Piece by piece: A Technical and Artistic Review of Iconola Clothings’ Latest Collection

By Ferdinand Ekechukwu

At the recent Queen’s College Old Girls’ Association Reunion Party, themed “Our Heritage”, nostalgia met craftsmanship as Iconola Clothings unveiled its latest collection, “Piece by piece”.

This event, aimed at celebrating shared identity and cultural pride, provided the perfect platform for a designer with a deep respect for tradition and evolution.

Product Designer and Pattern Maker, Amarachi Ifenkwe, was commissioned to create statement looks that marry tradition with forward-thinking tailoring.

One of the looks is a floor-length, form-fitting dress with exaggerated puff sleeves and a matching head wrap.

Ifenkwe demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of vertical pattern flow and contouring, especially in how the patterned panels are pieced together to flatter the body’s natural curves.

The heavily structured puff sleeves are visually dramatic but slightly restrict mobility, suggesting insufficient armscye shaping during draft. Moreover, while the seamwork is mostly clean (with the seam allowances at the standard 1 cm measurement), certain high-tension points, such as the underarm seams, show signs of stress, which could have been mitigated with reinforced stitching or gusseting.

Another outfit is the high-waisted flared Ankara skirt. This design has excellent potential and would appeal to young, stylish women seeking something traditional yet versatile. The hip circumference and hem sweep POMs align well for the desired mermaid-like effect. The fabric used here is lightweight with a semi-stiff drape, suitable for the flared cut. The skirt hem is serged and blind-stitched while the flare at the hem seems under-pressed, resulting in visible puckering. This seemingly small detail compromises the fluidity of movement and reveals lapses in quality control. The choice of a bold, floral Ankara print on a deep blue background works beautifully, lending the dress a vibrant, youthful energy. The bust darts and princess seams show well-executed pattern grading, though the back zipper area bubbles slightly. The flare begins modestly from the waist, providing ease of movement without excessive volume.

The value of “Piece by Piece” to Ifenkwe’s portfolio is clear. The collection is a thoughtful blend of cultural storytelling and technical expression. The pieces will appeal to a niche market: women who value Afrocentric style with tailored elegance, particularly for occasions such as alumni gatherings, semi-formal events, or cultural ceremonies.

This is a collection with heart and potential, and it reveals Amarachi to be a designer with vision who is still evolving her craft.