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By Seun Emmanuel
If you jumped on the train of scrolling through social feeds and just so happened to alight at our very own fashion bus station, then fashion lovers, we welcome you with great delight.
Here, we will be bringing life to your screen, a clothing brand that has been making a tremendous impact in the fashion industry, Qadir & Co.
Where do we begin? Don’t worry, we will start somewhere.
Qadir & Co. is a clothing brand whose mission is to make exceptional dresses that don’t just stand out but also tell a story. The brand is a platform for investigation through clothing, a place where expression is found and questions are answered just through garments. Qadir & Co. is also dedicated to designing luxurious wear that carries ancestral significance, with a focus on creating eco-friendly pieces.
With care for the environment falling to nothing, the brand collaborates with expert artisans who share in their vision. Some of the exquisite methods Qadir & Co. has employed in sticking to their mission of creating exceptional dresses and striving to stand among top stars in the field, like Craig Green, include: natural cottons, handwoven fabrics, recycled threads, and sculpted seams.
This exceptional brand was established in 2019 by a talented Cloth designer, Abdul-Qadir A. Abdul-Razaq. Aside from just making dresses, he is passionate about using fabric to elevate status and class. His love for fashion began with a spark of curiosity, which led him to achieve several milestones, including gaining expertise in cloth-making and creating sensational collections and custom pieces.
Moving into the talk of the day…
The collection begins with a maxi gown. The dress is made from a patterned cotton blend brushed with three primary colours, blue, yellow, and white. The tilted squares and zigzag patterns on the fabric create a cheerful motif that brightens up the entire look of the fit.
Starting at the top of the piece, there is the presence of a V-neck line, which heightens the slenderness of the neck. This feature then leads to the short sleeves of the dress. Different from all others of its kind, the sleeve comes with a ruche. This was achieved with the insertion of ropes that, when pushed, create a ripple effect on both sides of the sleeve and give a slight puff to the front view of the dress. What is even more interesting is that the same features found in this part are replicated at the back of the dress, with the back zipper being the only differentiation.
Unlike many gowns that flow straight to the dated length, this particular one had an infusion of what looks like a sewn-in belt made from the same fabric. It is about 5-7 inches of fabric tightened around the upper abdomen, making the dress look like it has a corset. Jumping down from the belt is the rest of the dress, flowing like rivers of water. This was achieved by creating tiny gathers around the waistline, which added volume to the outfit.
Flowing gowns are always beautiful, and this piece is no different. But a few touches could make it even better. For instance, the sewn-in belt can be given a slight curve at the bottom to create a Basque waistline, which accentuates the hipline. Also, a slight reduction in the length of the dress would be helpful for movement. This is not saying to make it any less of a maxi dress, but rather, just giving room for a better flow of steps.
Remember the Nollywood movies always starring ‘queen mothers’? The authority oozing from these pieces takes us back into the memory lane of regal looks. The piece embodies firm authority and commands attention. It is equally a maxi gown made from a roller print that much resembles the Dashiki fabric.
This outfit begins with a turtle or high-neck light, creating a sophisticated look for the wearer. It then drops down to the double featured sleeve. We call it a double featured sleeve because, like the first in the collection, it has a ruched addition that, when pushed, creates a ripple wave on the shoulder line and at the front of the dress. However, what we didn’t mention is that by doing so, wearers have the liberty of reducing the length of the sleeve, making it look almost armless or short-sleeved.
The rolls of waves at the upper part of the bodice are tucked into the lower part of the dress with a seam stitch, introducing an entirely different look on the bottom. While the top of the piece carries a lot of volume and puff, the bottom takes an A-line shape straight from the mid-waist. Then it split out into a slightly wide flare as it fell to the floor. As an intelligent addition of flair, Abdul left the ropes from the sleeves dangling by the sides of the dress, making it look eye-catching and majestic.
It would be a sin if we said this piece is anything but elegant. It perfectly created a picture of elegance and authority, which is truly commendable. However, we believe that the placement level of the lower bodice can be slightly lowered to sit just exactly on the mid-waist. This makes the proportions on both ends more equal.
The last but not least of the 2022 collection is a simple dinner dress made from the juxtaposition of two fabrics, a twill and a cotton printed fabric. The twill is thick and sturdy, closely resembling denim used to make jeans, while the cotton fabric is a material that oddly looks like a tie-dye creation or what is popularly known as Adire in the West African part of the world.
Using this fabric, the designer was able to create a flair gown. The top opens with a sweetheart neckline and two straps as sleeves. This is where it gets good. One of the staps takes the shape of a flower in what you might call a flamboyant peplum. This was achieved using the twill fabric alongside thick fishline thread that makes its exotic shape stand firm. At the waistline, the dress falls into a simple flair. But it doesn’t just stop there. Designer Abdul added an extra layer to the piece. This drapey part was created with the same twill fabric used on the arm, and it dips slightly below the length of the actual gown.
Although the attire is well-suited for its intended purpose, it may be considered a delayed pick if two issues are not addressed. The first are the materials used. Neither of them complements the other. The colour scheme and even the prints don’t align. It would be better if a more complementary fabric were used in place of the twill. Also, the drape, though an interesting addition, shouldn’t be there. It is like a distraction to the main piece. The solution for the designer is to either remove it entirely or find a more effective placement that aligns with the main piece and enhances its beauty.
In conclusion, the designer Abdul-Qadir A. Abdul-Razaq did a number with this collection. Utilising her brand, Qadir & Co., to create fashion styles that are truly swag, has to be one of the best things we have witnessed this year. The dresses are beautifully crafted. From the classy maxi dresses to the impeccable midi gown, Abdul showed himself to be indeed a master at his craft. We appreciate his distinctive eye for detail and the spectacular designs he innovated to create this collection. Well done to the team at Qadir & Co. and their exemplary director, Abdul-Qadir A. Abdul-Razaq.
