Fashion review; the rise of afro-luxury 

By Rita Okoye

Established in 2020 by Ghanaian designer Patience Oduro, OpulenCe is more than a fashion label. It is a return to self, stitched with pride and dipped in heritage. Every piece feels like a warm nod to the past and a fearless wink to the future. Inspired by Ghana’s daring 1970s fashion movement, Patience reimagines tradition through a modern lens—hand-painted textiles, fearless silhouettes, rich colours, and the details that stop you in your tracks.

Again, OpulenCe is not about trends. It’s about truth and how you feel when you wear something that understands your roots and reflects your rise. These are garments that do more than clothe you — they carry you. They remind you that African luxury is not new or borrowed. In fact, it’s been ours all along. And now, it’s being celebrated loud and clear.

The brand’s 2022 collection is nothing short of a fashion fête — a curated celebration of identity, artistry, and audacity. That is why, in this review, we’ve looked at every piece with eyes wide open and standards set high, because OpulenCe has made a promise — to honour culture, elevate design, and empower wearers.

So, if you’re going to judge this collection with us, here’s what to watch out for:

Bold Design Choices

Cultural detail

Exceptional Craftsmanship

Emotional Connection

Fashion Versus Identity (relevance to brand’s statement)

For us, this isn’t just fashion critiquing. It’s a feeling, a statement, a standard.

Welcome to OpulenCe 2022. We’ll begin with the rich cultural detail and exceptional craftsmanship.

Outfit 1: The Onyx Sparkle

Looking at this first outfit, the “Heritage Sparkle” with its black lace long-sleeved top and the shimmering, patterned skirt, the connection to rich cultural detail feels a bit subtle at first glance. While the brand story talks about the daring 1979 Ghanaian fashion movement, the cultural story isn’t immediately obvious in the textile or silhouette.

The skirt’s pattern could be interpreted as a modern take on traditional motifs, perhaps the bold colours and geometric shapes hinting at Adinkra symbols or woven Kente patterns. But it does not necessarily shout “Ghanaian heritage” in an instantly recognisable fashion. It is more of a whisper than it is a shout.

Now, let’s discuss exceptional craftsmanship. The top is delicate in its appearance, and each placement of it suggests attention to detail. The skirt, with its embellishments, likely required careful work to attach all those shimmering pieces. We can’t touch it, of course, but visually, the finishes seem intentional. The skirt appears structured, suggesting good tailoring, except for the uneven hem.

The reason this won’t be a problem is this: the fabric is already giving the feeling of a broken mirror. Plus, it looks stylish, by the way. We can tell that a lot of effort was put in, especially with the intricate skirt, but “exceptional” implies a level of artistry that goes beyond just careful construction.

Outfit 2: The Midnight Drape 

This elegant black maxi dress offers a different perspective on cultural detail. The draped fabric and the flowing bodice could be seen as a contemporary interpretation of traditional African dressing, where flowing garments are common and often signify grace and sophistication, only that in this case, it is flattering and spotlights the wearer’s figure.

Black, while a versatile colour, also holds significance in various African cultures, representing maturity, spirituality, or even power. The way the fabric gathers and falls might silently echo the movement of traditional wraps or gowns. Again, it’s not a literal representation, but the essence of fluidity and elegance resonates.

Regarding exceptional craftsmanship, this dress seems to rely heavily on the quality of the fabric and the skill of the draping.

The way the material clings suggests that it is made from a stretchy fabric, and a quality one at that. The ruching detail throughout the dress likely required careful manipulation of the fabric to create that textured effect. If the seams are clean and the drape falls just right, it could speak to a high level of skill. However, a poorly executed drape or flimsy fabric would detract significantly. From the image, it looks like the effort is there, aiming for a sophisticated and figure-flattering fit.

Outfit 3: The Bold Horizon

We are so in love with this majestic piece. You see, this black halter-neck overflowing dress with the dramatic skirt flare represents the dream of every sophisticated chic. The halter neck and the fitted bodice leading to a flowing skirt feel modern, but the boldness of the silhouette could be linked to the “fearless silhouettes” mentioned in the brand story’s inspiration from the 1970s Ghanaian fashion scene. That era was known for its bold and expressive styles. A fine black dress like this is not just powerful and grandiose, but ultimately aligns with the brand’s aim to redefine African luxury.

In terms of exceptional craftsmanship, the only profound detail here is the bodice and dramatic skirt. A well-fitted bodice in a halter neck style requires precision to ensure it supports and flatters the figure.

