COLOURS OF EMMY KASBIT’S SS25 COLLECTION

How do you describe something full of life and vibrant in nature? Something that sparks your inside and lights up your mood in just an instant. Well, for me, in one word… colour.

In many ways, colour has been used to represent a lot of things. It has stood as a symbol for peace and a sign of danger. It has united people and amplified the appetite in so many. Colour has controlled motion, protected lives, and beautified even the most basic things.

Today, the world celebrates not just the existence of colour, but the people who have mastered the art of utilising it; Emmanuel Okoro is one of those talented people. As the founder and creative director of EMMY KASBIT, Emmanuel has done a tremendous job in spotlighting the brand as an African masterpiece. From culturally specific textiles to fabrics that tell stories about African history, EMMY KASBIT is deeply rooted in eastern Nigeria but built to sit confidently on any international runway.

Luckily, Emmanuel Okoro doesn’t get to stand by on his own in this creative journey. He is largely supported by Joahua Precious Uyoyo-Oghene, who is the assistant lead designer of the fashion brand. Together, these designers have taken the world by storm with their vibrant and daring outfits on the runway. EMMY KASBIT is a visual representation of how powerful colours can be when put to the test. And I am so thrilled to look at his SS25 Runway Collection.

The first outfit of the sleeveless vest collection moves in like a fashion Greek God. This piece plays with layers and fabric patterns boldly and structurally. The combination is very aesthetically pleasing, and no doubt… genius. The white shirt with a collar gives the look a clean base. Over it, the sleeveless vest with blue and grey square design adds a mix of flow and order to the overall look. It hugs the body just right like a fitted apron, and gives room for the white inner shirt to shine.

Also, the fabric looks very thick and sharp to the eye. The designer gives a pleasing view with the lowered neckline… again, giving more room for the white shirt. I also like how detailed the shirt is around the neck. The pointed collar obviously caught my attention first when I looked at it. It is thick, perfectly layered, and structured to match the Greek-like energy of the sleeveless vest.

Moving down to the sleeves of the shirt, a little piece of the metallic fabric is attached to it, giving it more style and sophistication.

Now I obviously saved the best for last. This action figure piece is then crowned with a draped navy blue skirt that also matches the colour of the vest. The skirt attachment creates an African effect, which softens the look of the sleeveless vest while adding depth to the silhouette. The fringe detail at the hem of the skirt amplifies motion, so every step of the runway is heavy on design language.

This wrap immediately transforms the outfit from a standard corporate look to a culture of ceremonial dress, and I love it. Now with the skirt on, it definitely looks like something a Zulu king would wear. It also adds more structure and fluidity to the overall look. There’s never a boring appearance with such an attire on, very outside of the box, I must say.

Overall, this look is runway worthy, and if I were seated in the audience, I would applaud the loudest.

In the second look, the designer brings in something for the females. This time, the coat is longer, soothing the frame of the wearer. Ladies, you will love this one. The technique doesn’t just stop with the long coat; it extends to having a mini skirt on top of plain navy blue trousers.

Talk about options.

This look is boss, is chic, is in control. Walk into a room with such an outfit and watch the kind of respect you will command. The white shirt also elevates the look and brings it to the spotlight. Normally, this sleeveless coat would have been paired with any colour of shirt and still look drop-dead gorgeous. But of course, the white colour gives it a more majestic feel to the overall look.

Ladies, I would strongly advise that for accessories, this lovely outfit should be paired with white stiletto heels and a silver clutch purse.

The third look with the sleeveless vest is similar to the first runway outfit. Only, it is paired with trousers, not a draped skirt. And, for supportive features, the inner shirt is navy blue, not white.

Now remember what I said earlier about the outfit coming off nice with any other colour, but preferably better with white? This was what I was talking about.

The first pair with a white shirt speaks more volume and builds up more confidence than the one paired with the navy blue. This doesn’t change or dissolve the mastery of the designer’s craft in any way. It just gives room for options. And when an outfit gives the people what they want and more, there is no other love language better than that.

