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It’s not wrong to say that Africa is the cradle of human creativity. Neither is it an exaggeration to claim that African designs are rooted in the fabric of human origin. While other cultures celebrate human industrial achievements, the myriads of African cultures remind humanity across the world to stay connected to their many origin stories. That glimpse is captured brilliantly in Naba Clothing’s new collection, Culturaform ‘24.
This brand has brought cultural expression to the fashion industry with the founder; Oluwadamilola Adeola, widely known for his exceptional ability to blend sustainability with a cultural ensemble. This African brand ensures both male and female experience its deep affection for cultural heritage through fashion. The success of these new designs speaks for itself, showcasing the designer’s creativity and diligence poured into this work of art. Hence, the designer’s potential to become a world-class figure in the fashion industry will be evaluated in the course of this review.
This first design opens the future to African art and fashion.
It is a two-piece ensemble having a kaftan robe and wide trousers. The outfit features unique designs that make it an instant favourite, both for its creativity and functionality. Green colour is the most distinct, especially with the multi-coloured vertical and horizontal stripes of red, yellow, and blue. These distinct patterns offer the outfit an exotic look that only traditional wear possesses.
The aso-oke-made robe has a V-shape neckline that is best described as conservative. It is neither a plunging neckline nor a tight one, giving it a delicate appearance of professionalism and playfulness. But the sleeves are delivered with a different and more refined approach. These sleeves dance between the kaftan’s style and the dashiki’s flair. Although they shy away from the wrists, they have a loose-fitting structure that contributes to the uniqueness of this outfit. While one could imagine that these sleeves would tremble endlessly in the wind, the hemline does not need rushing air to trouble the eyes. Although this hemline looks rather ragged and convulsed. Perhaps it would have looked better if the hemline were more layered.
Moving to the next design on this rack, I call it the traditional Assembly.
This outfit is crafted in a clean structure that reveals the ‘Senator’ style. The designer and his team unveil art and maturity in this design. The neckline of this outfit has a round collar typical of native wear. One might think this design is made of two, but the design is actually a three-piece ensemble of trousers, a jacket with an inner top, all of the same colour. The jacket’s sleeves are elbow-length with a relaxed fit. This feature adds dynamism to the overall structure of the outfit. From lean and clean to robust and full. The buttonless jacket exposes the inner top. It also has a wide chest pocket with a flap, which offers a periodic outlook of older designs.
However, the colour selection does not increase the aesthetic appeal. This is a light greyish green that has no inspiration. Though it might be a cool colour that is pleasant on the eyes, it looks vulnerable without a complementary colour.
In this piece, the designer can adopt a few changes to make the plain colour stand out. Just looking at this design with extra detail that extends from the wearer’s flap, seems as if the designer may have attempted to craft a belt. However, it should have been better hidden or removed. This outfit can stand without the jacket, although it would only dull the wearer’s presence. To add more aesthetic to the jacket, the designer can adopt the use of black antique nickel buttons to add more feel. It would make the wearers different from every regular guy on native.
This next design makes any wearer look smart and professional.
Here’s an outfit similar to a double-breasted suit. One thing that works for this piece is the sharp structure that creates an edgy outlook. From the sleeves to the neckline, every feature is squared like a piece of blueprint. The deep navy blue offers a modest look of originality. The jacket’s V-shaped neckline is framed by two rectangular lapels that seem like a seal’s pair of tails. Its blade-like construction gives the outfit a clear-cut appearance. The long sleeves are fitted with a neat structure, giving it a professional blend. But if this design were placed in the list to be selected as the star of this show, it would probably be this double-breasted button. The designer and his team introduce the sculptural function of a double pocket to enhance the outfit’s well-constructed outlook. The trousers maintain a standard, that is moderately fitted cut made to look sleek while providing comfort.
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Although this outfit gives a strong impression, a slight adjustment can give the trousers a refined finish. The lower pockets appear unnecessary as they hold no functionality in the angle they are placed. Overall, the designer had done justice to this design.
