Neat, Elegant and Market-Ready: Arivee’s Cape Story Lands With Confidence

I don’t know if you guys have noticed, but I have a good reason to believe that ready-to-wear luxury wear is not just a hot cake in the market right now, it’s becoming a bit overcrowded. So, it is important for fashion brands like Arivee to not only create signature pieces that further muddy the market but also craft dramatic designs that reconcile cultural uniqueness with feminine alliance.

Although I will be the first to admit that the Nigerian fashion scene is buzzing right now, as bold ideas are coming out from the woodwork. One thing that makes Chimdalu Victoria Arinze’s collection more interesting and perhaps outstanding is how she mixes cultural references with modern tailoring. Her new collection plays with cute capes, ruching details, and bold colours, while still keeping things wearable. But most importantly, her sculptured cuts open a discussion between feminine softness and luxury power.

Chimdalu burst onto the fashion scene when she launched her brand, and since then, she has produced various pieces that have cemented her name as a recognisable designer with a modest pedigree. So, she is in no way a JJC to the brutal realities of the fashion market. I will go through each pieces one after the other and give my honest thoughts without holding back. Also, I will be rating each outfit out of five stars, and the average rating three unique designs from the collection will reflect my final assessment for the entire collection. Based on Chimdalu’s reputation, I would expect at least 3.5 stars to consider this collection a success.

The first one we have here is a maroon cape ensemble. That is, the outfit comes in a deep maroon red, which instantly gives it a rich and solid feel. For the neckline, it is a V-shaped neck with a tied front detail that works nicely enough, especially with the fitted top peeking through from below. The cape-style sleeves drape loosely from the shoulders as you would typically see in a dashiki, and I think they add a bit of drama without being too much. Perhaps, in the next Superman movie, the costume department will take inspiration from this outfit so that the famed superhero can look more customised. The bodice underneath is fitted, but the patterns on the fabric give the texture a more exclusive impression that screams luxury. I know it is probably cliched, but colour, fabric and texture are the foundation of a luxury dress. If you use a cheap fabric and dull colour, it can make your luxury piece look like a mechanic’s rag. So, I would like to say well done to the designer for an excellent choice of fabric. For the lower part of the outfit, it is a pencil skirt that finishes at the knee, but it also has a slit at the back, so it’s practical enough for free movement.

My only issue, however, is with the hemline. It feels a little too plain for such a strong top half. The straight cut doesn’t balance the flowing cape with anything original. I think a more creative finish could have made the outfit stand out even more. Having said this, I believe this outfit scores at least 3.5 stars. While it is slightly above average, it does enter the category of a masterpiece.

Chimdalu’s collection has gone off on an energetic start. Let’s see if she can keep it up. For the second outfit, what I have is a satin short set, and it is all about shine on this round. The cobalt blue satin has a glossy look that offers a catchy visual that draws you in. The neckline is halter-like, formed by the cape draping over a black lace under-top. This design gives the outfit a bit of depth as it adds a delightful contrast. The short cape sleeves flare out dramatically, and there’s even a bow detail on one side to make it appear as chic as possible. I believe the bodice is semi-fitted, so it doesn’t feel too tight on the body, while the blue shorts keep the look lively and modern.

But the cape sleeves are where I think the design goes a bit overboard. I love to have a lot of fun, but even then, I have a limit so that I don’t nurse a hangover like a fever. And that’s exactly what happened here. The overbearing sleeves make the outfit look busy, stealing attention away from the clean lines of the shorts. If the sleeve were simpler, the satin fabric would have shone more naturally. I was excited about the dress, believe me, I was, but I can’t just see this outfit rated above 3.5 stars. And this is not a bad result, to be honest.

And then, the last but not least outfit is a maxi gown. I know it’s probably too early to say this, but it’s looking like this gown is easily the highlight of the collection for me. I will be surprised, and probably displeased, if this piece doesn’t score more than 3.5 stars. If you look at the outfit thoroughly, you will see that the spotted grey fabric has a metallic-like texture that feels out-of-this-world and reminds me of my days watching droids in the Star Wars franchise. The off-shoulder Bardot neckline shows off the shoulders and collarbone, and of course, this adds a soft, feminine touch to the outfit. The bodice is ruched all the way down, giving it a clear-cut structure and shape. It also enhances the dress’s silhouette so that it looks refined and polished. The hemline is floor-length with a slight train, and the ruching creates a mermaid-like flare that seems dramatic, but also chill.

However, the only drawback is that the ruching might feel restrictive if worn for long hours. Apart from that, wearing it for an extended time can trigger itchiness on the skin, and God knows that scratching the body in a tight dress can be a nightmare. So, while it looks stunning and all, I’m not sure it would be comfortable outside of special occasions such as cocktail parties, high-end fundraiser events and dinner nights. Nevertheless, this dress is a solid 4.5-star rating and the gem piece of this collection.

Overall, this 2024 collection earns a 4-star rating from me. Chimdalu has once again proven that talent and intelligence are a formidable combination in this brutal fashion market. I can see clearly that her collection draws inspiration from both traditional African attire and contemporary high fashion. In fact, she used concepts borrowed from the flowing capes of West African agbadas, kaftan and dashikis to create ultra-modern pieces celebrating African womanhood.

I will not lie to you, but what impressed me the most about this collection is how it fits right into the trend in the market. As a designer, you don’t want to be caught napping on trends, and it seems Arivee latched onto some of the trends I have observed in the industry. Some elements of her collection, especially the maroon cape is reminiscent of pieces produced by designers like Stella Jean or Adebayo Jones, who blend African prints with European silhouettes. However, for Arivee’s designs to stand out more in the market, their visionary star designer, Chimdalu, might need to learn from brands like Thebe Magugu to infuse more diverse lengths or accessories to their pieces.

My final verdict for this collection can only be that the future is brighter than we might expect. Chimdalu is rising steadily in the fashion space, and this collection might be the launching pad that propels Arivee to the prime of its power. The freedom with which Chimdalu executed sculptural cuts tells me that a parallel dialogue needs to be opened around feminine beauty and textile invention.

Abisola Omolade