A REVIEW ON FASHION AS AN ART

By Tosin Clegg

Over the years, textile designers have explored new prints and styles that appeal to wearers. History shows how fashion has evolved and influenced various cultures greatly. From the 1800s, when softer tones prevailed as a reflection of the conservative values of the time, to the 1900s when tailors experimented with shades such as pink, electric blues, and green, to the early twenties when a riot of bold hues mirrored liberation. The use of colours is influenced by beliefs, ideologies, and social status. In our world today, most fashion designers invent designs that shift fashion trends positively. Ayobami Ololade Ogunbiyi is one of such pioneers who has caught the attention of the fashion community.

Here, we will be looking at her 2021 creations by her fashion brand, Lola Threads. Lola Threads is an emerging fashion brand founded in 2019 by Ayobami Ololade Ogunbiyi, a passionate and talented designer dedicated to making clothes that promote self-expression. In an interview at a national fashion event, Ayobami disclosed that Lola Threads was born from a deep conviction that fashion should uplift, not pressure. As an initiative to promote the concept that ‘Beauty isn’t bound by body size, seasons, or runways,’ she crafted outfits that dared to challenge fast fashion, implementing creative craftsmanship with a blend of African heritage and global techniques in every design.

The brand is a movement stitched together by purpose, identity, and the belief that every woman deserves to be seen, styled, and celebrated exactly as she is. Each piece from Lola Threads is designed to provide comfort and style. Every detail serves a purpose that aims to enhance elegance and confidence. By embracing sustainability and patronising local expert artisans, Lola Threads is also a label that appeals to eco-friendly customers.
The outfits in this collection are said to be extraordinary. Let’s analyse each design to see if Ayobami accomplished her brand’s vision with these pieces.

The first outfit is a short-length lime green dress that makes a bold declaration. Its design draws inspiration from modern fashion. The fabric looks high quality, promising to be soft on the skin. The gown is fitted through the bodice but flows freely at the voluminous sleeves. It perfectly highlights the wearer’s silhouette and boosts confidence.

The wow factor of this piece is the baggy sleeves, which provide extra comfort for the wearer and distinguish this piece from other designs. The sleeves are extra-long, and they form an A-shape. They allow free movement, though they make the hand inaccessible to the world, which makes it very impractical for everyday activities. This design won’t appeal to everyone because the dramatic sleeves limit the outfit from being an everyday wear. The sleeves give the gown a formal look, limiting it to be worn only to special occasions. The addition of discreet fasteners to the sleeves for flexibility would create more options for styling by moderate dressers.

The sleeves flow to the shoulder and collar region, creating a choker neckline that adds structure to this piece, giving the wearer a sharp shoulder line. The neckline visually elongates the upper body and gives the wearer a sophisticated and professional look. It makes the outfit also suitable for a semi-formal event. The tight structure at the neck appeals to cold seasons and would give the dresser enough warmth for tough weather conditions. The neckline might appear restrictive to customers, so tailoring a slight shaping around the neckline would soften the rigidity and introduce more fluidity to balance the arm volume.

The mini length of the gown gives this piece a flirty appeal. It adds a youthful feel to the piece, serving as a sleek and elegant style. The simplicity of the body serves as a balanced contrast to the exaggerated sleeves. The lime green colour gives the gown a cool appeal, offering a fresh look. The colour palette encourages moderate styling. Heels or platform slippers will elevate this design, giving the wearer a formal and chic look. Statement earrings are the perfect accessory for this gown, to complement the subtle complexity of this design.

Offering variations of sleeves could widen the commercial value of this piece for customers. Making detachable sleeves and providing other options would make this dress appealing to a wider audience. The fit is neatly tailored, showing the expertise of the designers and artisans involved in the crafting of the wears in this collection. You can tell that creativity was well explored, and the technical aspects of making this piece were handled with care.
The next piece is best marketed in a boutique. Its bright colours are the major selling point of this outfit. The Wow factor of this piece comes not only from the boldness of the motif but also from the unusual cuts. This jumpsuit is crafted from a brightly coloured fabric that excellently blends the colours: blue, yellow and green. This outfit subtly reveals the wearer’s skin, flaunting skin colour in a moderate and modern style.

The neckline is a high round-neck cut, and the fabric flows to the cold shoulder design. It also provides space for aeration during hot seasons. This daring cut makes the neckline feel more youthful, offering a mix of coverage and reveal. The bust of this piece is fitted, revealing the upper body shape of the wearer. The material flows to the wide legs, which enables easy movement and provides maximum comfort for the wearer.

The opening at the centre might limit wear for modest dressers as it requires confidence to pull it off effortlessly. The mid-sleeve slits is another interesting feature of this outfit. The vertical openings on the arms add elegance and portray a wing design when the wearer moves. However, a soft lining along the inner edge would prevent it from snagging. The brushstroke print on the fabric is an engaging factor of this jumpsuit. The material looks like a masterpiece artwork printed out on fabric. This piece would do well in fashion shops and boutiques.
The details of this outfit show the expertise of the designers who worked on this collection. The fabric looks premium and of high quality, and would appeal to women who are in search of outfits made with durable fabrics. The tailoring is perfect, and the cut-out stitches are particularly impressive.

Nevertheless, some improvements could be made to reinforce the sleeve openings, and a slightly thicker binding could solve the possibility of seams stretching after regular wear and washing. This design proves that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for creativity.
The last piece in the collection is a cream-coloured two-piece that gives the wearer an elegant look. It is the definition of luxury. One of the captivating features of this piece is the asymmetrical neckline. The off-shoulder slant adds drama to the overall look, slipping down one shoulder to leave the collarbone exposed.

This design, though audacious, may not appeal to everyone, specifically modest dressers. The neckline flows to the elbow-length sleeves that have a robust shape, allowing free movement. The bust area of the top is slightly fitted and is suitable for women with a smaller upper body.
The simplicity of this piece is a major selling point for minimalistic dressers; however, the overall look could benefit from a statement detail, perhaps a tonal fabric flower at the shoulder or an embroidery design. This outfit gives room for a moderate amount of styling. It can be elevated with a colourful waist belt and statement jewellery. Also, each piece of this outfit can work individually. The top could be paired with jeans or a plain skirt, giving a casual look, while the pants can be styled with a fitted blouse. The tailoring on this piece is extraordinary, promoting the expertise of the artisans.

This was a fantastic collection, and each piece has its unique feature that can cater for the needs of many women who seek style and comfort. Lola Threads has set a standard for itself with these designs, proving to be a promising brand that will influence the fashion industry in the coming years.