In The Closet: Nigerian Blogger Adaku Ufere of Third World ProFashional

 

One Nigerian Boy goes into the closet of Nigerian Fashion and lifestyle blogger Adaku Ufere, a.k.a Daks of Third World ProFashional for the first feature in this ‘In The Closet’ series. I first met Adaku at the monthly Le Petit Marche trade show and I was a bit flattered when she professed her love for my blog, now that I’ve been reading her blog for some time now, I’m equally smitten.

Word has it that loads of people go to these fashion trade shows and event to pose and interact without buying stuff but my wandering eye has caught Adaku picking up stuff on several occasions and she was even wearing a Deola Sagoe polo the first time we met which proves her #BuyNigerian ability not just liking.

I asked Adaku to show me her favorite pieces from Nigerian designers and other stuff she’s obsessed about and about an hour later after loads of choco milo, water and shots it was a wrap.

 

Odio Mimonet Bag: I love the colors and excellent craftsmanship. You can see all the hand detailing and amount of time that has been put into this bag.

 

 

Meena: I own 4 Meena pieces, which makes it one of my favorite Nigerian Fashion labels, if not my favorite. The first 2 and the last one are from her debut collection, the 3^rd one is an old dress I got years ago when she was not a fully established designer, but I still rock it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Babushka: I love Babushka because the clothes are trendy and affordable. You don’t have to break bank to cop a few cool pieces.

 

 

 

 

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi: My mom gifted me this dress years ago and it’s still treasured as if it’s new. I like the vintage vibe it’s got.

 

 

 

Ejiro Amos Tafiri: I copped this months ago at LPM, it was on sale.

 

 

Jini: This is a new label with cool clothes for very pocket friendly prices. I got this dress for just a little above ₦5,000.

 

One of the Brightest Talents in Contemporary Nigerian Fashion, Bridget Awosika, Drops her Full Spring/Summer 11 Collection

 

Parsons New York graduate Bridget Awosika finally drops her first full collection –styled by yours truly- as a designer featuring architecturally sound pieces that bear traces of Africa without being gaudy. Upon first look at the pieces the amount of quality handwork and exactitude of craftsmanship is evidenced.

 The designer who values functionality and individuality -probably a trait she acquired working at Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani whilst in New York- worked with skilled Artisans in producing the collection which feature a range of interesting fabrics amongst which stands one that is quintessentially Nigerian in origin and African in nature, the ‘Aso oke’.

 

Many fashion insiders would argue that the African batik print is not indigenous to the continent but rather produced for the continent by Europeans and Asians. The Aso-oke fabric however is made for Africans by Africans in Africa, and it is slowly taking a reasonable chunk of the local fabric market, thanks to modern techniques involved in the production.

Asides the Aso-oke Fabric Bridget Awosika also worked with chiffon, tulle, dutchess satin, crepe and cotton fabrics.

 

Detailing in the collections displayed a witty use of accordion pleats, sexy drapery and cut out patterns on the fabric that had the skin disguised with tulle or in one case, exposed at one side of the hip. The signature cuts followed through on other pieces and appeared on the bottom of one of the trousers in the collection.

The colors palette was a mixture of neon pink, turquoise, grey, lime, white and the chic black pieces which were amongst my favorites. Black allows you to explore shape and texture to a degree that is often not possible with the presence of colour. The tonal range was executed wisely and fused with the vivid detailing which includes folds, accordion pleats, sequins and exposed zippers achieved cohesion. The intimate folds and lines of the fabrics against the body created a sexy vibe which the designer divulges unofficially, that she wanted to attain with the collection.

 

Texturally exciting fabrics, ostensibly harsh details and architecture come to mind when one views the collection. With many collections which come and go due to fashions frenzied pace and planned obsolescence, this would be one to struggle with our will, if only to retain a whiff of it in our minds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You probably would not notice that the pink fabric in the dress above below is Aso-Oke

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aso-Oke in turquoise

 

Pleated Aso-Oke and custom dyed Dutchess Satin.