This spring strikes a distinctly upbeat chord as dopamine dressing takes hold of our sartorial senses. This season, designers envision the world in glorious technicolor with head-to-toe saturation in vibrant orange, blue, pink, and red hues. Fashion is taking its cues from the richness and vitality of the natural world, and wardrobes are blooming alongside the flora. While most collections assert flamboyant maximalism, the popularity of separates and co-ords works well to ground the trend. In addition, you can incorporate these pops of color from this season to the next, extending their style shelf-life. Read on to discover the multiplicity of bright hues this season.
Bold Orange
Following Millennial pink and Gen Z yellow, orange emerges as the next generational hue. Nigerian resort and swimwear label Andrea Iyamah goes for tangerine with the Menasa Bikini, a high-waisted two-piece with a plunging neckline and adjustable drawstrings at the shoulder that transforms it from a bikini into a crop top. The retro silhouette ensures the contemporary color will work for all your poolside visits. Away from the water, Cynthia Abila offers a similar tangerine shade in a silk button-down and pant set with fringe trim and hand-sewn inscription, a thoughtful yet playful take on loungewear, and logomania. No stranger to color and flair, Orange Culture brings the cape into everyday wear with a fiery chiffon crop top. Take a cue from the brand’s lookbook and pair it with shorts for a casual approach to statement dressing.
Deep Blue
A diverse range of blues was present on the SS’22 runways, from powdery pastels at Emmy Kasbit to a deeper azure at Pepper Row. Orange Culture goes for both with the attention-grabbing Two-Tone Waistcoat Dress, with its mesmerizing multi-color asymmetrical paneling. The sapphire and sky-blue shades are balanced with pastel blue scalloped lace trimming that provides a playful twist to the tailored collar. Emmy Kasbit’s take on cargo pants speaks to the current Y2K revival, rendered in handwoven Akwete and wool in a straight-leg fit, retaining a classic feel to the new trend. Pepper Row brings cheerfulness to the darker shade with hand-painted figures in traditional Batik techniques. This regional approach to the camp collar shirt, a classic mid-century menswear must-have, is the perfect summer item that can be dressed down with a pair of jeans or shorts. Moreover, try subverting its traditionally masculine elements with soft, draped skirts for a remarkable and well-balanced ensemble.
Emmy Kasbit designer Emmanuel Okoro returns to the SS’22 runways referencing the events of the Nigerian civil war through the label’s signature architectural silhouettes. The Bianca Crop Jacket and Ngozi Skirt are in a punchy lime green handwoven Akwete fabric featuring accents of cyan and yellow. The half-yellow sun motif signals hope for a glorious future from the collection’s historical inspirations. Wear the pieces together for an eye-catching power suit with sneakers during the day or strappy sandals in the evening. The Ngozi Skirt’s mesh and detailed fringe hem offer a sporty twist on the classic silhouette, in line with this season’s agenda to inject joy into every item. Follow suit by pairing the skirt with a complimentary red or pink top. Finally, you can incorporate the Bianca Crop Jacket for a colorful co-ord look. It’s a lightweight cropped fit that works well throughout the seasons, whether as an off-shoulder cape on warmer evenings or a welcome layer of color on much cooler nights.
Turquoise appears at Cynthia Abila and KikoRomeo, with the latter utilizing intricate embroidery to offer the jewel tone as an accent. The Kisiju Dress is a subtler approach, bringing together the timeless simplicity of the little white dress with this season’s inclination towards saturation and adornment through the cut-out detailing, crossover straps, and asymmetric hem. Consider this an elevated approach to off-duty style as you head for a day at the beach. The Anyanwu Suit is anything but subtle in its head-to-toe take on turquoise with contrasting saffron stripes. Cynthia Abila approaches spring with a more-is-more approach. See the dynamic fringing on the pant legs that doesn’t just belong to evening and special occasion wear. The tailored, handwoven silk suit works just as well as a power suit.
Shop the Lagos Fashion Week Edit. Discover these and other covetable SS'22 styles from the trend-setting runways of Lagos Fashion Week.
Complete your look with these colorful accessories
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