FASHION REVIEW; SPECTACULAR LUXURY

Tosin Clegg
Fashion at OpulenCe is a form of storytelling and a way of preserving history. Based in the heart of Ghana, the brand stitches craftsmanship into every piece, creating clothes that speak softly but carry a lot of soul. With every garment, OpulenCe invites wearers to step into narratives of beauty and pride, made with fabric and purpose.

Founded in 2020 by Patience Oduro, OpulenCe leans into heritage while embracing the now. Patience grew up around her mother’s craft, and that love for design has grown into a brand that feels deeply personal but is stillwidely relatable. Through collaborations with local artisans, drawing inspiration from Ghana’s 1970s cultural style, and a constant curiosity for new ideas, OpulenCe stands as both a canvas and a voice for the community.

So, join us as we explore a few standout looks from their2021 collection and see how well they carry that legacy. Do the pieces live up to the spirit of storytelling and innovation the brand promises? Let’s find out.

Alright, let’s unpack this look.

At first glance, the dress is undeniably dramatic. It’s a full-length, strapless gown in deep black, and it gives that strong, statuesque vibe. You can almost hear a cello in the background. The texture of the fabric adds enough depthto keep your eyes interested. There’s a kind of sculpted stiffness, which works in its favour if we’re going for that structured, high-fashion editorial mood. The pleated flow from the waist down is where the volume comes in, and it does give the dress some presence. There’s also this minimalist visual, as it involves just the fabric, the silhouette, and the body it wraps around.

Despite the chill look and feel, if we’re being honest, it appears boring. 

Let’s start with the bodice. That top edge feels a bit… unsure of itself. It’s like it wanted to be edgy or raw-cut, but didn’t fully commit. The unevenness doesn’t come off as intentionally deconstructed; it looks more like it was adjusted last minute or didn’t get finished. And since the neckline is bare, with no straps or embellishments, it automatically becomes the focal point. So, it has to be clean or perfectly stylised. Right now, it’s sort of in limbo.

Then there’s the fit around the bust and waist. It holds, yes, but it doesn’t hug. You can tell the fabric is stiff, so it should be tailored with more precision. Otherwise, it risks sitting on the body like armour instead of melting into it.

As for the lower part, while that volume is a good move, itcould use just a bit more fluidity. In its current state, it gathers and falls in a way that makes you wonder if it’s hiding too much structure underneath needs one more press with the iron. It has potential for movement, but it feels a bit held back.

If this dress were a character, we’d say she’s a queen still adjusting her crown. Strong presence, regal intentions, but she needs a little more refinement in the cut and design decisions.

Would this be good for a black-tie art gala? Sure, but you’dprobably want to tweak the neckline first and ensure it fits like it was made just for you. That’s where this dress can go from “nice look” to “you better ask me who I’m wearing.”

Anyway, this black regalia is just a few tailoring choices away from being a head-turner.

This dress has a completely different energy. It looks like it just came from a vintage summer garden party.

Let’s start dissecting its features. That print is gorgeous. The placement is clever too, centred and symmetrical, drawing the eye down and elongating the body. It adds richness and depth. The white base fabric works nicely to make the intricate designs pop, and that soft shine on the fabric gives it a bit of glam without overworking it.

Now, those shoulder ruffles are a bold move. They add personality; a little romantic, a little dramatic. It gives the dress a bit of fantasy flair, which honestly could work well for an editorial shoot or a themed event.

Moving down to the dress’s skirt is the part that leaves you scratching your head a bit.

A lot is happening with the structure, especially that midsection. From the bust to the waist, the dress is holding it down; it fits, flatters, and follows the body. But just when you’re ready to say “oh yes, it’s giving,” the hip area pulls a plot twist. That gathered seam, or do we call it a horizontal ruffle-y thing just above the skirt flare, feels like an interruption. It chops the flow of the design and sits a bit awkwardly on the body. Almost like the dress wasdeciding if it should poof a little, but didn’t fully lean into it.

As for the dress length, well… it’s not quite midi, not quite full-length. It hangs in that in-between zone—almost at the ankle, not giving full coverage. It might have looked more elegant if it had committed to a full maxi or pulled up a bit higher for a cheeky mid-length.

Also, while the ruffled shoulders are duly appreciated, they feel a little bulky in execution. If they had been a bit more delicate, maybe sheer, they’d be even proper without swallowing the neckline.

In short, this dress has ideas. Big ones. It’s stylish, artistic, and definitely not basic. But it needs a few “less is more” choices. Clean up that hip line, dial down the ruffles just a touch, maybe adjust the hem, and suddenly, we’re looking at a showstopper.

Right now, it’s a fashion statement. But with some tweaks,it could be a conversation.

Okay, so here’s the deal with this look: it’s interesting—like, actually interesting. It’s not your regular “pretty top, pretty skirt” formula. It’s got layers, both visually and vibe-wise. But let’s unpack it properly, beginning with the top. 

The top half is this blush-toned, fitted knit situation with short sleeves and a high neckline. Super clean. But then the designer throws in these intentional knots and ties on the shoulder and waist, like little visual nudges. The asymmetry those ties create makes the eye move, and that’s smart. It’s soft but also sculpted, like the top knows it has a job to do and it’s doing it without fuss.

Now, on the fit, from what we can see, the top is tailored pretty well. It’s fitted without looking tight. There are noawkward creases or weird drag lines. It hugs the body and flatters it even, especially with how it slopes down diagonally into the skirt. That diagonal seam is designgold. It gives shape even with the absence of a belt or a corset or anything extra.

Then we get to the lower part, which honestly brings a whole different energy. It’s full, flowy, and it just drops straight to the floor. It’s almost bridal in its volume andhas fluid movement. The fabric looks like a cotton or crisp silk blend, something with enough body to hold shape but still let it fall naturally.

Silhouette-wise, this outfit is doing a subtle hourglass thingy. The top is close to the body, the skirt flares out, and that curved seam gives it an offbeat elegance. It isn’t heavy on “cinched waist,” but it still frames the figuresoftly. Honestly, it’s giving modern-day clean sculpture.

But hey, a little tweak here and there won’t be bad now, would it?

First, the lower part could use a bit of retouching; not a full redesign, but it’s a lot of fabric. If there were even just a single front slit, or a panel break, or something to interrupt all that white space, it would give the eye somewhere to land. Right now, from the waist down, it’s kind of a white-out.

And then the ties on the shoulder. Hmm… we see what the designer’s going for, but the details sit a little heavy. They don’t fall in that effortless way that fabric sometimes does; they kind of just… hang there. If they were slimmer, or maybe looped or tucked more organically, they wouldn’t feel so stuck-on.

Overall, this is a look that knows itself. It’s not trendy, and that’s a strength. It’s the kind of outfit that feels designed for a real body, not a mannequin. It moves and holds its shape well.

Altogether, OpulenCe’s 2021 collection carries the brand’s love for storytelling through clothing pieces. But while the vision is clear and the craftsmanship evident, the pieces we explored did not really rise to the promise. The first dress, though rich, felt weighed down by its structure and plain visual appeal. The second had potential but lost some of its charm in execution. The last piece brought in some balance, yet left us wishing for a stronger finish. Still, what shines through is the brand’s commitment to marry tradition with today’s woman. OpulenCe might not have hit every mark with this collection, but we see they’re on a journey, one that still holds space for beauty in progress.