vintage lace fabrics into such stunning numbers! The synergy between classics and modern nuances in their well-curated collection totally blew my socks off! Austrian Lace is sure deserving of spotlight.

Then there was Nairobi-based KIKO ROMEO, whose showcase had an unimpressive start but took us by surprise by climaxing amazingly! Their easy-breezy “Akili Ni Mali” collection made me wish I could instantly teleport to a scenic beach resort in summer 2022, surrounded by tourists clad in modish summerwear by KIKO ROMEO. The designer’s play with textures and vibrant colors was a sight for sore eyes…

OH, BRIDGET AWOSIKA…

Bridget Awosika is renowned for her clean lines, impeccable tailoring and sultry silhouettes and she didn’t derail from her signature for her latest collection showcased on the runway of Lagos Fashion Week 2021. However, that oomph factor characteristic of her collections was sadly missing. We have seen better delivery from the brand in the past and even though the collection was an overall beautiful rendition, it failed to gather any momentum worthy of note. It had an interesting take on androgynous fashion with some of the pieces, which were my personal favorites, but that was just it! Nothing extra.

Perhaps my expectations were too high, perhaps it was the poor choice of music which watered down her presentation or the underwhelming presentation itself- whatever it was, I just wish the showcase enjoyed a slicker execution. It might have made a difference.

UGO MONYE UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT!

In my books, Ugo Monye had the most cohesive collection of the night. He came prepared to render heads bald and did he snatch edges? He is one of Nigeria’s most intentional designers, his interpretation of themes is almost always second to none. I love how he took us on a journey of adventure through fashion storytelling about the grandeur of African royalty. From the flamboyant structures of his Agbada-inspired cloaks to the omnipresence of pastel colors, every ensemble was a hit! Worthy of mention are also the intricate bead embroidery, dungarees detailing and tastefully done accessorising!

Day 2 has whetted our appetite, will the grand finale satisfy our hunger? We can only wait to see.