What makes a cloth fashionable?

Have you ever wondered what makes a cloth fashionable?

Or have you thought about why customers pick a particular dress amongst others in a boutique?

The truth is, unless you are a clothing designer or fashion enthusiast, you might care less about what drives people to choose an outfit. However, understanding what makes a cloth fashionable would help you make the right choice when you go shopping. It would also strengthen your resolve when others accuse you of spending too much on a dress, which, in all honesty, costs more than the price you paid for it.

A fashion secret many don’t know is that clothes are influenced greatly by cultural, economic, political and environmental trends. Designers who understand this principle never cease to rise in the fashion industry.

One such fashion creative is Aisosa Faithful Enodunmwenben, the founder of Aisoben, a women’s fashion brand popularly known for its unique collections.

In this blog post, we will be reviewing Aisoben’s 2025 collection. Each piece in this fashion line was thoughtfully designed with eco-friendly practices by the creative team in Nigeria. Aisoben’s last release was a success, nearly flawless, which left everyone anticipating what would be produced this year.

Relax as we analyse the intricate details of this collection.

One look at this first piece and one is reminded of Bridgerton, the American romance television series that features thrilling evening gowns. This outfit is a phenomenal ball that would turn heads at any event.

The high waist signifies royalty. This ball gown could excel commercially if the posted pictures are of good quality. It is a luxurious piece and would be best marketed in an atelier behind a display window. This piece hugs the wearer’s bust firmly. The skirt of the gown is a high-waist design that flows to the ground. A gathered pleat design is hemmed horizontally in the middle, dividing the skirt into two layers.

This piece would be best styled with statement earrings and a bridal hairdo. Imagine wearing this to a dinner hosted by high-net-worth individuals. With this dress, no one would tell what social group you belong to.

All they would perceive is luxury.

Aisosa made a daring yet excellent choice when selecting a fabric for this design. Ball gowns are mostly made from plain materials. For designs, tailors often add embroidery designs to the plain fabrics. However, this ball gown is made from a silk fabric that has patterns. The material has a subtle shine, and its smooth texture reveals Aisosa’s intention of wanting her customers to look beautiful without compromising comfort.

The complex pattern on the material is the engaging feature of this dress. It gives the outfit a bit of a formal look and keeps admirers’ eyes engaged. The play of shades of brown with a tint of black makes this dress suitable for all skin types. Most women won’t think twice of getting a cloth with this colour palette because it pairs well with other colours when considering what shoe or bag to style with.

However, the current light brown shade of the high-waisted trousers, while stylish, may not be universally flattering across all skin tones.

Opting for a darker, richer brown, such as a deep chocolate or espresso hue, would enhance the trousers’ versatility and appeal. A deeper tone would complement a wider range of skin types, creating a more inclusive and sophisticated look. This adjustment would maintain the outfit’s elegant and mature aesthetic while ensuring broader market appeal, making the trousers a more versatile and flattering choice for diverse wearers.

The large band collar is another feature that adds a corporate feel to this design. It is left open with a V-neck cut that slightly reveals the wearer’s skin. While it is obvious that the neckline was used to soften the romantic appeal of this dress, it looks a bit restrictive. A simple V-neckline would have been a better neck option for this piece. The sleeves are a bit exaggerated in length, stopping past the wrist.

They reveal that the dress was made for cold seasons. However, it is essential to note that this style would not be suitable for petite women who have shorter hands. A short puff sleeve would be a more feminine option for this dress. Or perhaps the use of a lace cap sleeve for a vintage feel.

A light brown zip joins the fabric together at the back. The tailoring was executed perfectly, making the zipper almost invisible. The plain zipper at the back is a nice concept, but a corset design for the upper bodice would make this piece to die for. Although the upper bodice already has a firm fit on the wearer, a corset style would better enhance the wearer’s shape and create exaggerated curves.

Let’s check out the long, loose skirt, which flows freely to the floor. The gathered pleats demarcate the skirt of the gown into two layers. This design adds detail to the gown, highlighting the puff shape of the skirt. Using a net material would have added more effect to the gown and would have been a better style option.

Imagine this dress, with lace cap sleeves and the addition of net pleats at the mid-level of the gown’s skirt. Wouldn’t this piece be more engaging that way? Also, embellishments could be added at the waist and the demarcated pleat area for special effects. The use of black lace or trims to decorate this piece would definitely add more details to the dress. Overall, Aisosa did a great job with this fabric.

