Fashion Review: Contemporary Styles for Bold Women

Tosin Clegg

In a world where fashion serves more than mere apparel, but as an unspoken declaration of identity, the fashion label, OpulenCe, stands tall as a beacon of light for other brands, showing what it means to create clothes for women who want to express themselves. True fashion is beyond just outfits. This brand shows this by how it merges cultural craftsmanship with contemporary design, and the results are in each collection that dazzles the fashion industry.

Founded by the talented and visionary woman, Patience Oduro, the Ghanaian brand was launched in 2020. With the indefatigable Patience running the affairs, OpulenCe produces outfits that reflect the rich nature of the African heritage. From her childhood days, her passion for her mother’s craft and desire to revolutionise modern fashion continues to reignite. 

OpulenCe was born out of her love for cultural storytelling, and this is reflected in how it incorporates Ghanaian heritage to challenge trends and empower women. OpulenCe’s commitment to merging traditional designs is evident in how the brand uses local artisans who bring age-old techniques, such as hand-painted textiles and intricate prints, to life in each piece.

The theme of the 2024 collection is culture, identity, and timeless style. We expect to see an interplay of colourful and captivating pieces. So, let’s dig in!

The first piece is a green caped top and black trousers. The combination redefines power dressing with a twist of elegance. The ensemble is a perfect blend of structure and storytelling.

The top is the main conversation. The choice of colour, rich green, calls attention without being too loud. The real standout part of the top is the neckline. It has a cape formed in a V-shaped design that moves the eyes downward. This is quite unusual for the traditional collar shape. On the other hand, the neckline adds a touch of regal drama to the piece.

The top’s sleeve underneath the cape is a delicate balance to the overall feel of the piece. It is fitted yet loose enough to allow movement and flow. The front part of the top is smartly decorated with black and white contrasting buttons. They add a subtle playfulness and visual tension to the top’s polished look. But the white and black buttons might appear visually busy depending on the wearer’s body shape or the choice of accessories. 

The front slit at the hem, starting from the final button, opens gently to reveal the waistband of the black trousers. They create a stylish effect that feels modern and intentional. However the slit raise questions of modesty and practicality. This is because when in motion, it would shift awkwardly or reveal more than intended.

Underneath the slit are the trousers themselves. The attention to a perfect cut and the detailed tailoring is a masterclass from OpulenCe. From the waist to the hem, the trousers stay fitted, shaping the model in a way that is both flattering and functional. The length, reaching the feet, elongates the legs, offering an executive wear finish. 

Overall, the piece is a bold move from OpulenCe. The top and the trousers set the line between fashion-forward and office-appropriate, structured yet fluid, classic yet creatively detailed. For women who want to appear more than passive in their next boardroom meeting, this is the right outfit.

From the back view, the neckline extends from the front, offering space for the zipper, which enhances the top’s fitted structure. Though the cape remains striking, it might feel a bit costume-like for women who prefer subtlety. It might not be suitable for occasions that read more practical instead of dramatic. Still, this is a look for confident professionals who love a bit of drama in their daily style without compromising their personality. 

This is another masterpiece from the 2024 collection. At first glance, the green ensemble commands attention: the neckline, the sleeves, and the sweeping maxi skirt combine to give an undeniably statement-making dressing. 

The top, with its high round neckline, extends upward to envelop the neck, giving a hint of refined modesty. Yet the sleeves are what steal the show. Each fold is sculpturally constructed, each pleats are crafted such that it reflects effortless sophistication. Just when we think the drama is over, the top cropped design draws the eyes to the waist, offering a contrast to the voluminous shape of the sleeves. However, the stunning sleeves might prove quite difficult for some arm movement, especially for some simple tasks like picking things up across the table or handling a clutch. They demand a certain poise and caution to navigate gracefully. 

Below the waist, the skirt looks regal and majestic in its flow. The upper waist part stays fitted, then it flows dramatically to the ground. The gather-pleat style creates depth and movement even while the wearer stands still. This is a lesson in marrying texture with form. This is an intentional design from OpulenCe.  The skirt’s floor length is yet a bold choice from the brand. It evokes a sense of royalty where the wearer commands the court with each step. 

From the back view, the skirt’s dramatic fit is held together with a rope. The piece ticks the boxes in terms of colour and fabric choice. The bold hue and lustrous materials speak to OpulenCe’s mastery of storytelling in crafting each outfit for every collection.

However, though the combination is alluring, the design has a few considerations for improvement. First, the combination of a cropped top and full skirt may overwhelm women with shorter figures. For instance, those under 5’5’’ may need additional hemming or a raised heel to balance proportion. Another is the use of accessories; the piece doesn’t allow bold or chunky ones, because of the sleeves and skirt pleats. However, for pairing, you could consider a collar necklace to balance the neckline, strappy heels in a neutral shade to complement the skirt’s volume, and a rounded clutch to soften the overall outfit. 

The artful blend between historic inspiration and contemporary edge is fresh and authentic. From red carpet to ballroom events, this ensemble is for daring fashionistas. 

This one-shoulder green ensemble is a definition of contemporary flair with detailed tailoring. The piece marries the two effortlessly. From this view, the cropped top appears wrapped, but that is not so. The tailored cut and design were made to look like it is wrapped, without a single wrap out of place. This speaks to the high level of craftsmanship from the OpulenCe brand. The one-shoulder sleeve defines the shoulder and arm, revealing a hint of skin. This lends an air of modern edge and understated sophistication. 

Now, the skirt also appears wrapped, though not so, falls gracefully down in a pleated series, just below the knees. The pleats add weight, texture, and movement, which extends to the back. On the other side, the pleated skirt challenges those of shorter height to find the right heel height in order not to shorten the leg line or compromise the intended elegance. 

Yet at the back, the cropped top reveals two invisible zippers, one down the centre of the top, the other at the skirt’s waistband. The two zippers ensure a cleaner finish and easy wear, while striking a balance between structure and fluidity. However, the illusion of wrapping while visually arresting can feel overly contrived. The body contouring might not accommodate all shapes equally. Also, the one-shoulder design, beautiful as it is, limits layering options. For instance, those who want to rock it with a tailored jacket or shawl might feel unsure about how to style it. Above all, this piece shows OpulenCe’s ability to marry illusion with craftsmanship. It is daring, highly polished, and versatile from daytime events to evening glamour. 

Through the 2024 collection, Patience’s shows how she weaves resilience, vibrancy, and pride, transforming the fabrics into identity, and tradition into revolution. As OpulenCe continues to grow, she envisions the brand to be one that amplify its wearers’ unique voices, reclaiming their narratives and foster social change.

We can confirm they are on the right track after seeing this collection because it is indeed a fusion of creativity, colour, and self-expression.