The Aṣọ-òkè fabric, which literally translates to high fashion, drapes her shoulders in a Ugo Monye or T&D masterpiece, structured yet fluid. Its intricate patterns whisper age-old stories, serving as a connection to ancients before her. It does not merely adorn her; it crowns her, giving you a glimpse at the African queens before her. There is tradition in every weave and history in its weight—oh, the weight! But its cut—fearless and modern—places it squarely on the frontlines of contemporary high fashion. As with every other Ugo Monye piece or T&D collection, the Nigerian culture is boldly represented in every pattern and style, telling our story while sprinkling bits of western fashion here and there.
For decades, African culture seemed like something to break away from. Everyone aimed for the silk and flowery dresses; the denim and three-piece suits. Everything but what we originally wore. The current wave of fashion pieces churned out by a couple of African fashion designers, however, seem to be changing the narrative. And for the distinct curves the average African woman possesses, the magnificent works of Matopeda Atelier is an answer to her silent prayers.
Courtesy, Ugo Monye, Nude Pink Aso Oke, www.ugomonye.com
With an impressively high attention-to-detail coupled with a goal to tell a story with every dress, Matopeda Atelier threads ready-to-wear dresses that are absolute flattery to its wearer’s body. Striking a balance between our culture and modern fashion, Matopeda Atelier, with every wear, shows you just how much it loves to cater to the African woman. It’s in the embroidery and the way these dresses wrap around the body, accentuating every curve—fitting just like a glove.
With every piece, a wide range of African designers tell a story, proving our growing impact in fashion and carving a global space for ourselves.
Courtesy, Ugo Monye, Nude Pink Aso Oke, www.ugomonye.com
It’s in the beads, which we thought were only to be seen in epic Nollywood movies; fringes that remind you of our different cultural festivals; exaggerated sleeves that hit us with good, old nostalgia. If you grew up ironing your mother’s thick, textured outfits, you know the struggle of steaming flamboyant African designs from Adire, to Aso-Oke, and complete Iro and Buba. We prayed for any other chore but that one. Yet it is in these artistic styles that we know even textiles woven from different layers with thread have the power of storytelling.
And boy, the cowries! After its stint as a currency back in the day and one of the important elements for traditional medicine, resurfacing as a fashion piece wasn’t something we saw coming.
Courtesy T and D Ethnic IG: td_ethnic
That’s the Andrea Iyamah effect—the one that inspires cultural discovery. Creating a balance between contemporary and western fashion, Andrea Iyamah ready-to-wear dresses embody the Victorian dresses we see in the popular Netflix Series, Bridgerton. That cinch around the waist? Yeah, that’s the one. Also, her bikini and resort wears have just the perfect cultural twist to them.
Courtesy T and D Ethnic IG: td_ethnic
If you ever doubted that Western and African cultures could merge seamlessly, you are in for a masterclass. And if you’re feeling FOMO, don’t fight it—African designers are redefining the game, and you want in.
