Fashion Review: Style With Substance

In a world where everyone is chasing what is next, Chrispe is moving differently. They don’t follow trends. Instead, they ask, ‘What if style wasn’t just about how you look but also how you feel?’ Hence, in every piece Crispe creates, they answer this question.

Founded in 2020 by Ghanaian designer Christian Danquah, Chrispe aims to be global and grounded. It is rooted in the culture of the African continent but made for the woman who walks through the world on her terms. Chrispe speaks boldly and is always outdoing themselves with every one of their creations.

The 2024 collection embraces comfort without compromising identity. The brand allows women to show up as themselves, strong, soft, complex, and feeling supported in what they wear. There’s no one way to be a “Chrispe woman.” She can choose to fit her brand into Lagos, London, Accra or Atlanta styles. On the other hand, she can also choose to sew corporate or keep it casual. This shows that she doesn’t put herself in a box but tries to explore beyond her comfort zone.

The richness of the African continent, its textures, stories, and spirit, reflect in his designs. That’s the heart of Chrispe’s value: clothes that look sharp and carry meaning. Pieces that don’t just follow trends but follow purpose. It’s that rare mix of design and depth where every button, seam, and silhouette is doing more than just looking nice. It’s honouring something bigger.

So, when people ask, “What makes the brand different?” It’s as simple as how it makes someone feel good, in how thoroughly and in detail the outfits are sewn. And in a world obsessed with the surface, that’s no small thing.

This is a cascading ruffle gown that commands attention with its fitted silhouette. The fit proves that the designer intentionally puts the dress together, structuring the upper bodice and making the mid-section that flows downwards explosive. The black dress falls beautifully and suggests an attractive pattern that will allow the ruffles of this gown to fall naturally without being stiff or uncontrolled. The gathering at the neckline suggests a drawstring opening, which is very comfortable (and may not require much styling if misaligned), but also may need some careful work so as not to give an overly feminine look if the dress is not properly styled. The fabric used is also important.

As with all organza fabrics, its lightweight allows the ruffles to hold the overall shape and volume of the dress without becoming too heavy. While its sheen reflects light, it adds a delicate tone to the otherwise stark black and adds a subtle ethereal quality to the volume of the ruffles. While this dress is beautiful, it is not suitable for day-to-day wear, so this is a major drawback. Its voluminous nature would make navigating through crowded spaces complex for a wearer. Sitting down, too, might require some strategic arrangement of the ruffles to sit comfortably. Despite the use of light fabric, the dress looks heavy. This makes the outfit suitable for events where making a statement is paramount.

This gown will undeniably suit heels, to add height and ensure the wearer walks elegantly in the dress. It could be black or gold heels. Any of these footwear items is good to go. The designer can consider integrating a more sophisticated neckline: a hidden drawstring or a tailored elastic to allow for a more precise fit and different styling options.

The fitness of the sleeveless wear is great, which makes it very clean. The magic happens in the midsection where the fabrics are cut off. The waist area catches the attention while the fabric widens out into the massive, pleated skirt. The fitness of the torso is good, with great balance between being flattering on the model’s chest and being restrictive. It looks like the pleat made in the skirt was sharp and clean. The material chosen for the garment was of good quality, and the fitting done by the designer was of high quality.

This dress was meticulously crafted to be the perfect balance between simplicity & a little detail. The sleeveless construction provides a timeless & minimalistic base for the unique midsection, as well as the pleated skirt, to shine. The shirring on the waistline will provide a stark focal point that will help cinch the waistline down and give you the hourglass look. The bodice has a smooth finish to ensure it is a sleek front. This dress can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. The sleeveless design offers comfort, while the maxi length is classy. The cinched waistlines will give you a flattering look and allow the flowing skirt for ease of movement. This versatile piece could easily be dressed up with statement pieces or minimal if you prefer a more tailored look.

While the strength of this dress is its smart use of texture and silhouette, one possible downside to this dress is that the deeply textured skirt adds some visual bulk.

If the waistline is not properly maintained, the waistline might lose its fitting. This design may not work well for those who want a covered arm.

This dress can be worn to formal dinners, cocktail parties, evening weddings, corporate galas, as well as networking events. It would also be nice if the designer explored more options like a detachable sheer cap sleeve for added coverage or a delicate shrug built in that sits at mid arm, invisibly tailored to slip on arm length seamlessly, making it perfect for those who like a more discreet look.

The designer could explore different variations of waistbands or one with subtle embellishment, experiment with different pleating techniques for future designs, offering an elegant visual interest.

The Kaftan-style dress exudes an effortless, fluid grace. It fits loosely and invitingly, which is primarily due to how the fabric flows over the body instead of attempting to cling. Almost batwing wide sleeves are part of this loose silhouette, too.

The construction focuses on seamless flow, with minimal seams that could disrupt the fabric’s natural fall. The standout feature is the tie detail, designed to adjust the fit and add a relaxed, effortless look. Its placement creates subtle shaping without taking away from the ease of the silhouette. Because the fabric is satin, smooth with a soft sheen, neat stitching around the neckline and hems is essential. Any flaws would be more visible, so the finishing needs to be clean and precise to keep the garment looking polished. Otherwise, it throws off the whole feeling.

This satin? It’s a good kind. Soft, breathable, and it flows nicely when the wearer moves. That’s what makes this kaftan perfect for warm days or when out for hours. It keeps you feeling comfortable without looking too casual. And the best part? With the right earrings or heels, it can be worn to a resort lunch or straight into an evening hangout.

Even though this dress has its advantages, like all things, it does have a weakness. The looser silhouette is likely to be appreciated by some, but for those who lean more towards a defined shape fitting style, it would be viewed as a weakness. On some body types, the dress may seem excessively voluminous, lacking the tie.

The fabric would require careful attention to prevent wrinkles. The wide sleeve is less practical for a specific activity or cold environments.
This Kaftan outfit proves one thing: the power of simplicity and quality materials cannot be overemphasised.
This outfit is perfect for sophisticated evening occasions in warm weather conditions, a relaxed get-together, or even for enticing moments at home. The dress can also be complemented with flat, elegant sandals and low-block heels. Avoid warm footwear that is too structured or heavy. For future design iterations, adding subtle side slits or a single front slit would enhance movement while keeping the kaftan’s modesty intact.

The highlighted couture collection in this article revolves around sleek black and other sophisticated designs, which are pleasing to the eye and make me rethink whether I have something similar in my closet that has an exclusion on traditional designs that gives them an edge and elevates their appeal through timeless creativity. What connects these three dresses is the identical fabrics of high quality used and well-crafted seams done with precision. With intelligent choices made when designing pieces for a wardrobe, black does not have to drab, static addition; it can truly be versatile and stunning, something this collection demonstrates.

Abisola Abolaji Omolade