Fashion Review: Street-Smart, Gym-Ready

Tosin Clegg

What began in the early 1900s as a means to produce hoodies for working-class citizens during cold seasons has now evolved into a fashion trend. As time went by, astylish name was applied to this casual sports attire, Athleisure. Athleisure refers to athletic clothing styles that provide comfort for wearers. These outfits are inspired by both classical and modern sportswear. 

Some fashion brands make athleisure pieces that are linked to their cultural roots, thereby promoting their heritage and culture. Blvck Kulture falls under such a category. Founded by Razaq Ayomide Rahman, the brand’s vision is to craft quality athleisure outfits for both males and females, while celebrating the strength of Africa’s identity in every design. This idea gave rise to the brand motto: “Kulture of Expression.” Over the years, they have excelled in this niche, gaining notable awards and partnerships with celebrities and renowned personalities.

Here, we will be reviewing some outfits from their 2021 collection. Having collaborated with national and global brands within the past few years, there is no doubt that these designs would be creative and inspiring. During a fashion event, some team members shared with the world the driving force of this collection, which is tied to the challenges and triumphs of the 2021 collection. The designers crafted each piece, hoping to inspire wearers about resilience innovatively and stylishly.

The first outfit in this collection screams comfort and style. The warm neutral hue gives an earthy feel to the two-piece. The fabric looks high-quality, giving onlookersa promising feel of softness if touched. The material is thick, making this piece perfect for cold seasons. The short sleeves createflexibility for it to be worn in hot weather conditions, providing room for aeration. The sleeves are big, and it has a straight cut, allowing easy movement.

The hood provides warmth for the wearer and can be worn down in warmer seasons. However, this can be a turn-off for minimalistic dressers who would prefer a simple round neck sweater. Having multiple options for the upper piece for this outfit would appeal to a wider audience and give room for more styling. Another variation with a round neck will allow customers to wear statement jewellery and any headwear of their choice.

The brown drawstring creates a natural blend with the beige colour of the hoodie. Beside the rope is the Blvck Kulture’s logo sitting pretty on the left side of the hoodie. This premium design style gives a bold statement but might not appeal to conservative customers who love plain outfits. Having a more discrete brand signature would help promote brand visibility in a subtle but effective way. 

The addition of blue and brown fabrics at strategic angles of this piece reflects the creativity of the designers on the team. The tailoring joining these materials together is flawless. There are no loose stitches or errors in sewing. This is commendable for the artisans and tailors working on the team.

The engagement factor of this outfit is the fine play of colours on the sides. The colour palette is well balanced, blending earthy tones with complementary shades of colours. However, the shade of beige used is sensitive and will require extra care. Wearers must be careful as it can pick up stains easily, and it requires regular washing.

The knee length of the shorts makes this piece suitable for all body types and also appealing to modest dressers. Each side of the shirt has a deep pocket that could serve as a resting space for the wearer’s hands or could be used to keep essentials. In the rear view, the shorts’ right side has a pocket that draws the attention of onlookers and serves functionally as a space to store items.

The stitching is flawless, and it adds detail to the hem of the outfit. This piece would excel at a runway show,particularly a streetwear event. With proper marketing, it can also be promoted on online stores while leveraging technology through e-commerce. It can be worn for casual and semi-formal events. It can be styled with minimal accessories and sport footwear, or perhaps slides or slippers if worn casually.

Next in line is the second outfit, which is a round-neck t-shirt and a pair of joggers. The navy blue shirt is a customised top featuring white lettering. The inscription ‘MMXXI’ is a code revealing that the outfit was made in the 2021 collection. Blvck Kulture is boldly written and highlighted with a rectangular box. Also, the first statement, EST 2015, gives a more detailed background about the label.

Though these words hold a significant meaning to the brand, they may not resonate with existing or new clients. Many would question the writings, while some would overlook the outfit and search for something more inconspicuous. The execution is visually striking; however, having the words printed in smaller font sizes will give a less overwhelming artistic look. When producing ready-made outfits, it is better to play safe than sorry. A simple inscription of the numeral detailing at the top left corner of the t-shirt would suit the preferences of a larger market.

The sleeves of the t-shirt stop just before the elbow. The top is a bit free on the wearer, providing comfort and style for a sport-inspired outfit. The material is light but of good quality,the perfect choice for any weather or semi-casual event. The top ends at the upper thigh region and can also be styled by being tucked into the joggers.

The black sweatshirt blends effortlessly with the t-shirt. It has a distinct white side strap that gives this piece a sporty finish. This design looks dynamic and has a luxurious feel. The pair of joggers is free from the waist and flows to an elastic cuff at the ankle region, giving it a slimmer fit. This band secures the trousers, preventing shifting and awkward folding of the material.

The sweatshirt has pockets on both sides for convenient storage, making this piece suitable for everyday use. Though this piece seems simple, its wow factor is in the bold inscription on the t-shirt that keeps admirers engaged, wondering what they represent. This outfit would excel in a sports boutique or online stores. The simplicity in the colour palette offers multiple styling options for this piece.

The last outfit in this collection is similar to the first but different in its way. The colour palette is intriguing, an excellent use of black, off-white and shades of brown. It is an excellent choice of colours as it suits all skin tones and creates room for styling. These shades give a timeless and sophisticated appeal to the wearer. One look at the outfit is never enough because of the engaging colour distribution.

The hood harmonises with the anterior view of the torso-section and the left sleeve. The off-white fabric also flows freely to the back but stops at the beginning of the right sleeve, which is made of a firewood brown fabric. From an anterior view, the top region is symmetrically designed, the left side is styled with a black material, while the right side is designed with a chocolate brown fabric.

The sleeves have a loose fit, and they stop a little before the elbow. The length of the hoodie gives room for styling with longer sleeves inside during cold seasons. A plain white, black or brown long-sleeved tee-shirt can be worn inside the hoodie, therefore adding a modern fashion style to the outfit. The black adjustable cord of the hood sits in the middle, drawing attention to the silent brand logo on the left. The fashion label is discreet, blending naturally with the black corner of the hoodie. The drawstring ends with a silver metal aglet, giving the hoodie a luxurious feeling.

The pair of shorts in this piece is made from the same fabrics used in producing the hoodie. The texture of the materials is exceptional and of a high standard. The black material is more prominent, toning down the brightness of the hoodie. The drawstring keeping the shorts secure at the waist is identical to that of the hoodie. The legs have a loose fit, allowing for easy movement and flexibility during sports activities. At the sides of the shorts, the brown and off-white fabrics create an artistic contrast. This piece can be styled minimally with simple accessories and unique athletic footwear.

The outfits in the 2021 collection show the expertise of the artisans and professionals who work in Blvck Culture. However, there are certain flaws in a few designs that were discussed above. With a few refinements, future collections could have a greater impact on sportswear trends and the fashion industry at large. The play with warm colours is an excellent reminder of the mission of the brand, which is to celebrate Africa’s identity, reminding us of the desert landscapes in Africa and warm yet bold cultural energy.