If the previous outfit is clean, this next one is squeaky clean but with some spice just to liven things up. It is an outfit consisting of a blazer, a cropped top, and trousers. This outfit shows that modern styles can combine well with traditional fabrics. Where black and white stripes are mixed with wine coloured suit jacket and African material of pitch colours. The designer leans towards simplicity in this outfit. Here, the wearer is free to change the inner top if she likes and here is even the best part. This causal formal outfit can be worn anywhere; the designer ensures this outfit can be worn in a formal and casual setting. What should be commended in this design is the disciplined skill used to deliver the features. Although the jacket is parted, it is also multifunctional as it can also be buttoned based on preference. It has close-fitting long sleeves with regular cuffs.
The inner top is cropped to reveal the stomach area, offering a more inventive transition to the outfit. But the most defining creative outlet comes with the trousers. As they are made with aso-oke, the trousers add a new and better dimension to the outfit. The patterned streaks and even the tiny punctures are some of the divine features that give the design a life of its own. However, the length of the blazer is a little too long for no good reason. Shortening the blazer would have made it outfit look smarter, especially when in motion.
This is yet another successful combo between modern and traditional styles. The simplicity of the approach to this design makes it an instant trend-worthy piece in this collection. That’s because it’s simple but effective in delivering beauty and comfort. The basic white t-shirt has a round neckline that offers a firm look. It also has short sleeves that are fitted to the arms, making the top smart. But the most interesting part of this outfit is the aso-oke-made trousers with the multi-coloured mix of navy blue, white, and red. Unlike the top, the trousers have a flowing hemline that is folded. While the reason for folding is unclear, what is clear as day is its bulky outlook. The designer must have gotten carried away because this feature looks sloppy. A pair of scissors would probably do more to improve this outfit than those unruly folds.
Calling all Africans! It is the Ankara section in this collection. This next piece is made of a cropped top and shorts made in Ankara material. The fabric is renowned for its vibrant colouring that captures African synergy. The top has a simple round neckline that assures reliability. But it also has silver-coloured buttons that give the outfit a modern layer. The sleeves are short but loose-fitting. Although they are not puffed, they do give the outfit a wide girth that makes the design elevated.
The shorts, on the other hand, are a little disappointing to say the least. The big pieces of flaps on both sides look more like wings that can’t fly. They add no creative depth to the outfit. The hemline is also a massive miscue, as the unevenness seems more like a pocket turned inside out than an intentional feature. In the piece, the designer can remove the flag falling on each side and adopt a shorter length pocket, folded inside the shorts.
The next outfit is a bang to close with. If this entire collection is a football team, then this last outfit is its superstar.
The boubou style ensemble is a reinterpretation of modern African Fashion. A party in Nigeria is never truly complete without a few senior citizens in ‘agbada’ outfits spraying wads of newly minted cash. It is a symbol of luxury in Africa. And the designer breaks no stride in delivering just that in this outfit. The terracotta colour carries a significant cultural appeal. Its V-shaped neckline portrays both elegance and cultural resonance. The outfit is worn with ease by just pulling it over the head. The sleeves are so loose and wide, they compete with a bald eagle’s wingspan. Typical of most boubous design is its knee-length and high-low hemline. However, the trousers are so off-putting. They seem more like a Trojan Horse than a piece of the outfit. That’s because the loose-fitting trousers provide no balance to the overall design. Slim-fitted trousers would have offered a much mature appearance rather than the outfit’s bloated design.
As far as Culturaform ’24 is concerned, it is a resounding success both as a flavourful blend of aesthetics and experimentation. Compared to Dammy’s Asooke Concepts, whose pieces set the tone on ‘aso oke’, Oluwadamilola Adeola’s pieces showcase the potential within African creativity. But more than that, it sets in motion where the distant past echoes into the vivid future. It would create a world where Aso-oke becomes a trend in corporate wear and vibrant prints of Ankara regularly adorn galas and cocktail parties.
This collection not only confirms Oluwadamilola Adeola as one of the distinctive voices on the international fashion map but also projects her as a resounding representative of African fashion on the global stage. With better focus and dedication to the craft, Dami is on the way to becoming a world sensation.
By Seun Emmanuel
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