DOVETAIL by Orange Culture

Orange Culture presents DOVETAIL collection inspired by uneven and unlevelled wooden staircases in Lagos Nigeria. 

The imperfection of staircases in Lagos Nigeria doesn’t necessarily take away from its beauty as the imperfect lines, joints and dimensions make each step an exciting adventure, a step into an airy discovery. These staircases have a rustic appearance that reinterprets the natural structure of wood and inspired the prints developed for the collection. 

The collection is filled with oversized “Agbada” Tunic, Wrapper Skirts, roped loose pants, sheer shirts, as well as some new shapes as the brand continues to push the boundaries on traditional African Menswear. 

Top Picks: Chanel Cruise - Resort 2015

                    

A Food Story: Lessons Learnt from Moschino "McDonald's" Fall '14 Collection

Moschino Fall 2014 

This is one case where that occasional phrase; “Fashion is my Food” is applicable.  By applicable, I mean literally because after the unveiling of Jeremy Scott for McDonalds bags we {well, the few fashion people who love food} can walk into McDonalds – or any eatery as such around -  to order a burger with already existing ‘fries’ – the ones on the bag of course.

Either way, you can eat your cake and have it – just the way Jeremy Scott planned it for Mochino and McDonalds fall/winter 2014. How lovely right?

Truth be told, I wasn’t quite grasped by the news at first but sooner than expected, it became top on the ‘Popular Page’ on Instagram. Everyone – that mattered of course, shared a photo {with a quirky caption} of the bag on their pages. And yes, the like buttons didn’t stop increasing; no one was bored of seeing the photos of a ‘foodie’ bag on a tray {like food} on the dining table {like food} or hand-in-hand with a coffee cup {like breakfast}.

See? Nothing, absolutely nothing, and I mean idea too – is impossible to execute. Why? Because someone {scrap that}, lots of people out there want that crazy idea, lots of people are willing to explore, to participate or simply put, live life beyond the usual – they want ‘different’, they want unique, they want their favorite brands together.

TREND SPOTTING: LFDW 2013 - Plunging Neckline

(L-R) Jewel by Lisa, Ella & Gabby, Lanre Da Silva and Beatrice Black Atari

TREND SPOTTING: LFDW 2013 - Sheer Paneling

(L -R) Bridget Awosika, Christie Brown, Iconic Invanity

More below...

SHOP THE SHOW: From LFDW 2013 Runway to your Doorstep – 5thandQuansah

Africa’s luxury shopping destination – 5^th+ Quansah is now selling runway pieces from the just concluded Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2013.

Amazing right?

Shop pieces from select Lagos Fashion and Design Week Designer Collections, including Christie Brown, Republic of Foreigner, Sunny Rose, Alter Ego, Kinabuti, Grey, Beatrice Black Atari, Josh Samuels, Orenta Ayaba, Republic of Foreigner.

Click SHOP to start shopping!

RUNWAY REPORT : LFDW 2013 - "Elements" of Nature at Iconic Invanity

I felt two things - peace and pain, watching Iconic Invanity's S/S collection - "Elements" walk down the runway at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week. It's not of evil or hate but watching the models work in those amazing pieces gave me a fashion-orgasm or maybe a paradisic revelation.

Elements as the designer - Nancy Nwadire defined it possesses everything earthy - fire, water, sun, air, etc in summary I'd say everything natural, everything peaceful....now, that's how the entire 10minutes felt - entirely peaceful.

The believe is that Nigerians love glitz and glitters; they shiny pieces, studded designs and sometimes bedazzled all the way clothes. One would have assumed, Iconic Invanity aims to satisfy all that feeling in Nigerias but not exactly, she gives a hint of that plus more that's hidden to me.

RUNWAY REPORT : LFDW 2013 -- Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi (LDA)

Colours of the earth dominated LDA’s runway as she unveiled functional ready-to-wear pieces ranging from jumpsuits, playsuits, straight skirts, shirt dresses, peplum, off-shoulders; the colours – spot red (for fire), yellow (sunlight), blue (like the sky) grayish-white (stones and rocks), etc all represent a part of the earth.

RUNWAY REPORT: LFDW 2013 -- Jewel by Lisa

OLD  IS THE NEW COOL. Well, that’s according to Jewel by Lisa’s collection at LFDW.

Back when we wore flare shorts, singlet shirts, plain wrap dresses and shirts under pinafore we thought it was boring but quite the opposite now as JBL as shown us it’s the latest cool thing to do.

