These are confusing times for emerging fashion labels. With the international fashion industry divided along the lines of ‘See now, buy now’ and maintaining the status-quo, emerging labels not only have to worry about which side of the retail divide they’ll pitch their tent in, they also have to create a unique selling point to distinguish themselves from the thousands of Instagram boutique labels. Fayocentric helmed by Akintimehin Fayosola is finding her ground with a debut ready-to-wear collection titled ‘Flexible’.
Using aso oke and drawing inspiration from the culture of the Yoruba people of Ondo state, Fayosola tries to create a collection that works on many levels.
Creative director, Akintimehin Fayosola says inspiration for the collection came from her native Ondo culture and this is seen in the use of aso oke fabrics for some of the pieces in the collection. Fayosola works striped aso oke pieces into three dimensional ribbons on evening dress and uses them as contrast inserts on a v-necked lapeled two piece ensemble. She has a decent grasp of formal evening wear, and while her pieces do not push boundaries silhouette and construction wise, they are well made and flattering on the model.
The label’s lack of experience becomes evident in the second half of the collection dedicated to casual, athleisure pieces. A overized sleeveless jacket has unwieldy lapels and is unflattering on the model. The label’s vests, track pants and shirts are pedestrian at best, with nothing to differentiate it from any other run of the mill label. The entire collection would have benefited strongly from the eye of a curator, and the athleisure pieces should have been edited from the final line up.
However, this is only Fayocentric’s debut collection. Sophomore efforts are always the true metric of a label’s possibilities.
Brand contact: [email protected] | Instagram – @fayocentricdesign
Shoot Credits:
Photography: @sesay__
Photo assistant: @kknightmarley1
Models: @omotola_monique and Odeyemi Bukola.
Makeup: @lamideabdul
Accessories: @gemaccessories__
