A REVIEW ON THE ECSTACY COLLECTION; WHERE CRAFT MEETS CONCEPT

Tosin Clegg

Nowadays, the fashion industry is all about trends. And while it isn’t wrong, it’s beginning to take the creativity away from fashion design. But fortunately, a few brandsstill believe in the vision of creative design, taking a moment to slow down and ask, “How can we make this better and more meaningful?”

This question alone is what makes Jibbs stand out.

Since 2018, Jibbs, a fashion brand founded by AjibolaOpeyemi Olusoga, has created a space where sustainability and luxury coexist harmoniously. It’s not just about fashion for them; it’s about making pieces that care for the planet and support the hands that make them. 

Simply put, they are intentional about the fashion pieces they produce and their effect on the community. And just as a subtle, or not-so-subtle reminder, they just released their latest collection.

Join us as we explore some of their pieces from the 2021 Ecstasy collection and see how those values are reflected in the design.

To start with, there’s a subtle elegance to this look. The off-shoulder neckline is an immediate win. It’s clean, structured, and effortlessly feminine. It frames the collarbone and shoulders well enough to feel classy and current. That detail alone gives the dress a certain charm.

Then, moving to the skirt, we’ll give it full marks for the flow and movement. The gentle sway adds grace to the overall look. The black and white floral print is also a smart choice. It’s timeless, and the decision to keep it monochrome avoids the common pitfall of floral being too much or girly. It’s mature, elegant, and has range. You could wear this to a wedding, a formal brunch, or even a presentation if styled right.

The length is spot on, as well. Midi always brings in that soft, graceful look. It’s not too short to be casual and not too long to feel weighed down. Midi-length dresses flattermost people and work well with just about any shoe choice.

But hey, while the dress does have a lot going for it, there are a few things that could take it further upward in the grade range.

• Better Transition:

There’s a noticeable disconnect between the top and the skirt. It’s like they’re in the same outfit but having separate conversations. A smoother transition or design detail to blend them could be preferable. Perhaps a waistband, belt, or a seam with subtle detail would’ve pulled the whole piece together more cohesively.

• A standout feature:

The print, while safe and stylish, could’ve used a twist. Not necessarily colour, because the monochrome is doing just fine, but maybe a layering element or a little asymmetry to shake it up. Right now, everything is too neat. Sometimes, a little tweak to the normal, plain design is what makes fashion interesting.

Overall, this dress is like a beautiful song, but it played a few notes too safely. It’s composed, it’s classy, and it’ll get compliments. But with just a few edits, as highlighted, it could sing louder and linger longer in memory.

Right off the bat, that top makes a strong entrance. The fabric is visually rich, with an ink-wash, or should we say, tie-die pattern that gives it an abstract-art vibe. It feels expressive, like an outfit appropriate for an art gallery opening. You get it?

The puffy silhouette also adds to the unique feel. It has that editorial look, and it works especially well for someone who’s not afraid to make a statement.

Now, on to the pants—and wow, they deliver on texture and movement. The black velvet-like material adds this sultry contrast to the top. The fabric catches the light in different ways, which is something you don’t get with a plain matte finish. That little shimmer makes all the difference. Plus, the high waist cinches things nicely and gives the whole outfit structure.

There’s also something elegant in how the boldness is split between the two halves of the body. The volume is all up top, while the bottom half stays straight and smooth. It’s a nice push and pull energy.

This outfit is creative and unique in detail, and it’s almost a power move. But no outfit is too good for a little tweakhere and there.

• Structure and Fit

The top, for example, while beautiful, is very billowy. There’s a fine line between a statement piece and something that wears you instead of the other way around. Depending on the body type, the bulk could easily overwhelm the frame. A little more shaping around the waist or even a subtle tuck could’ve helped define the silhouette more clearly.

• Fabric Clash

Also, as gorgeous as the pants are, they almost feel like they belong to a different outfit. The texture and print clash slightly with the top. It’s not terrible, but it creates a bit of visual tension, like two strong voices talking at the same time. If the top had one solid tone pulled from the pants, or if the pants had a bit of the cloud print appear, it might’ve helped tie it all together.

This isn’t an outfit that blends in easily, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, it does mean it requires a certain confidence to pull off. Not every woman wants this much texture in one go, so a slightly more approachable version with a sleeker fabric might providemore versatility without losing the edge.

This dress immediately stands out for its mix of structure and softness. The upper half, with its sharp collar and brushstroke print, gives almost shirt-dress energy. The monochrome palette also works in its favour; it’s not a lot, but it isn’t boring either. There’s an artsy vibe here, like someone who appreciates abstract details without needing to be loud about them.

Then there’s the tiered black skirt, which softens the formality of the top and adds a bit of chic. The mix of fabrics keeps the look dynamic and layered, which is commendable. There’s also a nice silhouette created overall; the waist isn’t overly defined, but the dress falls in a flattering way that would work for various body shapes.

And let’s not ignore those pleated sleeve cuffs peeking out. Instant Love! They’re like a hidden detail you may not notice at first glance, and when you do, they elevate the whole thing.

Now, What Could Be Better? To be honest, this dress is really beautiful, but it could be improved. And here are a few spotted misfits with suggestions. 

• Stiff Skirt Flow:

Here’s the thing, though: the skirt fabric is undeniably pretty. It’s full and brings some needed flair to the outfit. But it also feels just a bit stiff, and that stiffness ends up taking some of the lightness away from the overall look. It’s like the skirt is trying to do all the work in terms of volume and movement, while the top half of the dress is more tailored. That mismatch in fabric behaviour makes the whole thing feel a little unbalanced. Maybe if the fabric had a bit more drape, it would have eased the transition and made the silhouette more fluid.

• Tricky for Smaller Frames:

For taller or longer-legged women, it might hold its ground pretty well. But for someone with a petite frame, this could be a bit of a challenge. There’s a fine line between a dress making a statement and a dress being overwhelming, and this one tiptoes close to that line. With the fullness of the skirt, it risks looking heavy from the waist down. Pulling up the waistline just a bit higher could make a huge difference. It would visually lengthen the legsand allow the dress to feel more flattering across different heights.

At the end of the day, looking at these three pieces, one thing is clear: Jibbs is certainly here to stand out. Of course, there are places where the fits could be softened or the transitions could be refined, but those are just proof of a designer still exploring. The ideas are solid, the risks are thoughtful, and the pieces, even when they stumble slightly, are never boring.

If this is the kind of work Jibbs is producing now, then it’s exciting to imagine what’s coming next. We see the vision and we wait for the next drop.