In today’s fast-paced world, where women move fluidly between roles, expectations, and expressions of identity, fashion must do more than just clothe the body, it must accompany the life being lived and with the Fashioned Lifestyle Collection meticulously curated by Favour Owolabi Oluwanifesimi, creative director of the fashion brand Wardrobe 21, proposes a wardrobe not built around trends or spectacle, but around lifestyle, a concept of fashion that follows, reflects, and supports the rhythm of modern womanhood.
The Fashioned Lifestyle Collection captures more than just an aesthetic direction; it suggests a purposeful dressing experience, one where clothing is not occasional or ornamental, but an everyday companion, refined and intentional. Favour’s collection addresses the lived reality of women who require more than one-dimensional outfits. These garments are designed not only to fit the body, but to fit the woman’s day, her posture, her moments of presence, and her sense of self.
The highlight of this collection focuses on structured gowns of varying lengths and off-shoulder jumpsuits. The collection presents options that suit different moods and occasions without losing cohesion. The pieces communicate elegance without excess, and functionality without compromise, a balance that is not always easy to achieve. This approach defines the lifestyle quality of the collection: clothing meant to transition fluidly between different aspects of life, from professional settings to social gatherings.
Among the pieces, one that stands out for its strong architectural character and stylistic clarity is the full-length black gown. This piece represents Favour’s most successful articulation of her concept, an outfit that combines grace with assertion. The gown begins with a structured bodice, detailed with layered ruffles that create a visual frame around the shoulders and neckline.
The ruffles are sculptural, yet controlled, adding drama without overwhelming the design. A carefully tied front knot detail draws attention to the center of the torso, establishing symmetry and adding dimension. This is not ornamentation for its own sake; rather, it is an exercise in balance, giving the upper silhouette presence without clutter.
The gown then extends into a full, pleated A-line skirt, which falls to the floor with measured volume. There is a generous quality to the pleats, but they are not chaotic as they create movement without sacrificing form. The addition of side pockets, while subtle, reflects a design approach that values real-life functionality, a detail often ignored in formal wear, yet crucial for modern relevance.
Favour’s work demonstrates a clear understanding of construction and proportion. The neckline and ruffle placement suggest mastery over balance and framing, while the execution of the skirt reveals knowledge of volume control and garment flow. There is also a consistency in theme, a thread that runs through the collection and ties together different pieces without making them feel repetitive.
Another striking piece is the navy-blue ensemble, a jumpsuit that features an off-shoulder design with an asymmetrical white accent that creates visual interest while maintaining structural integrity. The draping appears well-executed, with the white fabric element serving both as a design feature and a functional component that adds movement to the otherwise structured silhouette.
The pink and red pieces showcase more adventurous pattern-making, with the appliqué floral embellishments adding textural dimension. The placement of these decorative elements appears deliberate, creating focal points that draw the eye while maintaining overall balance. The fit across both garments suggests careful attention to pattern-making and sizing, crucial elements for a lifestyle collection intended for diverse body types.
The color palette also reveals how color speaks to the lifestyle positioning of the modern woman. Take, for example, the deep navy and black piece showcases Favour’s confidence in monochromatic dressing, while the vibrant pink and red coordination demonstrates an understanding of how color can create visual harmony without overwhelming the wearer. This thoughtful color curation suggests a designer who understands the commercial viability of building a cohesive wardrobe rather than creating standalone statement pieces.
What distinguishes this collection is its subtle integration of African aesthetic sensibilities without resorting to obvious cultural signifiers. In this collection, Favour avoids the trap of over-accessorizing with traditional elements, instead allowing the silhouettes and construction methods to speak to African fashion traditions. This approach demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how contemporary African fashion can honor its roots while appealing to a global audience.
While the collection excels in structure and wearability, it could benefit from a deeper exploration of color, texture, or print within the same lifestyle framework.
In future iterations, experimentation with layering options or transitional pieces like lightweight coats, day-to-night dresses, and even the men’s version could extend the “lifestyle” concept even further, emphasizing how these clothes can not only exist across different settings but across changing seasons and needs.
The Fashioned Lifestyle Collection succeeds in creating wearable luxury that honors contemporary African aesthetics while meeting the practical lifestyle needs of women. With continued development, this collection could establish Wardrobe 21 as a significant voice in modern African fashion.
Overall, this is fashion not just for show — it is fashion for living, and for living well.
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