COME AS YOU ARE- REMY REWANE DENIM 2024 COLLECTION

In the growing environment of sustainable streetwear, where fashion distinguishes between class and ‘deep pocket’, this brand gives a chance to all social statuses, from the ‘ajebutter’ to the ‘ajekpako’.

This collection is built from the backyard for a creative artist, Sadiq Ademola Adams. However, what will be discussed is the inclusive, eco-friendly contemporary brand, called Remy Rewane Demin, founded in 2023. This is a brand that has been recognisable each year.

Sadiq has deliberately built this brand to refine old Okrika denim into outfits that speak street talk, maintain self-identity and preserve cultural roots. This is the kind of outfit many Lagosians will like to go for, even better, the brand is a unisex brand.

The Remy Rewane 2024 collection has a lot of creative outfits that express the designer’s heart.

Without wasting any more time, the review of this outfit will be discussed from three aspects: design language evaluation, concept and inspirational analysis, and comparative industry insights.

In the collection, Sadiq works on the theme; Come as You Are. And that means, come the way you like, but the dress code is Jeans (denim). He not only shows that these outfits are durable, but also the extraordinary effort invested by the designer to create what looks like a plain everyday outfit into something brilliant and cool.

Look at the picture of the woman with a cap.

Design Language Evaluation

This combination is a unique art that Nigerians formerly call: ‘patchwork design’, bad girl style! This outfit has different shades and textures of jeans. The jeans have different colour tones, showing that the brand was intentionally creating one-of-a-kind denim.

This outfit seems unique because it has so many pockets where the wearer can keep phones and cash.

The first part, which I am going to talk about in detail, is the cap, which is made in the style of the Kalabari cap (bowler hat) fondly worn by the Calabar people. It complements the combination, especially with the different colours ranging from black, deep, to light blue. This cap makes the wearer feel fly with that jacket and pocket jeans.

The design shows that the brand can also introduce a soft material in the local fabric to balance the look. It has a zipper and button in the front, and the wearer can either zip up or button up to cover the amount of skin they are showing.

This pair of jeans trousers, look closely at it, has two waistlines, one that stops above her stomach and the other at her waist. Even though this outfit has a lot of pockets that will come in handy, the brand shows that jeans are not meant to be discarded but re-worn, and it has shown not just how it can be re-worn but also the creative talent to achieve that.

The second outfit is the mix.

In this outfit, the brand introduces the suit-like jacket with denim.

It is made of a suit-like jacket and trousers. The brand implemented different textures on this outfit.

Looking at this outfit closely, the suit is an English suit, and made with the Okrika. The sleeves are different because the area where the jeans are patterned is longer than the other sleeve.

In this piece, the brand is intentional, especially mixing the English wear with the traditional love of Okrika jeans.

This outfit shows the brand deliberately combining both sophistication and tradition, but there should have been a better cutout. The sleeves should have been created equal, not slightly different, as if the brand made a mistake with the first hand and in the process of the second, they could not find enough Okrika to replicate what had been achieved the first time.

Wearers who love to go for corporate casual would reconsider because of the way the sleeve has been designed.

What then inspired the brand to create something like that embodies the trademark of a Lagosian and the slight touch of English fashion?

Remy Rewane did not create this outfit for luxury; it was to be repeatedly worn, each time looking different and cool. This brand has taste and preference, speaking to the outfit with a suit now. The creative way Remy Rewane uses it, Okrika, shows that some jeans do not wear out; they can be re-worn and recreated, and that is exactly what Remy Rewane has done with these two.

Even then, there is a brand that has been said to produce the same designs, and that is Boyedeo Odeneho II Men’s patchwork. It is a brand known for creating fashion designs that show style in patterns and luxury, but the downside of their outfit is can only be worn once, whether for an occasion or a show. However, with Remy Rewane, the fashion designs he created can be worn every day and every time, giving a new look and a different mood.

The next outfit blends with the crowd, and it fits even the weather conditions.

In this picture, there is a combination of what we like to refer to as a crocket top and Okrika.

The top is made from possibly ‘Yeye yarn or baby lamb’; however, looking closely, it looks like it was made with ‘milk cotton yarn’, especially the kind of soft textures it gives. Remy Rewane has been intentional about the crocket, especially with the deliberate pattern handcrafted on the front view and arms. The brand totally emphasises the use of locally available materials, such as acrylic yarns, helping both the environment and people.

The Okrika jeans look like it is made of one shade, but they actually have three colours: light brown, deep, and light blue. From the waistline to the torso, you can see the brown colour, and from there, you see the other shades. These trousers are not like the previous ones shown, it has four pockets, although the lower pockets look like they have been cut out of a good-shaped pair of trousers and placed onto this one. The trousers also look like palazzo trousers, especially with the wide leg ankle.

