There aren’t that many design driven labels in Nigeria that cater exclusively to the plus-size woman. This is mindboggling considering the fact that a sizable population of older and more financially buoyant Nigerian women are plus-size and considering they have the financial wherewithal to actually pay for good quality made clothing, labels continue to focus all their attention on European standards and the size zero aesthetic. This is why Osa Aisien’s Ma Bello Clothiers continues to impress and fascinate us. Because they not only make really good clothes, they implicitly understand the needs of their target demographic and don’t scrimp of innovation for functionality.
The label has just released campaign images debuting its newest collection, Imose. It is one of the more expansive plus-size collection we’ve seen, with nearly 30 looks. In the press packet the label sent with the campaign, Aisien describes her inspiration for the new collection as thus:
‘The collection was inspired by the women in my life that have impacted me greatly. The Modupe Kimono is inspired by my late Mother; Modupe Ogiemwonyi… The other pieces were inspired my sisters Efe and Amenze”
It shows that this collection is inspired by real women. Unlike the label’s previous collections, there is no avantgarde experimentation with silhouettes, no in-your-face sensuality. What we get is a collection of staples, jazzed up, worked around, played up to work to the plus-sized woman’s body strengths and mask her weaknesses. Open backed fishtailed dresses with loose sleeves, a gorgeous steeple sheer lace dress with a flared hem, satin coats with african inspired wax motif appliques, Ma Bello Clothiers covers all the bases with ‘Imose’.
This is one collection we are really rooting for, it’s amazing.
PHOTO CREDITS
Makeup: You Makeovers | @youmakeovers
Models: Eki | @thechameleonblogger Mandy | @mandystwit
Photography: Krixtien Simon | @krixtien
Hair: O’Naturals | @onaturals1
Follow Ma’Bello on Instagram @mabelloclothier and click HERE to visit their website.