The dramatic flare of the skirt needs to be weighted correctly to achieve that elegant flow. Otherwise, a miscalculated joining could cause more miscalculated steps. Overall, the simplicity of the design puts the focus squarely on the quality of the construction and the fabric itself.

Overview: Our feedback here states that while all three outfits tend to tilt toward a more modern fashion scene, they appear to be well-made with intentional finishes. However, without a closer physical inspection, it’s challenging to definitively say they reach the level of “exceptional.”

To put this in context, these designs do not spark any innovation or creativity whatsoever.

Let’s now access the three outfits based on the remaining criteria: design choices, emotional connection, and the overarching statement of fashion versus identity. For the sake of fluidity, also bear in mind that as we proceed, we will be referring to each piece as outfit 1, 2 or 3 respectively.

Outfit 1: As far as we’re concerned, Patience’s design choice is a mix of familiar and slightly daring elements. The combination of a delicate long-sleeved lace top with a heavily embellished mini-to-midi skirt is a choice that always stands out in the fashion landscape. Not because it is “exceptional” but because it is a go-to outfit that every wardrobe should have. Again, it plays with textures and proportions. The skirt itself, with its potentially unconventional pattern and shimmering details, leans towards boldness. However, the silhouette of both pieces as individual pieces isn’t groundbreaking. The boldness lies more in their pairing.

Now, to emotional connection. Does this stir something? Perhaps a feeling of playful elegance or a desire to stand out. The sparkle could evoke a sense of affluence and celebration.

However, the connection to deeper emotions like pride or power, as mentioned in the brand’s mission, feels less direct when compared to the other two outfits. It might appeal to someone who wants to express a flashier personality.

What is the correlation between this outfit and identity? This particular dress leans more towards a strong fashion statement that says, ‘Hey, while I might reflect a wearer’s bold taste, I do not immediately communicate a deep sense of cultural identity as strongly as the brand’s narrative suggests it aims to do’. In other words, it’s eye-catching and stylish, but the story it tells about the wearer’s roots feels less pronounced.

Outfit 2: The boldness here is in the simplicity and the dramatic draping. In a world of often structured garments, a dress that relies entirely on how the fabric flows and gathers to create its shape is a daring choice. The dark hue is also a nod to impactful minimalism, while the cowl neckline adds a touch of classic elegance with a modern twist.

How about the emotional connection? This dress has the potential to evoke feelings of sophistication, confidence, and perhaps even quiet power. The way it drapes and likely moves with the body could make the wearer feel elegant and self-assured. The simplicity might also resonate with someone who appreciates understated luxury.

Speaking of identity and fashion, this gown appears to be closing the loop between identity and fashion. The sophisticated and classic shape, matched by rich colour, might represent a wearer who prioritises sophistication and groundedness.

Although not explicitly cultural in its embellishments, the general sense is something that is in line with the brand’s objectives to redefine African opulence by means of elegance and intrinsic pride. The look evokes one who is secure in her presence.

Outfit 3: Indeed, “Bold Horizon” really fits its name in this outfit. It blends a tight halter-neck top with a big, flared maxi skirt to create this jaw-dropping, eye-catching look. Even more, the high neckline and the wide, sudden spread of the skirt make a bold and unforgettable shape. It’s a look that isn’t shy about standing out.

Emotionally, this outfit evokes empowerment, drama, and confidence. The loud yet simple bodice is a statement. Additionally, the flowing skirt might also inspire a sense of freedom and movement. It aligns well with the brand’s aim to empower wearers.

If we’re honest, this dress seems to come closest to embodying the brand’s vision of fashion as a form of identity. The striking silhouette and the powerful presence it creates reflect a wearer who is bold, proud, and unafraid to express themselves. While not featuring overt cultural symbols, the dramatic flair and the unapologetic elegance resonate with the idea of celebrating a distinct and powerful identity. It feels like a garment that carries the wearer rather than just clothing them.

So, considering these last three criteria, the “Bold Horizon” dress appears to most strongly align with the brand’s overall vision of bold design, emotional connection, and fashion as a powerful expression of identity. The “Midnight Drape” also shows a strong connection, particularly in its potential to evoke sophisticated confidence. The “Onyx Sparkle,” while stylish, leans more towards a statement of personal fashion rather than a deep dive into cultural identity and bold design in the same vein as the other two.

Patience Oduro shows us what it looks like to know who you are and carry that with quiet strength. There’s no need for noise or extra. Every piece is a reminder that African heritage doesn’t need to be exaggerated or watered down to be worthy. And that’s the point — confidence isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s simply showing up as yourself and letting that be enough.