The next outfit sits on the throne of royalty. It appears in a thick starched shirt and a lovely high-waist slit skirt. This metallic blue outfit is very high on confidence and aura. This is totally a look Toke Makinwa would rock.

The neat long-sleeved blouse fits in perfectly with the high slit skirt, making the outfit have an appearance of energy and style. What I love most about this design is how it is modernised but also cultural. You can see from its print that it is totally African, but you could also trace from the design and crafts that this piece possesses the strength and elegance of the modern woman.

The shirt has a unique embroidery on the chest that looks like a sunflower. The fabric looks smooth and very shiny. The cuff of the sleeves is well-detailed, and it makes the shirt appear very sharp.

Of course, the skirt does all the work here. The slit makes it very eye-catching, easing the eyes down to the light feathers at the edge, while highlighting the legs. When I think of the graceful patterns and solid structure of Cleopatra’s clothing, all I see is this skirt. It is commanding and surely gives a woman the feeling of control and power.

I love the last-minute use of feathers at the hem of the skirt, also. Because of the kind of material used here, the outfit tends to look rigid and a bit stiff. Adding the feathers as a finishing touch brings more life and spice to the look.

Now, instead of something that just moves, there is something that sways.

One thing EMMY KASBIT has shown with this collection is that one fabric can be used to curate multiple impeccable pieces. I mean, I have lost count of how many gorgeous outfits this designer has been able to create from this extraordinary fabric. The colour, fabric texture and design pattern seem a little different here, but with a closer look, the sameness can be spotted.

The first look in this group is a blazer jacket and a pair of trousers. The sharply cut blue blazer frames the body with architectural precision, while its opening style introduces a sense of vulnerability and ease. The blazers look like a standalone style, but they can also be paired with a light inner wear or shirt to reveal more confidence. The designer’s signature here definitely lies in the connection between structure and exposure, creating a silhouette that is both assertive and intimate.

This pattern is likely inspired by styles found in the city and at red carpet events. It is bold, trendy, versatile and gives off a vibe of something fresh and timeless.

For the trousers, the designer does a trick here. He merges the two fabrics to form a whole. And just around the thighs, he adds a little spice, a plain navy blue fabric. The concept of this design is mind-blowing. Excuse my excitement, but it does add swag to the overall look.

When I look at this outfit, all I see is a woman in the C.I.A. field. It is smart, stylish, simple, and detailed.

The second look comes in the form of a shirt and trousers. Of all the designs that have been made from this fabric, this is the least of my favourites. Not because the sewing was bad, but with this style, the fabric appears to be too much. What would have worked best here is pairing the trousers with a black shirt and maintaining the head durag. This way, the outfit doesn’t appear to be all over the place, and doesn’t look weak as well.

Coming up last in this fabric is a suit jacket and a fitted pair of trousers. There’s so much to see in this outfit. The suit is tailored perfectly to fit the body of the wearer. It exposes the muscular structures of the shoulders and creates a firm look around the collar. The precision of this suit is top-notch. I can tell from the smooth edge and the fine line that every part and detail of this suit was put into a serious creative test.

It is quite obvious that this design takes a modern man who just wants to rock a suit to work on a normal day, to a dapper, sophisticated man.

What stood out for me here is the inner vest placed before the suit. It has all the nature of sophistication and style. It gives the wearer more options to look sharp and polished.

So if you don’t want to style with the suit, then you can style with the inner vest. Either way, it is an impeccable style that can transform the look of any man.

The fitted and simple trousers embrace the dramatic suit and inner vest perfectly. It brings a balance to the overall look while maintaining comfort and a tailored fit.

I love the colour contrast with the yellow shoes here. There is definitely a pop with the shoe coming into the picture, and it for sure screams style. From my previous description of the fabric, you already know how standard and enchanting this material is. Enchanting because the silver design does a lot of magic on the eyes, and I am a fan of anything magical and exciting.

