Fashion Review: “Roots & Rhythm” — Reimagining Nigerian Heritage for a Global Stage

By Dimeji Alara

In an industry where cultural references are often reduced to surface-level motifs, emerging designer Rachael Adeniyi, founder of Rhaychaelle Cut, takes a more considered approach. Her 2024 collection, aptly titled Roots & Rhythm, is not simply an arrangement of vibrant fabrics, it is a thoughtful exploration of identity, memory, and the evolving language of Nigerian fashion.
Presented at a private show earlier this year, the collection invites viewers on a journey through the streets, ceremonies, and landscapes that shape Nigeria’s creative pulse. Each piece reflects a designer who understands heritage not as something to replicate, but as something to reinterpret for the contemporary wearer.

At the core of the collection are fabrics deeply tied to Nigeria’s textile history Adire and Ankara which Rachael Adeniyi treats with subtle innovation. Rather than relying on nostalgia, she experiments with modern construction techniques: elongated and draped silhouettes, controlled layering, and occasional deconstruction. The result is a quiet tension between tradition and global sensibility, familiar textiles housed in forms that feel both youthful and contemporary.
The colour story, drawn from sun-baked landscapes and festival attire, is warm, expressive, and carefully moderated. It avoids excess while retaining a celebratory vibrancy. Cultural motifs, such as Yoruba adire patterns, are referenced in restrained, thoughtful placements rather than dominant prints, offering garments that are both narrative and wearable.

A subtle but notable strength of Roots & Rhythm is its commitment to responsible fashion practices. Without overtly branding itself as eco-activist, the collection demonstrates careful material sourcing and meticulous hand-finished detailing. This integration of sustainability into process rather than promotion is a mark of maturity and awareness rare in emerging designers.
Collaboration with a skilled pattern cutter enhanced the technical execution of the collection. Crisp seams, stable fitted panels, and precisely shaped experimental pieces suggest a designer steadily gaining confidence with complex garment construction.

The accompanying campaign reinforces the collection’s ethos. Shot in expansive outdoor spaces, the images capture celebration, movement, and self-expression. Fabrics catch the wind naturally, models stride with confidence, and the visual narrative conveys cultural freedom in motion. There is no over-stylisation or artificial drama; the story unfolds honestly, allowing the garments to speak for themselves.

Roots & Rhythm is not without early-stage experimentation. Some bolder silhouettes feel exploratory rather than fully resolved. Yet these moments are evidence of a designer willing to challenge herself, take risks, and extend her creative boundaries qualities that distinguish exceptional emerging talent.
The collection demonstrates:
● Innovation in integrating traditional textiles with contemporary forms
● Technical skill in tailoring, draping, and construction
● Subtle cultural storytelling embedded in wearability
● An emerging signature aesthetic with global appeal
● A thoughtful approach to sustainability

Roots & Rhythm positions Rachael Adeniyi as a designer on the cusp of international recognition. The collection bridges tradition and modernity, marries craftsmanship with narrative, and communicates a distinct creative voice. In a fashion landscape increasingly attentive to authenticity and skill, Rachael Adeniyi stands out as a rising talent with meaningful cultural and global relevance.
If she continues on this trajectory, her work is likely to attract broader international attention, confirming her status as a global designer.