Follow Us on Google
By Seun Emmanuel
Some things are just made to go together. For instance, salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, Barbie and Ken… the list goes on and on. Some pairings are not very well-known, but still work surprisingly well in the proper context, a typical example being gold and silver jewellery.
But then… some combinations just do not go together at all, like fashion and ‘basic’. Have you ever heard of basic fashion? It doesn’t make sense, just as ironic as equating Arsenal to Champions League winners. Tch
That’s the kind of mismatch that Quadir & Co. doesn’t do.
All of their pieces are iconic and regal in flair and structure. Creative designer, Abdul-Quadir Abdul-Razaq, uses his fashion brand to explore the concept of cross-disciplinary reflection. Since 2019, the brand has served as a platform for investigation through clothing. It has explored different themes in fashion, including architecture, temporality, identity, and place.
Through their recent 2025 collection, Qadir & Co. demonstrates just how versatile fashion can be. Let’s explore a few of the dresses in this collection.
What do they say about pink dresses? It’s only for pretty girlies. Well, it is a wonder who that came from. But anyway… Let’s get into it.
The hot pink shade alone is such a power move. It instantly gives that princessy energy. The silhouette is fitted and clean, hugging the body without any fuss at the top. And this is precisely what makes the drama in other areas stand out even more.
Now, do you see those sleeves? Iconic! The extra-length bell cuffs are quite theatrical but are still elegant nonetheless. It even appears better as they’re paired with a sleek bodice. This balances out the diagonal ruffle that runs down from the waist to the bottom of the dress. And to be honest, that ruffled detail is smart. With this, the model’s figure is elongated, and it also adds texture to the otherwise flat dress.
This diagonal ruffle style keeps things interesting, but it involves a lot of fabric movement between the sleeves and the dress hem. Looking at it, you may feel it works beautifully, but that’s because of the model’s tall figure. On someone petite, it might overwhelm the frame, with the sleeves overflowing like scarves.
For a cleaner structure, we suggest softening the flared sleeves just a little. This would allow the eyes to focus on one drama at a time, either the ruffles or the sleeves. Or, if the sleeves are like signature pieces and must be kept, then a cleaner or shorter ruffle would be sleek.
Overall, though, this is indeed a statement gown. With the right accessories, it’s perfect for any event where you want the cameras to work overtime.
When you look at this dress, one thing comes to mind: elegant but still fun. The ruffled details around the dress give it that playful vibe… but we’ll come back to that. First off, let’s start with the colour.
The colour is the first thing that hits you. Now, is this an all-pink party? Because what’s with the shades of pink? But we can’t conclude yet till we see the final dress, though. So, let’s just carry on.
The structured square neckline frames the face nicely, exuding a classic vibe. The three keyhole details just below the neckline give the bodice a distinctive design flair, also adding to the overall classic feel.
Ah, the sleeves are also an eye-catching aspect of this dress. You can see the long and loose design that’s almost like a kimono style. With this whole fabric, the wearer gets that gentle drape and flow as they move. One interesting thing about it, though, is how it balances the straight cut of the dress well. It gives that movement up top, from the shoulders down, without losing the sleekness of the overall silhouette.
And now, back to the ruffled detail, which seems like the very highlight of the dress. It runs vertically from high-waist length, all the way to the hem on both sides. That’s a smart touch, if you ask us. It breaks up the solid block of colour and draws the eye down the base of the dress.
This one appears to be less “in-your-face” than the first dress we looked at, but in a good way. To sum that up, it’s refined.
Now, the only tiny note for review here is the fact that the ruffles are the same width down. If you pay close attention, you will notice that they read a bit heavy near the hem. So, maybe tapering them slightly could give a softer finish. You could call it nitpicking, but that’s just an honest suggestion from a fashion enthusiast.
Ultimately, the dress is beautiful, and it works well for a wedding guest look or a formal dinner. Hint: accessorise with some statement earrings with a light kitten heel, and you’re Gucci.
Sigh. Didn’t somebody tell you this was an all-pink party?
Just kidding, kidding…
Not to exaggerate, but this red is more like a breath of fresh air, at least some time off from the princessy vibes.
What’s most striking is that the red is not just simply red. That’s basic. It’s more like a ‘glass of fine wine’ type red. The satin fabric gives it this glow, which allows it to play with light. You know how some dresses appear different in every photo? This dress seems like it would be one of them, shifting between bold and sultry depending on the angle.
Let’s not miss the neck… the subtle V neckline. The neckline design is low enough to open up the chest area, showing just a bit of the collarbone. But still, it’s modest enough to keep things elegant.
Then the shoulders… loveeee that they’re slightly puffed. It’s not the full-on ’80s puff, but it’s still structured enough to make you look statuesque. From there, the sleeves follow a narrow trail down to the arms before flaring out into bell cuffs. And oh, these cuffs are not regular. They’re quite exaggerated; the kind you could make a gesture with and guarantee an entire table looks over.
Now, let’s give it up for the MVP, Most Valuable Part, of the dress, the waist ruching. The detail here is just so incredible. The way it sculpts the figure beautifully feels intentional. And with this undeniable feature, the eyes naturally follow it to where the skirt flows out.
And speaking of skirts… It has just enough flair to go beyond maxi, but the drama is in the train. Looking closely, you’ll see that the train isn’t dragging; rather, it pools slightly. It gives that feeling of a dress settling into its little stage.
However, if we’re being honest, even though the design is beautiful and creative, the sleeve flair and the fabric train are just a lot. One has to give way for the other to shine better, because with both details just sitting there, the dress looks overwhelming, like a lot is going on. Now, imagine a person with a petite frame in this dress…
Yeah, so there should be a fix for that.
To keep the design sleek and clean, we would’ve suggested tweaking the train to be shorter for… practicality, but then again, the extra length is what makes it so regal. So, instead, the cuffs should be trimmed to fit better and balance out the extended train.
Regardless, this is a statement-making dress; a conversation starter, if you may. You can’t be squashed in a corner wearing this; it needs a spotlight to exhibit its make-an-entrance energy.
To wrap up, this collection shows great potential. Each dress has unique details that emphasise the beauty of the dress. And perhaps it’s safe to say flared sleeves are a signature style for the brand. Qadir & Co. certainly made the most of this one, at least to an extent. With just a few tweaks and minor edits here and there, the collection would be Vogue-worthy. Seeing this, we expect a whole lot more from their next drop; hopefully, it surpasses these pieces.
