From Sketch to Style: A View of Obiageli Beatrice Chukwuka Designs

Mary Nnah

As a fashion enthusiast, staying up to date with fashion trends, collections, and fashion shows is vital to connecting with your deep interest in and passion for fashion. One way of expressing your style is by appreciating the artistry and creativity behind clothing and accessories.

Fashion goes beyond wearing apparel for its elegance and aesthetic value and has become a means of self-expression. One way to better appreciate a piece of clothing is to understand the amount of creativity that goes into the design process.

Fashion design goes beyond the mere art of creating clothing and accessories. It is a form of personal expression and storytelling by the designers. Several processes are involved, from the design phase to the beautiful final piece. An exquisitely crafted design depicts the designer’s level of prowess.

For designers, taking a piece of clothing from the design phase to the elegant finished piece showcases their ability to infuse diverse elements into a fabric. Designers often get their inspiration from varying sources such as art, nature and cultures, and perfectly blending these pieces expresses their ingenuity.

As a fashion lover, fashion designs allow you to communicate your personality, mood, social status, and culture. So, for a designer to appeal to taste, a high level of creativity capturing the spirit of times and sustainability without sacrificing elegance and comfort are essential requirements.

Obyella, a top African fashion brand owned by Obiageli Beatrice Chukwuka, is known for keeping up with trends by applying diverse elements to create outfits. In the 2022 Collection, Obiageli displays her design prowess, and the ensemble is a testament to a unique process that infuses African culture with timeless pieces. The collection, which consists of three designs, showcases the inclusion of Ankara prints in crafting exceptional and sophisticated outfits.

Using Ankara fabric conveys the brand’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Through its vibrant patterns and colours, the fabric represents African heritage, unity, and resilience. The fabric choice also adds to the vibrancy and expression of the designs, conveying personality, vitality, and individuality without exempting cultural pride.

The Graceful Two-Piece is the first of the collection, featuring a two-piece design. It includes a crop top with long sleeves and a full-length pant trouser crafted to suit a fit silhouette. The matching two-piece design outlines the wearer’s shape without compromising comfort and style.

The crop top is designed to outline your shape through the fit silhouette. It is characterised by a collar neckline that flows through with two buttons on the front. If there’s a style you can trust never to let you down, it should be a crop top because it’s cute, peppy, and effortlessly gives you a chic look.

Crop tops are a wardrobe essential and represent women’s attitude towards fashion. They have been around for a while and aren’t going anywhere soon. With its minimalist design, the crop top in the graceful two-piece suit offers beauty and comfort. The lower end of the top includes a belt-like strap that allows you to wear the top in various forms.

You can tighten the top’s lower end to better display your midriff and reveal a flattering physique. Or you can loosen the belt and have a flowing-base top. The top is also adorned with long sleeves to add more versatility. This makes it suitable for diverse occasions, from casual wear to dressy.

The long sleeves, which depict the designer’s fashion-forward creativity by incorporating current fashion trends, balance the flattering features of the top—the long sleeve slims down the arms. At the same time, the cropped hem elongates your torso. The high-waist full-length trousers with a fitted silhouette also accentuate your outline.

Crafting beautiful modern wear with Ankara prints shows the designer’s commitment to sustainability. This is evident in this piece. With its durability and comfort, the fabric used in the design is also ideal for diverse weather conditions. The pattern on the fabric is a mix of vibrant green, blue, and brown colours with a white background.
The Graceful Two Piece is a must-have for modern women who love making bold statements through their clothes. The Ankara print used to create the pieces radiates African heritage. As a lover of timeless pieces and African culture, I believe this design should be included in your wardrobe.

The One-Shoulder Long-Sleeve Top is a breathable two-piece design featuring a one-shoulder long-sleeve top and full-length high-waisted trousers. Made from non-stretchy fabric, the piece is designed to give a tasteful look.

The bodice features a one-shoulder long-sleeve design and a ruffle detail. The top is designed to exude allure and style. A timeless elegance with flawless construction, the top outlines the wearer’s silhouette. Unlike the first piece in the collection, the one-shoulder long sleeve is not cropped, making it especially suited for formal settings.
The long sleeve is ruffled at the tail end, exuding confidence with a touch of playfulness. The ruffle adds a captivating detail to the top, perfect for making a fashion statement while displaying effortless charm and femininity.

The high-waist trousers are full-length with a slightly loose silhouette. They are a lovely continuation of the top, giving a balanced, structured and coordinated look. With a high waist and wide-leg cut, the pants offer a flattering, comfortable, sophisticated silhouette that elongates the figure. The straightness of the cut ensures that rich textures and patterns are the focal points.
This design is also crafted from Ankara prints with bold colours and patterns, adding elegance to the cloth. The choice of fabric is vital to the design’s success. Rich, warm tones of brown, orange, and gold create a sense of warmth, making the outfit perfect for formal and informal outings.

The design proves how traditional elements can be infused in contemporary fashion to create a versatile and eye-catching piece. The one-shoulder long sleeve is ideal for making a bold and refined statement.
The loose-fitted wear is a stunning outfit that infuses traditional African prints with modern designs. It is a unique and stylish design.
The top is a perfect blend of contemporary and traditional designs. It features a deep navy blue fabric with Ankara prints. The bodice is flawlessly crafted from Ankara print and navy blue fabric to create a sophisticated piece.
The piece features a V-neckline that adds a touch of femininity, while the long-puffed sleeves with button cuffs add a dramatic flair. The designer’s mix of materials creates a dynamic contrast, making the top the outfit’s focal point.

The pants are also tailored with the same fabric as the bodice, giving a cohesive look. The high-waist pant features a wide-leg cut, elongating the figure and providing comfort and ease of movement. The pants are characterised by a clean and elegant structure, making the vibrant prints look unique. The cinching at the waist enhances the wearer’s appearance, creating a more balanced and harmonious piece.
The design is made from Ankara fabric with a mix of deep navy-blue cotton material. The blend of both fabrics adds to the overall elegance of the design. Known for its durability and vibrant prints, the Ankara fabric is a popular choice for African fashion.

The blend of the navy blue material and the Ankara fabric creates a visually appealing, modern, and timeless contrast. This depicts the designer’s creativity in blending African and contemporary elements. This piece is a testament to the perfect blend of African cultural heritage with modern fashion trends to create a timeless piece. The design creates a stylish and culturally resonant piece without sacrificing comfort for other fashion elements.

The 2022 collection masterfully reveals Obiageli’s ability to blend African aesthetics with modern fashion trends in creating visually striking and culturally resonant pieces. The thoughtful use of rich, vibrant pieces paired with innovative tailoring highlights her creative design process.
Each piece in the collection stands out on its own yet collectively forms an ensemble that celebrates African heritage and modern fashion. The designer’s talent in infusing tradition with contemporary flair is a testament to style and cultural pride.