Inspired by a Cameroonian slang ‘Ova’ which means a bigger and noble person and Tété which refers to chic and bourgeois, the new collection from Cameroonian design label Wazal has very high ambitions. It takes the classic African inspired print wax and uses modern silhouette and construction techniques to elevate the very uniform of itinerant African women to a chic, noble attire. Wazal particularly focuses on Wax Prints that are popular in the designer’s home country as well as Senegal and Mali.
Working with the new trend of agendered fashion, Wazal employs a heavily embroidered square cut neckline classically associated with women’s wear for both his menswear and womenswear looks, suggesting that with the right kind of construction, nothing is off limits to anyone. He also incorporates extensive piping, and asymmetric hemlines into the collection, to create looks that are uncluttered but very fashion forward. Though sometimes the simplistic approach to silhouette works against the designer, its an overall cohesive collection and one that puts the Wazal couture clearly in our sights.
