By Rita Okoye
Fashion 28 Empire “Ideal Chic” Collection is a masterful blend of contemporary style and timeless elegance featuring an array of fashion pieces for both men and women, meticulously crafted under the creative director Bello Oladipupo Akintunde. This collection highlights the beauty of traditional design elements while incorporating contemporary fashion trends, showcasing Akintunde’s ability to blend classic elegance with innovative styles.
As the lights dimmed and anticipation filled the air, Alimosho Fashion Week set the stage for a spectacular showcase on July 26 and 27, 2024. Among the most-awaited reveals was the “Ideal Chic” collection, the newest collection from the creative designer Bello Oladipupo Akintunde of the fashion brand Fashion 28 Empire. The crowd was eager, the runway shimmering with promise, and when the first model stepped out, it was clear that the Ideal Chic collection would redefine elegance and sophistication. Akintunde seamlessly fused traditional charm with contemporary allure, leaving the audience in awe of his impeccable design prowess. He masterfully blended fabrics like cotton, cotton blend, satin, wool, silk, and crepe to create garments that are visually striking, versatile, and functional.
The collection includes a diverse range of pieces that speak to the multifaceted preferences of the modern man and woman. These pieces include gowns, tops, high-waisted trousers, structured blazers, trousers, shorts, shirts, and traditional kaftans. Akintunde’s Ideal Chic collection shines through his masterful blend of fabrics and innovative use of colour. A standout dress from the collection exemplifies his creative approach, merging vibrant magenta pink on one side with classic black featuring a floral pattern on the other. This striking contrast highlights Akintunde’s ability to balance boldness with subtle elegance. The corset-like design on the dress enhances the model’s figure and silhouette, showcasing his skill in creating a dynamic and harmonious look that blends modern flair with classic refinement.
The runway at Alimosho Fashion Week was abuzz with excitement as one of the models wearing an ensemble featuring a loose-fitting patterned shirt with bright red trousers immediately captured the attention of attendees as the model walked down the runway. The shirt, with its intricate detailing on the fabric, adds a touch of vibrancy to the outfit, while the trousers are tailored and straight-cut, offering a sharp contrast to the more relaxed fit of the shirt. The model accessorizes this outfit with sunglasses and a statement necklace, which adds a stylish and modern flair to the overall look, perfect for a street-style outing.
Akintunde’s use of a diverse colour palette adds a dynamic and sophisticated edge to his designs. The colour palettes are deeply symbolic, featuring bright red and magenta pink, which bring bold energy to the collection; the black and deep shades of charcoal offer classic elegance. Deep blue and emerald green provide luxury, and lilac and burgundy introduce subtle variations. White and yellow add freshness and balance. Together, these colours create a visually captivating collection that merges timeless sophistication with a modern flair.
Critics and fashion enthusiasts have praised the collection for its seamless integration of tradition and innovation. Attendees highlighted Akintunde’s skill in balancing aesthetic appeal with functional wearability as each new piece was unveiled. One fashion enthusiast remarked, “The collection is a beautiful blend of fabrics and designs that speak to both tradition and modernity. Akintunde has truly outdone himself.”
The unveiling of the Ideal Chic Collection at the prestigious Alimosho Fashion Week was nothing short of a spectacle. The runway came alive with a kaleidoscope of colours, textures, and silhouettes as models strutted down the catwalk showcasing these stunning creations. With “Ideal Chic,” Bello Oladipupo Akintunde has once again proven his prowess as a designer who can seamlessly blend tradition with contemporary style. This collection not only captivated the audience at Alimosho Fashion Week but also set a new benchmark in the fashion industry. As the applause faded and the lights dimmed, one thing was clear: Akintunde’s vision and artistry have redefined what it means to be chic, leaving a lasting impression on all who experienced it.