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Truth be told, when I look around, the things people call fashion have gone beyond what they all look for. It’s true that design and stitching matter very much, but I will say that what I look for is the uniqueness of an outfit. A designer can create a garment so that a group of people can be identified by it, or the outfit could be for a particular movement. Like the days of the End SARS protest in Nigeria, where people made clothes for the very purpose. But if you ask around, you will notice that the majority of people prefer to wear a garment that is exclusive to them, so they can stand out boldly among other people.
So, this is exactly what Margaloye Atelier’s 2024 collection is about. The clothes are made to make a person feel good and to walk around with ease. The designer decided to use bright colours that make a wearer feel energetic and a soft finish that gives comfort. I feel like this brand creates more than outfits; it moulds confidence in the form of a garment.
The brilliant founder and creative director behind the Margaloye Atelier is Margaret Damilola Akintoye. When I study her designs, I feel like she has a goal to make clothes with styles that are used effortlessly and are inclusive of different kinds of people. In Margaret’s opinion, fashion should not make people hide, but it should help women shine in ways that are beyond what’s trending. I believe this is true because I can see that this collection carries that vision in every way.
Margaret has a way of brilliantly changing fabrics into an outfit beyond what you can wear. She creates a new mould of fashion that sets the pace in the industry. From her Collections, I can see that most outfits were inspired by Nigerian styles of clothing, even though it’s tweaked to catch global attention.
Also, when I carefully examine the garments, they remind me of other designers like Thebe Magugu from South Africa. He’s a designer who loves to experiment with South African cultural designs. Iamisigo from Nigeria. She uses unconventional materials to create fashion art, as did the late Vivienne Westwood from the United Kingdom, for her asymmetrical designs.
I would now like to check each garment to make you understand what I see in this collection and how each shows exclusivity.
I can see that the colour is the first noticeable thing about this first outfit. When I stare very closely, the light blue and black combination seems to jump at me. Though it’s in a good way.
It has a neckline that is high neckline. This makes the outfit look daring, but I feel it leaves me wondering if I need a little more clothing for comfort. The sleeves are a lot. They make this garment look good and modern; however, I have the feeling that shorter sleeves will make it look more friendly.
Anyway, let me check the waistband. It looks so good. It allows people to see the beautiful curves of a woman’s body. There’s nothing much to say about the waistband, so I will move to the lower area. The first thing that catches my eye is the ruffles. They remind me of art. When I think about it, they look like something showing off a lot of energy. However, I can’t help but think that they would have looked better on the outfit if they were shorter.
Anyway, having said all that, I would like to check out the real-life use of this garment. It doesn’t seem to be for everyday use. I think it’s better for those big nights in Lagos, where people can feast their eyes on you.
But another thing about these ruffles is that you may be able to stand easily or walk well in them; however, if you sit too long, the ruffles may fold in awkward ways. Trust me, you don’t want that. Another downside is that the material doesn’t do well in hot weather. People like Nigeria, where the temperature is through the roof, may not see this outfit as a great choice.
I would now like to move to the second outfit. It’s bold, and it has a cream colour. One thing that makes this outfit look confident is how the designer loosened the top and gave it a single sleeve. To create balance, I can see that the designer made the skirt longer.
Also, the slanty neckline makes the wearer’s face show in a better frame. This works because the designer clearly knows that a slanty neckline will always work in an outfit with a single sleeve. Fashion is all about cuts, style, and balance.
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Also, the sleeve is large, which is good, but I feel that it wasn’t tailored well, which is why it seems to be giving an awkward vibe. If the designer had paid better attention to tailoring, it wouldn’t feel out of balance.
Moving on, I will give kudos to the designer for making the blouse fitted. This fitness gives the wearer a shape. I will also add that the overall design feels thoughtful. The calculations are almost accurate.
Also, the skirt takes the spotlight. I can see that the waist area was made high, and do you know the beauty of this? It makes a woman feel taller and slimmer. This will help with a lady’s confidence. She will walk gracefully, because that’s the feeling the garment is producing.
However, this outfit on some wearers may make the garment look too large in the hip area. I will suggest to the designer that a smaller, refined ruffle would keep the shape without being too much. From the practical angle, I will say that the outfit looks perfect. It is suitable for formal events, the likes hosted at Eko Hotel, on Lagos Island.
I believe that several people love to stand out at occasions and events, and I also think that this garment can do that for them. It gives freedom of movement. It can be worn with heels and gives a look that makes people keep their heads on a swivel in your direction.
Though on the flipside, I can see some limits to this outfit; it’s not something you can wear on different occasions without people knowing you repeat dresses. Also, the fact that it has one sleeve doesn’t make it look very catchy. Some wearers may find it too revealing. Finally, reducing the length of the lower area will make the garment look catchier.
This dress makes me think of a place where elegance is loved. I love the idea of the bow tie; it stands out. The fact that the designer thought of using pleats shows her level of creativity. I also like the sleeveless idea; it fits with the bodice.
The designer made a simple neckline. I think it works well for the garment. From my experience, this kind of outfit attracts attention. The bow design tells me that the designer is thoughtful and creative. It makes the outfit’s presence felt, though it may feel heavy. But I know women love such styles, and they may think of it as an exclusive garment. However, because of the heaviness in the chest area, due to the bolt tie, some may think it’s not good enough.
Also, I can see that the upper part of this garment is fitted, and it contributes to the outfit’s creativity.
The bodice is slim and, in a way, happens to create a balance with the size of the skirt. But at the end of the day, I feel like a smoother waist would have been better. I’m stating this because you can’t have largeness and a proper arrangement of style in the same place and not think of creating a smoother transition between them. I feel like the designer should have taken their time while making the waist seam. The garment would have made people go wow!
Furthermore, the lower part, the designer was smart to have used pleats. This is because they create room for movement. For example, a person will be able to feel the fabric brushing against their skin as they walk. This helps them feel more confident, and you can tell by how they sway.
However, I can’t erase the fact that some women may find this a little too long for certain events. They may prefer a shorter garment. Plus, I will also add that making it short would work better across different ages and settings. This is called inclusivity.
I will tell you what makes Margaloye Ateliers’ 2024 collection stand out. If you look closely, you can tell it’s the way it mixes outstanding ideas with a way that makes the garments easy to wear. Each cloth seems to have its own voice, yet together, they tell one confident, fresh, and modern story.
Also, I can see that the designer took some care to make the garments easily noticed, from cuts to the finish. I tell you, these clothes go beyond style; they create feelings in you. I must say it’s the feeling of strong confidence. You know that kind that speaks even before you do. Margaloye Ateliers is paving the way for African designs on a global scale.
By Seun Emmanuel