Wow! Just wow!

What do we have here?

This is a two-piece that merges the gap between traditional and modern designs. Aisosa also leaned into her cultural roots during the production of this piece. The fabric is a local material that is indigenous to Africa. This quality material is delicate and soft on the skin. The brown hue is warm, and the faint lines on the fabric add definition to it. However, a darker shade of brown would be more suitable for a broader audience with varying skin colours. Or perhaps a bit of pattern on this fabric would add more appeal to the material.

Let’s review the shirt first. The double-collar neck adds detail to the blouse. This shirt is the perfect fit for formal events. The loose sleeves add comfort for the wearer, and they stop a little below the elbow. The sides of the sleeves are manipulated slightly, forming a dart design that reduces the length of the outer side of the sleeves.

This asymmetrical length is a contemporary design used to create a dramatic effect on outfits. Aisosa pulled off this design perfectly with the sleeves, but a shorter length would be much preferable for warmer seasons.

Two brown metallic buttons join the shirt together, giving it a firm fit at the upper waist region. They also serve as decorative features for the plain fabric. The jacket-like top was cut to highlight the wearer’s curve. Although the fitted top is a fashion-forward style, a loose top would have been a much better alternative. Not an overly large blouse, but a slightly bigger top. This suggested size, along with short sleeves, would elevate the overall look of this piece.

The fitted cutting of the shirt is a contrast to the loose pants. The wide legs of the trousers are a replication of the famous ‘baggy jeans’. The loose pants provide comfort, and they create enough room for the wearer to move. At the anterior region, the trousers feature a dart manipulation at the end, which slightly exposes the wearer’s legs. Overall, this is a unique piece that would be regarded as fashionable in our time today and for many years to come.

The third outfit took a drastic turn to wow us. It is an off-shoulder gown with a neckline that rests partially on the right shoulder but dips slightly below the opposite shoulder. The dark blue fabric highlights the neck and skin colour. This patterned material is the engaging factor of the dress. The black design imprinted on it gives the fabric a net look from afar. The material engages onlookers due to its line structures and square-shaped designs.

The fabric flows from the shoulders to the elbow in folds, forming horizontal lines at the front. The folds in front are a bit exaggerated and would look better if the design were a bit shorter. Also, the slant view creates a deconstructed aesthetic that could be a turn-off for some women. To create a more acceptable and visually appealing look, the style could be balanced with a more structured neckline.

The rear view showcases a black zipper that joins the fabric together. Still from the back view, we see a joining on the left that disrupts the folds. This seam disrupts the flow of the design and should have been covered with floral appliques or fabric flowers. The inner upper bodice of the dress has a firm fit on the model.

The fabric flows freely from the waist to the ground in tiny pleats. This subtle design elongates the wearer’s body, giving this dress a timeless appeal. Platform slippers would elevate this gown for semi-formal events. Stilettos are the perfect shoes to match this dress for a dinner outing. The skirt of this piece has a joint at the back that isn’t too appealing. The fabric should not have been connected at that position. A better option would have been to avoid a visible cut; instead, the seams should have been at the waist and the tail of the gown.

This gown accentuates the waist of the model and would fit women with pear-like figures. Women of other sizes could also rock this style. The asymmetrical off-shoulder could be a turn-off for conservative dressers. An elastic off-shoulder neckline is a more functional option that would serve a wider range of clients. The tailoring of this piece was executed excellently, making it runway-worthy. Aisoben should consider exhibiting this dress in a fashion museum or at an international fashion exhibition.

Aisosa undoubtedly achieved her goal to celebrate the uniqueness of every woman. Each piece in this collection would resonate with women of different cultures, regardless of their skin or body type.

The colour palette of the entire collection looks like a deliberate choice of warm, earthy colours that resonate with women. They have an incredible feeling that promises potential customers comfort and elegance.

One unique feature that makes Aisoben stand out is its commitment to sustainability. They use materials bought from African textile designers and produce outfits in small batches to avoid wastage.

Environmental health is as important as success in the industry for Aisosa. Her passion for fashion design seems to be ever-evolving.

As we saw with each design, the 2025 collection was a banger. It was fashionable to the core. Kudos to Aisosa and her team. With a few adjustments here and there, it is fair to predict that Aisoben would soon be one of the leading fashionable brands in the industry within the next few years.

By Seun Emmanuel