Now, for the second outfit in this set, it follows through with the design from the first, but something is different here. The back of the suit has a cut that is revealing. I mean, when I think that EMMY KASBIT has done enough, he does even better. This cut is a fashion trend. It is a creative thought sewn into a fabulous style. It gives the overall look of the suit a daring and energetic feel. I definitely recommend this for a red carpet walk if you want to turn heads and make headlines, in a good way, of course.

Yellow is a very beautiful colour. It is bright and knows how to add a spark to your day. If the colour yellow does not complement your skin tone, it draws attention to you. EMMY KASBIT knows this, and that’s why this beautiful colour is added to this collection. In this section, there’s going to be a lot of yellow fever, so I advise that you take caution, but enjoy the beautiful pieces regardless.

The first look in this section is a sleeveless high-slit gown. This look is hot, chic, and captivating. It is highly creative, and it embraces movement, which is, in fact, key in an outfit. The fabric used here seems smooth and a little shiny when you have a closer look.
The deep V-neck and high slit make the dress look long and flowing, while the thin straps add a soft touch. The black handprint on the outfit gives it a bold and playful feel. It takes me to the ancient civilisation of Egypt, where patterns and marks show identity and presence. It reminds me of cultural stories but in a modern way. This feature makes the dress feel personal and long-lasting rather than just trendy.

Also, the fringe at the bottom makes the outfit move with each step, adding life to the look of this dress. The designer mixes strong colours and fun textures in this outfit, creating a style that celebrates the movement and beauty of the body.

At the chest region, there’s a string of the previous fabric attached from one end to the other. This is a symbol of art, a witness that fashion can be more than putting two fabrics together. I really love the extra touch the string brings to the cloth. And the fact that it can be styled to suit your preference is a plus for me.

For instance, you can knot it into a bow, leave it dangling as seen in the picture, or tie it around your neck.

Another reason I find this piece fascinating is that it can be worn to any occasion. Unlike some outfits that are just limited to the runway or events, this outfit can be an everyday look on an outing with friends, babe or colleague. I strongly recommend.

In the second phase of this section, we have outfits coming out in Avant-garde style. Each outfit mixes sharp tailoring with bold patterns. The yellow blazer has a deep V-neck and a slit in the sleeves, giving it a structured look with flair.

This stylish blazer is then paired with a matching yellow pants that feature a slit by the side and a peek of orange lining. Both pieces have green hand-like designs that make the outfit stand out and feel meaningful. This creates a fashion depth and adds more contrast for variety’s sake. The outfit is what I would like to call a ‘woman king’ piece. It stands firm and builds the confidence of the wearer, bit by bit.

The next outfit comes in with a sleeveless halter neck vest top. And it is paired with the same fabric as the first outfit. But this time, in skirt form. The top makes a statement with its delicate features and vintage-like prints. The fabric looks colourful and well-sewn. The open cut at the back reveals much more than just a design. It shows a craft carefully put together to amplify the charm of an African woman. And so does the front view. This beautiful top can be tucked into the skirt or trousers, depending on how you wish to pair it. It can also be styled with the top outside the skirt, for comfort or more detail.

I love the skirt also. The slit gives the skirt a feel of openness and movement, elongating the legs and amplifying the look of the outfit as well. The handprint designs show personal identity and connect to cultural roots. The fringe addition transforms the appearance of the cloth from plain basic African print into clothing used in dances or ceremonies. The designer made an excellent choice by pairing these pieces together. The beautiful yellow skirt matches the brief yellow print on the top so well. I don’t think this combination will ever go wrong with me.

With all of these beautiful outfits to choose from, EMMY KASBIT stands in the league of Mai Atafo, Deola Sagoe and Kenneth Ize, legends who are known for their sharp tailoring and detailed craftsmanship in the fashion industry. Each of his outfits in the SS25 collection has not only given away why he is the king of colour and structure, but also why fashion can never be just ordinary.

EMMY KASBIT is a fashion brand that exceeds the expectations of many when it comes to style and structure. And with all I have seen here, there is still much to come, and I will be waiting.

Abisola Omolade