Therefore, we are going back, way back to high school only this thing we plan to do it better and more stylish than then; now we’ll spice up our wrap dresses with a lovely sandal, add a little sass to our pinafores with a funky shirt and cap, wear our flare shorts with crop tops and the likes. We’ll also wear those plain over-the-knee length dresses with extra neckline and mix our prints with colours and cuts.

We’ll bring the kitchen out with apron-like attachees and double up big shirts with baggy ankle-length pants; we’ll be bold to flaunt our abs with those half blouses and rock the high school-like skirts to work.

Old styles have returned and we are super ready to rock it all after all what’s style without a little memory and drama.

Thanks to JBL

RUNWAY REPORT : LFDW 2013 -- Maki Oh

RUNWAY REPORT : LFDW 2013 - Tsemaye Binitie

 

RUNWAY REPORT : LFDW 2013 - Re Bahia

RUNWAY REPORT : LFDW 2013 - House of Form and Function

RUNWAY REPORT : LFDW 2013 - Orange Culture

The collection is fantastic! It's a tale of what's good for goose is good for the gander. Orange Culture again reminded us of his brave style of mixing simple plan pattern, print with strong and 'weird' materials to produce an outstanding collection that one part wowed some and on the other part dismayed.

From short and long shirt hemlines, nomadic headpieces to the white sneakers Orange Culture defined the real African nomadic aesthetics while predicting the future with the linen/net emphasis.

One thing the designer, Adebayo Oke-Lawal is also known for is his great sense of music; for him the runway music should be as fabulous as the collection...and did he do that? He brought it full on, quite amazing.

RUNWAY REPORT : LFDW 2013 - Mi_Le

RUNWAY REPORT : LFDW 2013 - Beatrice Black Atari

 She's easy, seeks to be free (though she seems to be gets restrictions) and loves are cuts were appropriate.

Beatrice Black Atari's collection is almost a misconception considering she has several simple, ready to wear but not 'so' party looks that wouldn't even pass for a date night.

It's one thing the music played was a fail (John Legend - Tonight), it appeared the entire collection was short of one main touch that would've have made it a hit.

RUNWAY REPORT: Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2013 - House of Marie

The message for HOM is clear - romantic in the African sense, glitter, comfort, colours of love, lace details.

Soft toned pink lips, pencil heels and touch of feathers bring the collection to life as the models strut to Shade's 'Soldier of Love'

It's a beautiful collection but it's doubtful it will get commercial value for its worth, perhaps editorial use.

Inspired by Grecian Sense, Isi Atagamen Fashion Label (IAFL) Releases New Collection - "ATHENA"

Isi Atagamen Fashion Label (IAFL) announces the release of the “Athena” collection which is designed for the chic, versatile, practical, sexy, and glamorous woman. This collection is inspired by the idea of Greece; the ancient Greek costumes, the peaceful environment and the sea of Greece. Today’s release marks the latest addition to the brand’s collection of energetic, sophisticated designs that lets the Isi Atagamen Fashion Label (IAFL) woman convey a powerful, philosophical and motivational message through each design’s unique approach. “My designs are versatile, creative and sometimes simple but with an edge. They’re basically ready to wear pieces,” says the designer, Isi Atagamen. From daring cuts which are in high-grade, carefully embossed embellishment to proper asymmetric silhouette that highlight the most endearing parts of the female body, each piece in this collection builds on a theme of its own while still molding a form of steeliness with constructive designs of capes, floral and pleats. The “Athena” collection presents a refined autumnal palette of well-cut tailored and polished jumpsuits, origami gowns, sexy pencil skirts and silk blouses festooned with signature draping.

Photo Shoot Credit; Photography: Frank Nsoedo Styling: Godson Ukaegbu Makeup: Dorcas Otobo Model: Damilola @ Hues &Shades Modeling Agency About Isi Atagamen Fashion Label Isi Atagamen Fashion Label (IAFL) is a Lagos based fashion line dedicated to creating sharp, chic tailoring which possesses a feminine edge and considerate approach to wearable designs that inspire, define and push the limits of fashion designing. IAFL represents class, strength, attitude, confidence and especially individual uniqueness. For more information on Isi Atagamen Fashion Label (IAFL) visit – www.isi.atagamen.blogspot.com Press contact: 08060022099, 08083263338, debuzzpr@gmail.com