This brand’s intentional way of combining locally made acrylic yarns with Okrika shows the passion to express African culture, refining and designing it.

The next outfit is of two parts. The first part is what is popularly known as a bustier/cupped corset, which can be worn for Owambe parties or weddings. It shows defined bra cups that cover the bust slightly, showing how endowed the wearer is.

The brand shows in this top that it is not just about styling, but even the cuts matter. That creates what designers like to call top snitches and curves seams in the front of the top, and these accentuate the bust and the waist. Making it a creative cut.

The brand makes this skirt different and even better. It creates pockets around the skirt in a deep zip-zag format, creating not just a pattern but heritage. But, even though the brand has created an outfit that interrupts interest and luxury, a few adjustments can be made. A light shade of jacket should be recommended, especially for women who cannot go out in this except covering their chest, and it is also applicable for the length of the skirt. But the wearer can wear wrist or neck accessories they like.

The brand is considerate of the wearer’s comfort, style, luxury, and expression, and that is why they created this style.

But compared to other designers like NKWO, a fashion brand that turns waste into craft, the brand contributes to society, meeting their needs and expectations, especially in Lagos.

The next group may even shock you. It shocked me at first, but here we are.

The first design reminds me of ‘Lagbaja’, a popular Nigerian afrobeat musician, especially with the shredded -like pattern outfit.

The first picture looks like a masquerade costume, because the artist will need to add movement, especially when walking or dancing. The brand went above itself, using the Okrika material to create such a piece. Even though this outfit has no purpose except for display. A lot of people may not go for this design.

The next outfit is a twin of a king’s attire, where the model is wearing the ‘Ade’ crown, the cowrie beads on his neck, Agbada, and Okrika jeans underneath, and holding ‘irukere’ symbolising authority, luxury, and kingship. This attire is most worn by the Oba. It is not everyday wear.

Let me show what makes this outfit unique.

The top attire is made of Agbada, a Yoruba traditional attire mostly found at weddings, meetings, and even conferences. On this Agbada is a grid pattern with different shades of light blue, brown, deep blue, and black. The brand has used a softer texture of Okrika to make this Agbada.

The trousers are a darker shade than the Agbada itself, but ankle length, thereby making it actually a disaster of a complete traditional attire. With this get-together, the brand shows an art that suppresses my imagination.

Even if the brand encourages you to come as you are, the piece might not fall in place because every outfit has its own mood and presence.

The next outfit on this list is also a great outfit. It is made of a breast tub that starts from the chest and ends at the ankles. Because of modesty, a black transparent net is worn.

This outfit can actually be worn with other colours apart from black. The top has several belt loops, which can be mistaken for a zipper if you are not careful.

The lower part of the gown is not equal. The back is slightly longer than the front view. This outfit is made with the same thoughts as that of the masquerade. However, the brand can consider making the length the same.

This design shows that Remy Rewane does not just want to appeal to Lagos’ fashion by creating crazy styles or following trends, but it also preserves culture and maintains self-identity. The brands also show that confidence is not hidden and embraced, and in that process, it saves the environment and people.

Even though Remy Rewane is compared to brands like Ndiiche, which focuses on repurposing textiles to blend heritage with new creativity. Remy Rewane still stands tall by turning each Okrika that may have been forgotten into something creative and lasting.

This kind of outfit is trending in the streets of Lagos. The brand’s thoughtful intention is not to embrace Western culture but to refine traditional craftwork to a sophisticated level. This last outfit has different colours from deep indigo to light acid-wash with raw cuts. It is perfect for a dance talent competition that shows style, readiness, and passion.

Remy Rewane Denim shows that it is more than just keeping random clothes. It creates a piece that tells one that your wear can be accepted anywhere, it just depends on where you wear them.

Even when compared to Kala Blaq, a brand best known for patchwork sets and jorts, which designs only casual fit styles. Remy Rewane sets a purpose for every outfit, whether it is to impress, make a statement, convince, or attract.

This 2024 collection shows that, indeed, Remy Rewane drives an entity that transforms traditional culture into a creative ensemble. Therefore, the brand’s commitment to creating patterns using different types and colours of Okrika is not just a creative approach. The brand goes way above blending artisanal craftsmanship with intention. These outfits, which I saw today, reflect the brand’s love for sustainability and using new materials to repair old. This intent indicates that the designer is a visionary who infuses functionality into traditional and modern African fashion. And I believe that Remy Rewane will continue to rise to meet the global fashion need.

Abisola Omolade